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Yours Magazine|Issue 278Welcome…Like many of you, no doubt, I can so clearly recall where I was 20 years ago when I heard the shocking news of the death of Princess Diana. It was utterly unexpected and only now, following some candid interviews, are we all beginning to understand the deep impact it had on her sons, Princes William and Harry. In our special 16-page tribute (pages 67-82) we look back at the life of the People’s Princess, how her kindness captured our hearts and why that legacy lives on through her sons. In this issue you can also discover easy ways to protect your eyesight (p30), tasty new tomato recipes (p93) and some great advice if you’re considering downsizing your home (p57). We take a look at the new BBC cookery show…1 min
Yours Magazine|Issue 278Animal magicNEW KIDS ON THE ROCK! These baby goats showed no fear as they fought for the best spot on top of the rock in the Rockies, Colorado How brainy squirrels stay a step ahead! If you’re a bird lover you probably battle with keeping grey squirrels from getting their paws on your bird feeder nuts and seeds. It seems all our efforts may be futile anyway, as scientists have discovered squirrels are superb problem solvers, with long memories for the tricks they learn. In a study, five squirrels were given a task identical to one they had tried 22 months earlier, in which they used levers to get at hazelnuts. The first time they did it, it took them eight seconds, eventually getting it down to two seconds. The second…2 min
Yours Magazine|Issue 278A feast of TV cookery contests!The Great British Bake Off became the nation’s most-watched show with 14.8 million tuning in to see last year’s winner There’s a whiff of fresh baked competition in the air as Channel 4’s eagerly anticipated version of The Great British Bake Off comes to our screens early next month – while Bake Off star Nadiya Hussain hosts a new BBC1 cookery competition. Bake Off alumni don’t come much more stellar than 2015 champion Nadiya, currently co-hosting BBC2’s 12-part The Big Family Cooking Show. Aunty Beeb may be down about losing her golden goose, but she’s certainly not out and has cleverly got off to a head start by broadcasting in the same August time slot as the original Bake Off. Speaking about the new show, Nadiya says: “Having been through…4 min
Yours Magazine|Issue 278Mum Jackie… ‘There have been tears and prayers’“When Jenny first asked for a donkey, I was very surprised and said no. But when we eventually got this donkey I could see it was therapy for her as she started to regain her personality and confidence – so much so that she could eventually go back to school and ended up as Head Girl with all of her GCSEs. We were so proud of her. In order to make her dream of setting up a donkey sanctuary come true we decided to sell our house to live in a caravan, which was scary, but we decided it was worth trying. Now we are thriving and we often have school groups and people with disabilities coming to visit the sanctuary. The night of the Manchester bombing was horrendous. After…1 min
Yours Magazine|Issue 278Are you a shelfie?Katharine Wootton In an age where everything is going digital, we’re happy to report that the good old printed book is fighting back. While just a few years ago publishers bewailed its demise – blaming eBooks for plummeting sales and dwindling interest in anything as low-tech as a real book – latest figures show a new chapter is unfolding now for the printed word. Recently the Publishers Association reported a six per cent rise in UK sales of printed books up to £3.5bn, while sales of eBooks – once hailed as the future – fell by three per cent to £538 million. And in February this year, the high-street bookshop Waterstones returned to profit for the first time in seven years. Read on for what could be behind the resurgence……2 min
Yours Magazine|Issue 278Beat THE leakDo you pee a little when you laugh? Or have to fight a sudden urge to go? You’re not alone, in fact half of all women will experience urinary incontinence at some point in their lives and it affects millions of women every day. Sadly only one in five of us will visit our GP for help, choosing to put up with a problem that can affect everything from your love life and confidence levels to how often you go out and how far you travel. But you don’t have to put up with leaks, there are things you can do that could make a big difference. Turn the page to find out how... KNOW YOUR TYPE “There are different types of urinary incontinence – stress incontinence is by far…3 min
Yours Magazine|Issue 278Safeguard your SMILEQ My gums are sore and they bleed when I brush. How can I stop this happening? A Sore gums can be due to a number of problems but the most common is a build-up of plaque on your gum line. The bacteria in the plaque release toxins which then irritate and inflame your gum tissue causing bleeding when you brush. If left untreated it goes from gingivitis (early onset of gum disease which is reversible) to periodontal disease where the bones holding your teeth in place also become damaged and teeth start to move and hurt. In the UK, most people lose teeth due to gum disease rather than tooth decay. Brush your teeth at least twice a day and always floss or use interdental brushes to clean between…2 min
