Be Inspired Every Day!

Perfect

Party Cakes

Step-By-Step Guide

24 February 2015

The Best
Pain Relief
Solutions
To Do To

Styled By
LORRAINE

What
Feel Better Fast

Give Your
Garden Borders

WIN
Lorraines

A New
Look For
Spring

My Son
Makes Me
Proud Every Day

Cover
Dress
UK ONLY.
CONDITIONS APPLY

How To
Use Your
Computer

To Stay
In Touch
With Your
Family

Our Readers
Wear Her New
Collection

17Ingenious

Cleaning Tips
No Products
Required!

Hello!

Womans Weekly Slug

Amazing Women

heres a reason Lorraine Kelly has

been as popular as she has, for as
long as she has what you see on
the television (a warm, friendly, chatty,
empathetic, kind woman) isnt an act put
on for the cameras. Thats exactly what
shes like off-screen. Todays celebrity
culture may have given us a glut of selfinterested wannabes, but that makes the
people who are well known for all the right
reasons shine out even more brightly. Id
challenge you to find a better example of
someone whos earned her success through
hard work and genuine talent than
Lorraine. Her enthusiasm and excitement
at seeing our fabulous readers modelling
the first range of clothes shes designed
(and she has been absolutely involved in

every stage of the design)

for JD Williams was
thoroughly infectious on
the shoot (see below and
page 15 for the results).
Just as Lorraine is a role
model for what celebrity
should be, my mum is an
equally remarkable role
model for me. Ive always been proud
to be her daughter, but never more so
than when she was presented with a
CBE by Prince Charles at Buckingham
Palace, a ceremony which my siblings
and I attended with her. What a
magical, emotional, overwhelmingly
happy day it was. Congratulations,
Mum. Youre an inspiration.

Diane Kenwood,
Editor

A Peek At My Week
Camera, Action!

Cover photo: Vicky Brown

How many people does it take to do

a reader fashion shoot? A lot!

The Fabulous
Fascinator...

I wore to the Palace

was by Rosalie French,
who sells her gorgeous
handmade headwear
at etsy.com.

Proud At The Palace

There was no way my siblings and I were going to blend into the
background at Mums investiture as a CBE (our coats were bright red
orange and pink!). And we could not have smiled any more broadly.

Hats... On!

I think the needles and wool that came

with this box of behatted Innocent
drinks were for me to knit one. Fraid
I passed them on to the knitting team.

To make sure you never miss an issue of our monthly

Knitting
Crochet magazine,
Passed
this in a pub&
winyou can subscribe from just 21.99* and save up to 25% anddow,
every
subscription
comes with a free trial
any takers

digital version for iPad and iPhone.

D Subscribe online at magazinesdirect.com/10r or call 0330 333 4555 quoting code 10R. Phones lines are open seven days
a week between 8am and 9pm (UK time). *Payable every six months by UK Direct Debit. The free trial digital version can be
Womans Weekly 00
withdrawn at any time during the subscription period. For full terms and conditions, please visit magazinesdirect.com/terms

Welcome To Womans W
A Cup Of TeaWith

Inside This Issue

On The Cover
10 A car accident
turned mum Paulette
Veals life upside down
15 Lorraine Kelly turns
stylist and dresses
readers in her new
range plus win her
cover dress
26 Party cakes for kids
30 Bright ideas for
cleaning your home
38 Colourful ideas for
garden borders
44 Pick the right
pain relief
55 Chatting online

Patrick Grant
How do you like your tea?
In a cup with a saucer. Im more
fussy about what I drink it from
than how its made.

Who would you most like to

have a cup of tea with?

Ive just written a book about

the hundred men I think are the
most entertaining, so it would
have to be one or all of them!

Are you enjoying The Great

British Sewing Bee?

Definitely. I like it
that the audience
tends to be
quite
diverse
and a
lot of
families
watch it

RIVETING READS

8 The Great Comic Relief

Bake Of is back!
13 Its A Funny Old World:
Jane Fearnley- Whittingstall
20 A look back at
transatlantic sea travel
51 Discover Malta

together, even though they dont

know anything about sewing.

Have you always been

suited and booted?

I wouldnt say I was well-dressed

as a child I probably looked
like Id done a random grab at a
jumble sale! But I took huge care
of my clothes. I never thought
that was unusual until I saw
other boys throwing their school
uniforms on the floor when they
got changed!

How do you enjoy spending

your spare time?

On my bike. Earlier this year,

I cycled from London to
Newcastle in one day. But I dont
think Ill be doing that again

What would it surprise

people to know about you?

I love board games. My favourite

is called Puerto Rico it takes
about eight hours to play.
D The Great British Sewing Bee is
on BBC2, Thursdays at 8pm.

STORYTIME

23 First Loves
41 Words
56 Serial: Final part of Rum

done
I looked like Id
le sale
a grab at a jumb

Cove by Leonora Francis

HOME SWEET HOME

33 Charming woodland
fnger puppets to sew
35 Crochet a handbag
LIFE COACH

42 Dr Melanie: Advice on
oesophago-gastric cancer
47 Health Choices: Kiss
goodbye to mouth ulcers
49 Here To Help
OFFERS, EVENTS &
COMPETITION

37 Design knitwear day

40 Pretty nerines
50 Tours of royal palaces
53 European travel ofers
54 Win a tablet

LAST BUT NOT LEAST...

63 Stars
64 Puzzles
67 Rosemary

Beefayre.com

British bees have been the subject of much anxiety in

recent years, as the mystery behind their dwindling
numbers has puzzled scientists and is a real threat to our
ecosystem. If youre concerned and youre interested in
home fragrance, bath and body products, visit this
website launched by illustrator Sharon Jervis. Her
products feature her beautiful designs and are produced
in England. Whats more, Beefayre donates 3% of
profts to bee-conservation projects in the
UK. Its Waggledance range (pictured) is
available in four fragrances: Bee Calm
(lavender and geranium), Bee Happy
(orange and jasmine), Bee Loved (rose)
and Bee Kind (rosemary and neroli).

Website
of theWeek

Weekly Come On In!

See How My Garden Grows

Thanks to
Gillian Day,
who shared
this picture of
the beautiful
hydrangea
blooming in
her garden
last summer.

Readers
Garden

D If you have a
garden to be proud
of, wed love to see
it. Get in touch at
womansweekly.com/
yourgardens

Talkers

The Southbank Imagine

Childrens Festival
Kids take over Londons Southbank
until 22 February with a packed
schedule of activities, including some
Alices Adventures In Wonderlandthemed events such as flamingo
croquet and dressing up to mark
the novels 150th anniversary.
D For details, call 020 7960 4200
or visit southbankcentre.co.uk

Disneys Magical Ice Festival

This spectacular ice show is perfect
for little ones and features all
their favourite Frozen characters!
It tours the UK until May 2015.
D Call Ticketmaster on 0844 844
0444 or visit disneyonice.co.uk for
details and tickets.

Photos: Camera Press, Rex

Tone your bottom & legs

The Side Step

Stand sideways on a doorstep, aerobic
step or the bottom step of your stairs.
Move the foot nearest the edge off
the step and lower it to the floor
while keeping your other foot on
the step. Touch your foot to the
floor, then lift it back on to the
step. Repeat eight times, then
face the other way and repeat
with the other leg.

Well done!

Half-term Boredom Busters

Toddlers

A Great Exercise To...

TIP

Keep your
t
spine straigh
s
d
and han
ont
together in fr
.
u
o
y
f
o

Where I Read Mine

My family look forward to reading
Womans Weekly as much as I do
and I always take it with me when I visit
them in the Canadian Rockies.
Dorothy Barry, Manchester

Teens

Chinese New Year in Manchester

Manchester brings in the Year of the
Ram with events galore between 19
and 22 February. Theres a dragon
parade, food and fireworks aplenty,
and thousands of lanterns will light
up the streets.
D For more information, visit
chinesenewyearmcr.com

D Wed love to see where you read

your copy of Womans Weekly.
The more exotic, the better!

PaWs For
thought

Letter Of The Week

ur eight-year-old
granddaughter, Isabelle, gets
great pleasure from tackling
the Womans Weekly crossword
and tries to solve as many clues
as possible by herself. Here she is
with her grandad, working away
diligently while travelling to London
to see the musical, Charlie And
The Chocolate Factory. Each week,
Isabelle cant wait to get hold of a
copy of the magazine to check her
answers and tackle the next one!
Christine Rawlings, Cornwall

D Sounds like you have a smart cookie there, Christine.

Were glad Isabelle loves the puzzles. We love to hear from
you, so please do get in touch if you have something to say
They say owners look like their pets
and heres my gorgeous
guinea pig, Mo!
Maxine Mackintosh, London

D Got a pet pic that makes you

smile? We can give it a good home

25

Wicked Wit

Two things are infinite: the universe and human

stupidity; and Im not sure about the universe
Albert Einstein

Look What I Made!

Were so impressed
with Sarah Cronk from
Eastbourne, who made
this gorgeous crocheted
blanket for her bed. It
began as a bit of an
experiment when she frst
learnt to crochet, but as
you can see, it evolved
very quickly indeed! Great
work, Sarah, and carry
on crafting!

D Made something
gorgeous? Well,
dont be shy we
want to see it!

GET In
TOUCH

.
.
.
o
t
k
e
e
w
This is the Visit

Enjoy

Glasgow
Film
Festival

Glasgow
celebrates
the magic
of cinema from now until
1 March with a huge range of
screenings and shows in the
most unexpected of locations
theres a different pop-up
venue for every night. To
fnd out more and to book,
call 0141 332 6535 or visit
glasgowflm.org

Hever Castle

Its the perfect week to visit this

beautiful Kent castle as it hosts
Living With Birds, a special event
exploring the importance of our
feathered friends. Children can
make their own bird feeder in the
free craft workshops. Call 01732
865 224 or visit hevercastle.co.uk

We love letters

Email us

Fancy a chat?

Womans Weekly, 110

Southwark St, London SE1 0SU.
PS. It really helps when you
put your details in capitals

Womansweeklypostbag
@timeinc.com
Tell us your full name, address and
daytime phone number, please

Log on to facebook.com/
womansweekly
We cant wait to
hear from you!

We do not return photos (apart from You Look

Great!) so please do not send originals

You Look Great!

Pick From
The Past

Each week we bring you

a snippet from one of our
gorgeous archive issues.

Sherlock at the
Museum of London

Step into the shoes of the man

who never lived and will never
die. This exhibition pays
homage to Arthur Conan
Doyles famous detective. With
early flm clips and Victorian
artefacts, Sherlocks London
is brought entertainingly to
life. Call 020 7001 9844 or
visit museumofondon.org.uk

Important! All contributions to Womans Weekly must be

original and NOT duplicated to other publications. 25 will be
paid to the writer of the Letter Of The Week, and the Good
To Meet You contributor will receive a gift or similar as stated
at time of publication of contribution, for all rights in each
letter printed. The Editor reserves the right to modify any
letter. Time Inc. (UK) Ltd reserves the right to reuse any
submission to Womans Weekly in any format or medium,
including social-networking sites. We regret that we cannot
enter into personal correspondence. Photos of children under
18 must be accompanied by written permission of a parent/
legal guardian. All details correct at time of going to press.

Words: Lucy Turner. Photos: Neil Mackenzie-Matthews and Annie Johnston. Photographed at The Bullring, Birmingham, and Bluewater shopping centre, Kent

Explore

Patricia
Every, 73,

Tell us about
your look

Id describe it as
smart, with a modern
twist. I go to Italy
every couple of
months and buy a lot
of my clothes there, as
I like the quality and
style. If Im shopping
here, I go to Hobbs
and LK Bennett,
although the coat Im
wearing today is from
Autograph at M&S. I
wear a lot of black, but
I like a bit of orange or
red to brighten it up.

Chalk, Kent

Horsham,
West Sussex

1919

You can see more etiquette advice from the

past in the January issue of The Womans
Weekly Keepsake Book Of Vintage
Etiquette, on sale at newsagents now

Susan
Dennis,
65,

Tell us about
your look

I tend to wear
colourful clothes
I think it
brightens up
how you feel.
I do like comfy
things and I
wear a lot of
leggings and
tunics. Most of
this outfits from
M&S. I buy a lot
from there as
theyre good if
youre short. Im
only 5ft tall, so
its hard to find
things that fit!

And the best bit

of your body?

My hair.

And the
best bit of
your body?

And You

My short hair.

Barbara
Garrett,
59,

Alwaeys
Hav

Birmingham

Tell us about
your look

I like to look
smart but not too
dressed up. I wear
a lot of jeggings
and boots. I dont
worry about
whats in fashion, I
just shop for what
I like. My coat and
jeans are both
from M&S, but I
love the clothes
from Mint Velvet.
They have great
things for layering
and the fabrics
are lovely.

And the
best bit of
your body?
My feet.

Margaret Casey, 1954

In this photo, I was showing off my new

dark blue dress to my boyfriend wed
only just started going out at the time.
Weve now been married for 58 years!

Wed love to see how great you looked in any era up

to and including the 1980s. Please send a good-quality
photo with your name, address and daytime phone
number clearly written on the back, to: Fashion Dept,
Womans Weekly, Blue Fin Building, 110 Southwark St,
London SE1 0SU. Photos will be returned.

Let Them

Eat Cake!

We had access to The Great Comic Relief Bake Of tent

to see how this years celebs rose to the challenge

Words: Katherine Hassell. Photos: BBC, Getty, PA, WireImage

n your marks, get

set... BAKE! Words
to instil fear into the
hearts of the best
cake-maker, let alone a clutch of
culinary klutzes who dont know
one end of a spatula from the
other. But that hasnt deterred
celebs from volunteering to
compete in The Great Comic
Relief Bake Off, raising funds
for disadvantaged people in the
UK and Africa.
Jennifer Saunders, Joanna
Lumley, Jonathan Ross, Gok
Wan, Michael Sheen and Lulu
are among 16 brave souls, hoping
their peaks will be stiff and
their bottoms un-soggy as they
cook their way through a trio of
challenges in the name of charity.
The shows being flmed in the
grounds of Valentines Mansion
& Gardens in Ilford, Essex. Its
idyllic, with the beautiful fower

8 womansweekly.com

beds, parkland and a lake that

Bake Off is known for and the
perfect antidote to the stress
of competitive baking. Just as
well. Because its certainly tense
inside that tent!
Todays contestants have
made traybakes and done the
technical task. Now, its time
for their show-stoppers a
cake of their face. Judging by
their furrowed brows and looks
of intense concentration, this
might be amusing.
On set, comedian Victoria
Wood is whisking egg whites
for a beetroot cake, while DJ
Chris Moyles zests an orange.
For a Surprise Selfe carrot
cake, he tells judges Mary
Berry and Paul Hollywood and
special host Ed Byrne. Suddenly,
Chris stops talking and sticks
his hand in the bowl. Sorry,
Im trying to get a fy out of my

four. Thats the surprise!

Chris confesses hes had
coaching from a cake expert
who works with a lovely lad
from Essex but admits the
cake looks nothing like it did
when he made it before. As if
to underline his lack of ability,
Chris goes to spray oil inside
his cake mould and squirts it
in his eye instead. The lovely
lad from Essex is Jamie Oliver,
but his friends help might
have been in vain.
Comedian Kayvan Novak,
from Channel 4s Fonejacker,
struggles to get the lid off a
jar not a good start and is
distracted by the contents of
Victorias mixing bowl, which
have turned blue. You didnt
murder a Smurf, did you?
he jokes. Meanwhile, model/
presenter Alexa Chungs hands
are turning green, thanks to her

Having a
Bake Ofs M
some of
contestants Je
Edna

Womans Weekly Celebrity

The Cook Report

Actress
Joanna Lumley

How would I
describe my baking
ability? Nil. Zilch.
De nada. Tinier
than miniscule.
Catastrophically
lacking. So not there
as to be fantasy. I was given recipes
which could have been written in
Swahili, so far were they from my zone
of comprehension.

Housewife superstar
Dame Edna

Im a superb baker and

should have had my own
catering show years
ago. A bit like
icing on a
cake, I
never
want to
spread
myself
too thin. The
big challenge
for me was not

a laugh for a good cause,

Mary, Paul and Sue with
f this years Comic Relief
ennifer Saunders, Dame
a, Lulu, Joanna Lumley...

...And with Victoria Wood, Kayvan Novak, Alexa

Chung, Chris Moyles and special host Ed Byrne

Left: Cooking
up mayhem,
Jonathan
Ross, Zoe
Sugg, Abbey
Clancy and
Gok Wan

to humiliate the
other contestants
by being
conspicuously
superior.

Singer Lulu

You want me
to tell you
how good I am at
baking? Unpredictable!
My experience of
baking is so limited, I only started
baking two days before flming, so I
dont have a history to talk of. Which
judge is scarier? Isnt it obvious?
How could Mary be scary? You just
want to please her.

courgette and lime

cake mixture.
Inspection over,
Mary and Paul take
a seat, and over egg
sarnies and lemon
drizzle, Paul tells
me who hes most
excited to see baking...
a Hollywood star
no less.
Im really looking
forward to seeing
what Michael Sheen
does. As an actor,
hes done everything.
Im sure hell come
up with something
good. Hes a big
A-lister. Hollywood
does Hollywood!
Hes obviously got no
time to bake. That
will be fascinating!
Many celebrity
contestants have never baked,
but the judges wont be going
easy on nervous novices. We say
it as it is whether they like it or
not, says Paul. But the whole
point is to have a laugh, and Ive

Comedian
Victoria Wood

Id describe my baking
ability as very average.
Ive made lots of horrible
fat scones. My top
tip? No one really likes
cupcakes. They are the
fur coat and no knickers
of the baking world!

been giggling like a schoolboy.

They try so hard. Thats whats
funny. Whos made him laugh
most? David Mitchell:
I was in tears, says Paul, while
it was Jonathan Ross who made
Mary chuckle: He has an awful
lot of confdence, she says And
its so misguided! says Paul.
Mr Ross isnt the only one
determined to do well. Theyre
all competitive, laughs Paul.
You see them looking over their
shoulder to see what the others
are doing.
Isnt it time Mary and Paul
competed against each other?
Next year, maybe well do
something with Sue Perkins and
me on one team and Mary
and Mel Giedroyc on another,
says Paul. Id win, though
Id let him win, grins Mary.
I dont know what hed do to
me if he didnt!
D The Great Comic Relief Bake Of
is on Wednesdays on BBC One at
8pm. If youre inspired to bake for
Red Nose Day (Friday 13 March),
visit rednoseday.com/bakeofkit
for a free fundraising pack

Mary Berrys
Florentines

This recipe is one of 14 in The

Great Comic Relief Bake Of
booklet, so you can hold your
own cake sale to raise money.
Makes 18

50g unsalted butter

50g demerara sugar
50g golden syrup
50g plain four
25g dried cranberries,
fnely chopped
50g candied peel, fnely
chopped
25g blanched almonds,
fnely chopped
25g walnut pieces,
fnely chopped
200g dark chocolate
(70% cocoa solids)

1
2
3
4
5

Heat oven to 180C/350F/

Gas Mark 4. Line three baking
sheets with baking parchment.
Measure butter, sugar and
syrup into a saucepan. Heat
gently until melted.
Remove the pan from the heat.
Stir in the four, cranberries,
candied peel and nuts.
Place 6 teaspoonfuls of the
mixture on each baking sheet.
Allow room for spreading.
Bake for 810 mins until
golden brown. Leave on the
sheets to cool, then use a palette
knife to transfer to a wire rack.
If the forentines are too hard to
remove, briefy pop them back
into the oven to soften.
Break 100g of the chocolate into
a heatproof bowl over a pan
of simmering water. Stir frequently
until the chocolate reaches a
melting temperature of 53C. Finely
chop the remaining chocolate.
Remove the bowl from the
pan, add chopped chocolate
and stir gently until smooth and
chocolate has cooled to 26C.
Spread a little melted
chocolate over the base
of each forentine. Cool
slightly before marking a zigzag
pattern with a fork. Leave to
set, chocolate-side up, on the
wire rack or baking parchment.
D The recipe booklet is available
from Sainsburys, rednoseday.
com/shop and other book
retailers for 2.50

6
7

Womans Weekly 9

He Was Alive

Thats All That Mattered

Paulette Veal didnt know how shed cope when a car

accident lef her son with severe brain injuries

t started off as a day like

any other. Paulette Veal
absentmindedly kissed
her eldest, Jon, then 19,
goodbye as he headed off
to his job in a car dealership
before taking her younger
children to school, while her
husband Derrick went to work.
After the school run, Derrick
called me on my
mobile while I was
walking the dog,
says Paulette, 50,
from Cheltenham,
in Gloucestershire. He said
there had been an accident on
the road Jon took to work, and
suggested I call his employers
to say he might be late. It didnt
occur to either of us he might
be involved.
But when Paulette arrived
home, two police cars were
parked on the drive. The offcers
sat her down and told her Jon
had been involved in a head-on
collision between two cars.
They couldnt tell me much
about his injuries, but were

clearly trying to prepare me for

the worst. Somehow, though,
I knew hed pull through.
As Paulette was driven to
the Queen Elizabeth Hospital
in Birmingham, where Jon had
been taken by air ambulance,
her mind whirred with
possibilities of what she might
face when she got there.

think to check when hed bought

it, something I deeply regret,
and urge other parents to
consider when children are
buying their frst cars.
For the next three weeks,
Paulette kept a constant vigil
at Jons bedside, reading to him
and watching for every twitch
or movement. While he was
still in a coma,
Jons friends
visited him in
the hospital,
chatting around
him and talking about the latest
goings-on back at home.
It must have been diffcult
for them, seeing him so
unresponsive, but we were so
pleased to have them there.
We never knew how much Jon
could hear or understand, but
it meant so much to know his
friends still cared.
Throughout those frst
few weeks, Paulette always
believed that her son would
recover. I knew nothing about
brain injuries, but I knew
my son, she says.

