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Sweet idea When you reach the end of a jar of chocolate spread, fill it with hot milk, shake well and leave for five minutes. You’ll have a delicious chocolatey drink! Carol McClymont, St. Brides, Newport Blinding advice Clean your blinds by closing them, then wiping up and down with an old dryer sheet. It’ll create an anti-static barrier that helps prevent dust from building up again. Bethany Webb, Bodfari, Denbighshire Tape trick I use an old loyalty card from my purse to help me find the end of my sticky tape. Norma Haimes, Edenbridge, Kent Line and sinker An easy way to prevent grease build-up in your sink and eliminate odours is to pour a mixture of salt and hot water down it regularly. Duncan Kinloch, Blackburn, Lancashire £25…

Who has US actor Noah Centineo said he dreams of co-starring with? To find out, solve the crossword then read down the shaded squares to find the two-word prize answer. WIN £1,001 Puzzle 4 ACROSS Animatedfilmfeaturingthesong 6 PopularChristmasfilmabouta boy who battles burglars (4,5) Harvest4 Ryan actor8 Hawaiiangreeting5 Capitalof3Down(6) Totalquiet7 ActorwhoplayedGandalf(3,8) actorStreep (5) Completelywithoutmoney9) Movetomusic5) Placethatloansoutbooks (7) ComedianHoward (7) Creamcake6 Long-distancecarjourney4,4) 2008filmstarringKristenStewart and Robert Pattinson (8) Steps6 Femalebigcat7) Sandra 7 Appearstobe5) PlacelocatedintheIrish Sea (4,2,3) MountainrangeinSouthAmerica (5) CharactercreatedbyWaltDisney (6,5) animatedfeline (7) Sudden6 Welshpoet Thomas (5) Somethingthatisannoying(8) Appealentreaty4) Bitsofwaterthatfall from the sky (9) Informalwordforaman (6) DOWN Putsinsequence6) PartofEarths atmosphere (5,5)…

Sterilised but broody Q I want to try for another baby, but I’ve had a sterilisation op. Can I have it reversed on the NHS? Karrie, Dewsbury A Sterilisation is an op to block your fallopian tubes, which carry eggs to your womb. Although it is considered permanent, a surgeon can try to reverse it by rejoining the tube ends, although it’s most unlikely you’d be offered this on the NHS. Privately, I’m afraid it’s likely to cost several thousand pounds. Your chances of it working are greater if the sterilisation blocked your tubes with clips rather than burning them or cutting a portion away, and if you’re younger. The longer it’s been since your op, the poorer the chances of reversing it. Overall, your chances of success are around…

1 Find the culprit The timings of symptoms differ, depending on the time of the year and the pollen you’re allergic to. The hay-fever season generally begins with the release of tree pollen, from as early as now and continuing to late May. Grass pollen, which affects an estimated 90% of sufferers, peaks in June and July. And levels of weed pollen and fungal spores rise from summer into autumn. Pinpoint the pollen affecting you, and try to avoid it. 2 Supercharge your diet ‘Onions and apples are full of the antioxidant quercetin, a natural antihistamine that will reduce itchy, sneezy symptoms when you come into contact with pollen,’ says nutritionist Judy Watson. ‘Add in a vitamin C supplement and keep taking it through to the end of September, as it…

What lies beneath After years of abuse, in 1993 Mandy Jordache killed her husband Trevor and buried his body under the patio. For two years, viewers watched in suspense as the body lay undiscovered, until neighbours, trying to fix a leak, dug up the garden and saw a human hand… A Close plague In 1995, when a killer virus swept through Brookside Close, people said it was bonkers. The cul-de-sac was quarantined to prevent the virus spreading. There were hazmat suits and testing kits, while anarchy broke out among residents, with some locking down and others breaking social-distancing rules. After the COVID-19 crisis, the storyline doesn’t seem quite so far-fetched! Killer kid Bullied by a group of girls from school, including ringleader Imelda Clough, in 2002 Anthony Murray, 12, was…