Yours Magazine|Issue 278BlushingBEAUTY1 The handy stick-blush Revlon Insta-Blush, £9.99 With a clever cream-to-powder formula, this blush adds an easy sweep of colour. Simply swipe it from the tube under your cheekbones, then blend with your fingertips. Available in two shades, Berry Kiss is a classic suits-all Rose shade. 2 The hero blush Clinique Chubby Stick Cheek Colour, £19.50 If you like Clinique’s popular Chubby Stick lip balms, you’ll love this Chubby Stick cheek colour! It’s creamy, easy to apply and foolproof. Robust Rhubarb, a pretty coral shade, is our top choice for enhancing sun-kissed skin. 3 The combo Collection Highlight, Blush and Bronze, £4.99 This 3-in-1 palette contains a blusher, highlighter and glitter-free bronzer. Sweep the bronzer under each cheekbone, apply blusher to the apples and then dot highlighter along each cheekbone.…3 min
Yours Magazine|Issue 278FEATURE FEEDBACK Pavement parkingOne way street solution? • In our village at least 60 per cent of cars and vans park on pavements and motorists are forced to break the rules as they have no option. Recently there have been new house builds and parking cars has become an uncontrollable problem. One-way streets could help the problem instead of two-way streets. This would allow safer parking for cars and for pedestrian safety, too. Oliver Chugg, Mountsorrel People are unthinking • I have a police notice in my front garden stating that ‘you must not park partially or wholly on the pavement in London’. I live in a cul-de-sac which only gives a single narrow-width road for vehicles to enter. Visitors often park opposite my property on the pavement rather than walk a few…3 min
Yours Magazine|Issue 278The travel GENE‘The flight to China was a blur of tears, doubts and sadness’ When I began my journey to China in 1993, heavily pregnant and with a one-year-old son in tow, I had an uncanny feeling I was following in my mother’s footsteps… “Well Mary – we’re off to Geneva!” These were my father’s words that heralded my mum’s own four-year adventure. The year was 1968 – and she was 40 years old with six children. I can’t imagine my mum’s feelings when she descended the steps to face her new life in Switzerland. When I compare the spacious home we had in China to the two-bed tower block apartment we all moved into at the Rue De La Dôle in Geneva, I can see how brave and stoic Mum really…3 min
Yours Magazine|Issue 278HOW TO BE A savvy seller‘Get several valuations and don’t just go for the highest one’ ‘MOST DOWNSIZERS WILL BE SELLING A FAMILY HOME SO MARKET YOUR HOME WHEN FAMILIES ARE LOOKING TO MOVE’ Putting your home on the market can be stressful and comes with its own set of costs, says Elliot Castle, founder of www.webuyanyhome.com. “Before committing to selling your home you need to work out exactly how much money you want to walk away with, factoring in associated costs including estate agent’s fees, legal costs and stamp duty,” says Elliot. You could save money, sometimes thousands of pounds, by using an online estate agent, but be aware that you often have to pay fees up front, regardless of whether the company manages to sell your property. Do your research and shop around.…4 min
Yours Magazine|Issue 278Your questions ANSWEREDQ I love handbags and have lots, many of which I will never use! Can I pass them on to a worthy cause? Stella Revell, Kent Yours says Helping Handbags International is a worldwide organisation, with a network of local coordinators who use your unwanted bags for good. Their aim is to fill your handbags (and manbags) with sanitary and other personal-care products as well as small items of clothing such as underwear, hats and gloves and snacks and distribute them to homeless women and men. • If you would like to donate a bag (filled if possible) please visit www.facebook.com/groups/HelpingHandbagsWorldwide Q I love my Yours, but I’m losing my sight. Is it available in a large print size? Rene G, Milton Keynes Yours says It’s not we’re afraid, but…2 min
Yours Magazine|Issue 278Treasured momentsI LIVE“ FOR MY “BOYS. I WOULD BE LOST WITHOUT THEM. I WANT THEM TO HAVE AN UNDERSTANDING OF PEOPLE’S EMOTIONS, THEIR INSECURITIES, PEOPLE’S DISTRESS AND THEIR HOPES AND DREAMS” PRINCESS DIANA SPEAKING ABOUT BEING A MUM W en it came to royal motherhood, Diana ot only broke the mould, she smashed it nto pieces. She was etermined to parent her adored boys William and Harry in her own loving and tactile way, unconstrained by protocol or tradition. She was also fiercely determined to give them the happy and secure childhood she herself had missed out on. “I want to bring them up with security,” she once said. “I hug my children to death. I always feed them love and affection; it’s so important.” Diana was just 21 years old…3 min