Jon had tried to overtake the vehicle

in front and had hit an oncoming car

Paulette with Jon (left)

and his younger
brother, Steven

10 womansweekly.com

I kept thinking of how the TV

presenter Richard Hammond
had survived a terrible crash and
made a full recovery. I convinced
myself Jon would do the same.
But when she arrived at the
hospital, it was clear Jon had
a long road ahead.
Seeing him lying there,
unconscious, surrounded by
beeping machines, was one of
the worst moments of my life,
says Paulette. We discovered that
Jon had tried to overtake the
vehicle in front of him and had
hit an oncoming
car. His brain
was shunted back
and forth with
such force it was
a miracle that he
was even alive.
Amazingly, the
driver of the other
car, which was the
same model as
Jons, only had
minor injuries.
His car was
newer and ftted
with an airbag;
Jons wasnt, says
Paulette. We
simply didnt

Torturous progress
Derrick, who ran his own
business as a cabinet maker,
visited the hospital as often
as he could, but Paulette, a
stay-at-home mum, made the
80-mile round trip every day.
The accident inevitably had
an impact on the rest of the
family: Wed always been close,
but as much as my younger
children, Steven, then 16, and
Faye, who was only 10, needed
me at home, Jon needed me
more, says Paulette.
I felt like I was torn in two,
and probably neglected them

during those frst weeks and

months, but what else could I do?
When a family member has an
accident like this, you know life
will never be normal again.
Jons progress was slow,
but every milestone gave the
family a glimmer of hope. If
someone had told me before the
accident that Jon simply opening
his eyes would be something to
celebrate it would have seemed

Womans Weekly Real Life

When your children are babies,
you nurture them and patiently
teach them how to do things.
You never expect to have to do
it all again, only this time with
a medical team on hand. I
remember trying to teach him
to eat again even learning to
swallow was a huge challenge.

Its like hes sharing a fat with

friends, just like other young
men his age, but he still receives
the 24-hour care he needs, says
Paulette. Its perfect for him, and
I can see how happy he is.
In fact, the whole country will
be able to see Jons progress, as
he is one of a number of young

Hes learnt to accept his limitations,

but also to improve in ways we never
thought possible

Second tragedy
And then, less than a year after
the accident, Derrick died of
a brain haemorrhage, leaving
Paulette alone with her children.
I wondered how Id ever cope,
she admits. But my children
needed me more than ever,
particularly Jon.
The major turning point for
Paulette came when she secured
Jon a place at the National Star
College, a further education
establishment specialising in
supporting young people with
complex physical disabilities
and learning diffculties.
At frst, Jon was wary, and
didnt want to make friends,
says Paulette. He was 20,
and struggled to accept the
fact that he was surrounded
by people with special
needs, when he didnt
see himself that way.
All vehicles are required to meet a certain
But everyone was
safety rating and to achieve that most but
wonderful. With
not all manufacturers fit driver and front
their guidance, hes
passenger airbags. However, unlike in
learnt to accept his
the United States (and this year,
limitations, but also
India), there is curretly no
to improve in ways we
legal requirement to do
never thought possible.
so in the UK.
Jon now uses a wheelchair
and although he cant talk,
he has learnt to communicate
of
with noises, by pointing
what he
and with facial gestures. Hes
was seeing. Each step was a
able to make his own choices
milestone, says Paulette.
and, thanks to hydrotherapy,
Jon, now 24, spent
he can walk a few steps.
three months in hospital
He recently moved
before doctors felt hed
into National Stars new
progressed enough to move to
residential accommodation,
a rehabilitation centre. At times,
which allows him to live as
it felt like one step forward and
independently as he can.
two steps back, says Paulette.

Airbags
And The Law

unthinkable. Its amazing

how quickly that changes,
says Paulette. He was alive,
and thats all that mattered.
Everything else was a bonus.
It was three weeks before Jon
opened one of his eyes, another
two weeks before he opened
both and another week before
he could track with his gaze,
even when he wasnt aware

people living with disability at

the centre who BBC Three have
flmed for a series to be shown
later in the year.
I lost my son, the Jon I knew,
in the accident that day and I
grieved for him, explains Paulette,
but now theres a new Jon in his
place. To see how hes coped with
what lifes thrown at him the
result of a moment of madness
makes me so proud. Life
will never be how Id imagined,
but we can look forward to
the future with hope and
for that Ill always be grateful.

Life After A
Brain Injury
One in 2,000 people who
attend A&E in the UK with a
brain injury dies as a result.
For survivors, the efects
can be wide-ranging,
depending on the type,
location and severity of
the injury.
Six months after injury is
when the fastest improvement
is usually seen.
Help is available for brain
injury survivors and their
families from several
organisations, including:
Headway, the brain injury
association: 0808 800 2244;
headway.org.uk
BASIC: 0870 750 0000;
basiccharity.org.uk
The Childrens Trust:
01737 365 000;
thechildrenstrust.org.uk
The National Star
College: 01242 527 631;
natstar.ac.uk

Womans Weekly 11

Words: Elaine McLaren. Photo: National Star College

Every time I spooned mashedup food into his mouth, I thought

of doing the same thing all those
years ago. It was heartbreaking.

Its A

Funny Old World

She managed to produce a

garment with two armholes
but no hole for the head!

Photos: Getty, Rex

ere just back

from a couple of
days looking after
our youngest
granddaughter, known in the
family as Little Miss Bossy.
Granny, teach me to knit
was the imperious request
(command?) from her.
It seems ambitious aged just
four-and-three-quarters. I was
seven when I learnt to knit.
We were on holiday in Tenby,
enduring the seaside in a
dismally cold, wet summer.
I remember the bus ride into
town to purchase a skein of
rug wool in a tasteful shade
of knicker pink, and a pair of
knitting needles as thick as
pencils. First, my mother held
the skein on bent arms while
I wound the wool into a giant
ball, then came the actual
knitting. Perseverance was the
main quality required. The
fnished artefact was a kettle
holder, about six inches square.
Seven seems about the right
age. Our son Hugh reminded
me recently that I taught him
to knit at that age when he
was housebound recovering
from flu. He wanted to
make a Doctor Who scarf,

but we compromised on a
multi-coloured, skinny scarf for
our dog, Rex. He was a locally
renowned escapologist and I felt
an idiot having to ring the police
to ask if anyone had reported a
stray Labrador wearing a stripy
knitted scarf. At least it made it
easier to retrieve the retriever.
Hugh learnt to knit by
repeating the same mantra
I learnt from my mother
beside the Welsh seaside: In,
over, through, off , stitch after
stitch after stitch. Mum was
a determined, but not very
competent, knitter. She and her
three sisters knitted their way
through the Second World
War, making comforts for the
troops in khaki and navy wool.
Much later, when I was pregnant
with her frst grandchild, Mum
knitted a tiny vest and managed
to produce a garment with two
armholes in the correct places
but no hole for the babys head.
For myself, the Tenby kettle
holder was just the beginning.
In due course, I discovered
that one could knit a simple,
stocking-stitch tank top and
watch TV at the same time,
and as a stay-at-home mum,
I felt less guilty glued to Peyton
Place while the baby napped,
if I was clickety-clicking with

This
week:

Writer
nleyJane Fear tall
Whittings

knitting needles. Soon, mere

stocking stitch failed to satisfy,
and in the 1970s I sought out
wonderfully intricate patterns;
among my successes were a
sweater depicting fowers on a
windowsill, and another covered
in multi-coloured bobbles.
Then, for a few decades,
knitting slipped off my agenda.
We moved house several times

My Funny Old Week

Where Ive been... To see The Who in concert. I was their very frst fan
club secretary 50 years ago how about that for a claim to fame? We took
our children and grandchildren: three g-g-generations.
What Ive seen Benedict Cumberbatch and Keira Knightley starring
in The Imitation Game. Terrifc.
Who Ive met Pete Townshend of The Who, backstage after the concert
(see above). We thought wed all weathered quite well!
What Ive bought An exercise machine called a Nordic cross-trainer, on
Who? Jane met Pete Townshend eBay. I walk on it every day, listening to The Archers. Feeling ftter already.

and my creative energy went

into sewing curtains and
cushions. I even managed
a couple of loose covers, but,
I must admit, one was very loose
and the other far too tight.
Five years ago, when I learnt
that my daughter-in-law was
pregnant, the words matinee
jacket fashed into my mind.
The knitting urge was on
me again. I chose the laciest
pattern and the softest wool
and the frst time I saw my
granddaughter, her mum had
dressed her in the end product.
Last Christmas, my daughterin-law said, Its a long time
since you knitted something for
her. (Yes, nearly fve years.)
How about a cardigan?
Right, you bet. Fair Isle,
I think. The more
complicated the
s
better.
rve

NE

Wu
T
X by P
Lib

EE
13

Womans Weekly Reader Fashion

Lorraine
Styled by

When Lorraine Kelly wanted to see her frst-ever fashion

collection on real women, she turned to Womans Weekly

To win
Lorraines
cover dress,
turn to
page 19

From left: Betty Dress, 45, sizes 10-26; necklace, 16;

shoes, 18. Edith Dress, 45, sizes 10-32; shoes,
35. Lorraine Dress, 45, sizes 10-32; shoes, 35.
Lynda Jacket, 59, sizes 10-32; top, 13.50 (for pack of two),
sizes 12-36; jeans, 14, sizes 12-32; necklace, 15; shoes, 35.
Patricia Dress, 59, sizes 10-26; necklace, 18; shoes, 18

Today, Ive seen the designs Ive

had in my head for so long come to
life its wonderful! Lorraine
Womans Weekly 15

Lynda, 59. Size: 16

Dress, 35,
sizes 12-32;
shoes, 18.
For details of red
dress (left), see
previous page

Edith, 62. Size: 22

I like to experiment with clothes and was very

happy to try on the biker jacket over the grey
top (bottom left). Lorraine said she originally
wanted long sleeves for her illusion dress
(right) but changed her mind. Im glad she did
because the elbow length feels so good!

The sweetheart neckline

on Lyndas dress gives
just a hint of dcolletage
- I think of it as a
grown-up dress
Lorraine

I usually wear trousers and longer skirts

but I feel very comfortable in Lorraines
knee-length dresses. I love the threequarter-length sleeves and the cuf detail.

Lorraine says, The small details on clothes

are important. The mac (below right) has lots

of zips, no buttons and looks expensive. Its my
daughter Rosies favourite from my collection

Lorraine says, Edith told me

that she enjoys travelling my
dresses can be rolled up and
popped in your handbag

16 womansweekly.com

Biker jacket, 65, sizes 10-32.

For details of top, jeans, and
shoes, see previous page

Mac, 59, and dress,

59, both sizes
10-26; shoes, 18

Womans Weekly Reader Fashion

Betty, 65. Size: 14

I like wearing colour and trying on so many

clothes has been such fun its as if Lorraine
has designed clothes especially for me, as they
ft perfectly. She suggested I wear red heels to
team with the coat and I really like the efect.

I did wonder whether this

geometric coat would be
too bold, but just look at it
on Betty. It looks amazing
I am so pleased!
Lorraine

Dress, 55,
sizes 10-26;
shoes, 35

Jacket, 75,
sizes 10-26;
blouse, 30,
sizes 10-32;
jeggings, 39,
sizes 10-26;
shoes, 35

Lorraine says, So easy to wear,

I would team this dress with a red

clutch and heels for a special event.
I think it looks so classy
For details of dress and necklace
(above), see previous page

Womans Weekly 17

Womans Weekly Reader Fashion

Patricia, 57. Size: 12

I like to look smart and when Lorraine suggested I try on

two very diferent dress shapes the ftted style (right)
and the polka dot dress (below) I was surprised how
good I felt in both. I wouldnt normally go for sleeveless
anything, or a full skirt, but it felt so elegant.
For details of
polka-dot dress
and shoes, see
page 15

Its all about the

back on this dress.
I made the crossover
details so you cant
see bra straps!
Lorraine

Lorraine says, A real classic, I wished Id

had this foaty dress made in more colours
like red and cream - maybe next time!

Photos: Vicky Brown. Fashion Editor: Paula Moore, assisted by Becky Joiner-ORiordan and Rosie Kernohan.
Hair and make-up: Carl Stanley and Sarah-Jane Green, using NARS and Paul Mitchell Luxury Haircare

Lorraine Kelly Dresses To Be Won

This is the dress Lorraine is wearing on the cover and Lynda has
it on, too, on page 16. You could be one of fve readers to win one

The competition opens on 17 February

2015, and you can enter online, by phone
or text until 11.59pm on 3 March 2015, or
by post until 6 March 2015. The winners
will be selected at random after the close
date from all correct entries received.

Dress, 49,
sizes 10-26;
shoes 18

Enter FREE at
womansweekly.com/win

All you have to do is register.

Call 0905 652 3352

BT calls cost 1.02 per call (UK).

*Cost from other networks may be higher.

Text WWCOMP followed

by a space and your answer, then

your full name, housenumberand
postcode to 85088. Eg, WWCOMP
answer C Chloe Smith 16 NN32 6PX.

How To Enter

Just answer this question:

Which one of these is a style of dress?

A) Wrap
B) Taco
C) Tortilla
If you know the answer, you can enter
online, by phone, text or post.

Texts cost 1 per text, plus network charges*.

When entering by phone or text, please ensure
that you provide your FULL name and address
details, as incomplete entries may be charged
but not entered. If you call or text after the
closing date, you will not be entered but you may
be charged. When you enter by text, you may
in future get SMS marketing messages from
Time Inc. (UK) Ltd and Womans Weekly. If you
dont want to, please end your text with NOINFO.
Service provider: Spoke 0333 202 3390.

Lorraines new
collection for
JD Williams is
available at
jdwilliams.co.uk
(0871 231 2000)

K
EEleevese

Send your answer on

a postcard, together with your

name and address, to: JD Williams/WW09

Competition, PO Box 502, Leicester LE94 0AB.

Rules For a full set of rules, see page 65. Entry implies acceptance of these rules. The prize is the Lime Dress by JD Williams
as worn by Lorraine on the cover of Womans Weekly dated 24 February 2015. Available in sizes 10-26. Five prizes to be won.

Wh S ill b
T
X Wit nd w ek

NEresseTshiskTnreext w

c
Try ba

Lives On The

Ocean Waves
Reliving the glorious
golden age of sea travel

owadays, cruising is one of

the travel industrys most
popular sectors, and thousands
of people have the opportunity
to experience the high life on the high seas.
But in the period that followed the Second
World War, cruising was a very different
matter. Commercial air travel hadnt yet
taken off, and advances in steam-powered
engineering meant that sea travel was the
fastest and most glamorous way of
reaching far corners of the globe. Then,
giant ships of cruise company Cunard
ferried moguls, royals, millionaires and
movies stars in style from British shores
to New York harbour aboard new liners like
the Queen Mary and the Queen Elizabeth.
These are some of our favourite reminders
of that elegant time.
D You can buy The Story Of Cunards 175 Years
for the special price of 19.75 (RRP 24.50), plus
p&p. Order your copy at ferrypubs.co.uk using
the code C175WW to redeem your discount.
The ofer is valid until 31 March 2015.

Left: A
cross-section
of Aquitania,
the only major
passenger
ship to serve
in both
world wars

A cabin-class
bedroom on
the original
Queen Mary

20 womansweekly.com

Womans Weekly Nostalgia

Loading
cars into
the Scythia.
She served
as a troop ship
in the Second World
War and was also used to
evacuate children to the US

For passengers wanting to make the most of the sea air or the
view, a steward was always at hand for drinks or tea

The QE2 arrives in New York

for the frst time on 7 May 1969
Evening dress made the cocktail
hour extra special

Daytime entertainment was varied, and could

include tug-of-war matches and boxing

Your Chance To Experience

The Glamour For Yourself
Niagara Falls & Upstate New York, 12 or 14 nights
from 1,149 per person, May to December. Fly from
Heathrow to Toronto for three nights close to Niagara
Falls, then ride the Amtrak Maple Leaf train to
Manhattan for two nights before joining Cunards
Queen Mary 2 for a seven- or eight-night voyage
to Southampton. Call 0800 082 2178 or visit
jetlinecruise.com/womansweekly
Terms and conditions Prices are per person from, based on two sharing, indicative only and subject to availability and change. Tips, transfers,
drinks and selected personal activities on board ship are extra. Hotel ratings are local and local taxes may be payable. Image for illustration only.
Luggage allowances vary by carrier. Offers operated by Jetline Travel, ABTA J1693, ATOL 6153, a company independent of Time Inc. (UK) Ltd,
whose conditions apply. Offer may be withdrawn at any time. Restrictions, conditions and credit/debit card surcharges apply ask when booking.
Balance payable 16 weeks prior to departure. Prices correct at time of going to press. When you respond, Time Inc. (UK) Ltd and other group
companies may contact you with offers/services that may be of interest. Please give your mobile or email details if you wish to receive such offers
by SMS or email. We will not give your details to other companies without your permission; please let us know if you are happy for us to do so.

Womans Weekly 2 1

Short Story By Jo Styles

First Loves

My son needed to fnd some sense of who his dad really was and,
through him, who he was, too

Photo: Getty

um, I dont
remember any
of this.
Standing on
the beach, my 11-year-old
son stared up at the line of
gaily coloured beach huts
and seafront cafes that
crowded the promenade.
Well, you havent been
here since you were three,
I said, squinting the other
way, where children squealed
in the waves as they played.
The golden sands heaved
with holidaymakers today.
When I glanced back to Sean,
he peered at me as if Id been
keeping secrets. My wedding
plans had unnerved him,
I was sure. He was uneasy
with the prospect of my
boyfriend, Adam, taking
the place of Jon, his real dad.
Hed died so young, all Sean
knew of him were the stories
I told and the photos Id kept.
Thats why we were here in
Jons hometown, revisiting
the past, so my son could
perhaps fnd some sense
of who Jon really was, and
through his dad who he
was, too.
Did Dad like it here?
hed asked when, on the
way to our holiday let,
wed stopped outside the
childrens home where
Jon had been brought up.
He said it was... alright.
Why did he want his
ashes scattered? hed asked,
when wed paused at the
cemetery where Id done
just that.
He thought it would
make things simpler for
me, Id replied.
Now, as I curled my toes
into the hot sand, I wished
Jon had a headstone and

a proper grave. I longed to

reach over and hug my gloomy
son but these days Sean
shrugged me off. Hed been
playing up lately talking back
to his teachers and arguing with
Adam over every little thing.
Lets go to your dads special
beach, I said to him. We used
to go there all the time to get
away from the crowds.
Will I remember it?

I dont know. You were

very young.

Later that day, I took him on a
drive down the ragged coastline.
We turned down country
lanes for over an hour, hunting
for Jons special beach.
Sean, I have a confession,
I said at last. Im a bit lost.
Your dad knew every rock on
this coastline but I never really

No, this isnt your dads

beach, Sean. It doesnt have
any rock pools

did. It was a long time ago,

too. I gazed across the fields
fashing by, feeling like an
idiot. Well keep looking.
Itll be like a... a quest. Lets
try down here, I added,
nodding towards another turn.
Back at home, Adam would
be packing up the house.
Hed offered to get our move
organised while I spent time
away with Sean. Itll be less
stressful for you, hed said.
When you come back, well
make a fresh start in the new
house. Sean will be fne in his
new school, youll see.
Finalising our wedding
plans would come next.
I turned the car down
a tree-dappled lane. Minutes
later, a sun-bleached gate
barred our way. Beyond it
stood a crumbling farmhouse.
I smiled across at Sean. Lets
get out and walk.
After a climb down a sloping
footpath, we chanced upon
a hidden inlet.
I sighed with relief at fnding
at least one tiny beach. Only
then I had to shake my head.
No, this isnt your dads beach,
Sean. It doesnt have any rock
pools. He always took you
rock pooling. Hed tell you all
about them, even when you
were too young to understand
a word of what he said.
Sean wiped his sweaty brow.
Now what? he asked in a fat,
dead tone.
Well keep looking. Well
fnd another beach.
Falling in love with Jon had
never been in my plans. Id
travelled down to the town to
attend a course for work. Id
decided on a career in the city.
Meeting Jon altered every
single ambition Id ever had;
Continued overleaf

Womans Weekly 23

Short Story By Jo Styles

so did falling pregnant with
Sean. Now I ached to reach
out and take Seans hand, but
hand holding, like hugging,
had been abandoned. Come
on. We cant give up now.
Weve barely started.
A gull swooped above me. It
cawed. If youre up there, Jon,
help me, please, I prayed.