Pushing a toy squad car across the carpet, my youngest, Joshua, was chasing baddies. ‘Nee-naw, nee-naw!’ he chimed. My lad, then 6, just loved the police His eyes lit up whenever he heard a siren. And if he spotted a bobby on the beat, he’d run over to chat. ‘I’m going to be a police officer,’ he’d tell them. ‘To catch baddies.’ I was thrilled Joshua had such big ambitions. He’d been diagnosed with autism, which meant that he struggled with loud noises and changes to his routine. Still occasionally wet the bed. Doctors put his night-time accidents down to his autism. That, and the fact he downed several litres of water a day. ‘Mum, I’m thirsty,’ Joshua moaned the moment he got home from school. I was just grateful…

Staring at my reflection, I puffed out my chest and jutted my chin. That’ll do, I thought. My jeans were dark, my T-shirt plain. My new beard was growing nicely, and the tattoo of a girl and a panther on my forearm was proudly on display. I looked beefy and strong. Manly. The way the world wanted to see me. At 21, I’d recently left the Navy, where I’d perfected my macho-man performance. Because that’s what it was. An act. I was 5 years old when I started pretending. It was 1958 and my dad had caught me rummaging through my grandmother’s old clothes. Dressing up in her best floral dress. ‘I’m a girl,’ I’d shouted defiantly. That’s how I felt inside. But Dad had exploded. ‘You’re a boy, Phillip,…

Dear Huguette, Pulling the faded photo from my wallet as I’d done countless times before, I turned it over to examine the scrawl on the back. Whatever happened to you? I wondered. Had you survived? Grown up to have a family? It was 2022, a lifetime since our paths crossed. But that evening, back in June 1944, stayed with me. Both of us caught up in the horrors of war. You were just a little girl. Me, I was 21, a soldier in the British Army. A fortnight earlier D-Day - I’d landed on Normandy’s beaches. As my convoy moved through France, liberating it from German occupation, we’d stopped at your village. ‘Grub’s up!’ came the call. Dinner was a can of pilchards between two, a stale jam sandwich. Then…

NAV, 25, FROM LONDON, SAYS: Stand-up comedian Sion James puts his all into fundraising for Pump Aid. A small charity, Pump Aid works to improve water and sanitation access for communities living in poverty in Malawi. It provides equipment such as pumps and latrines, as well as education programmes. Since 2016, Sion, 51, from Clapham, south London, has gone above and beyond to raise much-needed funds. Most recently, in 2022, he volunteered to put on two comedy nights. His enthusiasm for selling the tickets and getting the crowd involved in a raffle made the events a roaring success. And he does it all on top of his full-time job as a stand-up comedian. His last charity comedy night raised £400 in November 2022. Sion’s fundraising efforts contributed to Pump Aid’s…

Q I hate the coarse black hairs on my nipples - why do they come, and is it safe for me to pluck them? Ada, Falkirk A Nipple hairs are common and usually grow from the areola, the coloured skin around your nipple, rather than the nipple itself. Like any other area of skin, this contains hair follicles, the pores from which hairs grow. Usually, a few fine hairs appear, but occasionally a rogue follicle will grow a coarse black hair. This doesn’t mean that anything is wrong, although if you also have excess hair on your face or other body parts it’s worth seeing your GP to rule out causes such as polycystic ovaries (PCOS) or drug side effects. Plucking is safe, though painful, and might be easier after…

Nikki Hardy, 37, Aberdeen A rriving at the tattoo parlour, I stepped inside. It felt like home, like I’d finally arrived. It was summer 2004 and I was only 18. My parents back home were not very keen. But I was a rebel already, with piercings in my face. Now I wanted my first ink, and this was the place. ‘Something small at first,’ I said to the girl. I chose a picture of a sunshine and the needle began to whirl. I had to admit I felt a little bit shaky. A few scratches, it was over and my hip felt achy. It left me hooked on tatts and I wanted more. For 13 years I went in and out of that tattoo parlour door. And there was a…

