Table of contents for 18-Mar-2021 in Chat

When the RSPCA told us about cocker spaniel Dustin, we knew we had to share his story. The poor pup had been abandoned, twice. But you can’t keep a good dog down… (p37) Nicola has another inspiring tale (p10). When searching for a kidney donor for her son, she didn’t get one offer but 100! As well as stories to give you the warm and fuzzies, we’ve got cracking crime, including a chilling case that was described as ‘an almost perfect murder’ (p16). Then there’s St Patrick’s Day recipes (p40), supermarket style (p12), advice from our Nelly, the chance to win a holiday to Portugal – and more! Stay safe and well this week.…

Katrina says, ‘I’m often asked why I offered my kidney for Ethan. It was difficult to answer that at first, because I didn’t know myself. I just felt this urge, this need to help Ethan. Looking at his photo, I felt a connection – and when I met the Davies family, I knew in my heart I was the one who needed to help them. ‘Saving Ethan’s life is a feeling like no other, but he’s also helped me. He’s put things into perspective, made me a stronger, better person.’ ‘Our bond can never be broken – I’ll always feel a part of their family.’…

Beauty queen Michele Somers was just 21 when she met Martin MacNeill at anevent for young single Mormons. The couple fell in love. And when he proposed, Michele would’ve been a fool to turn him down. An influential and respected man, MacNeill had been to medical school, went on to become a doctor. He was also a lawyer, even had a stint as a bishop. Over the years, the couple had four children, adopted four others. By April 2007, Martin, then 51, and Michele, 50, had been married 29 years. Their family life seemed enviable. MacNeill was Medical Director of the Utah State Development Center. Then, out of the blue, Michele had a facelift. Her eldest daughter Alexis, then in medical school herself, said it was out of character. And…

Jodi Haines, 31, Leicester At 24, it seemed I had the world at my feet. After travelling to glamorous cities like LA and New York, I’d moved to London to work in aerobics and personal training. Loved singing and dancing in classes. I was always rushing around, busy with social events and work. Until, one day, after a really tough class, I felt dizzy and nearly fainted. I went to my doctor’s for blood tests. ‘It’s chronic fatigue syndrome – CFS,’ I was told after a few months. I’d never heard of it before, went into denial. Over the next 18 months, I demanded more tests – but they all said the same. There was evidence of hormone deficiency and a viral infection, which had left me with chronic fatigue.…

OVER TO YOU Can you set a puzzle in this format? Send it, with a photo of yourself, to the address on p3. There’s £20 for every one we use! This week’s puzzle was compiled by Jane Anderson, Egham, Surrey ACROSS 1 Store, pack carefully 2 To own 3 Express grief or pity 4 Thaw DOWN 1 Bogus, fake 2 Story 3 Egg-shaped 4 Compass point WIN 5X £25 Puzzle 6 Your answer: CHAIN WORDS 'Dual’ and ‘paucal’ are among the possible forms for expressing what linguistic concept? Get from Start to Finish, making words by joining two boxes together as you go, eg: MAG + IC, IC +… you decide! When you reach Finish, two unused boxes join together to give you the prize answer. WIN £100 Puzzle 7…

ARROW WORD In 2020, actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney acquired which National League football club? Solve the puzzle by following the arrows and writing in your answers. Then read down the letters in the shaded squares to find the prize puzzle answer. WIN £1,000 Puzzle 10 Your answer: SUDOKU To solve the puzzle, each 3 x 3 box, each row and each column must contain the numbers 1 to 9. Solve the puzzle and the numbers in the highlighted squares will give you the prize puzzle answer.. WIN £60 Puzzle 11 Your answer: WORDSEARCH Which football club was initially formed as St Domingo FC? The answer is the one missing from the grid. AJAX ARSENAL CELTIC CHELSEA EVERTON FULHAM HULL LAZIO LILLE MILAN MONACO NICE PORTO ROMA STOKE WIN…