It turned into a fools errand.
No, this isnt it either, I said
over two hours later, on beach
number three. A farm track
had allowed me to almost park
on the sand itself. I shielded
my eyes, staring out to sea
where a fshing-boat bobbed
as more gulls wheeled across
the sky above it.
I turned back to the car just
as Sean threw me a baleful look.
Jons death had been sudden,
all down to chance, to the wrong
time and the wrong stretch
of oil-slicked road. Losing
him in the crash had altered
my life all over again.
Now by my side, Sean stared
into the distance. Arent we
going the wrong way? Maybe
Dads beach is on the other
side of town?
What makes you say that?
He shrugged.
I imagined him as a toddler,
waddling in his nappy along
the beach like another chubby
seagull. Birds had instincts,
didnt they; they knew how to
fy home? I know. Why dont
you tell me where to go this
time, Sean?
What? He scowled. But
I dont know, do I?
Well, I dont know either, so
it really doesnt matter, does it?
This is stupid, he growled.
I dont even know why we came
down here. Its a waste of time!
He charged back towards the
car, red-cheeked and enraged.

Youd always come home with
dirty hands and knees after
your dad took you out.
Back in the car, I started
talking. Repeating every
anecdote I could think of, right
from the beginning. I met your
dad in front of an ice-cream
van on the seafront. Only it
was raining. He asked me why

I wanted ice cream on such

a miserable day. I laughed and
told him it was one sure way to
make the day less miserable.
Sean must have heard
everything I said a trillion
times... but not lately. No,
I thought. Lately, Ive put my
frst love away like a fragile
glass trophy in a box.
The car swept along, taking
us back through the crowds of
tourists on the baking seafront,
then out into open countryside
on the far side of town.
Were you going to stay down
here with Dad? Sean asked.
Yes. He wanted to go back
to school. Eventually he wanted
to work with animals. He loved
nature. Youd have had brothers
or sisters. And a dog, I laughed,
then sobered, imagining it all.

and swept past the church

whose spire wed frst seen.
On the roof of the last cottage
we passed, Sean blinked at an
ancient weather vane. The metal
of the bird had rusted red with
age. Sean? I questioned. Is
that familiar?
No. Do you remember it?
He shot an accusing glare my
way, his eyes full of mistrust.
I shook my head and
drove on.
Mum! Sean yelped, barely
a minute later.
I stamped on the brake. I
drew the car into the grassy
verge, loose gravel pinging
against its belly. What is it?
Sean stared at a track made
of ancient cobblestones that
stood next to a fallen-down
old gatehouse. He was sitting

Had judgement or happenstance

led us here? Call me insane for
thinking we werent alone, but
I had asked for guidance
Now youre going to marry
Adam?
I pressed my lips together. I
didnt need to reply. Sean stared
out of the window. Up on the
hillside, a church spire tore into
the heavens. He craned his head
so as not to lose sight of it for
a second.
Do you remember that?
I made a right turn, heading
towards it before he even
shrugged.
I dont know. Arent we
heading inland now?
We turn back again soon,
I said, glancing to the church as
a fock of gulls glided from wispy
cloud to wispy cloud. Even they
seemed to be heading inland now.
Sean peered at a house
passing by, one painted a dusky
shade of pink. He screwed up
his eyes as if it was a mirage.
Whats coming up next?
Take a guess, I said.
I dont know. A village?
He might have guessed or
it might have been inevitable.
If we drove for long enough
wed fnd a village somewhere.
Moments later, we wound
around a tiny hamlet of houses

forward in his seat now, his eyes

wide. Can we go down there?
I stared off down the treelined track. Wed driven miles
inland, yet somehow it felt
beyond me now to admit our
hunt was pure folly. Alright.
The car rattled and shook
over the cobbles before the
track turned into nothing but
fattened, hard-packed soil,
tufted with grass. Another gate
blocked our way. A stile and
a marker indicted a footpath.
Lets walk, Sean said.
He seemed more determined
now. I followed him up a track
that led to open felds that
reached up and kissed the sky.
Sean stopped at the top of
the hill. His face turned stark
white as he pointed. Down
below, water shimmered.
Mum. Look!
I stared down at wide
waters. It had to be a fshing
lake someone had dug out of
the landscape. Would a threeyear-old have remembered
bumping along a cobble track,
I wondered; would he recall a
church spire or a pink house?
Had judgement or happenstance

led us here? I glanced up as a

lone gull circled. Call me insane
for thinking we werent alone,
but I had asked for guidance.
I looked back to the lake.
There would be birds down
there; ducks and water voles,
dragonfies, frogs and insects.
It was just the kind of place
Jon would have brought his
infant son. I dont remember
this, I admitted, even so.
I think I would, dont you?
Do you remember it? Did
your dad bring you here?
Sean narrowed his gaze.
His face twisted with anguish.
I want to remember, he
said. I want to so much... but I
dont, Mum. He shook his head.
But Dad must have brought me
here, mustnt he? Look at it.
I stared back to the glistening
waters. This was no ordinary
lake. This one was shaped into
a perfect letter S. I could just
imagine Jon smiling at his little
boy, laughing and saying, Look,
its an S, Sean! It must be a lake
they made just for you.
Hed have loved this place
with all his heart.
Sean, I said very softly.
Youre not being disloyal to
your dads memory, you know,
if you love Adam as well.
My chest tightened. I
remembered Adams taut words
before I packed up the car and
left home. You are coming back
to me, arent you? Youre not
changing your mind about us?
I know you want to find Jon as
much as Sean does.
We dont have to prove who
we love the most, I said, as
I stared at the lake. We dont
even have to love them in the
same kind of way. I felt like
Id been searching for those
words for months rather than
just one hot summers day.
I know, was all Sean said
but it was more than enough
for me.
I gave a jolt of shock as he
reached out and took my hand.
Thats when I was certain it was
going to be alright between us.
Thats when I knew for sure,
standing on that hillside, there
were three of us there, not two.
THE END
Jo Styles, 2015

Womans Weekly 25

Cookery Editor, Sue

These two fun designs
are made with the same
basic cake recipe.

Olivia Owl

500g pack aqua sugarpaste

30 x 20cm (12 x 8in)
Vanilla Sponge Cake,
see recipe below
6-8tbsp smooth apricot jam
750g-1kg (1-2lb) pink
sugarpaste
Small amounts of sugarpaste
in cerise pink, white, black,
purple and green

Vanilla
Sponge Cake
Serves 30-40
Calories per slice: 145
Fat: 8.5g

Saturated fat: 5g

Suitable for freezing:

350g (12oz) butter, softened

350g (12oz) caster sugar
350g (12oz)
self-raising four
6 large eggs

Party
Time!

200g-250g (7-8oz)
brown sugarpaste
18 x 12in cake drum
Template on page 28, cut out
from baking parchment
Icing smoother
Side-scraper, optional
10, 7 and 5cm (4, 2 and 2in)
plain round cookie cutters
13mm round cutter,
eg, PME plunger cutter
Cutting wheel, optional
Medium and large rose
petal cutter
Veining tool or cocktail stick

Knead the aqua sugarpaste

to soften it. Dampen the top
of the cake drum and roll the

Upturn the cake and place

the template on top. Cut out
the shape, using a small knife.
Spread the apricot jam over the
top and sides of the cake in a
thin, even layer.

1
2

Set the oven to 180C or

Gas Mark 4.
Beat the butter well, to
ensure its soft, then add
the remaining ingredients and
beat until smooth. Spoon the
mixture into the lined tin and
level the surface. Bake the cake
for 50 mins-1 hour, or until its a
light golden colour and springs
back when pressed lightly
in the centre.
Remove the tin from the
oven, place it on a wire rack
and leave the cake to cool for
about 10 mins. Remove the
cake from the tin and leave
to cool completely.
Wrap the cold cake well in a
large freezer bag or several layers
of cling lm and freeze for up to
1 month. Allow cake to defrost
before decorating. Decorated
cake is not suitable for freezing.

away the excess sugarpaste

around the base of the cake.
Polish the surface of the
sugarpaste fat, using the
smoother. A side-scraper is useful
for polishing the sides, but the
smoother can be used instead.

6tbsp milk
tsp vanilla extract
30 x 20cm (12 x 8in)
roasting tin, lined with
baking parchment

26 womansweekly.com

sugarpaste out to completely

cover it. Trim away excess around
edges. Polish the surface smooth
with the icing smoother.

TesTed by us
so They Work
For you

To make the eyes, roll out some

cerise-pink sugarpaste thinly
and use the largest plain cutter to
cut out 2 circles. Brush water on
the backs and stick in place. Cut
out circles from white sugarpaste
with the medium cutter and black
circles with the small cutter. Use
the 13mm round cutter to cut
out highlights for the eyes. Build
up the layers, brushing water on
their backs to stick in place.

Knead the pink sugarpaste to

soften it, then roll it out on
surface dusted with icing sugar, so
its large enough to cover the top
and sides of the cake. Carefully lift
it over the cake and press down
over the top, then ease in the
fullness around the sides. Trim

Cut the wings and beak from

the original template. Roll
some purple sugarpaste and cut
out the wings, using a cutting
wheel if you have one, otherwise
use a small knife. Brush water
on the back of the pieces to stick
in place.

Sues Tip

If possible, cover the cake drum

with the aqua-coloured sugarpaste
at least 1 day in advance, to give it
time to dry out. Youll then be less
likely to damage the surface when
sliding the decorated cake on top.

Recipes and food styling: Sue McMahon. Photos: Chris Alack. Props styling: Sue Radclife

Womans Weekly Cookery

Roll out some cerise-pink

sugarpaste. Use the medium
rose petal cutter to cut out shapes
and stick them in rows on chest
of the owl.

Slide the owl on to the iced

board. Knead the brown
sugarpaste to soften it. Shape
it into a branch and stick on the
cake drum below the owl. Use a
veining tool or cocktail stick to
mark the texture on the branch.

for a claw. Stick claws in place,

wrapping around the branch. Make
a second claw in the same way.

10

Roll out some green

sugarpaste and use large
rose petal cutter to cut out shapes
for leaves. Mark veining on leaves
using a veining tool or cocktail
stick. Twist leaves to give them
some shape and stick in groups
on the branch.

Roll 3 lengths of purple

sugarpaste and press together

Sues Tip

Press cling film against the

surface of the buttercream
in the bowls, so it doesnt
crust over before use.

Dennis The
Dinosaur

owl template
Enlarge this template
on a photocopier
to ft size of cake
and trace of on to
baking parchment

28 womansweekly.com

30 x 20cm (12 x 8in)

Vanilla Sponge Cake, see
recipe on page 26
FOR THE BUTTERCREAM:
250g (8oz) butter, softened
500g (1lb) icing sugar
Few drops of vanilla extract
Purple and blue paste
food colouring
FOR THE DECORATION:
50g (1oz) desiccated
coconut
Green liquid food colouring
Milk chocolate buttons
Giant white chocolate button
Selection of sweets, eg, jelly
beans, white chocolate buttons,
Smarties, and liquorice

1-2 packets Zebra Chocolate

Triangles (Dr. Oetker)
Template (top, right) cut out
from baking parchment
20 x 14in cake drum

Upturn the cake, place

the template pieces on
top and use a small knife to
cut out the shapes.

Womans Weekly Cookery

Head

tail

Body
dinosaur template

Enlarge this template on a

photocopier to ft size of cake and
trace of on to baking parchment

the top section of the board, using

a small palette knife, and working
the colours together slightly to
give a mottled efect for the sky.

7
2

To make the buttercream,

beat the butter, to make sure
its really soft, then add the icing
sugar, vanilla extract and 2-3tbsp
boiling water. Beat this until the

drum, keeping the body and tail

upside down, but the head will
need to be turned over. Spread
a little buttercream on the cake
drum under the pieces of cake to
stick them in place.
Spread the lilac buttercream
all over the top and sides
of the cake. Make sure it is as
smooth as possible, trying not to
get too many crumbs from the
cake in the buttercream.

icing is very smooth. Colour about

two-thirds of the buttercream
to a lilac colour, using the purple
paste food colouring. Arrange the
cut-out cake shapes on the cake

4
5

Place the coconut in a bowl,

pour in some of the green
colouring and stir to mix it well.
Spread some of the reserved
white buttercream over the
bottom section of the board and
sprinkle the green coconut over
it, then press it in lightly.

Stick 3 milk chocolate buttons

on the sole of each foot. Press
jelly beans along the bottom edge
on top of cake. For the eye, stick
a large white chocolate button
to the cake. Stick a milk chocolate
button on top of the white one.
Curve a piece of liquorice and
stick in place for the mouth.
Press white chocolate buttons
and Smarties along the top of
the cake. Press the chocolate
triangles into the cake as spines.

Ks
E
E pe

Mix about half of the

remaining white buttercream
to a blue colour, then spread the
blue and white buttercream over

ci

Wn re
T
X icke

NEoast Ch
r

29

WindoW squeegee
to pick up pet hair

Banish limescale from

your kettle by simply
popping in half a lemon
with some water. Boil
it a few times until
the limescale starts
to dislodge.

The rubberised blade makes it

an ideal tool for gathering up unwanted
pet hair from carpets and sofas.

Clever

Coffee to keep your

fridge smelling fresh

lemon
to clean
your kettle

Cleaner

Put some dry ground cofee into an

old margarine tub and pierce some holes into the
lid. Smelly substances in the air will attach
themselves to the surface of the cofee, by
means of a process known as adsorption.

The most unexpected products can be used to clean

home youll never look at a piece of bread in the sam

Coffee
filters
to clean
glass and mirrors

10

onion
to clean your
rusty knives

Forget about using steel wool

or harsh chemicals. Plunge
your rusty knife into a large
onion three or four times
to dislodge the rust. If its
very rusty, it may require
a few extra stabs.

Bread
as a
duster

13

Why? Because it wont leave

any residue, bread is an ideal
way of cleaning delicate
surfaces. It also comes in
very handy when picking
up tiny shards of glass.

They leave no streaks or

lint and theyre cheap
Tesco does a pack
of 40 for 1.20.

14

Chalk
to prevent
silver tarnishing

Tie up a few pieces of chalk in some

cheesecloth and store them with your
silver. The chalk will absorb moisture
and slow down the corrosion.

15

grapefruit
to clean
your bath

Rub half a grapefruit around

the bath, then sprinkle with
salt. Allow the mixture to
stand on areas which are
particularly dirty and stained.
Then rub the abrasive mixture
with a sponge and rinse
of with warm water.

Womans Weekly Home

denture
taBlets
to clean your toilet

peanut Butter
to tackle
chewing gum

To eliminate that ring in your toilet,

drop in a bubbling denture tablet.
Leave it for at least 30 minutes or
overnight the staining will come of
with just a few swishes of the brush.

It works like magic at getting gum out

of carpet the oils in the peanut butter
release the stick of the gum. Only use
a tiny amount, then wipe up the excess
with a wet cloth and mild dish soap.
It works at getting gum out of hair, too.

rs

Banana skin
to brighten up
house plants

Wipe down each leaf with the inside of

a banana peel. It will remove the dust
on the surface and replace it with a
lustrous shine.

miCroWave
to clean
your sponges

Sanitise wash-up or bathroom

sponges by putting them in the
microwave for two minutes
doing this will kill 99%
of the germs.

vinegar
to clean
your windows

Diluted white vinegar makes

a great window-cleaning
solution. Combine equal
amounts of vinegar and
hot water in a spray bottle
and use scrunched-up
newspapers for a perfect,
streak-free fnish!

n your
me way!

12

salt to clean your iron

Cover your ironing board with a tea towel (to

make cleaning up easier), then sprinkle over some salt.
Iron over the salt with the steam option of, any dirt on
your iron will stick to the salt for you to discard.

hairdryer
to remove
candle wax

16

Candle wax on wooden furniture can be

a nightmare to get of. Aim the dryer, on a
medium heat, at the wax until it starts
to melt, then wipe away with a cloth.
You can also use this technique to
remove wax crayon from walls.

Tarnishing is mainly due to sulphur

compounds in the air. When
ketchup is applied to silver, brass
or copper, the natural acid in
the tomatoes reacts with the
discolouration on the metal to
bring back the shine.

Baking
soda...
to clean
your microwave

17

Microwave a cup of water

containing two tablespoons
of baking powder until its
boiling. It will eliminate
odours and makes it
super easy to wipe away
all that stuck-on stuf.
Womans Weekly 31

Words: Emily Dawe and Esme Clemo.

Photos: Alamy, iStockphoto.com

11

tomato ketChup
to clean up your
tarnished metal

Womans Weekly Craft

TEsTED BY Us
so They Work
For You

Woodland

Friends

Size: Approx 9 x 4.5cm

YOU WILL NEED

Tracing paper and pencil

One 30 x 22cm sheet each
of light brown, grey, black,
purple and white felt
White, grey, light brown,
black and purple stranded
cotton embroidery thread
Size 8 crewel needle

Cutting out

Enlarge template by 180%. Cut

front and back puppets from light
brown felt for the fox, grey felt
for the squirrel, black felt for the
badger and purple felt for the
owl. Cut two ears for the fox,
squirrel and badger. Cut the
tummies and faces from white felt
and one pair of owl wings from
grey felt. Cut two fox tails from
light brown felt and two tips from
white felt. Cut two squirrel tails
from grey felt. Cut one pair of

Making the
fnger puppets
Oversew the edges of the felt
using a size 8 crewel needle
and one strand of matching
embroidery thread.
Pin the tummies to the front of
the fox, squirrel and badger
and the wings to the front of the
owl, then oversew the edges.
Pin the faces to the fronts and
oversew the edges. Pin the
stripes and nose to the badgers
face, oversew the edges in place.
Embroider the eyes with
a French knot using three
strands of black embroidery
thread on the fox, squirrel and
owl and three strands of light
brown embroidery thread on the
badger. Embroider an 8mm-long
daisy stitch from the tip of the
face on the owl and rows of
feather stitches on the front of
the owl with three strands of
light brown embroidery thread.
Fold the side edges of the
ears to meet at the dot. Tack
the lower edges. Slip the ears
under the front of the fox, squirrel
and badger, matching the dots.

Pin and tack the ears to the

fronts. Pin the fronts and backs
of the puppets together and
oversew the outer edges, leaving
the lower edges open.
Butt the straight edges of the
fox tail and tip together in
pairs, then oversew. Embroider

Home Editor, Emily Dawe

feather stitches on one squirrel

tail with two strands of grey
thread. Pin the fox and squirrel
tails together and oversew outer
edges. Pin tails to the backs of the
puppets and sew lower edges in
place. Bend the squirrel tail and
catch it to the back of the puppet.

Make: Cheryl Owen. Photo: Sussie Bell. Illustrations: Terry Evans

Easy-peasy
Bit More
ATricky
Hardish
A
Challenge
Quite

badger stripes and one nose

from black felt.

You can create these

cute little fnger
puppets from just
a few scraps of felt.

EKs
E
W b
m

T o
EX Bath B33

N DIY

Womans Weekly Crochet

To Have
And

To Hold

Knitting
design editor,
Kandy
This neat
little bag is
worked in
motifs that are joined
together on the fnal
round. The addition
of handles and lining
complete it perfectly.

Easy-peasy
A bit More
Tricky
Hardish
Quite A
Challenge
Instructions overleaf

TesTed by us
so It Works
For you
Womans Weekly 35

MeasureMents
Approximately 30cm/11in
wide and 22.5cm/9in high.
Materials
2 x 50g (135m) balls of
Sublime Luxurious Tweed DK
(60% wool, 40% cotton) in
Bergamot (392)*. Size 4.00
crochet hook; 1 pair of 15 x
12cm Rico Designs Nature
bamboo bag handles (ref.
38200.15.10); approx 35 x
65cm wide Brown fabric for
lining; Brown sewing thread.
tension
1 square measures 7 x 7cm,
using 4.00 hook.
abbreviations
Ch, chain; st, stitch; dc, double
crochet; tr, treble; slst, slip st;
chsp, chain space.
note
Yarn amounts are based
on average requirements and
are therefore approximate.
Instructions in square
brackets are worked as
stated after 2nd bracket.

First square

With 4.00 hook, make 5ch and join

with a slst in frst ch to form a ring.
1st round: 3ch (counts as 1tr),
work 1tr, 3ch and 2tr in ring, 1ch,
[work 2tr, 3ch and 2tr in ring, 1ch]
3 times, slst in 3rd of 3ch.
2nd round: Slst along and into
3chsp, 3ch (counts as 1tr), 6tr in
same 3chsp, work 1dc, 3ch and 1dc
in next 1chsp, [7tr in next 3chsp,
work 1dc, 3ch and 1dc in next
1chsp] 3 times, slst in 3rd of 3ch.
3rd round: 3ch (counts as 1tr), 1tr
into next tr, 2ch, slst in 2nd ch from
hook (a picot made) *, 1tr in next tr,
work 1tr, 1 picot and 1tr in next tr,
1tr in next tr, 1 picot, 1tr in each of
next 2tr, [work 1dc, 1 picot and 1dc
in next 3chsp, 1tr in each of next
2tr, 1 picot, 1tr in next tr, work 1tr,
1 picot and 1tr in next tr, 1tr in next
tr, 1 picot, 1tr in each of next 2tr]
3 times, work 1dc, 1 picot and 1dc in
last 3chsp, slst in 3rd of 3ch 1 picot
at each corner and 3 in between.
Fasten of.

of frst square to *, 1tr in each of

next 2tr, ** slst in corner picot or
joined point on square at back,
1tr in same place as last tr, 1tr
in next tr, slst in next picot on
square at back, 1tr in each of
next 2tr, 1dc in next 3chsp, slst
in next picot on square at back,
1dc in same 3chsp as before,
1tr in each of next 2tr, slst in
next picot on square at back,
1tr in each of next 2tr **,
repeat from ** to ** when
joining squares on two sides
or twice when joining squares
on three sides, slst in corner
picot or joined point one side
joined, 1tr in same place
as last tr, 1tr in next tr,
1 picot, 1tr in each of next
2tr, complete as frst square.
Fasten of.
Fold frst square in half,
diagonally so that centre
forms bottom left side edge
and joining square is at top left.
Make another joining square,
working one side join with
previous joining square along
top edge. Fold this square in
half diagonally so that centre
forms lower left side edge.
Attaching the right bottom
square to corner picot at
folded edge of left bottom
square only, continue making
and joining squares diagonally
as shown in diagram, until 26
squares in all have been joined.