Bust-ups over money Q Me and my man live together and he pays for everything as I can’t work, due to fibromyalgia. He seemed fine with it, but now he’s throwing it in my face that I’m not bringing much money in. I feel terrible, but working is impossible right now. Why can’t he be understanding? Kayla, 30 A Sorry to hear that you’re suffering, pet. Relationship worries can’t make that easier. Ask yourself what’s changed for your partner - is it linked to the cost-of-living crisis? Money worries can cause a lot of stress, and maybe he’s taking it out on you. But its not on that he’s throwing your health in your face. An honest chat about your finances - and how you treat each other - sounds…

3 ways to… FIND THE BEST SAVINGS ACCOUNT How to choose the best place for your nest egg. 1 Do your research Start by searching for the best rates available. Don’t forget to check regular savings accounts; these can offer higher rates than you might find elsewhere, but you may need to have a current account with the same provider and there are usually limits on how much you can pay in each month. Also, some banks’ current accounts pay attractive rates of interest, although you might need to pay in a minimum monthly amount to qualify. 2 When will you need the cash? It’s vital to consider when you’ll need access to your cash. For example, fixed-rate savings accounts may offer higher rates if you’re happy to tie up your…

24-30 March 2023 Aries 21 March-20 April A development you’ve pinned your hopes on has been delayed. Distract yourself doing some decluttering and you’ll find something you’d lost. • Call 0905 817 0690* for more Taurus 21 April-21 May A conversation will highlight what you need to do, and an investment will come to your attention that might be too good to miss out on. Follow your heart! • Call 0905 817 0691* for more Gemini 22 May-21 June Your confidence is at an all-time high, and you may notice someone acting a little differently around you. If you want them to know how you feel, be bold! • Call 0905 817 0692* for more Cancer 22 June-23 July You may always listen to other people’s ideas, but you might…

Q What is the difference between a hair mask and a conditioner, and do I need to use a mask? Matilda White, Norwich A The main difference is that a mask is to be used when you need a restorative treatment, and conditioner is for after shampooing, every time you wash your hair. Masks tend to be much richer, targeted and more intensive, and lead to better and more noticeable results. Pick one specific to your needs, as you will be more likely to see results. Revolution Haircare Plex 9 Bond Restore Hydra Mask, £15, Superdrug, is ideal for those with heat-damaged locks. The formula helps to rebuild weakened and broken strands. If you struggle with dehydrated hair, L’Oréal Elvive Hydra Hyaluronic 72H Moisture Wrapping Mask, £7.99, Boots, will help…

TRUE-LIFE BEHIND THE BIG CRIME He was known by a string of macabre nicknames. The Centennial Park rapist in the 1980s. The tracksuit rapist in the 90s. And in the 2000s, he became the Bondi rapist. Yet, only he knew all these names applied to him. A lone serial rapist who was stalking and terrorising women across the suburbs of Sydney, Australia. In fact, by the time detectives were even on his tail, the attacks had stopped. The monster first struck one morning in March 1985. A woman was out jogging in the seaside suburb of Clovelly at around 11am, when a man in a balaclava put a hand across her face. Held a knife to her throat and raped her. For the next 15 years, he stalked his victims.…

TRUE-LIFE Packing the last few bits into the suitcase, I zipped it shut. Couldn’t wait for our week away in Newquay. It was the summer of 2007, and a family holiday with my husband Mark and our daughter Elizabeth, then 2, was just what we all needed. Lately, Mark had seemed stressed. Struggled to sleep. Was always up in the middle of the night having a cigarette in the garden. ‘I’m fine,’ he always shrugged when I asked if he was OK. But I was worried. We met in 2000 at our local pub, married two years later. Then our daughter arrived in December 2004. Life had been non-stop and we all wanted a break. Only just before our trip, Mark called my mobile from work. ‘I’ve spent all the…