Yours Magazine|Issue 278Keeping her spirit aliveShe touched the lives of millions – and continues to do so, inspiring “countless acts of compassion and bravery”. In their own poignant words, sons William and Harry reflected purposefully on their mother’s enduring work at the launch of the inaugural Legacy Award from the Diana Award youth charity earlier this year. The 20 winners, aged 11-18, were chosen for their acts of goodwill, compassion, kindness and service. Speaking at the launch Prince William said: “This summer marks 20 years since our mother died and she achieved so much in her life, from helping to shatter the stigma around AIDS, to fighting to ban landmines and supporting the homeless – she touched the lives of millions. The truth is, though, she was taken at only 36, just slightly older than…4 min
Yours Magazine|Issue 2787 new uses for everyday i tems1 Use old contact lens cases to store pills in your bag. 2 Keep a ball of twine tidy by putting it in a plastic funnel and running the thread through the spout. 3 Keep boots in shape using empty wine bottles. 4 Coffee filters make excellent mirror or glass cleaners because they are lint free. 5 Rub a rubber flip-flop on upholstery to ball up and remove pet hair. 6 Vacuum with old tights stretched over the nozzle to pick up small items that are lost. 7 Use spare buttons to store earrings. Source: Cashnetusa.com…1 min
Yours Magazine|Issue 278TASTY Tomatoes!GREEK-STYLE STUFFED TOMATOES SERVES: 4 PREP: 30 MINS COOK: 1 HOUR 25 MINS 100g (4oz) wholegrain rice 600g medium (1lb 3oz) tomatoes ½ red onion, finely chopped 5 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil 2 small courgettes, finely diced 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped 1 tbsp tomato purée 2 tbsp shredded mint leaves 2 oregano sprigs, leaves chopped 1. Preheat the oven to 160°C/300°F/ Gas Mark 3. Put the rice in a pan, cover with water, bring to the boil and simmer for 18 mins, then drain. Meanwhile, cut the tops off the tomatoes, scoop out the insides into a jug, leaving the shells intact. Arrange the shells in baking dish. 2. Fry the onion in 2 tbsp oil over low-medium heat, stirring, for 5 mins. Add the courgettes, turn the heat…4 min
Yours Magazine|Issue 278Apple picking!Which apple is best? BRAMLEY A large apple with sour flesh. Uses: It has a tart taste, but when cooked in a pie, crumble or tart it takes on a much lighter flavour. BRAEBURN A dessert apple with a crisp, firm texture and a sweet, juicy flavour. Uses: Perfect for stewing and baking because it holds its shape well. COX A creamy crisp British apple with a good balance of sweetness and acidity. Uses: A true eating apple – when cooked it turns frothy. GOLDEN DELICIOUS A yellowy-green apple with a balanced sweet-tart flavour, often described as honeyed. Uses: Great for puréeing and drying as it’s naturally sweet and tastes like you’ve added sugar when you haven’t. GRANNY SMITH A bright green apple often speckled with white spots with a…1 min
Yours Magazine|Issue 278A genuine PEARL NECKLACEThis genuine freshwater pearl necklace has plaited layers of coffee-bean drop pearls, set on fine, silver wire with a convenient magnetic clasp. Elegant and charming, it will grace any neckline and will look good with daytime outfits, or will add a touch of glamour for more formal occasions. The pearl necklace is free for every Yours reader – all you pay is £4.45 postage and packing. MORE GREAT OFFERS: Team your free necklace with the whole set – scarf £10 (rrp £18) bracelet £9.95 (rrp £14.95) and earrings £4.95 (rrp £7.95) which all coordinate beautifully. The Caramel Lily chiffon scarf features hues of lemon and caramel which complement the necklace, bracelet and earrings. Bracelet 7½in, necklace 18in, scarf 67in length. How to order BY POST Nice Ideas, PO Box 7111,…1 min
Yours Magazine|Issue 278HoroscopesBetween August 15th and 28th There’s a solar eclipse forming in Leo on the 21st, which is about opening up and being wholehearted with new projects, shining like a star. It’s an ‘off with the old’, ‘on with the new’ time, so get ready to usher in a brand-new era. If it’s your birthday this fortnight... …until the 23rd, you are born under Leo, the showbiz sign. You often attract drama, although those born in this part of August can also have a more complex persona and may drive themselves hard in their quest to be the very best they can be. You love with your whole heart, and are a marvellous host, although again, you can agonise over getting those details just right to make exactly the right impression!…3 min
Yours Magazine|Issue 278The View from YOURS‘Be yourself, everyone else is already taken’ Oscar Wilde THE EVENT Seaside screenings... Grab your bucket and spade and enjoy a trip down memory lane with a day at the flicks, courtesy of the British Film Institute’s special new Britain on Film screenings taking place at beaches, proms, and rocky shores around the country. Let rare archive footage of holidaymakers of the past take you back to your own seaside memories, from raiding rock pools to waging war with the seagulls over your fish and chips. • Britain on Film events are on around the country from now until October. For more info visit www.britainonfilmscreenings.org.uk We’re keeping up with the Joneses Apparently we are a nation of neighbour watchers when it comes to home improvements. That’s the findings from a…4 min