Half square
With 4.00 hook, make 3ch and join
with slst in frst ch to form ring.
1st row: 4ch (counts as 1tr and
1ch), work 2tr, 1ch and 2tr in ring,
3ch, work 2tr, 1ch and 2tr in ring,
1ch, 1tr in ring, turn.
2nd row: 3ch (counts as 1tr), 1tr
in next 1chsp, work 1dc, 3ch and
1dc in next 1chsp, 7tr in next
3chsp, work 1dc, 3ch and 1dc
in next 1chsp, 1tr in last chsp,
1tr in 3rd of 4ch, turn.
Joining row: Placing squares
together as before, make 3ch,
slst in corner picot at folded edge
of top left side edge square, 1tr in
base of 3ch, slst in next picot on

first side

To make up

Using bag as template and allowing

1cm for seam, cut two side pieces
from lining fabric. Join lining along
sides and base. With wrong side
on the outside, insert lining into
crochet bag. Mark positions for
rings ends of handles on wrong
side of lining. Cut small squares
in lining fabric, cover metal rings
and sew to lining. Fold seam
allowance along top edge of
lining and sew to inside of bag.

Joining square

Work as frst square to 3rd round.

With wrong sides of squares
together, having working square
in front, continue thus:
Joining round: Work as 3rd round

36 womansweekly.com

square at back, 1tr in next tr, 1dc

in next 3chsp, slst in next picot
on square at back, 1dc in same
3chsp as before, 1tr in each of
next 2tr, slst in next picot on
square at back, 1tr in each of next
2tr, slst in corner join at back, 1tr
in same place as last tr, 1tr in next
tr, slst in next picot on following
square at back, 1tr in each of next
2tr, 1dc in next 3chsp, slst in next
picot on square at back, 1dc in
same 3chsp as before, 1tr in next
tr, slst in next picot on square
at back, 1tr in 3rd of 3ch, slst in
corner picot on square at back,
1tr in same place as last tr.
Fasten of.
Continue in this way, making
3 more half squares, joining
them to other squares as
shown on diagram.

NEXT
WEEK

start here

ld
fo

ne
li

full square,
folded

full
square

half
square

Cowl-neck
Poncho

Photos: Angela Spain. Stylist: Emma Wiltshire. Designer: Sara Mackin. *Yarn subject to availability

Womans Weekly Crochet

Womans Weekly Event

How To Design Your Own

Knitwear
Join Knitting
Technical Editor,
Tina, on 10 April
for this workshop

ave you ever wanted to change

an existing knitting pattern to
suit you, but didnt know
where to start? Tina will teach
you how to work out your own
pattern for a simple stockingstitch sweater in double-knitting
yarn so that you can go home
and make the perfect sweater
for yourself or one of the family.

New
for 2015

Learn how to
design your
own simple
patterns

Itinerary

This workshop will be held at our

10am MEEt & GREEt, with cofee and tea

10.30am Draw line diagram with detailed
measurements as required
11am Work out the tension from pre-knitted swatch
11.15am Use your own tension to translate all the
measurements into stitches and rows
1pm LUnch*
2pm Use graph paper to chart out all shapings
3.30pm tEa
3.45pm Use the chart to write out the pattern
4.15pm Question time
4.30pm Workshop ends

How to book

Complete the coupon and send it to us. Tickets will

be allocated on a frst-come, frst-served basis.

ofce at Time Inc. (UK), Blue Fin

Building, 110 Southwark Street, London
SE1 0SU. Its within walking distance
of London Bridge, Waterloo, Waterloo
East, Blackfriars and Southwark stations.
*Theres a canteen on site or you can
bring your own lunch.
On the day, bring: A calculator D
A sweater that fts perfectly, to refer
to for measurements D A tension
sample knitted in the double-knitting
yarn that you intend to make the sweater.
The sample should be knitted on 4mm
(No.8) over 34 stitches thus: K 3 rows.
1st row: K to end. 2nd row: K2, p30, k2.
Repeat last 2 rows, 19 times more.
Next 2 rows: K2, p30, k2. Cast of pwise.

Terms and
condiTions
Womans Weekly has
the right to change the
itinerary of the day.
Please note that tickets
to this event are nonrefundable, unless
it is cancelled or
postponed. A guestlist policy will be in
operation at the event.
Shortly after purchasing
tickets, you will receive
an email confrmation
or a letter if no email
address is flled in on
the coupon: this is your
ticket to the event,
so please retain it for
future reference.

Suitable for intermediate

and skilled knitters and
budding designers
69 per person

Womans Weekly Design Your Own Knitwear Workshop

Please complete this coupon and send it, with payment (make cheques out to Womans Weekly
Shop), to: Womans Weekly Marketing, Blue Fin Building, 110 Southwark Street, London SE1 0SU
Event
Price Qty Sub-total
If youve bought more than one ticket, or the ticket is a gift,
Design Your Own Knitwear workshop 69 per
Please give us the names of those attending
on Friday 10 April 2015
person
GRAND TOTAL
Mrs/Miss/Ms/Mr (delete as applicable)
Initial ................... Surname ...................................................................................
Address ....................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
................................................................ Postcode .................................................
Daytime tel no (incl code) ..................................................................................
Email address .........................................................................................................

Name ...............................................................................................
Name ................................................................................................
Name ................................................................................................
Name ................................................................................................
Womans Weekly, published by Time Inc. (UK) Ltd will collect
your personal information to process your order and alert you of
news, new products, services and ofers available from Womans
Weekly and from Time Inc. (UK). You can unsubscribe from
emails by clicking unsubscribe from within the email and from
SMS by following the instructions in the SMS. Please tick here if
you prefer not to be contacted by phone or post. p

On The

Edge

Foundation foliage

Always consider foliage, as leaves

last longer than fowers and range
in shape from oval and heart-shaped
to sword-like or palmate, all with
margins that could be smooth,
serrated or toothed. Be aware that
planting a border with leaves that
are almost identical will not inspire,
and for each plant to stand out you
must mix foliage shapes and sizes.
For example, dont plant all your
hostas together put some among
the strap-like leaves of iris and
others next to the leafy elephant
ears of ground-cover bergenias.
Always include some evergreens
for winter interest, as well as seasonal
shrubs. To give the border your own
unique stamp, try structural plants
like ornamental grasses.
Once your staking is done, mulch
around the plants to retain moisture
and suppress weeds, and to keep your
borders in great shape, take care
of the edges. Good front of border
plants include hardy geraniums,
heucheras, bergenia and epimediums.
Allowing foppy plants to spill over
can damage lawns, so its best to rein
them in with decorative terracotta
edging tiles, woven wicker panels,
a row of log poles or wall of sleepers.

38 womansweekly.com

Give your garden a budget-friendly

makeover by updating your
borders, says Adrienne Wild

Colour it in

To give your border a new lease of life

and maximum impact, think about
a colour theme for the planting. Go
for complimentary shades such as reds
with oranges (forecast by trendsetters
to be hot shades for 2015), or contrasting
colours like yellow and purple. And
when it comes to making the right plant
choices for colour schemes, try using a
paint chart. These best illustrate perfect
mixes of richer tones, softer shades and
subtle neutrals, and are usually inspired
by the latest decorating trends that
can be cleverly adapted in the garden.
If you are selecting new plants to
fll gaps, do your homework and make
sure they suit the style of the garden
before visiting the garden centre.
If the current idea is to modernise
a traditional bed of roses or herbaceous
perennials, you might prefer to look
for easy-care plants with strong forms
and textures and plant in blocks of
colour rather than the usual drifts
or clusters of the same plant.

Clever clash: Contrasting

colours can really work

Womans Weekly Gardening

Plant in autumn to
enjoy tulips in spring

Bring in the bees

The current eco-friendly trend is to fll

borders with fowers that will draw in
pollinators, so when choosing plants its
worth knowing that blue, yellow and
purple are bees favourite colours and
they cannot see red! Or, for
fun, you could go for a
tutti-frutti scheme in
yellows, oranges and
bubblegum pink
or opt for a more
romantic colour
Bees
scheme using
love
plants in white,
purple! rose pink, blue
and lavender
shades. Look
for plants with
tubular-shaped
blooms like penstemons
and salvias that bees
can crawl into, and small, fat,
daisy-like fowers that they can walk on.
Sweet scents will also tempt bees into
your garden and for a scented treat that
you will enjoy, too, fnd room for herbs
such as mint which can smell of apple
and lemon and add to these thymes and
rosemary. Scented roses such as Zphirine
Drouhin are a summer delight not to be
missed, and then there are the delicious
aromas of nicotiana, honeysuckle, jasmine,
philadelphus and a pineapple-scented
Cytisus battandieri that can turn a goodlooking border into an unforgettable one.

Whatever you decide to plant, aim to make

the border a mix of early, mid-season and
late-fowerers for continuing interest.
Choices for the summer garden are endless.
Clematis and herbaceous plants will fll borders
with colour, and there are also plenty of new
fower varieties that can be grown from seed
and used to fll gaps. Thompson & Morgans
Raspberry Brule poppy, cosmos Cosimo RedWhite and lupin Avalune Lilac were turning
heads at their trials open days during 2014.
Aim to continue the show into autumn with
sedums, penstemons and asters, which will bring
in hordes of butterfies, and plant colchicum
bulbs for a welcome splash of purple at ground
level. A dramatic winter scene can be created
with a carpet of heathers and coloured dogwood
stems. And, as the New Year begins, a few brave
fowers of the Christmas rose, Helleborus niger,
and snowdrops will maintain your attention.
Youll need to plant ahead for a successful
spring show as daffodil, tulip, muscari and
crocus bulbs are planted in autumn.

Its in the details

You can also dress up borders with a focal point.

This could be a striking shrub, but decorations
like bird feeders, wind chimes, refective
gaze balls and bare metal or painted wooden
obelisks add a more personal fnishing touch,
as would adding statement fxtures like lighting.
Labels are useful but can be intrusive, so use
your imagination. Good ideas for maintaining the
look of your borders include plant names or pictures
stencilled on to fat stones laid at the base of each
plant in gravel mulch, or an annotated, labelled photo
of the border thats displayed in a weather-poof
frame attached to a post at the edge of the bed.
A wooden obelisk
looks good and gives
climbers something
to scramble over

My Gardening

Delights

With Gardening Editor

Adrienne

Chilli peppers are

great for decorations
as well as favour, and a
single plant may produce
as many as 100 fruits. The
secret to a bumper crop is
plenty of sunshine and a long
growing season, so start seed
of now in the warmth and
grow them in pots on the
patio when the risk of frost
is past. An easy variety for
beginners is the all-rounder
Hungarian Hot Wax.
To make space sowing easy,
I rub a Bic ballpoint pen lid
on my jumper to create static
electricity that allows me to
pick up individual seed, then
I simply tap the pen to drop
the seed into position. Give
it a go it really does work!
I love dahlias and always
fnd room for them, even
if just in a pot. One of the
most sought-after varieties
is Bishop of Llandaf that
has bright red fowers and
almost black foliage. For more
bang for your budget, start
the tubers of indoors in a pot
now and when the shoots
reach 7-10cm use them as
cuttings. Keep them well
lit, warm and watered until
they can be planted outside
towards the end of May.

Photos: Alamy, GAP, Garden Collection, Getty, iStockphoto.com

Borders for all seasons

Womans Weekly 39

Womans Weekly Plant Offer

Autumn-Flowering

Nerine

Delicate blooms make

for striking late borders
and dramatic displays

SAVE
up to

erine bowdenii is pink with

blooms on sturdy stems that make
sensational cut fowers at a time
when other blooms are scarce. This nerine is
a classic border plant that can be seen up and
down the UK from September to November,
a time of year when most other plants are
fading. Height: 45cm (18in). Spread: 8cm
(3in). Bulb size: 14.
Buy six bulbs for 11.99 (rrP 14.99)

SavINg 3!
Or buy 12 for 16.98 (rrP 24.99)

SavINg 8!

ing Tip
Deputy Editors Garden
ow
gr n in

Nerine bowdenii can be

s in wellthe greenhouse, or outdoor
es. This
drained borders and rockeri clumps
ht
species is best planted in tig play.
dis
n
for a stunning late-seaso

Geofrey Palmer

TO: WW Nerine Bowdenii Ofer, WWK1956/WWK1957, PO Box 162, Ipswich,

Sufolk IP8 3BX

Please send me the following:

Qty

Sub-total

I enclose a cheque made payable to

Womans Weekly Offers (no cash, please) for the
sum of ...............................................................................

Code

Product

Price

TCK16495W

Nerine bowdenii (6 bulbs)

11.99

Mrs/Miss/Ms/Mr (delete as applicable) Initial .........

TCK17507W
TCJ47552

Nerine bowdenii (12 bulbs)

Incredibloom Fertiliser
(1 x 750g pack)

16.98

Surname ..............................................................................
Address ...............................................................................

12.99

10% subscriber discount (if applicable)

Postage and packaging
GRAND TOTAL (less discount if applicable)

...............................................................................................
...............................................................................................

1.99

................................. Postcode ...........................................

Daytime tel no (incl code) ............................................

Subscriber no (if applicable) .........................................
Email address .....................................................................
.................................................................................................

Womans Weekly, published by Time Inc. (UK) Ltd will collect your personal information to process your order and alert you of news, new products, services and
ofers available from Womans Weekly and from Time Inc. (UK) Ltd. You can unsubscribe from emails by clicking unsubscribe from within the email and from
SMS by following the instructions in the SMS. Please tick here if you prefer not to be contacted by phone or post. p
WWK1956/WWK1957 24/02/15

A division of Time Inc. (UK) Ltd, Blue Fin Building, 110 Southwark Street, London SE1 0SU (Regd no. 53626 England)

Order online today at shop.womansweekly.com/garden

Order By Phone

Call 0844 573 6057*. MasterCard, Visa or Maestro cardholders can

order direct on this number, quoting WWK1956. Subscribers quote
WWK1957 with your subscription number to claim your 10% discount.
The order line is open Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm.

Use The Coupon

Complete the coupon. Payment may be made by cheque (with your

name, address and WWK1956/WWK1957 on the back of the cheque,
please), crossed and made payable to Womans Weekly Offers.
Terms and conditions This ofer is subject to availability and available to readers with a UK address only.
Prices correct at time of printing. All orders by post will be acknowledged by letter or email, advising
despatch date. Orders despatched from February onwards. If youre not completely satisfed, please
return goods within seven days with a covering letter for a replacement or a refund (including initial
p&p). Please note, in the case of goods going missing in the post when returned we regret that no
refund can be guaranteed unless proof of postage is supplied. Your contract for supply of goods is
with Thompson & Morgan, Poplar Lane, Ipswich, Sufolk IP8 3BU. Terms and conditions are available
upon request. All correspondence concerning this ofer should be sent to: WW Nerine Bowdenii
Ofer, WWK1956/WWK1957, PO Box 162, Ipswich, Sufolk IP8 3BX. For enquiries, call
0844 573 6057* (Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm). This offer ends 18 March 2015.
*Calls from a BT landline to this number will be charged at up to 5p per minute plus any network extras.
Mobile providers charges may vary and are likely to cost more.

Short Story By Kate Hogan

Fiction Editor,
Gaynor
We chose this gentle
twist-in-the-tail
story because we
loved its tenderness
and depth.

Photo: Getty Images (posed by models)

stare at the writing on

the card. I was never too
sure about Alfe Morris.
At school, he was
always getting hauled off to the
headmasters offce. If he wasnt
entertaining the rest of the
class with his funny pictures
or pulling faces behind the
teachers back, you could be sure
it was him whod have slipped
the fake mouse in her drawer.
It was a while before I realised
Alfe couldnt read or write.
Mam had told me that some
people were illiterate when Id
asked why she always had to
read important forms for our old
neighbour and why he could
only make a cross for his name.
Doesnt mean hes not as clever
as anyone else, Peggy, she told
me. There are millionaires out
there whove never learnt to write
a single word. Remember that.
I thought about Alfe and his
blank pages in the classroom,
the way he always did something
that was bound to get him sent
out of the class or off to the
headmasters offce whenever the
teacher announced we were to
have reading out loud sessions.
I wasnt sure if it was the right
thing to do but one day, after
Alfe had demonstrated his
prowess by walking on his hands
halfway across the playground,
I made a decision to speak.
Alfe, I said, when the other
kids moved to form a straight line
following the whistle signalling
the end of break. Im good at
reading and writing. Would you
like me to teach you?
Id never seen Alfe go red
before. Wasnt sure if he was
going to cry or get really mad
at me. Then the teacher roared
across the playground and we fell
into line with the rest of the kids.
Alfe didnt speak to me for
ages after that. But he didnt

Words

hesitate to dive into the fooding

river when I lost my footing on
the muddy pathway that skirted
it. The other kids seemed to think
it was hilarious. It wasnt. It was
terrifying. I kept on going under.
Want me to teach you to
swim? Alfe said, after hauling
me shivering and shaking up
the bank.
It was the look in his eye that

I didnt know what had hit me.

When my dad saw whod
walked me home he said he
wasnt too sure if I should be
walking out with a lad with
a reputation like Alfe.
When the banns were read
to announce our forthcoming
marriage, people asked if I was
sure I knew what I was doing.
Despite the fact that Alfe still

I felt the life draining out of me, my

throat tight with the fear of losing him
told me Id hurt, rather than
helped him, with my offer to help
with his schoolwork.
Like most of the other lads, he
was called up to National Service
not long after school fnished.
It was the night of the frst big
dance in the village hall years
later when I saw he was back
home. I wasnt too sure what to
think when he sauntered up and
asked me to dance but I hadnt
forgotten hed come to my rescue
years earlier and I said yes.
He was good on his feet and
the feel of his arms around me
was something I hadnt expected.
By the time the night was over

hadnt learnt to read and write,

he could turn his hand to a
million practical things. He took
whatever work he could. When
things were tight, we struggled
through; Alfes antics making us
laugh, the kids squealing with
delight at his funny drawings.
I began to worry that all in our
garden wasnt rosy when Alfe
started spending a lot of time
doing extra jobs for a woman on
the outskirts of the village. All the
warnings Id had came fooding
back when I saw the smile on his
face and the bounce in his step.
Maybe I wasnt as sure about
him as Id liked to think I was.

I suffered weeks of worry

before I fnally confronted him.
Ah, Peggy, he said. Its not
what you think. He threw his
arms around me. Ive saved every
penny shes paid me. I wanted
us to have a proper holiday. He
paused, arms still tight about me.
Theres more than that, I said.
Im not a fool, you know.
He let go of me and stepped
back. I never took you for one,
he said. But youre right. There
is something else.
I felt the life draining out of
me, my throat tight with the
terror of losing him. I didnt want
to know if there was anything
else he should tell me. I still
loved him, whatever hed done.
Something I should have
done a long time ago, he said,
taking hold of my shaking hands.
I closed my eyes, waiting for
the bombshell.
Im learning to read and
write, he said.
I opened my eyes. Alfe
was smiling.
If you dont believe me, Ill
show you.
Well, he did. He rooted out the
exercise books he had in his work
holdall. For the kids, he said.
I know you love me even if Ill
never be as clever as you. Hed
looked down at his shoes then
back at me. But... He looked
away. Maybe the kids wont.
I felt as if Alfe was saving me
from drowning all over again.
I love you, I said, beginning to
cry as he folded me in his arms.
The beautiful golden
anniversary card Im holding
in my hand now is testament to
the fact he learnt to read and
write well enough to express
how much our life together
means to him. I couldnt have
asked for a better present.
THE END
Kate Hogan, 2015

Womans Weekly 41

Dr Melanie

Mel is a freelance
GP from the
Stockport area, with
more than 30 years
experience

Surgery News
Balance Clue

Being unable to stand unsupported on

one foot for 20 seconds could be an early
sign of brain artery disease. Japanese
researchers used this and technical tests
to check for postural instability. People
who scored badly were more likely to
have abnormal MR brain scans and
poorer thinking/memory skills. Healthy
lifestyles and blood-pressure levels are
the best way to protect brain arteries,
but dont try this test if youre already
wobbly, and make sure you can lean on
something solid if you become unsteady.

Photos: Getty (posed by model), Alamy, Science Photo Library

True Or False?
Celebrity and gossip magazines are
more likely to disappear from doctors
waiting rooms than The Economist
and Time magazines.
True, according to New Zealand
researchers who say almost half the
magazines they put out disappeared
within a month, particularly those that
were current, cheaper or gossipy!