Everyone’s pregnant! Q My fiance and I have been trying for a baby for two years, but nothing. I was called selfish because I got upset my sister-in-law is pregnant, one of my best friends is pregnant…and even my mother-in-law is expecting! I’ve always been very maternal and I’ll be 30 in three years time — so my body clock’s ticking. I’m overweight and my fiance is in the Army. I don’t know what to do any more... Emma, 27 A Flippin’ Nora, who says your biological clock will explode at 30?! Lots of women become pregnant after that age and I reckon your baby will come at the right time, too. If you’re worried about your health and weight, see your GP. Ask about tests to put your mind…

Jo Douglas, 53, Ascot Peering into the big blue bin, I gasped when I saw what was inside. Four cocker spaniel puppies, looking desperate. ‘Oh, you poor things!’ I cooed. No fur on their little bodies, covered in mange – a skin disease caused by mites. Their eyes were shut, crusty and oozing pus. It was July 2019, and the lady who’d brought them in to us at RSPCA Millbrook Animal Centre, where I worked as an animal care assistant, had found the bucket dumped in her front garden. The pups inside, malnourished, uncared for. I was horrified. Thankfully, she’d done the right thing, given us a call and brought them in. ‘Let’s take a look at you,’ I said as myself and another member of staff, Debbie, put on…

Maybelline Super Stay Active Wear Foundation, £10, beautybay.com This new long-wear foundation is fantastic if you’re looking for full coverage that really lasts. It’s resistant to accidental transfer, water and sweat, so you stay flawless for longer. No7 Radiance+ 15% Vitamin C Serum, £15, Boots An affordable option for boosting your skin’s radiance and brightening uneven skin tone. The lightweight serum goes under your moisturiser for added glow. Nails INC Vitamin E Cuticle Oil Pen, £14, lookfantastic.com A favourite with nail technicians, this pen is the key to your at-home manicure. It keeps hangnails at bay, moisturises dry nails and takes the faff out of fiddly bottles of cuticle oil. Caudalíe Vinoclean Cleansing Almond Milk, £15, cultbeauty.co.uk A velvety formula that cleanses skin without leaving it feeling stripped. This creamy…

NUTMEG at MORRISONS All sizes 8-22 STYLE TIP Step out of your comfort zone and ditch the skinny jeans in favour of a stylish flared pair. TU at SAINSBURY’S All sizes 8-24 STYLE TIP Size up in this shirt and it will double up as a great shacket. GEORGE at ASDA All Sizes 8-24 STYLE TIP Get the designer look for less with this gorgeous crossbody bag. F&F at TESCO All size 6-22 STYLE TIP A lightweight jacket is perfect for layering. This stylish faux suede one has a built-in belt to high light your waist. WE WANT YOU! WE’RE LOOKING FOR WOMEN JUST LIKE YOU TO APPEAR IN OUR MAGAZINES. EVERYONE’S WELCOME, SO APPLY TODAY! Go to goodtoknow.co.uk/REAL to find out more details REAL…

Leah Trainor, 35, Telford, Shropshire Scanning the dessert menu, my mouth started to water. ‘I really shouldn’t,’ I said to my partner Andy. I’d already devoured two courses, including a side of onion rings with my main. But while Andy was too stuffed to eat another bite, I ordered chocolate brownie. ‘Two scoops of ice cream, please,’ I told the waiter. It was always the way when we went out. But my big appetite came at a hefty cost. I weighed over 20st. I’d never been able to control my snacking. I was size-20 when I started sixth form, aged 16, in September 2001. I lost several stone with Slimming World when I started uni, but student life caught up with me. By the time I met Andy, then 25,…

World health New research reveals that 12% of Brits haven’t had a sexual experience for three years – including anything from a kiss to full-on sex. Why? The top reasons included tiredness (35.7%), mental health (33.6%) and negative body image (25%).* Swap and see On a health-kick and missing something sweet with your afternoon cuppa? Try these Go Ahead Fruity Cake Bites – just 97 calories per pack, with no artificial colours or flavour, plus they’re suitable for vegetarians. (£2 for box of five, Morrisons) Watch hose hidden sugars! Eating too much sugar long-term can promote weight gain, which can increase your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The recommended daily allowance is 30g – that’s four teaspoons. To put this into perspective, a standard Cadbury’s Double Decker contains 29.5g…