Yours Magazine|Issue 278‘I’m in my golden years!’‘I couldn’t do what I do without my wonderful mum. She’s always there when I have a work crisis and comes up to look after the kids. They don’t notice I’m away!’ Sitting opposite Fay Ripley, with her peachy, unlined complexion, glossy curtain of hair and trim figure, she looks a good ten years younger than her 51 years. “You are too kind,” she laughs. “Actually I’m very grateful for where I’m at now. I hated my 20s and had a terrible time. I’m managing to be controlled enough to stay in the moment and I couldn’t be happier. Do I worry about what I look like on the beach? Yes! But I worried about it more 30 years ago. You’ve got to enjoy living life now, rather than worrying…5 min
Yours Magazine|Issue 278How our weddings have changed!DID YOU KNOW? Today almost three quarters of brides don’t insist on a white dress, while only two in five keep their dress a secret until the big day Source: Red7 It’s one of the most treasured days in a person’s life, yet today the average wedding comes at a real cost with the happy couple set to spend an average of £25,000 compared to just £50 in the Fifties. The figures, from a survey from hitched.co.uk, are backed up by some lovely letters we’ve recently received from readers. Margaret Yates told us how she had stumbled upon old receipts from her 1959 wedding where she found that she’d paid £7.7s for the flowers, £10 for a dress from Etam and £16.16s for a honeymoon in Newquay – all of…4 min
Yours Magazine|Issue 278‘I’ve just been very lucky’‘I don’t think of myself as a celebrity. I’m just old Len Goodman, the dance teacher from Dartford who got lucky and ended up on the biggest show in Britain’ Len Goodman nervous? Yes, the man who charmed the nation with his wit and repartee in Strictly admits he’s not sure how his new Saturday evening show, Partners in Rhyme, will be received. While he thinks the show will be a hit, he confides: “It’s always a case of suck it and see. It was pretty much the same when Strictly started. It went on to be massive but no one knew for sure if it was going to be a success. “In fact,” continues Len, “Making a brand new TV show is a lot like buying a present for…4 min
Yours Magazine|Issue 278PUT TO THE TESTTENA LADY DISCREET PANTS £3.75 pack of 6 These pants were a good fit and were very absorbent. I felt confident wearing them and didn’t worry about leaking. They’re good value too. 4/5 DEPEND ACTIVE FIT PANTS £7.75 pack of 8 These are the most expensive but you do get what you pay for. I hardly noticed them, they move with you and don’t rustle. I felt extremely dry and comfortable all day. 5/5 ALWAYS DISCREET PANTS £7.50 pack of 12 Comfortable and secure these pants took care of any leaks and kept me nice and fresh. They didn’t feel bulky either. 4/5 ALWAYS DISCREET PADS £2.49 pack of 12 These are nice and thin and absorbent, I didn’t worry about leaks and stayed fresh for longer thanks to the…1 min
Yours Magazine|Issue 278Spice upYOUR LIFE!Chilli Hot, hot, hot it may be, but did you know chilli contains up to seven times the Vitamin C of an orange and is rich in Vitamins A and E, beta-carotene, folic acid and potassium? The compound capsicum that gives chilli it’s heat is used for everything from fighting sinus congestion to improving digestion. Chilli is also a great pain reliever. For toothache, apply a little chilli powder mixed with clove oil to the affected area. Turmeric This yellow spice is packed with a substance called curcumin and has been used for thousands of years in Ayurvedic medicine for everything from colds to depression. Treat yourself to a curry, or for an immune boost why not try ‘golden milk’? Mix 1 cup of milk with 1 tsp turmeric paste…2 min
Yours Magazine|Issue 278MEETING placeWelcome to the heart of the magazine. If you’ve got a funny story to share, need to let off steam or have a picture you’re proud of – get in touch. You could end up on the UK’s biggest letters pages. Date confusion! One Wednesday my friend said ‘see you next Friday’. I thought is that ‘this Friday’ or ‘next Friday’ next week? It’s caused much discussion with my friends. Quite a conundrum! Do other readers have trouble with this? Joyce Evans, Brixham I knitted up a carrier bag! My daughter had a stash of used carrier bags so I knitted this shopping bag (pictured right) with them. It’s now a year old and I’m still using it! Mrs Simmonds, West Midlands Sharon says: For a free pattern to crochet…9 min
Yours Magazine|Issue 278JOLLY, JOLLY SIXPENCE!‘In pre-decimal days, sixpence was pretty much the going rate for pocket money’ Whether you were a spendthrift who blew it all at the sweet shop, or a canny saver who put some by for a rainy day, pocket money had to be earned – usually by doing household chores. Every penny I earned by (reluctantly!) doing the washing-up went towards the magic sum of seven and sixpence needed to buy the latest Enid Blyton book. If only I’d kept those first editions – they are worth a whole lot more now! To earn her sixpence a week Rosemary Medland had to fetch the eggs from the chicken run, put the dried crockery away and put clean pillowcases on the pillows. “Sometimes I spent it on crayons or sweets but…4 min