Light Blight

Electronic books (e-readers) are a

convenient way of reading in bed, but
could afect sleep quality, according
to US researchers. Using these lightemitting devices can suppress the sleep
hormone melatonin, so we may read for
longer, have trouble dropping of or get
less restorative REM sleep. Upsetting our
day-night rhythms
could reduce our
daytime alertness and
performance. This
echoes other research
suggesting that light
from mobiles and
electronic clocks can
also disrupt sleep.

42 womansweekly.com

Oesophago-gas
indigestion is common, especially when weve
overindulged, but persistent symptoms can
sometimes indicate OGC (gullet or stomach cancer)

ur gullets are
wind (fatulence) and
lined by robust
bloating, tummy pain which
(squamous) cells,
may go through, or round,
but these can
to your back, and feeling (or
become abnormal or
even being) sick or easily
cancerous, especially if weve
becoming full.
swallowed too many irritants
You may experience
during our lives (see box on
heartburn with acid refux
reducing your risk).
a burning pain behind
Many of us suffer from
your breastbone, or at the
GORD (gastro-oesophageal
back of your throat or fnd
refux disease) caused by
acid or watery fuid coming
stomach acid washing back
back up into your mouth.
up through a weak sphincter
You may fnd swallowing
(muscular ring) back into the
gullet, which doesnt have the
stomachs protective lining.
This can lead to changes
in the lining (Barretts
oesophagus) and an
increased risk of developing
OGC. Helicobacter pylori
Drink alcohol within
(HP), a bacterial infection
recommended limits
of the stomach, may be
see nhs.uk for more details.
linked to OGC, but can easily
Dont smoke, use snuff or
be detected (see Tests you
chew tobacco or betel quid.
may need later in this
Use a mask (if advised)
feature) and treated.
and good ventilation
OGC is becoming more
to avoid inhaling work or
common, with over 15,000
household chemicals.
new cases a year in the
Limit your consumption
UK. Both oesophageal
of red meat and foods that
and gastric cancer are
have been smoked, salted or
more common in men
charred during cooking.
and the over-50s.
Eat a rainbow of fruit and
veg to protect against
OGC and other cancers.
You may notice some or
Keep to a healthy weight to
all of these. Indigestion is
reduce acid refux as well
common, and includes
as protect against cancer.
increased burping, trapped

1
2
3

The symptoms

5
6

Helplines
Our phone lines give you access
to professionals who can ofer
you help and advice

Ways
To Cut
Your Risk

painful, or that food seems

to stick on the way down,
so that you have to force it
up again, or take a drink to
help it go down. Or you may
simply lose weight for no
obvious reason.
Many of these symptoms
can be triggered by lifestyle,
stress or other less serious
conditions. But if they last
more than three weeks,
they could be due to OGC,
pancreatic cancer, gallstones
or other serious diseases,
so see your GP.

Tests you may need

Your doctor will feel your
tummy, and may arrange
some blood tests and/or
ask you to provide a stool
sample to test for HP.
Youll need a gastroscopy
(camera examination of
your gullet and stomach),
together with medication
to help numb and relax
your throat. This looks
for evidence of acid refux,
Barretts oesophagus,
ulceration and cancer,
and can take samples
for the purpose of
laboratory examination
and HP testing.
A barium swallow/meal
(drinking a fuid that shows
up the shape and behaviour
of your gullet and stomach)
can be used if poor muscle

Dr Melanie Wynne-Jones helplines

Stress 0904 470 0681 Migraine 0904 470 0682
IBS 0904 470 0683 Varicose veins 0904 470 0684
Heartburn 0904 470 0685 Heavy periods 0904 470 0686

Calls last approx four mins. BT calls cost 66p per min. Costs from other networks may be higher. Us

stric Cancer
There are over 15,000
new cases of OGC
a year in the UK

Q
A

My son is recovering from

pericarditis. Could it come back?

Acute pericarditis
means infammation
of the tissue
surrounding the heart. Its
quite common and tends
to affect more men and
younger people. Its often
caused by viral infections,
with fever, coughing and
feeling unwell. But many
cases have no obvious trigger,
although some are linked to
immune system disorders
and other conditions.
Pericarditis causes chest
pain behind the breastbone,
across the chest, in the neck
and/or in the shoulders. It
may be mild or severe, and
feel dull, heavy, sharp or
burning. Like pleurisy, it
may stab when breathing,
coughing or swallowing, but
its often relieved by sitting
up and leaning forwards.
Tests to diagnose it will
also help to rule out a heart
attack. Doctors may hear
a pericardial rub (grating

Q
A

The condition
commonly
affects
young men

sound) with a stethoscope,

but will arrange an ECG
(heart tracing), chest X-ray,
blood tests and scans if
deemed necessary.
Up to 90% of cases recover
well following treatment
with non-steroidal antiinfammatory drugs such as
naproxen, and/or colchicine,
although this can take weeks.
But some people, especially
those with underlying
conditions, get recurrent
pericarditis, and Im afraid
this is hard to predict.

Ive been shown how to use my

asthma inhaler but Im still not
sure Im doing it right. Any tips?

coordination is suspected.
But if this doesnt provide a
satisfactory answer, you may
require an ultrasound or CT
scan of your tummy.

Available treatments
Acid refux can be treated with
lifestyle changes (see box, left),
antacids and/or medication to
switch off acid production.
These drugs are called PPIs
(such as lansoprazole) or H2
blockers (such as ranitidine).

HP is treated with a weeks

course of high-dose PPI and
two different antibiotics,
while Barretts oesophagus is
treated with long-term highdose PPIs and gastroscopy
check-ups from time to time.
If you actually have OGC, you
may need surgery, radiotherapy
and/or chemotherapy these
are more effective if youre
diagnosed early. Youll also need
to see a dietitian for advice on
eating and nutrition.

Jan de Vries alternative helplines

Osteoporosis 0904 470 0812 Bladder problems 0904 470 0813
Rheumatism 0904 470 0814 Losing Dad how will Mum cope?
0904 470 0871 Depressed 0904 470 0873 Arthritis 0904 470 0874

Asthma devices can

be surprisingly
diffcult to get right,
and thats a worry because
not getting enough of your
reliever and preventer
medication increases your
risk of symptoms, fare-ups,
hospital admissions and
suffering severe, potentially
life-threatening attacks.
Press and inhale devices
are both convenient and
cheap, but many people fnd it
a struggle to synchronise their
breathing, breathe in deeply
enough or press down the
canister. Because of this,
manufacturers make a wide
range of devices, including
breath-actuated inhalers,
that require less effort and/
or coordination.

Or you could try a spacer.

This involves squirting the
inhaler into a plastic bubble
and breathing the drug in
through a mouthpiece or
mask at the other end. Its
bulkier than an inhaler, but
can be almost as effective as
using a nebuliser.
The Asthma UK website
has demonstration videos
covering all the available
devices, so you can check
and improve your technique
(search for inhaler technique
at asthma.org.uk). But if
youre not confdent youre
doing it properly, dont be
embarrassed to go back to
your practice nurse or doctor,
who can help you to get it
right or let you choose a
more suitable device.

sers must be 18+. You must have the bill payers permission. Service provider: Spoke Ltd 0333 202 3390.

Womans Weekly 43

Dr Wynne-Jones is unable to ofer individual advice or see individual patients. Advice given here is for general information only. Please seek help from your own GP if you have a medical problem.

Health Advice From Womans Weeklys GP

Pick The Perfe

Dont just reach for the paracetamol when
there may be a better analgesic for your
particular pain, says Michele OConnor

Headaches
Common headache triggers include stress, poor
posture, dehydration, eye strain and sinus problems,
explains Dr Andy Dowson, Director of Headache
Services at Kings College Hospital in London.

Over-the-cOunter:

Most tension headaches can be stopped with

a simple non-steroidal anti-infammatory drug
(NSAID) like aspirin, paracetamol or ibuprofen.

PrescriPtiOn:

the antidepressant amitriptyline may occasionally

be prescribed for recurrent headaches.

natural remedies:

Because overuse of painkillers can actually make

headaches worse, try non-drug remedies such as
cooling strips and sticks, like Migrastick (5.99,
Holland & Barrett). With active ingredients,
including levomenthol, these products create a cold,
numbing sensation. Peppermint oil proved efective for
headaches in studies: mix fve drops with one drop of
eucalyptus oil in a base of one tablespoon of vegetable
oil and rub on your temples or wherever the pain occurs.

Period
pain
Pain is thought to be due to
an excess of natural chemicals
called prostaglandins in the
womb that cause cramps and pain.

Over-the-cOunter:

Propionic acid-derivative NSAIDs,

like ibuprofen, work better than
paracetamol and aspirin because
they inhibit the bodys production of
prostaglandins. For severe pain, try
Feminax Ultra (4.99 for nine tablets)
a combination painkiller containing
codeine and paracetamol, as well
as hyoscine, to relieve cramps.

PrescriPtiOn:

Ponstan, which contains mefenamic

acid, reduces pain and infammation.

Shooting/
stabbing pain
Common causes of shooting pain are sciatica
in the lower back and legs, shingles and nerve
damage caused by diabetes.

Over-the-cOunter:

Ibuprofen with paracetamol. Or paracetamol with

added codeine (ask your pharmacist for advice).

PrescriPtiOn:

amitriptyline and imipramine originally

developed as antidepressants but also efective
for nerve pain. Other drugs, like gabapentin and
the more powerful pregabalin, work by blocking
messages from nerves. For severe pain, steroid
injections can provide relief.

Photo: Getty

natural remedies:

Acupuncture, physiotherapy for sciatica and

vitamin D supplements and high-potency
omega-3 supplements have proved efective
in some studies.

44 womansweekly.com

natural remedies:

A hot-water bottle proved as efective

as ibuprofen in US studies. And
Pycnogenol (pine bark extract)

alleviated period pain in a study published

in The Journal Of Reproductive Medicine. Or
ask your GP about a contraceptive method
that switches of your periods, such as
taking the Pill without a break, or the coil.

Lower back
About 80% of lower back pain is
diagnosed as non-specifc. The most
likely causes are poor core stability due
to bad posture and weak abdominal
muscles, bending and lifting with
incorrect techniques, excess weight and
poor sleeping posture, says chartered
physiotherapist Sammy Margo.

Over-the-cOunter:

NSAIDs such as Nurofen Express (7.59

for 24), or perhaps a topical gel, are
the most efective simple painkillers.

PrescriPtiOn:

tramadol and a short-term muscle

relaxant (usually diazepam) for

severe muscle spasm. Physiotherapy

may also be ofered by your GP.

natural remedies:

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve

Stimulation (TENS) machines
small battery-operated devices that
stimulate nerves to block pain can
be efective. NICE has approved
acupuncture as a cost-efective NHS
treatment for chronic back pain.
GOPO (GOPO Joint Health, 17.99
for 120 capsules, Boots) is an active
compound derived from rose hip and
provides signifcant pain relief for
acute back pain, according to one
study, and it can be safely used
alongside conventional treatments.

Womans Weekly Health

ect Pain Relief

(available without prescription as

Motilium) can also help.

Migraines
These are throbbing head pains,
usually on one side of the head,
accompanied by light sensitivity and
nausea, and affect daily life. Although
there are many triggers, the two most
common are simple dehydration and
low blood sugar usually caused by
going for too long without eating,
says Professor Anne MacGregor,
a specialist in headaches and womens
health (annemacgregor.com).

PrescriPtiOn:

Most people fnd that aspirin

or ibuprofen work better than
paracetamol or codeine. But the
most important thing is to act
quickly: There is a window of
opportunity during a migraine attack
before the stomach stops working
properly (gastric stasis) when any
drugs you take wont be absorbed
properly. So, take soluble painkillers.
And adding an anti-sickness drug,
such as a 20mg dose of domperidone

natural remedies:

Over-the-cOunter:

Neck and
shoulder pain
Anything from sleeping in a bad position to
bowing your head at the computer keyboard
can cause the neck bones to compress,
triggering pain, explains Sammy Margo.
Invest in a frm supporting pillow (two
pillows can cause unnatural alignment);

Toothache
Dental decay, receding gums and broken
or loose fllings can lead to the pulp
(which contains nerves) in the middle
of the tooth becoming infamed. If
toothache is relieved by over-the-counter
painkillers, it can usually wait until your
regular dentist available to deal with it,
advises Ben Atkins of the British Dental

check your posture and sitting position at

the computer and request an ergonomic
assessment for your seat and workstation.

Over-the-cOunter:

Ibuprofen gel or Voltarol (the brand name

for the synthetic opiate diclofenac).

PrescriPtiOn:

a stronger nsaid, such as naproxen.

natural remedies:

Try holding a hot-water bottle or Nurofen

Express Heat Patches (4.99, from
pharmacies) to the back of your neck

Association. If, however, the pain doesnt

go away with analgesics, swelling occurs
or its a child who has toothache, contact
an out-of-hours dentist.

Over-the-cOunter:

Nuromol (2.05 for six tablets) contains

paracetamol and ibuprofen and, in
trials involving people with severe dental
pain after tooth extraction, provided up
to eight hours of pain relief.

ask your doctor for a preventative

drug rather than a rescue drug,
advises dr any dowson. treatments
vary in efciency between individuals
from beta-blockers to prevent
blood vessels in the head dilating, to
antidepressants which keep the brain
chemistry under control, to triptans,
designed to increase the levels of
serotonin, a neurotransmitter found
naturally in the brain.
The herb feverfew (Migraherb
Feverfew 100mg 7.20 for
30 capsules, Boots) proved
efective for migraines in studies.
And coenzyme Q10 a vitamin-like
substance that helps cells to produce
energy has been shown in trials
to help reduce migraine pain.
Try Healthspan Co-Enzyme Q10
(60 x 100mg capsules, 17.95,
healthspan.co.uk).

or shoulder to reduce pain and muscle

spasms. Or apply Tiger Balm Neck &
Shoulder Rub (6.99, Superdrug) with
herbal active ingredients menthol,
eucalyptus oil and camphor, to stimulate
circulation and relax tense neck and
shoulder muscles. The Alexander
Technique helps identify and correct bad
postural habits that cause joint and muscle
tension strengthening the spine and
improving neck, back and shoulder ache.
For more details, visit stat.org.uk.

PrescriPtiOn:

stronger painkillers and/or antibiotics may be

prescribed by your dentist if infection is present.

natural remedy:

Clove oil (2.79 for 10ml, Boots) contains

eugenol a natural painkiller and antiseptic
which will ofer some relief until you are
able to visit your dentist. Simply dab a few
drops soak on to cotton wool or a cotton bud
and apply to the afected area.
Womans Weekly 45

Health Choices
Mouth Ulcers

The Complementary Way

The Conventional Way

Minimise the damage Use a soft toothbrush

and avoid hard, sharp, spicy and acidic foods and

drinks until the ulcer heals. If you suspect that
a sharp tooth or filling has caused an ulcer,
visit your dentist so that they can repair it,
advises Karen Coates of the British Dental Health
Foundation (dentalhealth.org).

Try medication Over-the-counter treatments

contain active ingredients to reduce inflammation.
Chlorhexidine gluconate, a common mouthwash, is
effective but can stain teeth, so brush before using.
Try Care Chlorhexidine Digluconate 0.2% w/v Antiseptic
Mouthwash (3.44 for 300ml, from supermarkets and
independent pharmacies). Alternatively, Bonjela
Complete Plus (8.49, from pharmacies) forms a
protective barrier that lasts up to four hours.

Switch toothpastes Some studies suggest

that sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) a foaming agent
found in most toothpastes may be associated
with an increased risk of ulcer outbreaks. One
study showed that individuals suffering from
recurrent mouth ulcers found significant relief
by avoiding SLS in toothpaste for three months.
Try UltraDEX Low-Abrasion Toothpaste (6.15,
from Boots; find out more at ultradex.co.uk).
Try a natural remedy Frador Mouth Ulcer
Treatment (2.65, from independent pharmacies) is
a non-steroid-based medicine created from natural
ingredients. It works by sealing the ulcer area,
preventing infection and speeding up the bodys
natural healing process.

Words: Michele OConnor. Photos: iStockphoto.com, Press Pix. If you have concerns about your health, see your GP

See your doctor If you have recurring

minor ulcers, ask to be tested for low iron,

B12 or folic acid levels. Frequent or severe
mouth ulcers may also be a sign of coeliac
disease. And ulcers that dont disappear
within three weeks always need checking
out to exclude mouth cancer, says Karen.

How The Experts Keep Healthy

Helen Bond
(helenbond.co.uk),
registered dietitian
and spokeswoman for
the British Dietetic
Association
Whats in your medicine cabinet?
I take Centrum Women multivitamin as
a back-up when life is stressful and my
eating habits arent as good as usual, or
when Im poorly and off food. And an
omega-3 fsh oil supplement in case
I dont get my weekly portion of oily fsh.
Whats good in your fridge?
Thanks to the village market, my fridge
is currently brimming with colourful
seasonal produce beetroots, leeks, kale,
cranberries and carrots to name a few.

g
WellBeinns
solutioody
For your b d
and min

Look after yourself Deficiencies of

vitamins and minerals, particularly B12,
can trigger mouth ulcers so eat a healthy,
balanced diet to boost immunity and
consider taking a multivitamin. Getting
stressed and run-down will also make you
prone to mouth ulcers, so get enough sleep
and find a healthy stress-relieving strategy.

Whats your favourite exercise?

I take advantage of the stunning
countryside on my doorstep by running
four times a week with a friend. Getting
motivated to go out in the cold isnt
easy but knowing that my best friend
is waiting for me keeps me committed.
Whats a special treat?
Whatever I fancy! My belief is that
lifelong healthy eating is about making
decisions throughout the day that
balance pleasure and moderation.
Any childhood remedies you still use?
My mum always gave me a hot lemon
and honey drink when I was full of cold.
At the frst sign of the sniffes, I do the
same today. The hot, steamy drink helps
relieve congestion and honey is soothing.

Not As Good
As You Think
Eating Granola
For Breakfast

Starting the day with rolled oats, brown

sugar or honey, dried fruit and nuts sounds
healthy. But, say nutritionists, make sure
you check the label, as most granolas
are surprisingly high in sugar and fat,
deliberately added to make them taste
more palatable than the granola once
found in health-food shops. Try sprinkling
some fruit and nuts
on a bowl of
porridge,
muesli or
Weetabix
instead.

Womans Weekly 47

Here To Help
Coach, counsellor and writer Keren Smedley has worked for more
than 20 years helping people to make positive changes to their lives

I received a text a couple of weeks

ago from my sister-in-law that was
clearly not meant for me. It was
really shocking as it was very flirtatious
and sounded like she was having an affair.
I called her immediately to tell her and
ask her what she was playing at. She said
it had been a mistake and it was just a bit
of fun with a guy at work and nothing
was happening and all was good with my
brother. Im not sure whether to believe her
and worry that I should tell my brother.
Name and address withheld

Keren welcomes your letters and emails, but she cannot reply to individual cases and will select correspondence at random for publication.

There are two issues here. One is

how careful we all need to be with
instant messaging. Once weve said
something, and especially if its written
down, its out in the open and cant be
retracted. Im wondering why you should
tell your brother? If, as your sister-in-law
says, it was all a bit of fun and meant
nothing, then lets hope shell be happy to
tell your brother what happened and sort
it out with him. Explain to her that you
feel bad knowing this information as it
makes you part of a secret and thats never
a good thing. Ask her to talk to him about
it and to tell him shes spoken to you. That
way, if he wants to, he can have a chat with
you about any concerns.

You must find things

to do for yourself

My husband and I are in

disagreement. He likes time on
his own and always has. I like
time with him and with people and I always
have. It was fine when we were working,
as I was busy. I went out with my friends
and then spent some time with him. Now
that were retired, I hate it when he goes off
on his own and I often feel at a loose end.
Helena, North Shields

KERENs
HElpliNEs

Im tired of my life
Dear Keren

The frst person to

contact is your GP
I got married when I was 21 and, after
about 10 years, my husbands interest
in the marriage waned. I stuck it out
for another 10 years but then the
relationship broke down completely.
After a failed suicide attempt, I moved
in with a friend in 1986. My elder
son has not spoken to me since. All
attempts on my part to make contact
have been ignored. After about fve
years, I remarried a lovely man but he only lived for six years, a victim of motor neurone
disease. Nursing him at home left me weak and tired. My younger son came to live with
me but he stole from me cash and things to sell to fuel his gambling addiction. Then
he met a girl; they married and have two sons. Ive lent them money, which has never
been repaid; a few years ago, I refused a request for 3,000 and I havent heard from
them since. Im so sorry that neither son is in contact with me. Im weary with it all and
cant see the point any more. I know I should be able to help myself.
Name and address withheld

m not surprised that youre feeling

very down and rather stuck. Its hard
to shift from this position when it
feels like everything has gone wrong and
nothing will get better. Your thoughts go
round and round, making you feel worse
without any respite. I think youd really
benefit from talking to your GP, who will
discuss with you how youre feeling and
recommend the best course of action. This
could be medication and/or therapy and/
or some mindfulness training. Berating

Its difficult when our partner wants

something different from us. My
hunch is youre putting your thoughts
on to your husband and assuming he feels the
same. When you avoid being with people it
will be because youre fed up with them and
dont want their company, not because you
want time on your own. For him, being alone
is separate and distinct from being with and
loving you. He needs me time to replenish
his batteries, the same way you need people

Worrying: manage your fears 0904 470 0716

Concerned about memory loss? 0904 470 0717
When your children leave home 0904 470 0831

yourself for not being able to alter your

situation is the worst thing you can do, so
when that thought comes into your head,
tell yourself to stop and see if you can
replace it with a thought about something
good that has happened; it doesnt need
to be a present-day event. Another way to
change your mood is to focus outwards.
Taking yourself for a walk and looking at
the world around you can help to leave
your problems behind, even if its only
for a short while.

to replenish yours. Giving him some space

will enable him to be closer to you when
youre together. I suggest you leave him be
and find a few more things to do for yourself.