Mystery murder of a national treasure On the morning of 26 April 1999, Crimewatch presenter Jill Dando, 37, was shot dead outside her home in Fulham, south west London. The gun had been pressed to her head when the trigger was pulled. Barry George, who lived locally and had a history of stalking women and anti-social behaviour, was convicted of murder and jailed for life. At a retrial in 2008, his defence argued he had an IQ in the lowest 5% of the population and therefore wasn’t capable of such a sophisticated killing. After spending eight years in jail, Barry George was found no guilty and released. To date, the crime still hasn’t been solved. A mum’s horror on top of heartbreak In January 1998, Sally Clark’s son, Harry, 8…

Kat Wilson, 34, from Sunderland Smoothing my hands over my nurse’s uniform, I looked in the mirror and nodded. It was January 2019 and I was back to work after having my little boy Jack, then 11 months. Thanks to exercise classes on maternity leave, I’d easily squeezed back into my size-12 scrubs. ‘Apart from this pot belly,’ I groaned to my husband Neil, then 32, patting my bloated lower tum. ‘There’s nothing of you!’ he laughed. As well as working part-time in nursing, I was opening my own salon, managing a team of hairdressers. With Jack, our daughter Lucy, 4, and Neil working full-time as a plumber, we certainly had our hands full. But having a girl and a boy we were happy, so I’d had a coil fitted.…

Spending time with Dustin, Debbie and I worked hard to train him. Figure out his strengths and his weaknesses. How he responded off the lead outside, pushed through doorways. With so much energy, Dustin needed something to focus his attention on. ‘Let’s see how he is with his nose,’ Debbie said one day. And we were amazed. We put a tennis ball under his snout so he got a good sniff. Then we hid it in all sorts of places — in bushes, under plastic cones... Every time, Dustin sniffed it out, never giving up until he did. ‘He’s a natural!’ I laughed. ‘Maybe he belongs with the Police,’ Debbie said. We’d had rescue pups go on to be working dogs before. For the Prison Service or with the Army.…

The Syndicate BBC1 When the drama about lottery winners returns for a new series, YouTube sensation and Strictly runner- up Joe Sugg will star in the story of five low-paid kennel workers whose lives change forever when they jointly win the lottery. Willow DISNEY + Warwick Davis reprises his role as Willow Ufgood in this series, which takes place years after the events of the 1988 fantasy adventure. Set in an age of swords, sorcery, myths and monsters, this series introduces a host of new characters to the enchanted world. All That Glitters BBC2 Jewellers are the latest to get the Bake Off treatment, as comedian Katherine Ryan goes on the hunt to find Britain’s best jeweller in this upcoming six-part series which will see eight jewellers battle it out…

Q Bronzer looks so orange on me, how can I fake a sun-kissed glow that looks natural? Lori Floyd, 65, Chichester A Warming up your complexion is the secret behind looking fabulously healthy. Our skin loses its glow and goes a few shades paler in cold weather, but you can easily fix this. First, choose the right texture of bronzer for your skin. Dry skin will love cream or gel formulas like W7 Bronze Chic Bronzing Balm, £5.95, w7makeup.co.uk, while oily and normal skin types will suit powders like Lottie London Tan Time Bronzer, £5.95, feelunique. com. Try to stick to matte bronzers and avoid glitter or shimmer. You’ll get greater control with a stick like L.A. Girl Velvet Bronzer Contour Stick, £3.50, beautybay.com. Aim to buff into the high…

The script of The Trial of the Chicago 7 film was written by Aaron Sorkin in 2007 and due to be directed by Stephen Spielberg. However, as time went on, Sorkin adapted the script and Spielberg dropped out. The star-studded film was released in the UK last October, in cinemas and on Netflix. Directed by Sorkin, it featured noteworthy appearances from Sacha Baron Cohen as Abbie Hoffman, Eddie Redmayne as Tom Hayden and Mark Rylance as the group’s lawyer William Kunstler. Sorkin said it was a ‘painting’ rather than a ‘photograph’ of events, with some tweaks. At the end of the film, Redmayne’s Hayden begins his sentencing statement by reading the names of all 4,752 US troops killed in Vietnam since the start of the trial. It’s powerful – though,…