COLLARLESS BLOUSES STYLE TIP Complement these smart feminine blouses by pairing with chinos or cargo pants. Try layering with a knitted tank too. FRILLED STYLE TIP Versatile enough for work and the weekend. Tuck your frills into an A-line skirt or layer under dungarees. FLARED STYLE TIP The fluid fabric, clean lines and V-neck make these perfect for larger busts. Pair with widelegged trousers. FROM £13 BOYFRIEND SHIRTS STYLE TIP Size up – these cotton classics should be worn in a relaxed, oversized style. Undo a few buttons and wear half tucked.…

Chatting with friends at the pub, I blushed. ‘I know there’s a big age gap, but he’s lovely,’ I smiled shyly. It was December 2017, and I was talking about my friend and colleague Mark Dempster. We’d met on my very first shift as a police officer, three months earlier. ‘This is a big deal!’ my mates laughed. At 27, I’d been happily single for most of my 20s. But as Mark, a constable, had shown me the ropes, we’d struck up a friendship. Started going for meals after long shifts. Or I’d keep Mark, a keen rally driver, company on road trips to collect car parts. Now my feelings had turned romantic. Thing was, he was 51, 24 years older than me. So I buried it, told myself it…

What was the name of England footballer Bobby Moore’s first wife, played by Michelle Keegan in a 2017 TV miniseries about the couple? Solve the crossword, then read down the yellow squares. The yellow shaded squares will spell out the competition answer. ACROSS 1 Casserole (4) 5 Restriction (5) 7 Star Wars actor, _ Hamill (4) DOWN 2 Diver, _ Daley (3) 3 Clever humour (3) 4 Soft purple fruit (4) 6 Liquid used in pens (3) WIN 4 × £20 Puzzle 13 Your answer: TO ENTER Turn to page 56 for details or visit comps.lifedeathprizes.com/puzzles…

NO-FUSS FOOD Chicken with balsamic peppers Low in cals but not lacking in taste, these balsamic peppers are delicious. SERVES 4 PREP 15 MINS COOK 30 MINS 1 Heat a large frying pan until hot. Mix 1tbsp olive oil with the crushed garlic, season, and brush over the chicken. Add the chicken to the pan and cook for 15 mins until cooked through. 2 Cook the peppers in a separate frying pan with the remaining oil, whole garlic cloves and thyme for 5 mins until starting to soften. Add 2tbsp water, reduce the heat, cover, then cook for 10 mins. 3 Crumble the stock cube into a pan of boiling water, add the couscous and cook for 7 mins until…

Lottie London Cheeky Kiss Lip & Cheek Stick in Just My Type, £5.95, lottie.london Ideal for adding a pop of colour to lips and cheeks, this rosy-toned stick is a handbag hero. It’s packed with hyaluronic acid and vitamin E for all-day hydration. E.l.f. Good Vibes Only Cloud 9 Cleansing Cloud, £4, elfcosmetics.co.uk Ditch those make-up wipes and stock up on these clever cleansing pads-just add water and they’ll remove all traces of make-up. They’re reusable, too! Byoma Brightening Toner, £11.99, Boots This super-gentle exfoliating toner buffs away dead skin cells to reveal a brighter complexion. Use daily after cleansing to boost radiance. Barry M Fresh Face Skin Hydrating Moisturiser, £8.99, barrym.com Barry M has launched its first skincare line featuring this moisturiser infused with green tea leaf and shea…

Chat winners issue 52 (29 Dec 2022) Anyone from your town in the list this week…? Chat PUZZLE 1 5008 Chat PUZZLE 2 WATER Chat PUZZLE 11 4 1 8 •Any material submitted to Chat must be original, not copies or duplicated to other editors. Upon submitting material you warrant that you own or have the right to licence the material to Future plc for publication. Chat reserves the right to shorten, edit or modify any material that is submitted. In consideration for a worldwide, royalty-free licence to publish and reuse…