Email WomansWeeklyPostbag@
timeinc.com Write to Your Dilemmas,
Womans Weekly, 110 Southwark Street,
London SE1 0SU Visit Kerens site at
experiencematters.org.

How to cope with ageing parents 0904 470 0719

Coming to terms with loss and grief 0904 470 0804
How to banish your empty feelings 0904 470 0802

Users must be over 18. You must have the bill payers permission. BT calls cost 66p per minute at all times. Calls from other networks may be higher. Each line lasts approx. seven minutes. Service provider: Spoke Ltd 0333 202 3390

Womans Weekly 49

Photo: SuperStock (posed by model)

Give your sister-in-law

the chance to tell him

Private Tours Of Royal Palaces

Windsor Castle Private Evening
Tour Behind The Ropes

A Royal Day At
Buckingham Palace

This is an
experience you
wont forget:
an after-hours
private tour
of the State
Apartments at
Windsor Castle
with an expert
guide. On the
two-and-a-half-hour tour
youll discover how Charles II
set out to rival the Versailles
of his cousin Louis XIV, and
how George IV flled the
rooms with outstanding works
of art and gave the Castle its
well-known skyline.

Your day begins at

the Royal Mews
at 1.30pm before
making your way
to the State Rooms
for 3pm, used by
the Queen and
the Royal Family
to receive and
entertain guests.
An audio tour takes in paintings
by Van Dyck and Canaletto,
sculpture by Canova, exquisite
Svres porcelain and fne
English and French furniture.
Finally, visit the Garden Cafe
on the West Terrace and enjoy
views across the lawn.

One
night from
150 per
person

On 4 September.
The price includes:
D One-night stay at
the four-star Beaumont Estate
hotel with breakfast
D Guided tour at 6pm
D Offcial guidebook and a glass
of Champagne

One
night from
89 per
person

In August and September.

The price includes:
D One-night stay at a central
London hotel with breakfast
D Audio tour of the Royal Mews
(1.30pm) and State Rooms (3pm)
D Entry to the special
exhibition: A Royal Welcome

Buckingham Palace And

Garden Highlights Tour

Guided Tour Of Prince Charles

Ofcial Home Clarence House

Buckingham
Palace is probably
the worlds most
famous Royal
residence. You will
enjoy a leisurely
tour, including an
audio tour of the
State Rooms and
a garden tour,
taking in some of the fner
details, such as the celebrated
rose gardens and the tennis
courts where Fred Perry
played King George VI.

Clarence House
on The Mall in
London is the
offcial residence
of HRH the
Prince of Wales
and the Duchess
of Cornwall and
is only open to
the public in the
month of August. During
your one-hour tour, youll
be able to see fve State
Rooms that regularly play
host to the Royals and their
guests. Selected pieces from
the Queen Mothers art
collection are a real highlight
of the tour.

6, 12, 19, 20, 27 August and 10, 17,

24 September. The price includes:
D One-night stay at the four-

One
night from
125 per
person

star Cavendish
Hotel with full
English breakfast
D Audio tour of Buckingham
Palace State Rooms
D Guided garden highlights
tour the following morning
D Entry to the special
exhibition: A Royal Welcome

One
night from
99 per
person

31 July, 14, 21,

28 August. The
price includes:
D One-night stay at the
four-star Cavendish
Hotel with full English
breakfast
D Guided tour of Clarence
House on Saturday morning

Call 01904 436 057 and quote AF101 (from 8am-10pm daily)
or visit superbreak.com/womansweekly
TERMS AND CONDITIONS Prices are per person, based on two people sharing and subject to fnite availability. Upgrades are available at a supplement. The images are used in conjunction with SuperBreak
Mini Holidays. The ofer is operated by and subject to the booking conditions of SuperBreak Mini Holidays ABTA Y1453, ATOL 1015 a company wholly independent of Time Inc. (UK) Ltd. When you respond,
Time Inc. (UK) Ltd and other group companies may contact you with ofers/services that may be of interest. Please give your mobile or email details if you wish to receive such ofers by SMS or email. We will
not give your details to other companies without your permission; please let us know if you are happy for us to do so.

Royal Collection Trust Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2015

Travel Offers

Visit Londons
historic palaces and
residences this summer
and experience magnifcent
architecture, glorious
interiors and spectacular
gardens; all from the
comfort of a central
London hotel.

Photo: Christopher Simon Sykes Royal Collection Trust Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2014

Womans Weekly

Womans Weekly Travel

Home From Home,

Home

Only Warmer!

A laid-back way
to see Valletta

Red phone boxes, Roman spas, crusading knights...

Maltas a fascinating destination especially for Brits

he 7,000-year history
of Malta has been
shaped by many
peoples, including the
Romans, Greeks, Arabs, French
and, last but not least, the British.
Theres a real sense of the familiar
when you stroll through the
charming capital, Valletta, with
its red phone and post boxes,
well-known high-street shops

Best
For

Culture
Vultures

Vallettas
ornate St Johns
Co-Cathedral,
built between
1573 and 1577,
is home to
two of the
Italian painter
Caravaggios
most impressive
works The
Beheading Of
St John The
Baptist and St
Jerome Writing.

and cars driving on the left.

Although independent since
1964, the British infuence is
part of the enduring appeal
of this sunny Mediterranean
archipelago thats less than three
hours from London. And in a
few days I discovered there are
plenty of other things to explore
in Malta and its smaller sister
islands, Gozo and Comino.

Infuential knights

My tour began in the compact

capital, which will be in the
spotlight in 2018 as a European
Capital of Culture.
Vallettas striking
baroque architecture
was created by
the Knights of the
Order of St John of
Jerusalem, who ruled
the island for more
than 200 years.
After browsing
through the market
selling inexpensive
handmade lace,
knitwear, honey and
models of the retro,

much-loved buses that used

to transport visitors around
the island, I headed to Upper
Barrakka Gardens, set on
the highest point in Valletta.
Created in the 17th century as a
peaceful retreat for the knights,
today theyre a great spot to
enjoy panoramic views across
the Grand Harbour. Try and get
there at midday or 4pm, when
members of the local history
society, dressed in British artillery
uniforms, fre a gun salute.
We took the modern lift
down to the harbour to board
a colourful dghajsa (pronounced
dysa), the traditional wooden,
gondola-shaped boat once used
to ferry sailors ashore. Setting
off in the shadow of a huge
cruise ship, we sailed around
the sheltered harbour. It was an
atmospheric experience that only
cost 1 each, and passengers can
opt to do a round tour or alight
at the other side.
Away from the holiday resorts
lie stretches of countryside
virtually untouched by the
21st century. The next day we

took the 25-minute ferry ride

to Gozo, which is just nine miles
long and half as wide. Greener
and much more rural than the
main island, Gozo is a paradise
for walkers and cyclists. Life
ticks by at a very leisurely pace
and many locals earn a living
from fshing and agriculture.
Sea salt has been produced for
centuries and it was interesting
to see the salt pans glistening
in the sun at Marsalforn.

Older than
the Pyramids

The Ggantija Temples are Gozos

must-see attraction. Situated in
the centre of the island, these
two circular stone structures
were built in around 3,500BC
and are the worlds oldest

Womans Weekly 51

Womans Weekly Travel

Best
For

Fun-loving
Families

The comic strip sailor man comes

to life at Popeye Village, a short
drive from Maltas largest sandy
beach at Mellieha Bay. This
flm-based attraction has grown
from its days as the main set for
the 1980 comedy starring the
late Robin Williams.
beautiful islands, that combine
British heritage with a rich and
very individual Maltese culture.

Getting there

Words: Jeannine Williamson. Photos: 4Corners, Alamy, Getty, iStockphoto.com

All prices based on two sharing, unless otherwise stated

Tiny Comino is
a trafc-free gem
free-standing structures,
pre-dating Stonehenge and
Egypts pyramids by more
than 1,000 years. According
to legend, a female giant carried
the colossal stones to the site.
For even more peace and quiet
theres tiny Comino, sandwiched
between Malta and Gozo, which
has no traffc and only a handful
of permanent residents. Theres
a regular ferry service to the
island, which is famous for
its crystal-clear Blue Lagoon.

Roman legacy
We stayed just outside Valletta at
the Corinthia Hotel St Georges
Bay (corinthia.com), set on the

Best
For

Fans Of
Food And
Drink
been

Malta has
making wine
for more
than 4,000
years, but its
not widely
exported so
this could
be your frst
taste. The
islands grape
varieties,
Gellewza and Girgentina,
produce fruity red and white wines
that go well with traditional dishes
such as fsh soup and rabbit stew.

waters edge in St Julians, and

which has the dual beneft of
being set in a quiet spot but just
fve minutes walk from Paceville
(known as PV), the lively centre
of Maltese nightlife where
the main street is lined with
bars and restaurants. Maltas
wellbeing legacy goes back
to the times when the Romans
built rejuvenating baths, and
the hotel boasts a fne, modern
spa where I spent a relaxing
morning in preparation for
a night on the town.
The Maltese cuisine is the
result of culinary practices
of the many nationalities that
have lived on the island.
Traditional food tends to be
rustic, based around seasonal
produce and the fshermens
catch of the day, but there
are also many gastronomic
restaurants with prices much
cheaper than the UK.
One of the most
memorable meals was
an al fresco lunch at
the TaMena Estate,
in the heart of the
countryside on Gozo.
Overlooking an orange
grove, we tucked
into platters of locally
produced meat,
cheese, vegetables and
salads bursting with
favour, all served
with rosemary-scented
bread fresh from the oven and
wine produced on the estate.
It gave us a real taste of these

Olympic Holidays offers seven

nights at the Corinthia Hotel
St Georges Bay, from 640,
including fights from Gatwick,
transfers and accommodation
with breakfast. For further
details, call 020 8492 6868,
or visit olympicholidays.com.
For independent travellers,
Air Malta operates year-round
fights from Gatwick, Heathrow
and Manchester, and summer
fights from regional airports,
from 148 return. For more
information, visit airmalta.com.

Womans Weekly
Escorted Tour
Womans Weekly offers an
escorted tour of Malta eight
days from 819 per person,
from May to October 2015. For
a brochure, call 01283 742 396
or visit travel.womansweekly.
co.uk/european-tours/
undiscovered-malta
TERMS AND CONDITIONS Prices are per
person, from, based on two sharing and subject
to fnite availability. Image used in conjunction
with Riviera Travel. Ofer operated by and subject
to the booking conditions of Riviera Travel Ltd.
AbTA V4744, Atol 3430, a company wholly
independent of Time Inc. (UK) Ltd. When
you respond, Time Inc. (UK) Ltd other group
companies may contact you with ofers/services
that may be of interest. Please give your mobile
or email details if you wish to receive such ofers
by SMS or email. We will not give your details to
other companies without your permission; please
let us know if you are happy for us to do so.

Why youll love...

Largs, Scotland

Womans Weeklys Shop Merchandiser, Mark

Where I went...
This beautiful seaside town on
Scotlands west coast is perfect
for a relaxing break. Nestled
between the sea and rolling
hills, Largs ofers spectacular
views over the Firth of Clyde
and the surrounding islands.
What I did...
I hopped on a ferry to
the Isle of Cumbrae and
went dinghy sailing at the
Sportscotland watersports
centre (nationalcentrecumbrae.
org.uk). After walking the dog
on the prom and breathing
in the sea air, I enjoyed some
ales by the roaring fre at
the Ye Old Anchor Inn and
sang at the open mic night in
The Waterside pub.

Small and perfectly placed

Where I stayed...
The friendly, welcoming,
family-run Woodhouse Hotel
(woodhousehotel.co.uk), where
I ate the best breakfast of my life!
What I ate...
The fsh and chips at the hotel
will take some beating, with
Nardinis ice-cream parlour
just a short stroll
g
away for dessert.
kon

EeE

W
M
T
X n The

NECruise O

Womans Weekly

Travel Offers
City Breaks Or Countryside Retreats In The UK And Escorted European Tours

Madrid, Salamanca & Toledo

From
49.50 per
person for two
nights, including
dinner on the
first night

Great-Value Hotel Breaks

Escape from it all and treat yourself to one of our two-night
hotel stays, with an evening meal included on your rst night.
Enjoy a city break, visit friends or rediscover the UKs heritage
and beautiful countryside.
D BIRMINGHAM four-star Menzies Birmingham City Strathallan 49.50
D READING three-star Holiday Inn Reading South 62.50
D YORK (nr) three-star Best Western Burn Hall Hotel 64.50
D STRATFORD-UPON-AVON four-star Ettington Chase 75
D SHEFFIELD four-star Kenwood Hall 79.50
D LEEDS four-star The Met 79.50
D WINDSOR four-star Beaumont Estate 94
D LINCOLN three-star Holiday Inn Lincoln 95
D STRATFORD-UPON-AVON four-star The Falcon Hotel 97.50
D HARROGATE four-star The Kimberley Hotel (incl a cream tea) 99
D EDINBURGH four-star Crowne Plaza Edinburgh Royal Terrace 99
D LAKE DISTRICT four-star Beech Hill Hotel 119
D YORK three-star Best Western Monkbar 123
D LONDON four-star Holiday Inn Kings Cross/Bloomsbury 125
D OXFORD four-star Oxford Spires Four Pillars Hotel 128
D GLASGOW ve-star Radisson Blu Glasgow 132
D LAKE DISTRICT four-star Low Wood Bay 139
Many more hotels and locations are available please call for
details. Why not add rail travel to your booking? You can save up
to 50% on standard rail fares when buying your hotel and rail
together. Book early for the best prices.

Call 01904 436 057 and quote AF101

(from 8am-10pm, daily) Or visit
superbreak.com/womansweekly
TERMS AND CONDITIONS Prices are per person, based on two people sharing and subject to
fnite availability. Upgrades are available at a supplement. The images are used in conjunction
with SuperBreak Mini Holidays. The ofer is operated by and subject to the booking conditions
of SuperBreak Mini Holidays ABTA Y1453, ATOL 1015 a company wholly independent of
Time Inc. (UK) Ltd. When you respond, Time Inc. (UK) Ltd and other group companies may
contact you with ofers/services that may be of interest. Please give your mobile or email
details if you wish to receive such ofers by SMS or email. We will not give your details to
other companies without your permission; please let us know if you are happy for us to do so.

Over the past few years, the

historic cities of inland Spain,
its stunning countryside and
monuments have been enjoyed
by the discerning traveller.
Selected departures from April
to October. The price includes:
D Return fights from Gatwick,
Heathrow, Bristol, Liverpool,
Manchester, Luton, Dublin or
Edinburgh; taxes and transfers
D Six nights in three- and fourstar hotels with breakfast and four
dinners (one dinner when staying
at the Catalonia Gran Via Hotel)
D Visits to Toledo and Madrid
D Tour of Salamanca, with one
of the worlds oldest universities

Seven
days from
659 per
person

D Visit to Aranjuez and the

former Royal Palace
D Visit to Segovia, with its
Roman aqueduct and castle
D Escorted by an experienced
tour manager

Barcelona & The

Highlights Of Catalonia
Catalonia and its capital city
Barcelona are the destination
for this unique tour.
Selected departures from April
to October. The price includes:
D Return fights from London
Gatwick, Heathrow, Stansted,
Bristol, Leeds/Bradford,
Luton, Manchester, East
Midlands, Newcastle,
Southend or Edinburgh
D Six nights four-star hotel
accommodation with breakfast
D Guided tour of Barcelona
D Visits to the medieval city of
Girona; Tarragona (the ancient

Seven
days from
749 per
person

capital of Roman Iberia);

the monastery at Montserrat;
and Cava vineyard
D Escorted by an experienced
tour manager

Call 01283 742 396 to receive our

colour brochure. Book online at
travel.womansweekly.co.uk
TERMS AND CONDITIONS Additional entrance costs may apply. Prices are per person, based
on two sharing and subject to fnite availability. Images used in conjunction with Riviera
Travel. Ofer operated by and subject to the booking conditions of Riviera Travel Ltd, ABTA
V4744, ATOL 3430, a company wholly independent of Womans Weekly, published by Time
Inc. (UK) Ltd. When you respond, Time Inc. (UK) Ltd may contact you with ofers/services that
may be of interest. Please give your mobile or email details if you wish to receive such ofers
by SMS or email. We will not give your details to other companies without your permission;
please let us know if you are happy for us to do so

Womans Weekly Competition

WIN!

ENTER FREE
ONLiNE AT

womansweekly.com/win

A Binatone
Tablet 4
Surf the net on the go!

oull fnd it so
much easier to
keep in touch,
surf the internet,
and even read Womans
Weekly on the move with
the Homesurf 844 Android
tablet from Binatone.
Its 8in screen makes it
small and light enough to
slip into your handbag, but
big enough to comfortably
read e-books, check emails,
follow recipes, use social
media and online chat
forums, play games and
shop online, with a
Wi-Fi connection.
A fast dual-core 1.5GHz
processor and 1GB RAM
makes multitasking easy,
and you can upgrade its 8GB

to be
won

storage by adding a
micro SD card up to
32GB giving more
space to store music, photos
and apps. It comes equipped
with Android KitKat 4.4 and
pre-loaded with Google Play,
so all your favourite apps are
just a few clicks away.
Front and rear cameras
make it easy to take photos
on the move and use video
calling apps, such as Skype,
to keep in touch with friends
and family, wherever they
are in the world.
Whats more, there are
four tablets up for grabs!
For more information
about Binatone and its
range of products, visit
binatoneglobal.com

HOW TO ENTER
Just answer this question...

Who invented the World Wide Web?

A) Sir Tim Berners-Lee
B) John Logie Baird
C) Alexander Graham Bell

If you know the answer, you can enter online, by phone, text
or post. The competition opens on 17 February 2015, and
you can enter online, by phone or text until 11.59pm on
3 March 2015, or by post on 6 March 2015.

Rules For a full set of

rules, see page 65. Entry
implies acceptance of
the rules. There are four
prizes to be won. The
prize is The HomeSurf
844, an 8in tablet by
Binatone. The winners
will be selected at
random after the close
date from all the correct
entries received.

Enter FREE on womansweekly.com/win

All you have to do is register.

Call 0905 652 2942

BT calls cost 1.02 per call (UK). *Cost from other

networks may be higher.
Text WWC followed by a space and your answer,
then your full name, house number and postcode
to 85088. Eg, WWC answer Chloe Smith 16 NN32
6PX. Texts cost 1 per text, plus network charges*.
When entering by phone or text, please ensure that
you provide your FULL name and address details as
incomplete entries may be charged but not entered. If
you call or text after the closing date, then you will not
be entered but you may be charged. When you enter
by text, you may in future get SMS marketing messages
from Time Inc. (UK) Ltd and Womans Weekly. If you
dont want to receive these, please end your text with
NO INFO. Service provider: Spoke, 0333 202 3390.
Write your answer on a postcard, together with
your name and address, and send it to: Binatone/
WW09 Competition, PO Box 502, Leicester LE94 0AB.

For more fantastic competitions, visit womansweekly.com/win

Expert Q&A
This Week:
Sarah On
is better:
QWhich
typing or talking?

There are so many ways to talk

online now that were spoilt for
choice. If youre a good typist
and dont like to hang around,
IM (instant messaging) is
brilliant. I use the chat function
in my Gmail, which is very
handy, but there are many
other dedicated chat services
including Yahoo! Messenger and
text apps like WhatsApp. These
enable you to share documents
and pictures and have a great
private natter with friends and
family, in groups or individually.
IM is great if youre a night owl
and dont want to disturb others
by talking (you can turn off all
the helpful beeps, too, of course).
For video calling or for just
making voice calls through your
computer (VoIP calls), Skype
is still the standard. Whoever
you want to talk to will need
to use the same service, and
youll be able to see when
theyre online and vice versa.

do I set
Q How
up Skype on

my computer?

Just go to skype.com and follow

the instructions to download
the application. Youll need a
good strong password as with

Capable

sarah Bee

is a social media
professional
wholl respond
to your
worldwide
web-related
questions.

Internet

any online service, but you dont

need a separate microphone
or speakers as your computer
should already have these.
You will need a webcam if you
want to make video calls, and
you need a good fast internet
connection. I fnd Skype can
be a little bit glitchy, with one
person getting video but not
the other although you can
always report such issues as
Skype will ask you to rate your
call afterwards, and if you
simply hang up and try again
itll usually sort itself out. Its
wonderful for making free calls

Try Skype on your smartphone or

tablet for video calls on the go.

A Question?

Chris Partridge
is a digital expert
and writer. Hell
answer your
questions on
anything from
computers to
mobiles.

Technology

Switch between text and voice chat

depending on whats convenient.