Nicola Davies, 38, Bicester As the nurse put gel onto my tum, I grinned at my girls. ‘Let’s see if you’re having a brother or sister,’ I said to Georgia, then 7, and Chloe, then 3, as they bounced in their seats with excitement. It was January 2016 and I was at my 20-week scan. My girls were busting to see if I was having a boy or a girl, and so was I. Over 100 people were willing to risk their lives for Ethan Then I noticed the nurse was frowning at the screen image. Something was wrong... The picture showed my baby’s kidneys were damaged and the bladder was bigger than the head. It was a harrowing sight. I tried to keep it together in front of my…

What film does British singer Liam Gallagher say had a big impact on him? To find out, solve the crossword then read down the shaded squares to find the prize puzzle answer. ACROSS 11 Part of a shirt (6) 12 Made the score level (9) 13 Warmth (4) 14 Victor (8) 15 Bird of prey (5) 16 Set fire to (6) 17 Glaswegian football team (7) 18 Popular tourist destination in Arizona, USA (5,6) 20 Braid of hair (5) 22 Machine for cutting grass (9) 24 Line of people (5) 28 Branch of mathematics (7) 29 Singer who had a hit with The Passenger (4,3) 32 Small restaurant (6) 34 Album released by Taylor Swift on 11 December, 2020 (8) 36 TV presenter, _ Ross (8) 37 Deep-fried Indian snack (6)…

GUILTY The jury found Martin MacNeill guilty of murder and obstruction of justice. He was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison, and in April 2017 took his own life in his jail cell. After his death, Alexis revealed her father had let her sister Ada find her mother’s body. She said, ‘My dad picked her up from school and told her to “go check on your mother”. So she ran in, just calling, “Mommy! Mommy!” And my dad stayed in the kitchen while she went into the bathroom and found her.’ Alexis also revealed she’d confronted her dad in the days before her mother’s death, after finding her sedated. Her mother had herself been worried. ‘She started to cry. She said, “If anything happens to me, make sure…

I struggle to sleep due to wrist pain Q pain and tingling in my right hand. My GP says it’s carpal tunnel syndrome. Does it mean an op? Moira, East Kilbride A Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) means pressure on a nerve in your wrist is causing tingling and numbness in the side of your hand nearest your thumb, and sometimes pain or tingling up your arm. Symptoms are often worse at night when your wrist relaxes and flops forward, pinching the nerve. CTS is particularly common in women, and over 10% might experience it at some time. You’re right that an op to free the nerve is one option, but it isn’t usually necessary. Around one-third of people with CTS get better on their own after 12 to 15 months,…

PUPPY-FARM SHOOTINGS In February 2014, the emergency services received a terrified call from Lucy Lee, 40. Her stepdad John Lowe, then 82, had shot her mother Christine, 66, at almost point-blank range at his farmhouse in Tilford. Lucy had run outside. ‘I don’t know if I’m going to be alive if I go back in there,’ she said. Minutes later, Lowe shot her in the back of the head. Lowe, who ran a puppy farm, also shot four dogs. He told police the women had to be ‘put down’. In October 2014, Lowe was convicted of the double murder and sentenced to life in prison, to serve 25 years. He died four years later. MILLY MURDERED This photo of smiling 13-year-old Amanda ‘Milly’ Dowler was quickly imprinted into the minds…

FILL ME IN In the Biblical story of the Good Samaritan, which city was the traveller on his way to when he was attacked and ended up receiving the Samaritan’s assistance? Solve the puzzle by following the arrows and writing in your answers. Then read down the letters in the shaded squares to find the prize puzzle answer. WIN £100 Puzzle 14 Your answer: CIRCLE TIME Winner of the Oscar for Best Original Song You Must Love Me was written for the 1996 film adaptation of which musical? Fit the words into the grid, then read down the letters in the shaded circles. 3 letters AGO AIM AIR EGG FIR FIT GAS HIS RUN 4 letters EELS HYMN OVEN OVER RING ROOM 5 letters RODEO SMOKE SWORD YARDS 6 letters…