Yours Magazine|Issue 278Roy Hudd writes just for you…‘I don’t know how Tino’s missus keeps pace with the human dynamo!’ I love meeting up with people I’ve worked with before – well generally! When an unexpected reunion happens it’s a special occasion indeed. I’ve just had one with a pal I haven’t seen since the early Sixties. A letter came from the Ukrainian Cathedral in London who were organising an 88th birthday celebration for someone I’d worked with in Variety on the same bill as Max Miller (see below). Did I ever actually breathe the same air as Mr Miller? Yes I did and this poster proves it… one or two other names familiar to the over-50s are there too. If you borrow a jeweller’s eye glass and look at the bottom right-hand corner of the poster, you’ll…3 min
Yours Magazine|Issue 278DIANA REMEMBERING HER LIFE AND LEGACY…1 min
Yours Magazine|Issue 278The People’s PrincessDiana once famously said she’d “like to be a queen in people’s hearts”. But after her death, the then-prime minister of Britain Tony Blair called her the “People’s Princess”, and that became the title by which she would be best remembered. “I WANT “ TO WALK INTO A ROOM, BE IT A HOSPITAL FOR THE DYING OR A HOSPITAL FOR SICK CHILDREN AND FEEL THAT I AM NEEDED. I WANT TO DO, NOT JUST TO BE” PRINCESS DIANA “I think the biggest disease the world suffers from in this day and age is the disease of people feeling unloved,” she once said. Diana’s empathy and ability to connect with people from all walks of life – the young, the old, the poor and the infirm – was always a facet…3 min
Yours Magazine|Issue 278A much-missed grandmotherShe was just 36 years old when she died, but it’s still easy to imagine Diana as the most loving and glamorous of grannies. As her one-time sister-in-law Sarah Ferguson once said: “Diana would’ve just been the naughtiest, funniest and best-ever grandmother, just because she loved her boys so much and she would be so proud of them and what they’ve achieved.” And that, perhaps, is the saddest thing about Diana’s untimely death – that she would never meet her grandchildren. As someone whose own childhood was so traumatic, she would’ve welcomed new life with open arms. But while her relationship with family members was fraught, she was close to her paternal grandmother Cynthia, Countess Spencer. “She was sweet and wonderful and special. Divine, really,” Diana told biographer Andrew Morton.…2 min
Yours Magazine|Issue 278FREE GUIDESGuide to unlocking cash from your home! If you’re a homeowner aged 55-95, you could release cash from the value of your property using an equity release plan! This updated guide will take you through what you need to know. The Yours Guide to Equity Release Get your free guide on how to unlock the cash in your home, packed with useful information. Call free: 0800 915 4710 Write to: FREEPOST KEY RETIREMENT (no other address needed) Guide to pre-paid funeral plans This helpful guide takes you through the issues you need to consider when someone dies and how you can prepare ahead with funeral planning, saving both money and emotional stress. The Yours Guide to Pre-Paid Funeral Plans Request your FREE guide today! Call free: 0800 088 2309 Write…4 min
Yours Magazine|Issue 278Got a tomato glut?1. MAKE A VIRGIN BLOODY MARY Blend the tomatoes with lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, celery salt, pepper and Tabasco sauce, to make your own Bloody Mary co*cktail. 2. MAKE TOMATO BUTTER Grill the tomatoes to add a bit of charred flavour, and then put them in a food processor with softened butter. This will make a tasty butter that can be used on everything from bread to pasta. 3. GROW MORE TOMATOES Cut the tomato into 4 pieces, and place the slices in a pot filled with compost. Add more soil or compost until the tomatoes are barely covered. Water every day. In about 2 weeks, you will have 50-60 seedlings that can then be planted in pairs in other pots. 4. MAKE TOMATO JAM Roast or simmer your tomatoes…1 min
Yours Magazine|Issue 27848 HOURS IN… ExeterDAY ONE What to do Built to house the water pipes of medieval Exeter, the city’s underground passages channelled fresh spring water into the walled city and can now be explored on guided tours. Back in the sunlight, try the free self-guided Woollen Trail, which will take you to the key sites of the woollen industry. There are puzzles and quizzes for children to do, so bring a pen and pad if you have little ones in tow. • Underground passages £6 adults, £4 children. Call 01392 665887 or visit https://exeter.gov.uk/leisure-and-culture/ • The Woollen Trail is free, pick up a leaflet from Exeter Visitor Information. Call 01392 665700 Where to eat For a taste of Venice right here in the south of England, visit the charming Polpo. Named after the…2 min