Do You Have

Appliances
Skype is
great for
making free
calls abroad

Skype and IM are great ways to talk

without using phones.

Confdent

Caroline
rodrigues
is a home
economist and
interiors writer.
Shes our expert
on home
appliances.

Online Chat

Things You Need To Know About

Online Chat If Youre
Confused

Meet Our Experts

to family or friends abroad

I agree Skype dates with friends
so we dont miss each other.
Make sure youve fred up Skype
and have it running if youre
expecting a call (and check the
time difference so that you dont
wake anyone up at 3am!).

I save my
Q Can
Gmail chats

and fnd them again?

If you use Gmail you may have

noticed that the old Gmail
Chat has now become Google
Hangouts. It still functions
the same way, with all your
conversations stored under
Chats in your inbox. You can
use your internal Gmail search
to look up phrases from old
conversations and fnd them
however, its become a bit more
tricky to fle chats because you
can no longer apply Gmail labels
to them. How annoying! If you
have lots of chats it quickly
becomes even trickier to look up
specifc details, so make sure you

note down anything important

at the time of the chat, just as
you would with a phone call.
If a friend is offine, your chat
to them will go straight to their
inbox in email form.

to use
Q Istheseit safeservices?

Skype and IM services are

pretty safe, but like email theyre
vulnerable to attack from
hackers. Be sensible and make
sure your passwords are strong,
and dont pay any attention to
messages claiming to be from
your bank or otherwise asking
for money or personal details.
Depending on your Skype
settings, strangers may be able
to make contact with you
its not the best place to make
friends, and Ive had my share
of bother from bored teenagers
before making sure only friends
and family can get in touch (this
is easily done in settings). Dont
click on any suspicious links or
fles. Its the usual advice I give,
but its worth repeating: youre
not going to miss anything, and
no, sorry, you havent won the
lottery (at least not this time)!

D Write to: Expert Q&A, Womans Weekly, Blue Fin Building, 110 Southwark Street, London SE1 0SU, or email WomansWeeklyPostbag@
timeinc.com Our experts welcome your letters but they cannot reply to individual questions and will select questions for publication only.

Womans Weekly 55

draws to a close
Leonora Francis moving serial

Rum Cove

From here, I couldnt see if Maxwell was on his veranda, but I knew
with certainty that hed be watching. I could almost feel his eyes on us

The sTory so far

MAX HAMILTON and his sister, ISABELLE, live in a 19th-century

house on Antigua built by their ancestor, ROSE. When a luxury holiday
complex is planned around it, they refuse to sell. Rose Hamilton
had been raised as a house slave on a sugar plantation. Against her
will, she had two daughters by EDWIN, the masters son. One day,
Edwin found her with THADDEUS, the man she loved. He banished
Thaddeus and took the girls away, but Rose bore another child,
THADDEUS II. He kept the house Rose had built from her work
as a gifted seamstress, in case the girls ever returned. MERCEDES
WHEELER, the engineer overseeing the build, only learns about the
house by chance. After hearing the Hamiltons story, she tells the
buyer, MR SHAH, that she wont work on the project.
The story now concludes

Illustrations: Jessie Ford. All characters are entirely fctitious

admit I was terrifed

when I announced that
I would not manage the
build of Mr Shahs luxury
complex at the business lunch
with him and his wife and the
other people involved. But now
that I knew Rose Hamiltons
story, how could I? My greatest
fear was that I would lose my
job, which I had worked so hard
for. My other fear was that they
would bring someone in to the
carry on the build. But my fears
werent on Mr and Mrs Shahs
mind when I followed them into
their lounge.
Mr Shah was furious. He
raged about corruption and
dishonesty. He paced the room
and talked out loud without

56 womansweekly.com

expecting any answers. I glanced

towards Mrs Shah. She returned
my gaze and raised her hand,
warning me against speaking
out. When Mr Shah had fnished
his tirade, he looked me in the
eye and said, And what I want
to know is why someone couldnt
tell me this from the beginning.
Why was I encouraged to buy
the plot if that he pointed
to the piece of paper in Mrs
Shahs hand stating the bylaw Id
discovered information was
available? There are 365 beaches
on this island. Its what it is
known for! I would simply have
purchased land elsewhere.
It appears no one really
takes much notice of bylaws,
Mr Shah. I can see how this

could have happened. For

hundreds of years, these types of
laws didnt mean much to 99.9%
of the population. I can see
how distressing this is for you.
This seemed to stop Mr Shah
in his tracks. His expression
suddenly softened. He seemed
to calm. He glanced at his wife,
and then back at me.
You should have been a
politician, he said. Youre clever
in more ways than one. Then he
sighed. I suppose my next step
is to speak to my solicitors. We
will discuss this later.
When Mr Shah left, Mrs Shah
spoke for the frst time.
I think, she said, that my
husband is more disappointed
with himself than he is with
anyone else. This is his frst foray
into the hotel business and he
realises he has made a big and
costly mistake. He is a simple
man, Mercedes, from humble
beginnings, and likes to think
he made his millions without
stepping on others. Thats why
he kept increasing the offer to
Mr Hamilton. He was hoping
they would reach a price that Mr
Hamilton would be happy with.
He shouldnt blame himself,
I said. It wouldnt have happened
if Mr Palmuir the agent had
been upfront with him right at
the beginning.
But you knew, she said. You
found out that Mr Hamilton
was not prepared to sell. Still,
the land adjoining Mr Hamiltons
land wasnt expensive. Its the
building materials, the marble
from Italy, the fxtures from
Puerto Rico. Thats where the
main losses will be. We cant
send everything and everyone
back now.

I realise that, I said. And

I have thought long and hard
about the whole thing. Im not
an architect, Mrs Shah, but I
have reviewed the plans and the
original build is no longer viable.
Mrs Shah frowned. I think
Id like to see this house that has
scuppered my husbands dreams.
I could drive you up there
now, if you like? I offered.
Yes. Lets go together,
she said.
Mrs Shah changed into
capri trousers and a shirt, and
put on fip-fops, so you could
see her toenails were painted the
same shade of red as her lipstick.
We took the boat over to the
mainland and I drove south
to Rum Cove. We barely spoke
on the journey and it was
diffcult to tell what she was
thinking. We walked through the
overgrowth as I had on my very
frst day. Mrs Shah stopped just
as the sea came into view.
It is an exceptional vista,
she said.
Exactly what I thought
when I frst saw it. In normal
circumstances, it would have
been perfect and...
But Mrs Shah wasnt listening.
She stepped forward and
away from me, over the rough
grass that separated the main
vegetation and palm trees from
the sand, walked to the waters
edge and looked out to sea. She
stood in the water with the
waves gently caressing her feet.
Clear, warm waters, she said,
when I turned up at her side.
Shallow, too.
And the shelf is gently sloping.
The surf brings everything back
to shore so its safe for young
children as well.

Serial By Leonora Francis

And where is this house?

Turn around, I said.
She turned around and gazed
at the property in the distance,
sitting comfortably on the same
spot it had sat on since 1823.
From here, I couldnt see if
Maxwell was on his veranda,
but I knew with certainty that
hed be watching. I could almost
feel his eyes on us.
The house is structurally
beautiful, said Mrs Shah. Such
plain, simple lines. Do you think
Mr Hamilton would object to us
getting a bit closer?
No. Ill warn you, though,
the frst time I met him he told
me I was trespassing and that he
could shoot me.
Mrs Shah looked at me
in alarm.
It was just to frighten me off.
Thank goodness for that.
She laughed.
I laughed, too, at the memory.
I removed my shoes as we
walked side by side towards
Roses house. My step didnt
falter when I saw Maxwell had

walked out on to his veranda,

only my heart did.

I watched them walk down to

the waters edge. Mercedes,
again, seeming like a different
woman in a formal skirt and
blouse. When they started
walking in the direction of the
house, I stepped out on to the
veranda. They spoke to each

Anyway, Id like to introduce

you to Mrs Shah. She wanted to
see Rum Cove and the house.
To see if I can be persuaded
to
No, Mr Hamilton,
interrupted Mrs Shah. I came
to have a look. It is the frst time
I am seeing Rum Cove.
And what do you make of it?
It is very beautiful here. I

Id like to see the house that has

scuppered my husbands dreams
other and smiled. The older
woman frowned and then
laughed sharply at something
Mercedes told her. I wondered
who the woman was.
Mercedes smiled and waved
as she approached.
Ladies, I said. Whats
so funny?
I was telling Mrs Shah
about when we frst met and
you threatened to shoot me.
I couldnt help but smile, too.
I must have seemed very scary.
You were, said Mercedes.

understand one of your ancestors

built this house. It is a good spot.
Sheltered. I can understand why
you will not sell.
I was surprised, but hoped
Mercedes had not told her our
story. I got straight to the point.
So what happens now?
I asked.
My husband is speaking to
our solicitors and then, well, I do
not know myself.
I will fght you and your
husband, you know.
Such violence, Mr Hamilton,

is not necessary. While I cannot

tell you how we will proceed,
I doubt you need worry. My
husband is not a cruel man.
So, youll call off the agent.
She nodded.
I looked towards Mercedes.
She was looking at me and
biting at her lip. Her hair was up
in a neat bun. Her blouse was
tucked into her black skirt. She
held her shoes in her hands.
Her toenails were painted dark
blue, which somehow seemed
at odds with her character. Prior
to today, Id mostly seen her
in steel-capped boots. It made
me smile. Mrs Shah noticed
my fascination and looked at
Mercedes, then at me.
You have been lucky to have
an ally in Mercedes, she said.
Yes, I have, Mrs Shah.
Please. Call me Usha.
Alright, I said. As long as
you call me Maxwell.
Now, Maxwell, may I bother
you for a drink? Im very thirsty.
Yes, of course. Take a seat on
the veranda and Ill bring some
drinks and ice for you.

Usha and I stayed with Maxwell

for an hour. Now it seemed the
pressure was off, he talked about
himself, his work and his ideals.
He told us that he lived between
Antigua and Barbados, that he
was a lecturer in mathematics at
Cave Hill, part of the University
of the West Indies. Isabelle was
a teacher at a school in St Johns.
He never spoke about Grandma
Rose, as he called his distant
ancestor, nor did he invite
Usha into his home, but instead,
hinted at her history.
I watched him while he
spoke. I admired the leisurely
way in which he sat back in his
chair, his long legs stretched
out in front of him, charming
Mrs Shah with his intelligence
and wit. I was seeing another
side of him. Id seen him angry,
Id seen him morose and
bitter, Id seen him at his most
vulnerable when he told Roses
story. He had comforted me when
I should have been comforting
him. I listened quietly to their
conversation while I looked out
to sea and watched the waves
Continued overleaf

Womans Weekly 57

Serial By Leonora Francis

crash gently on the shore. I was
in love with Rum Cove, too.
At last, Usha stood up.
I must be going, Maxwell, she
said. My husband will wonder
what has happened to me.
It was nice meeting you,
he said.
They shook hands. Maxwell
stood at the edge of the veranda
and, as I stepped down on to
the frst step, he touched my
hand and smiled. It was such
a brief and intimate touch, a
touch that held such promise.
When Usha and I climbed
into the Jeep, I turned on the
ignition, but before I could drive
off, she made an announcement.
I am in love, she said.
With?
With Rum Cove, and a little bit
with Mr Hamilton. He is full of
manliness and intelligence.
We smiled at each other. It was
a woman-to-woman smile and
I drove off thinking exactly the
same thing.
After I dropped Usha off, I
returned home exhausted. As
I pulled up to my parking spot,
another car parked outside my
gate. Paul was waiting for me.
Had he been there since his
dismissal from Mr Shahs home
hours ago? He was the architect
on this project. Back in England,
hed made a clumsy pass at me
and Id not been best pleased
when he turned up here.
Where have you been? he
asked. I was worried about you.
He didnt say it angrily, which
boded well.
At Rum Cove with Mrs Shah.
He slid out of his rented car
and followed me into the house.
I went to the kitchen and
switched on the kettle. In the
fridge, Mrs Lomax had left
fungee and stewed fsh. I was
hungry, but I wasnt going to eat
with Paul here. He would see it
as an invitation.
Sit down, I said. Ill make
us some tea.
Im really sorry, Mercedes.
You were right. I should have
been more vigilant about the
whole thing. The agent assured
me that hed dealt with these
matters before. I believed him.
I suppose Mr Shah is going to
drop the whole project, and us.

58 womansweekly.com

What I saw in his blue eyes

was honesty. He was telling the
truth and had been misled, just
like Mr Shah had.
Yes. I think Mr Shah will
drop us. But he doesnt seem
like a vindictive man. I think our
reputation will be safe.
What did he say?
He was angry, of course. He
had every right to be, but I think
he was more angry with the
agent and himself.
Paul breathed a sigh of relief,
then he stood up and walked
towards me and took hold of
my hand.
Thanks, Mercedes, he said.
I did what was right, thats all.
He was close. Too close. Then
he leant in to kiss me. I turned
my head away, just in time, and
his lips only brushed my cheek.
Forcing yourself on me will
not make you a man, Paul, I said.
I felt guilty for having said it,
but I meant it. He stepped back
from my cutting words, but he
didnt take offence.
I do love you, Mercedes.
I know you do, but I dont
love you back.
Theres no way that we could
even try?
No, I said. Im in love with
someone else.

You know I trust her. And I

did. I also loved everything about
her. I wanted to see her again.
Devon will tell you where
she is. Im sure hell know.
Devon, the building
contractor, had visited. I forgot
about that, so when I said it had
all gone quiet, it wasnt entirely
true. Hed fashed his gold tooth
at me and apologised.
I should have known better,
he said. Man, I should have
waited until I knew you had
signed on the dotted line before
I agreed to work on the project.
Dont worry yourself, I said.

Maxwell touched my hand. It was a

touch that held so much promise
It was the frst time I had
admitted it, even to myself.
Im glad youre in love, he
said sadly.
I then planted a kiss on his
cheek, hoping to soften the blow.
Showing him that we could still
be friends.
Thanks, Paul, I said. If
things were different
I understand, he said.
He left without drinking his tea.

I didnt see Mercedes for three

days. Nobody came. I felt like I
was in limbo. I could have looked
for her, but turning up where she
lived wouldnt have been right.
It all seems to have quietened
down, said Isabelle.
Its too quiet, I said. I
dont know why but I still dont
trust them.
Even Mercedes?

Theres no hard feelings here.

You sure? he asked.
Come, I said. I got some
Wadadli beer in the fridge. Ive
been looking for someone to
help me drink it.
Devon went home feeling better.

I received the phone call from

Usha four days after we had
visited Rum Cove. She was
calling from New York. It was
such good news that I almost
cried. All the stress and tension
I had suffered for the previous
two weeks melted away at her
words. Still, I couldnt believe it.
Are you sure? I asked.
Im sure. Mr Shah has agreed,
though he took some convincing.
This is why I love that man. He
is always prepared to listen to
me, and I to him, of course.
Will you tell Mr Hamilton

yourself? I said.
No! she gasped playfully. I
may fall in love with him more
than I have already. It would be
far too dangerous for me.
When I put down the phone
Mrs Lomax smiled.
Its good news, isnt it?
Yes, Mrs Lomax, it is.
Well, you better go over there
and quieten their minds.
I put on my red swimsuit
and pulled on my jeans and
a T-shirt. It looked like I would
get my swim at Rum Cove after
all. I deserved it! I grabbed
my rucksack and threw it into
the Jeep.
My heart was pounding with
joy when I reached Rum Cove,
but I didnt go in search of
Maxwell. I went to the waters
edge, removed my jeans and
T-shirt and swam out into the
warm water until I could no
longer feel the sand under my
feet. I must have looked crazy
treading water in the middle
of the ocean in my red swimsuit
and with a smile on my face.
I fnally turned towards the
house. Maxwell was walking to
the waters edge, like I knew he
would, with his hands shoved
into the pockets of his shorts.
At frst he frowned, but then he
must have seen my smile. He
stripped off his T-shirt, waded
into the water, then he swam
towards me.
Youre crazy, he said, when
he reached me.
The water droplets refected
on his dark skin like diamonds. I
wanted to touch him, but I didnt.
I want to be crazy for the rest
of my life if this is how it makes
me feel, I said breathlessly.
You seem happy, too. Whats
the news?
When I told him, he could
hardly contain himself. He
reached out and drew me closer
until our bodies touched. Our
ankles entwined beneath the
waves and he used his strength
to hold me up. Then he kissed
me and I knew for certain that
I was in love and so was he.

I wrote my name at the top of

the lined paper, Aaron William
Hamilton, and the date. The title
of the essay was: Walking on the

meant all was well at the

other end of the cove and
Anil was ready to go. We were
off shrimp-fshing up by the
spring and wed roast leftover
pumpkin Id stolen from
the fridge. Then wed swap
magazines and read them
by torchlight.
We were tight, Anil and
me. He only came during the
holidays and his holiday this
summer started a week before
mine. His grandmother and
grandfather stay around a lot
longer these days. She says
she adores Antigua and the
privacy of Rum Cove and yet
she seems to have quite a few
parties and BBQs around that
swimming pool of hers when
her family come to stay. Anils
grandfather travels a lot but
still keeps a beady eye on his
two hotels on the south coast.
I snuck out the window
with my torch, a calico bag

I loved my home at Rum Cove. Id

never leave for as long as I lived
turned up at the open doorway.
Im taking your sister to
bed, she said.
Shed come into the room
carrying Rose in her arms and
handed her to me. I gave Rose
hugs and kisses and tickles.
Night, Anon, she said.
Shes never been able to say
my name properly.
Night, Rose, I said and
handed her back. Ill be
fnished in about an hour,
Aunt Isabelle.
Well, straight to bed when
its done. Were going into
St Johns tomorrow to see how
your dads getting on.
Alright, Aunt.
I waited an hour before I
retrieved the torch Id hidden
under the sofa cushions
and switched off the light. I
tiptoed to the bottom of the
stairs and listened intently.
No movement. Aunt Isabelle
and Rose were asleep.
I turned off the light and
fashed the torch three times
at the window. The answer
came quickly. Two fashes, a
gap of two seconds and then
another two fashes, which

I use for fshing, a box of

matches and my magazines.
Before I left, I switched on the
torch to check everything in
the room was in order. The
beam fell on Grandma Roses
portrait. I could just make
out her eyes, the same hazel
eyes little Rose had. Eyes that
seemed pretty and scary all
at once. She was smiling back
at me and her gaze made me
feel strong and brave.
I ran down the beach to
meet my friend, feeling happy
and blessed. I had loving
parents, grandparents, aunties
and uncles. I had a little sister
who kept everyone entertained.
And I had a portrait of my
long-ago ancestor who would
always look out for me.
Like a guardian angel,
Dad said. And shes waiting
for her daughters children to
come home.
I loved my home at Rum
Cove and Id never leave,
for as long as I lived. Besides,
one day they might come.
Thats what I believed, anyway.
THE END
Leonora Francis, 2015

Join Us For A
Fabulous Make
And Take Cake
Decorating Day
Cakes may differ from images shown

Moon, which seemed pretty

dumb to me, but my teacher
said we had to discuss how
wed feel getting there and
about weightlessness and all
that. I couldnt have Mums
help because she was in New
York on some building project
or other with my godfather,
Julian George. Dad was in
St Johns working with the
museum about Grandma Roses
display. Hed be promoting his
book on Grandma Roses life
soon, so hed be joining Mum
in New York not long after.
This essay had to be done,
otherwise Aunt Isabelle would
kill me. Shes tougher than
Mum when it comes to those
things. So I got started. Its all
by hand because Aunt Isabelle
says until I do better Im not
allowed to do homework on
a laptop.
Halfway through my
masterpiece, Aunt Isabelle

On 30 May, learn how to create

impressive multi-tiered cakes.
Tickets cost 99 per person and all
materials and lunch are included

Look out for details in

next weeks issue
Answers to 10 February Puzzles
JUMBO CROSSWORD Across 1 String. 5 Bland.
8 Packaged. 14 Croup. 15 Disrepair. 16 Sealant. 17 Igor.
18 Sordid. 19 Gouda. 20 Sit-in. 22 Stealthy. 23 Hint
at. 25 Expect. 28 Resource. 30 Limpet. 31 Sloppy.
35 Nuclear. 37 Basin. 39 Tuba. 40 Kiwi. 41 Oral.
42 Haul. 43 Jewel. 45 Terrain. 48 Tomboy. 49 Normal.
51 Eighteen. 55 Robber. 57 Clever. 58 Steadies.
62 Bless. 63 Crawl. 64 Proft. 65 Date. 67 Seagull. 68
Advantage. 69 Raise. 70 Jettison. 71 Riper. 72 Singer.
Down 2 Twosome. 3 I-spy. 4 Godmother. 5 Beside.
6 Amend. 7 Draughtsman. 8 Pirouette. 9 Cascaded.
10 Adams apple. 11 Elastic. 12 Eclipse. 13 Atone.
21 Alcove. 24 Isles. 26 Gerbil. 27 Hygiene. 29 Exclaim.
32 Private. 33 Unbolts. 34 Abet. 36 Rear. 38 Ice.
39 Tilted. 43 Jamie Oliver. 44 Wilde. 46 Ritual. 47 Dog
biscuit. 50 Once again. 52 Gutsiness. 53 Freckles.
54 Ushered. 56 Operate. 59 Imagine. 60 Obese.
61 Hot air. 64 Pin-up. 66 Grin. Answer: Pancake.
LINKWORD SOLUTION Model. Lunch. Crazy. Whale.
Heart. Brand. Stand. Laugh. Count. Horse.
Answer: Carmarthen.
WORDWISE SOLUTION Hamstring.