3 ways to... tell your kids you can’t afford something Children often ask for new things and it can be hard to say no if you can’t afford it — here’s StepChange Debt Charity’s (stepchange.org) tips on what to do. 1 Be honest Explain your situation and, if you can’t afford something, it’s important not to give in to pester power and risk getting into debt. While parents may often use phrases like, ‘Money doesn’t grow on trees,’ and, ‘I’m not made of money,’ remember that it’s also OK to say ‘no’. Keep your language simple, and simply state the reasons why you can’t buy everything they want. 2 Educate them Teaching kids about managing money is a great skill that’ll help them when they’re older — and it’ll also…

Irish stew Not traditionally made with Guinness, we have added the much-loved Irish stout for a deeper flavour. SERVES 6–8 PREP TIME 30 mins COOK TIME 2hrs 15 mins • 2tbsp oil • 1kg mutton, diced • 150g bacon, roughly chopped • 1tbsp flour • 2 red onions, roughly diced • 4 carrots, roughly sliced • 300g swede, chopped •2 celery sticks, roughly sliced • 2 parsnips, halved lengthways and chopped • 600g potatoes, chopped • 440ml can Guinness • ¾ltr lamb or chicken stock • 100g pearl barley • A few sprigs of thyme • 1tbsp tomato puree 1 In a large saucepan, heat the oil and brown the mutton. Add the bacon and fry for 2 mins. Scatter over the flour and coat the meat in it. Add…

Aries 21 March-20 April If you’re starting something new, spend time planning and researching. A friend or neighbour offers to help, don’t send them away, appreciate their knowledge. ● Call 0905 817 0690* for more Taurus 21 April-21 May Time to withdraw from the crowd. You’ll find you can get a lot more done without the distractions of others and the progress will be unbelievable. ● Call 0905 817 0691* for more Gemini 22 May-21 June A spontaneous, creative person, your ideas come out of thin air. Write down your experiences in a book or on a blog. Your creation goes down well. ● Call 0905 817 0692* for more Cancer 22 June-23 July Creative and sophisticated, your ideas really make a stir online. You’re being asked advice from experienced…

Nivea Q10 Firming Good-bye Cellulite Gel-Cream, £11.99, Boots This skin-firming cream is full of Q10 and lotus extract to strengthen and tighten targeted areas, and the non-sticky gel formula quickly sinks into the skin so you can get dressed straight away. Dr Organic Royal Jelly Cellulite Cream, £9.99, Holland & Barrett Packed with antioxidant-rich royal jelly, this hydrating cream is designed to be massaged into problem areas to improve circulation and lessen the look of dimples. Use it regularly to see results. Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Firming Butter, £5.19, Boots This super-hydrating body lotion is designed to maintain your skin’s firmness. It’s enriched with Q10, collagen and elastin, the perfect union to reduce the look of any lumps and bumps or ‘orange peel’ skin.…

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Chat winners issue 50 (10 December 2020) £1001 CASH J Swarbrick, Preston £1000 CASH C Ancell, Gosport £500 CASH C Winslade, Whitstable; M Doe, Christchurch £250 CASH J Birdsall, Leeds £150 CASH F Ricketts, Baldock £100 CASH N/V, J Bowen, Rotherham; J Deegan, Sheffield; H Jugg, Erith; P London, Sheerness £60 CASH V Lucas, Bedford £50 CASH C Jackson, Preston; K Cooper, Tonbridge; J Stepheson, Chesham £30 CASH M Riddle, Arbroath; B Chaplin, Basingstoke; G Durrant, Harrow; A Game, Tredegar; M Hughes, Gretna £25 CASH C Thompson, Darlington; A Brown, Glebe; G Mason, Westerham; D Smith, Peterborough; J Weston, Northampton; T Riley, Wigan; L Stuart, Cairnie; E Roberts, Wrexham; H Croft, Durham chat PUZZLE 8 CHRIS PACKHAM chat PUZZLE 15 FAJITA chat PUZZLE 2 47650 • All contributions to Chat…