Yours Magazine|Issue 278‘I was determined to remain upbeat’‘You have to face up to bereavement alone and do things for yourself’ Mick and Eileen Nicholls were looking forward to their retirement. Eileen had already finished her work in the careers’ service and Mick was coming to the end of his working life. They planned leisure time together and plenty of overseas holidays. Sadly, their dreams were shattered 12 years ago when Mick died unexpectedly from a heart attack at the age of 58. Eileen was just 60. “In moments I went from being Mick’s wife to being a widow. The shock was massive,” says Eileen (72). “I remember a paramedic asking me which undertaker I wanted to use and I just couldn’t take it in.” In March this year, Eileen faced bereavement again. when she lost her much-loved…3 min
Yours Magazine|Issue 278Tell it like it is‘The bright red swirls mixed with yellow were certainly eye-catching but not in a good way’ George sighed as Helen slammed the door behind her. Why did she ask his opinion if she didn’t want a truthful answer? Honesty was the best policy – that’s what George’s dad had always said and George agreed with him. But every time Helen asked for an honest opinion and he told her, she got annoyed with him. Take this morning, for example. He was sitting in the conservatory sipping a mug of tea and quietly reading the newspaper when Helen came in, did a twirl, and asked: “What do you think?” George looked up and almost choked on his tea. Luckily, Helen quickly took the mug from him and patted him firmly on…6 min
Yours Magazine|Issue 278MY LESSONS FROM life• Every experience can be used For example, if you’ve suffered pain in your life, you can use this experience to help you become a more compassionate person and more sensitive towards the plight of others. I think you can always turn the cards on their heads so that even a two can become an ace. • My mum is my guiding light My mother, Phyllis, died in February last year aged 91. She was my best friend and my guardian angel. My new book, The Lost Girl, features a character called Kurtiz who is searching for her missing daughter. She meets an elderly actress, Marguerite, in a café who becomes her sort of guardian angel. Without realising it straight away, my mother inspired the character of Marguerite. I feel…2 min
Yours Magazine|Issue 278WHAT’S ALL THE FUSS ABOUT?Cheese helps hearing Scientists have discovered cheese contains a chemical compound that could prevent or even cure deafness. Called D-methionine, in animals it has been found to help protect against – and even reverse – damage to nerve cells in the ear. Now it’s to be tested on 600 human volunteers, taken from the US army. The study will find out if the compound, also found in yogurt, protects the soldiers from permanent hearing damage caused by noise from gunfire. Happy marriage We’ve all heard happy couples give the secrets of their marriage success, from being best friends to laughing together, sharing hobbies to being taken a cuppa in bed. But now it appears there is another ingredient that can help married life run smoothly – looking at a partner’s…1 min
Yours Magazine|Issue 278Helping others healed my heart‘I know we have poverty in this country, but we are still very privileged here to have a free health service’ When a friend asked Jo Hanks if she fancied flying off to Kenya to build a health clinic, she didn’t hesitate to say yes. For the past three years, she’d been struggling to come to terms with the sudden death of her son Paul (pictured inset above right). The eldest of her four children, Paul had recently returned from Bosnia, where he’d been serving with the British Army. A month later he died, aged 23, in a motorbike accident. “It was a huge shock,” recalls Jo (61) who is a nurse practitioner on the Isle of Wight, where she lives with her partner, Richard (67). “Afterwards, the whole family’s…4 min
Yours Magazine|Issue 278A family’s courage triumphs over terror‘It has been a difficult recovery made worse by the worry about how we’d keep the donkey sanctuary open’ When the Haworth family decided to take a rare day off from running their donkey sanctuary on May 22 this year little did they realise the horror that was to follow. Jenny Howarth (19) had gone with her cousin, Jodie (13) to the Ariana Grande concert, which was targeted by a bomber. While the youngsters managed to get out unharmed, aunts Janet and Josie, who had come to pick them up, caught the full force of the blast in the foyer and suffered severe injuries. The whole family was devastated by the attack, but they rallied with enormous bravery to help Janet and Josie recover, and also to battle against the…6 min
Yours Magazine|Issue 278‘A TICK BITE CHANGED MY LIFE’‘At the worst point I became incapable of thinking straight when I couldn’t work out the mix of porridge, oats and milk for my children’s breakfast’ If you spot a tick on your pet or on your skin never pull it out by hand but remove with tweezers or a tick removal kit Keen vegetable grower, Clair Quinn, has always loved spending time outdoors in her garden. But in May 2016, a spot of digging began a spiral of illness when she got three tick bites on her arms and legs, she thinks from deer droppings she’d previously found in the garden. Picking off the ticks from her skin, she initially thought nothing of the bites until shortly after she began to suffer a pounding headache and mild ’flu symptoms…4 min