9
4
8
1
7
5
3
6
2

6
3
7
4
2
9
5
1
8

5
1
2
6
8
3
9
4
7

I G
R
CO
T
P E
S
EQ
U
D E

L O
R
AG
A
NN
Z
U A

SUDOKU
3 1 7
9 8 2
5 6 4
2 5 9
4 3 1
6 7 8
8 4 6
7 2 3
1 9 5

8
6
1
3
5
2
7
9
4

4
7
3
8
9
1
2
5
6

2
5
9
7
6
4
1
8
3

CODEWORD

PO
A
A F
S

C E
X
NC
E
AR
P
S T

OS
AD
A
R
U L A T E
O
I
AN T S
T
T OR
B
B
I V E
E
I
W
HO
E N
U
B
S UB L
L
E
A Y E D

J
U
D
I
C
I
A
R
Y
V
E
I
N
S

U S T
Q
U P
A
OWB
K
S S I
E S
U
E L
K
M I
E
T R

P
ON
G
O Y

S
C
OR
A
O P
Y
N A
R
I D

T
E
E
L
E

Womans Weekly 59

Russell Grant
Your Stars With

Our favourite astrologer reveals your destiny from 18-24 February

Aries

21 March - 20 April
Youre not afraid to go
after what you want. If you have a
crush on someone, let them know.
Keeping your emotions bottled
up wont do you any good. Are
you in a committed relationship?
Give careful thought to your
partners wants and wishes and
do something special for them.
For more, call 0901 609 2591*

Leo

24 July - 23 August
A chance to add to your
qualifcations or go on an overseas
trip could be coming your way.
Expanding your horizons will pay
of in some quite unexpected ways.
Not only will you meet interesting
people, youll also develop a fresh
appreciation for life and make a
new friend along the way.
For more, call 0901 609 2595*

Sagittarius

23 November - 21 December
If you have a partner,
they could be planning to surprise
you with a romantic gesture and a
gift. Taking a glamorous vacation
together would be a really great
plan, so be prepared to be swept
of your feet. If youre footloose
and fancy-free, you could meet
someone special soon.
For more, call 0901 609 2599*

Taurus

21 April - 21 May
Youll have to defend
your privacy. Someone who
continually pushes past your
boundaries simply isnt getting the
message. If you have to be blunt, so
be it. Theres no reason you should
put up with this sort of thing. It
might be a wise move to keep
some personal matters to yourself.
For more, call 0901 609 2592*

Virgo

24 August - 23 September
Your dreams and
desires are too powerful to ignore,
so work towards them. Someone
close may have words of wellintentioned advice for you that you
might not want to hear. As time
goes by, you will come to recognise
how wise their words were. Now
is a great time to pamper yourself.
For more, call 0901 609 2596*

Capricorn

22 December - 20 January
Youre very protective
of your nearest and dearest. If
necessary you would have no
problem putting yourself out for
the sake of your family. In most
instances, you have a lot of respect
for authority. That wont be the
case with a rule or organisation
thats unfairly penalising a relative.
For more, call 0901 609 2600*

Gemini

22 May - 21 June
Youre tired of being
held hostage to a set of outmoded
rules and regulations. Forging
a new path wont be easy, but it
will be interesting. Make a logical
appeal to the powers that be.
Support your claims with facts and
fgures. Dont let emotion come
between you and rational logic.
For more, call 0901 609 2593*

Libra

24 September - 23 October
Help a close friend,
romantic partner or business
associate. Youre a giving person
who enjoys being of service to
those around you. Fortunately,
what people think is a difcult and
troublesome task will be relatively
simple for you. So leap to their
aid and earn some brownie points.
For more, call 0901 609 2597*

Aquarius

21 January - 19 February
You are able to soak up
information like a sponge. Take
this opportunity to acquire skills
that are valued on the job market.
Having specialised knowledge will
help you professionally. Although
you may not enjoy this work, it will
keep you on solid fnancial ground.
Its good to have a safety net.
For more, call 0901 609 2601*

Cancer

22 June - 23 July
Hard work and
discipline will help you move
forward professionally. If an
exciting position is available, apply
for it. Update your CV and practise
how you will present yourself in an
interview. Get tips from someone
who regularly hires people. It is
always wise to have a game plan.
For more, call 0901 609 2594*

Scorpio

24 October - 22 November
Youll race through
your main work, so use the time
you gain to tackle small jobs
that often fall through the cracks.
You should try to think ahead and
spot problems on the horizon.
Prevention is better than cure
and you can save yourself lots
of headaches along the way.
For more, call 0901 609 2598*

Pisces

20 February - 20 March
Working hard to
develop a creative talent should
be your priority now. You have
a wonderful imagination, so
use it. Pairing it with advanced
skills will allow you to reach
new achievements. By opening
yourself up to the world around you
that world will become your oyster.
For more, call 0901 609 2602*

*BT calls cost 61p per min at all times. Star lines updated every Saturday. For entertainment purposes only. Users must be over 18. You must have the bill payers permission. Message lasts approx. 3 mins. Costs from other networks may be higher. Service provider: Spoke Ltd 0333 202 3390.

Live calls cost 1.53 per min (other networks may be higher). Lines open from 8am-1am every day (calls made outside of these hours will be charged). Eircom landline calls cost 2.40 per min. Credit card not available in ROI. Max length for calls is 19.6 mins. Text readings cost 3 plus
standard-rate message. Psychics promptly reply to all messages. When you text a psychic, you will get marketing messages from Time Inc. (UK) Ltd and Womans Weekly magazine. However, you can reply NOINFO at any time to unsubscribe from marketing messages. Over 18s only.
You must have the bill payers permission. Helpline: UK 0333 202 3392. Eire: 0818 217 100 (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm). IP ROI/SP: (UK) Spoke, W1B 2AG. All calls recorded. Readings for entertainment purposes only. This service is regulated by PhonePayPlus.

WOMANS WEEKLY, Time Inc. (UK) Ltd, Blue Fin Building, 110 Southwark Street, London SE1 0SU. Call 020 3148 5000. Email WomansWeeklyPostbag@timeinc.com. AdvErtiSiNg: 020 3148 3675. OffErS: 0800 138 2826. BAcK iSSuES: 01733 385170;
mags-uk.com/Publisher/TimeInc. Unless otherwise stated, all competitions, free samplings, discounts and offers are only available to readers in the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man and the Republic of Ireland. All details correct at time of going to press.
Pre-press by Rhapsody Media. Covers printed by Polestar Chantry Ltd. Text print and bind by Polestar Sheffield. ISSN 0043-7417. ENgLiSH WOMANS WEEKLY is published by Time Inc. (UK) Pty Ltd, PO Box 3873, SYDNEY NSW 2001. cuStOMEr SErvicE ANd SuBScriPtiONS,
call 1-800-428035; or email eww@customersvc.com. Our Privacy Policy is available at timesouthpacific.com or may be obtained by emailing timeincprivacyofficer@time.com.au. Printed in Australia by Webstar, Unit 1/83 Derby St, Silverwater NSW 2128.
Distributed in Australia by Network Services, 54 Park Street, Sydney, NSW 2000, and in New Zealand by Netlink Distribution Co, c/o Moore Gallagher, 6 Donner Place, Mt Wellington, Auckland. ISSN 1039-5814. SuBScriPtiON rAtES: One year, 50 issues
(including p&p): UK 57.20; Europe 127.65; USA $162.55; rest of world 87.50. For enquiries and overseas rates, please email magazinesdirect@quadrantsubs.com or call +44 (0)330 333 0233

Womans Weekly 63

Puzzle Time
Wordwise

you have 15 minutes to fnd as many words

as possible using the letters shown in the
grid. Each word must contain four or more
letters, one of which must be the central
square. no letter can be used more than
once in each word. no proper nouns,
plurals or foreign words allowed. There
is one nine-letter word in the grid, for
which this weeks clue is: Insect.

d o f Linkwords
r l n
gya
Word CounT
24 = good.
More than 29 =
Well done!

Sudoku
7
9

6
4 7

2
5
1
3
8 2 9
7
4 6
6
1
4 5 8 9 3

9 3
7
9
6
1

You can work it out...

enjoy your
favourite
Womans Weekly
magazines on
your tablet
FoR moRe inFo, Go to

womansweekly.com/
digital-editions-guide
64 womansweekly.com

cake

fallen

fit 10 words
into the grid so
that each links
with the end
of the word on
its left and the
beginning of the
one on the right.
Then unscramble
the letters in the
shaded squares
to make a word.
Clue: Rock
star (4,6).

t...t...
Yo
workrkititouou
cannwo
Youu ca

To solve this puzzle, fill in the

grid so that each 3 x 3 box,
each row and each column
contains the numbers 1-9.

answers for 10 february puzzles are

on page 59. the answers to all this weeks
puzzles will appear in two issues time

racing

starter
strip

face

kings

roads

rotten

strudel

feel

change

sunday

account

hen

fever

head

light

evening

act

a codeword is
like a crossword
puzzle but there
are no clues!

Codeword
Every letter of
the alphabet has
been replaced
by a number, the
same number
representing
the same letter
throughout
the puzzle.
Just decide
which letter is
represented by
which number!
To start you of,
we reveal the
codes for three
letters. When
youve flled in
these letters
throughout the
puzzle, youll
have enough
information
to guess words
and discover
other letters.
Use the letter
checklist and
letter grid
to keep track
of the letters
you have found.

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

10

11

12

13

22

23

24

25

26

abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz
3

23

22

14

19

25

16

25

19

A
17

21

25

17

19

15

23

10

23

19

21

17

24

23

D
13

21

19

10

23

23

O
25
6

19

10

7
21

22

19

23

25

14

7
3

14

22

9
23

24
9

26

22

16

22

22
12

16

21

22

22

23

16

14

23

11

23

16

19

24

19

21

14

21

19

22

25

10

21

21

21

10

24

19

18

22

15

19

16

21

14

14

10

10
10

17

23

10

24
17

25

25

14

20

21
16

10

10
1

21

15
19

11

Jumbo
Puzzle

J u st
For
Fun!

Simply fill in the crossword

(right) and read down the
letters in the shaded squares
to reveal an animal (7).

12

14

17

10

11

13

15

18

16

19

20

23

Across
12 Method of warming
a house(7,7)
13 Unfaithful lover(3-5)
14 Burn black(4)
15 Course of treatment for
a disorder or illness(7)
16 Identifyingan illness(10)
17 Written school piece(5)
19 Venomous UK snake(5)
20 Interrupt and harass
(a public speaker)(6)
22 Talent, aptitude(4)
25 Meet by chance(3,4)
26 Obsolete form of school
for 11- to 16-year-olds(9,6)
29 Happening, occurrence(8)
30 Milk container(6)
31 Fruit which can be
squeezed(5)
34 Tusked sea creature
belonging to the genus
Odobenus(6)
36 Go out of sight(9)
38 Part of a foot(6)
39 Annual horse race held
at Epsom(5)
40 Redirect(traffic, for
example)(6)
41 Jungle knives(8)
45 Large shop selling different
kinds of goods(10,5)
46 Temporary solution(7)
47 Curved ceiling(4)
48 Paying resident in
someones home(6)
50 Stuffed toy bear(5)
52 Takeexams again(5)
55 Skill and cleverness with the
hands, or in strategising (10)
58 Detestable(7)
59 Pudding made from hard
white grainsof starch extracted
from tropical palms (4)

21

22

24

25

26

27

28
29

30

31

32

33

34

35

36

39

37

38

40

41

42

43

44

45

46

47

48

49

50

51

53
55

56

61

54

58

59

60

62

61 Means of speaking to

someone in another part of

a building(8)
62 Tendency to ramble on(4-10)

Down
1 Pattern of wire or netting(4)
2 Deprivation of food(10)
3 Father Christmas(5)
4 Groove of a screw(6)
5 Companys bosses(10)
6 Kitchen flooring material(5)
7 Grew older(4)
8 Act violently against(6)
9 Raysreflected off lunar

surface (9)

Womans Weekly Competition Rules competition details form part of these

terms and conditions. entry is open to residents of the uk, channel islands and isle of man, except
employees (and their families) of time inc. (uk) ltd, its printers and agents, the suppliers of the
prizes and any other companies associated with the competitions. the winner(s) must be aged 18
or over. proof of identity and age may be required. use of a false name or address will result in
disqualifcation. entries that are incomplete, illegible, indecipherable or inaudible (if made by phone)
will not be valid and deemed void. all entries must be made directly by the person entering
the competition. entries made online using methods generated by a script, macro or the use of
automated devices will be void. no responsibility can be accepted for entries lost, damaged or
delayed in the post, or due to computer error in transit. the prizes are as stated, are not transferable
to another individual and no cash or other alternatives will be ofered. the winner(s) is (are)
responsible for expenses and arrangements not specifcally included in the prizes, including any
necessary travel documents, passports and visas. prizes are subject to availability and the prize

57

52

10 Opposite of hit(4)
11 Female lead in the 2002

film Maid In Manhattan(8,5)

18 Cosy(4)
21 Support, back(7)
22 Female divinity(7)
23 To begin with(2,5)
24 Idle TV watcher(5,6)
27 Accessory found on the
top of a car(4,4)
28 Title in a newspaper(8)
32 Sound that has been
copied(4,9)
33 Freedom(7)
35 Bony structure in the
chest(7)

suppliers terms and conditions. the promoters reserve the right to amend or alter the terms
of competitions at any time and reject entries from entrants not entering into the spirit of the
competition. in the event of a prize being unavailable, the promoter reserves the right to ofer an
alternative prize of equal or greater value. the winner(s) agree(s) to the use of their name, photo and
disclosure of county of residence and will cooperate with any other reasonable requests by time inc.
(uk) ltd relating to any post-winning publicity. time inc. (uk) ltd, the publishers of womans weekly
magazine, will collect your personal details solely to process your competition entry. unless stated
otherwise, all postal entries must be made on the relevant coupon or form printed in the magazine.
unless stated otherwise, the winner(s) will be drawn at random from all correct entries received by
the closing date stated within the promotional material. reasonable eforts will be made to contact
the winner(s). if the winner(s) cannot be contacted, or are unable to comply with these terms and
conditions, the promoter reserves the right to ofer the prize to the next eligible entrant drawn at
random, or in the event that the promotion is being judged, the promoter reserves the right to ofer

37 Childs word for a toffee

or bonbon(7)
41 Settlement where open-air
trading takes place(6,4)
42 Conveying(thoughts)(10)
43 Competitive track and
field sports(9)
44 Hindu dress(4)
49 Imagined while asleep?
(alternative spelling)(6)
51 Protect, keep safe(6)
53 Glossy(5)
54 Narrow street(5)
56 Carry out orders(4)
57 Auction off(4)
60 General sense of a text(4)

the prize to the runner(s)-up selected by the same judges. confrmation of the prize will be made in
writing to the winner(s). failure to respond and/or provide an address for delivery, or failure to meet
the eligibility requirements may result in forfeiture of the prize. where applicable, the decision of the
judges is fnal based on the criteria set out in the promotion and no correspondence will be entered
into over this decision. competitions may be modifed or withdrawn at any time. the provider of
the prize is specifed within the promotional material. the promoter is time inc. (uk) ltd, blue fin
building, 110 southwark street, london se1 0su. in the event of a discrepancy between these standard
terms and conditions and the details in the promotional material, the details of the promotional
material shall prevail. a list of winners will be available by writing into the publisher of the magazine
or website at the promoters address no earlier than six weeks, unless otherwise stated, after the close
of the competition. only the surname and county of the winners will be disclosed. where a coupon or
token is necessary for entry, residents of northern ireland only may send a stamped self-addressed
envelope to the address stated on competition page for a free copy of such token or coupons.

Womans Weekly 65

Rosemary

Murder In Mind
This week Rosemary steps into her imagination
and fnds herself at the centre of a whodunnit

ne of the things I gave Mr Dear

for Christmas, apart from slight
indigestion, was a book called
Mystery In White. Its a 1930s
whodunnit, and I virtually knocked over a
pile of copies at Waterstones, so it seemed
impolite not to buy one. A couple of weeks
ago I read it myself.
Without giving too much away, it begins
on a train thats stranded by a snowdrift on
Christmas Eve in the middle of nowhere.
These days we would be lavishly entertained
by announcements of apology from the
guard, but the characters of Mystery In
White had to keep their wits about them.
This is very serious, they probably said
to themselves. It looks like Im in a 1930s
detective novel. If Im not careful, it wont be
long before a solid police inspector is puffng
on his pipe and staring at my lifeless body.
So some of the passengers set off through
the snowy night in search of a nearby station
and safety. As this is given away on the back
of the book, I dont think it will ruin the fun
to tell you they never reach the other station.
Instead and youll be astonished to learn
this they discover a large and mysterious
country house. Its deserted, but there is a
welcoming fre, and the table is set for tea.
The house couldnt be any more obviously
the setting for a whodunnit if there was a
large sign saying Cluedo by the staircase.
Im a great fan of detective stories. In our
house, we consider it a weekend wasted if
someone hasnt discovered a body in the
library. Or the study. If you are the owner of
a large country house and you suddenly fnd
yourself unexpectedly transported to the
1920s or 1930s, for heavens sake keep away
from the study. Especially if the window
happens to be open (although this is usually
a red herring to suggest an outside job. We
are not fooled, though. We suspect one of
the guests and we just have to wait for the
solid police inspector to fnd out which one).
I have often wondered how I would cope
if I suddenly found myself in a large and
mysterious country house. So lets go straight
to Chapter One of The Mysterious Mystery:
Welcome to our large and mysterious
country house, Mrs Dear. Goodness, youre
rather plumper than I expected! You remind

me of Cook. But Im forgetting myself Im

Lady Cynthia Gaga, wife of the shipping
magnate Sir Humphry Gaga. Im afraid
youve caught us at rather a diffcult time.
You see, one of the guests has discovered
a body in the library. Or, if we dont have a
library, probably the study.
Oh! How terrible for you.
Quite. Its completely thrown our catering
arrangements. Still, you wont refuse a
second helping at dinner by the look of you.
I was delighted by this example of the
charm and good manners of the English
upper classes.
Who discovered the body? I wondered.
A ghastly little man. French, I think.
With a head that is perfectly egg-shaped.
Not Hercule Poirot, the famous detective?
Goodness me, Mrs Dear, I think youve
been reading too many Agatha Christie
novels. No, this chaps called Perkins. Odd
name for a Frenchman, but people are so
modern these days.
With that, we joined the crowd gathered in

Goodness, youre
rather plumper
than I expected!
the library. Even without a mysterious death,
it had promised to be an unusual party. There
was Lady Geraldine Slaughter, the famous
detective novelist, furiously scribbling down
notes as Monsieur Perkins examined the
body. I noticed Dr Walter Strange-DEath,
the suspicious Harley Street specialist.
You cannot, by law, write a detective novel
without including a suspicious doctor.
There was Cecilia It, best-known of the
glamorous It girls, and her young man Giles
Poet, an angry literary type that is also a
fxture of the best murder mysteries. And,
of course, there was Sir Humphry himself.
Does anyone recognise this unfortunate
gentleman? said Monsieur Perkins. The
corpse was a man of late middle age who
had the look of a retired colonel. That was
his bad luck. As everyone knows, the life
expectancy of a retired colonel in a detective
novel is about 20 pages.

The mysterious stranger was dressed in

a suit of green tweed. And I couldnt help
noticing that, although dead, he looked
remarkably pleased with himself. Suddenly,
the solution came to me.
Monsieur Perkins got as far as saying,
We must inform Chief Insp before
I interrupted.
Ill take it from here, Monsieur, I said.
Ladies and gentlemen, meet the late Sir
Arthur Body.
Not the distinguished actor, gasped the
beautiful Cecilia.
Yes, and look at the expression on his
face, I said. Not the look of a man who
has just been murdered, but the look of
an actor who has got himself a leading
role. And who has given him that role?
At this point, Lady Slaughter the
authoress whipped out a deadly weapon
from her handbag. Stand back, she said.
This pencil is ever so sharp.
Yes, I continued. It was Lady Slaughter
who placed the body here all along. I knew
this wasnt a proper house party we are
just characters in her latest novel.
Wait! cried Monsieur Perkins. I am
the hero of Lady Slaughters series of
best-selling mystery novels. Im supposed
to solve the murders.
But his cry went unheeded. As Lady
Slaughter was lead away by a burly inspector
with a comforting moustache, Sir Humphry
glanced across at me. He scowled, and then
muttered to his wife,
words that will
stay with me always:
Whats the damn
cook doing here?

WOMANS WEEKLY is a registered trademark of Time Inc. (UK) Ltd, and is sold subject to the following conditions, namely that it shall not, without the written consent of the publishers frst given, be
lent, resold, hired out, or otherwise disposed of by way of trade at more than the recommended selling price shown on the cover, and that it shall not be lent, resold or hired or otherwise disposed of in a
mutilated condition or in any unauthorised cover by way of trade or afxed to or as part of any publication or advertising, literary or pictorial matter whatsoever. Time Inc. (UK) Ltd, 2015

Womans Weekly 67