Yours Magazine|Issue 278KEEP AN EYE ON ITYou should have your eyes tested every two years, unless you’ve been advised to get checked more often, says Francesca Marchetti of the College of Optometrists. “As well as checking your sight and tweaking your glasses prescription, your optometrist will be looking for early signs of problems such as glaucoma, AMD, and cataracts, while they are still treatable. “Early on we can stop these problems in their tracks, but left too late the damage can’t be reversed,” says Francesca. During your eye test your optometrist will also be looking for signs of diabetes, high blood pressure and even brain tumours. “As an optometrist, I worry if you are buying off-the-peg reading glasses, and missing out on seeing an eye specialist. You may assume all is well because you don’t have…4 min
Yours Magazine|Issue 278HELP IS AT HAND!vSculpt £375 (0800 3800 301, uk.vsculpt.com ) They say: The vSculpt uses light, heat and vibration to tone your pelvic floor and help improve vagin*l dryness. One trial found 90 per cent of women had an improvement in bladder leakage after using for ten minutes a day, every other day, for six to eight weeks. Our reviewer says: The vSculpt is pricey and looks quite daunting but it’s actually quite comfortable to use. It heats up gently and you can adjust the vibration levels to suit you. You feel that your muscles have definitely had a workout and I like that the treatment time is so short. Perfect if: You need help with dryness, too. Neen Aquaflex £23.50 from Boots They say: Described as a pelvic-floor gym, Neen…2 min
Yours Magazine|Issue 278STAR LETTERScrapbook of happy memories Recently, having attended a talk about making churches dementia friendly, I read with interest an article in Yours about the value of old photos for people with this condition. A few years ago I bought a very large scrapbook. In it I stick old and recent photographs, cuttings from newspapers, letters from special people, letters I’ve had published, railway tickets of significant journeys and theatre programmes... anything that takes my fancy. Not only does it give me much enjoyment, but the idea is that should I ever suffer from depression or dementia I’d be able to browse through it and hopefully it would trigger some happy memories. Daphne Clarke, Richmond Our star letter will receive a stunning Sunshine Bright bouquet with chocolates from our friends at…1 min
Yours Magazine|Issue 278FASHION WE WOREHere I am with my friends off to a wedding. Gloves and hats were always a must for a special occasion in those days. We really thought of ourselves as the bees’ knees! Kathleen Duggan, Wiltshire We were Tiller girls in Blackpool, off duty from our shows with our digs’ band. We loved our open-toed shoes and midi skirts back then. As you can see, we each wore our hair in the typical Fifties style. How elegant do we look? I’m second from the left. Pauline Harrison, Lancashire This photo of me (centre) and my friends, Clare and Kathleen, was taken outside a lodge in Blackpool. We were all dressed in very similar outfits with checked blouses and three-quarter length trousers or skirt. It was a great day out –…1 min
Yours Magazine|Issue 278WEIGHING UP the big move!If you’re rattling around in your family home now that your children have flown the nest, or you’re struggling to keep up with the demands of a big house and garden, you may like to consider downsizing. If you’re prepared to move to a smaller space, stepping down a few rungs on the property ladder could put you in a very comfortable financial position, especially if you’ve owned your home for a long time. Almost two thirds (60 per cent) of us looking to downsize are tempted by the possibility of topping up our retirement pots, while 48 per cent want a home that’s easier to manage and 21 per cent want to cut our bills, according to research from Key Retirement. Downsizing releases an average of £115,000, according to…1 min
Yours Magazine|Issue 278MAKING MONEY child’s play‘One in six of us generously give money to our grandchildren to help them out with university fees, house deposits or wedding expenses’ The bank of Gran and Granddad is open and ready to give, with one in six of us helping grandchildren financially. One in eight of us give pocket money to younger grandchildren too. If you want to help them out, there are a few new products available to make things easier. • The new LISA (Lifetime ISA) launched in April allows those aged 18-40 to save for their first home or retirement, but not both. Like other ISAs, it works as a tax-free wrapper around savings. Grandparents can add up to £4,000 per year and grandchildren receive a 25% government bonus on contributions, although penalties apply if…2 min
Yours Magazine|Issue 278Wedding of the Century“SHE Ò WAS DELICIOUS, WONDERFUL, REAL AND ADORABLE. SHE WAS SIMPLY YOUNG AND FRESH. I WANTED THE DRESS TO REFLECT THAT” DAVID EMANUEL On the morning of July 29, 1981, an estimated 600,000 people lined the streets of London hoping to catch a glimpse of the soon-to-be Princess, with an estimated global TV audience of 750 million. Diana’s arrival in the glass coach at St Paul’s Cathedral was a Cinderella moment. When she awkwardly stepped out of the carriage and took the arm of her frail father Earl Spencer all eyes were on the gown. And what a gown! “We wanted the dress to reflect that she was going in as Lady Diana Spencer and coming out as the Princess of Wales,” said designer David Emanuel who, along with his…2 min
Yours Magazine|Issue 278United by griefA simple, crisp white card marked by one poignant word “Mummy,” atop Princess Diana’s coffin as it was carried through the eerily quiet streets of London, highlighted the utter tragedy of her death. The world had lost an icon but, far more importantly, two heartbroken boys had lost their mother. Such was the shock of Diana’s sudden passing that Prince Harry, then only 12 years old, could scarcely believe it. According to Diana’s biographer Tina Brown, the confused youngster sought confirmation from Prince Charles in the hours after he’d been told the dreadful news at Balmoral. “Is it really true Mummy’s dead?” he asked. On August 31, 1997, Britain awoke to the tragic news that Diana, Princess of Wales, had died at 4am Paris time following a high-speed car accident…3 min
Yours Magazine|Issue 278Watching the penniesEnjoy a free sample of Mixa’s body lotion enriched with oat milk. Perfect for dry or sensitive skin. • Complete the form at https://uk.mixa.com/free-sample • More freebies at www.magicfreebiesuk.co.uk CASH IN THE ATTIC Doctor Who first appeared on BBC TV in 1963. Books, videos and figurines are prized but the merchandising success story was the Daleks. The first Dalek toy was introduced in 1964, retailed at 17s 11d, and sold out within days. There were Dalek make-it-yourself kits, tins and even bubble bath. Original Palitoy ‘talking Daleks’ from the Seventies are highly collectable. Characters given away in boxes of Kellogg’s Sugar Smacks cereal in 1971 are also coveted. This unique 2001 life-size Dalek is valued at £1,000 to £1,500. Source: Buy, Keep or Sell? An Insider’s Guide to the Collectables…1 min
Yours Magazine|Issue 278We celebrated the summer in style at Thoresby HallWe visited the beautiful Thoresby Hall for a third time to host our Yours Live! Summer Party. The weekend was lovely and once again, the weather was on our side. Our guests received a warm reception from the Yours team and a welcome glass of bubbly! They were then treated to a goody bag packed full of lovely treats. We all met before dinner to kickstart what was going to be a wonderful weekend. Fun-packed weekend Our guests were spoilt for choice this year with both Warner and Yours activities. From rifle shooting to creative crafts with Tracy and Amber, you name it, you got it! Our craft favourite, Tracy, helped to create some beautiful items such as; canvas art, découpage tealights, wooden garden ornaments and many many more. Thoresby…2 min
Yours Magazine|Issue 278GARDEN clippingsThere are always those gardeners who complain about August being a disappointing month in the garden, as many flowers go over and some plants droop and look a little weary from a long season in the sun. I always disagree with them – August is a superb month, full of late summer character, glorious seas of daisy blooms that seem to last and last, and splendid grasses and seed heads in russet hues. Plants that have gone to seed needn’t be a bad thing. It means new life for new plants, and the perfect opportunity for us to get out and start collecting our own seed, for free, that we can store and sow at the right time. Many plants will pop and spread their own seed, but to exercise…3 min
Yours Magazine|Issue 2787 REASONS TO VISIT Quebec1 Indigenous culture Quebec is rich in aboriginal history and is home to 11 First Nations communities. Visit Wendake, a Huron-Wendat reserve that’s home to the descendants of the native people and where you’ll discover the Huron Traditional Site. Try your hand at making a necklace, or learn about health and healing while making your own medicine wheel out of leather, feathers and beads. For those who enjoy storytelling, the myths and legends tour will capture your imagination as you sit by the fire in a wooden longhouse and listen to magical traditional tales. • Huron Traditional Site visit, $26.50 adults, $21.50 children. Myths and legends storytelling, $35 adults, $17.50 children. Call 418 847 0624 or visit www.tourismewendake.ca 2 Gone fishing If you’ve ever fancied living in the wilderness and…4 min
Yours Magazine|Issue 278Keeping loved ones safe and secureTwo million people aged 75 and over live alone in the UK, according to an Age UK report, and home security is something which worries carers a great deal – especially if they are caring from a distance. The Master Locksmiths Association wants to raise awareness among carers about the need to balance security with safety for vulnerable homeowners. Dr Steffan George, managing director of the Master Locksmiths Association, says it’s important to ensure a vulnerable person is safe and secure in their home if they are unable to answer the door, but also that access can be still be gained in an emergency and on a day-to-day basis. Safety tips Provide access when needed – make sure you can get into the home in a way that doesn’t jeopardise…3 min
