Tabla de contenidos para Issue 469 en Yours Magazine

We were all shocked and saddened to hear that the Princess of Wales had been diagnosed with cancer earlier this year. And, despite revealing in September that she'd completed her chemotherapy and was on the road to recovery, this has, without doubt, been a very difficult year for her and her young family. In this issue, royal expert Jennie Bond exclusively tells Yours how Kate and Prince William will be going all out to make this Christmas the best yet for their three children, and their hopes for a happy 2025. Also in this issue we have eight expert-backed stress busters to keep you smiling as the festive period reaches fever pitch! And don't worry if you're still on the hunt for the odd present or two as we've got…

Whether we're watching The Princess of Wales’ annual carol service on 24 December or admiring the family as they walk to church on Christmas Day, festive traditions are a much-loved part of the royal calendar. And this year they will seem more poignant than ever, as they make a fitting finale to what has been a gruelling year for the princess and the wider royal family. With Kate, Charles and Sarah Ferguson all facing cancer battles, family and community spirit have never seemed more important. ‘What a life-changing year the royal family have had,’ royal expert Jennie Bond tells Yours. ‘It was on Christmas Day last year that we saw Catherine, apparently healthy, walking to and from the church at Sandringham with her family. Everything seemed absolutely fine, but looking…

She's admitted to feeling ‘bereft’ now her children have left home so, for Gabby Logan, Christmas will be particularly special this year. It means the twins she shares with husband Kenny, 52, will be back in Buckinghamshire for some serious celebrations. ‘Christmas is big in our house,’ says Gabby. ‘Reuben and Lois are 19 now, but they love it as much as they did when they were little. Reuben starts playing Christmas songs from 1 November – he's a huge Christmas fan – and if the tree isn't up by the first week of December, they're both really cross.’ It's testament to Gabby's love of Christmas that the festive plans start in September. ‘It is a biggie,’ laughs the star, who listens to Mariah Carey and The Pogues to get…

We were watching Corrie when my boyfriend Craig, 53, complained about the vision in his left eye being blurry. ‘I've been having weird dizzy spells too,’ he said. ‘Get booked in at Specsavers,’ I told him, assuming he needed new glasses. Our local optician spotted something in the back of Craig's eye, but she wasn't sure what it was. However, it was during the pandemic and it took six months before Craig finally saw an eye specialist at Clatterbridge Hospital in Liverpool. I was working from home in Glossop, Derbyshire when he rang after his appointment. ‘I've got cancer,’ he said, sounding shellshocked. Apparently, Craig had a rare tumour called an uveal melanoma, which occurs when the pigment-producing cells in the eyes divide and multiply too rapidly. It was more…

bareMinerals Mineralist HydraSmoothing Lipstick in Energy, £24 Jo Chapman, acting lifestyle editor, says, ‘This punchy lipstick looks brighter, glossier and more orange when applied than the bullet suggests. My skin has olive undertones, so I thought I could pull it off, but found this quite unflattering, making my teeth look yellower. The creamy formula is easy to apply and doesn't feel drying, but I needed to reapply several times over the course of a few hours. As lippies go, it's quite high maintenance.’ Laura Mercier Caviar Smoothing Matte Refillable Lipstick, £36 Emma White, senior life & style writer, says, ‘If you're looking for a high-impact lipstick, Laura Mercier's velvety matte formula has the most incredible colour pay-off in just one swipe. Personally, I did find it a little drying, so…

QUICK CRAFTS EASY ESSENTIALS The right kit will get you sorted for making and creating all your essentials this Christmas. From decorative tape to window stickers and rubber stamps, you can't go wrong. FUN WITH FOLIAGE Foliage from the garden mixed with a few faux flowers and berries will make a big difference to your dining table, gifts and decoration around the home. BEST BUY CHRISTMAS CRAFT GIFTS From giving or making affordable gifts, there's a craft kit for everyone's ability.…

Our money advice expert Faith Archer is an award-winning money journalist and blogger at Much More With Less, Faith was deputy personal finance editor at The Daily Telegraph and is a regular on BBC radio. She aims to make money matters such as family budgeting, pensions and tax easier to understand Christmas presents don't have to cost a small fortune. You can definitely come up with thoughtful, personal festive gifts on a budget. If you opt for something home-made, make sure they are well-presented. For example, scour discount stores and charity shops for pretty tins, jars, bottles and hampers. Then use ribbons, Cellophane, tissue paper and gift bags to liven up the wrapping. Write out labels or print any instructions, when needed, for home-made items. Check out our ideas for…

Perusing the list in front of her, Lynne Hedley carefully set aside a teddy and a soft toy. Scrolling down the list further, she began to collect suitable presents for teenagers, separating them into piles for boys and girls. Lynne, from Chester-le-Street, County Durham, volunteers with the Mission Christmas Appeal to distribute gifts to children up to the age of 18. The annual campaign is run by Cash for Kids, the official charity of Hits Radio and Greatest Hits Radio, committed to improving the lives of disadvantaged children and young people across the UK. ‘I want every child to wake up on Christmas Day with a new gift,’ says Lynne, 71. ‘Some children have such a difficult beginning in life and face many challenges. I don't want anybody missing out…

* My husband, Alan, and I do various activities to raise money for charity. He is a very good amateur photographer, so last year we produced a calendar to sell and raised £110 for Cancer Research. We have created a new one for 2025, again wit 48 local photos, all set in our local town of Padiham, Burnley, but including views of Pendle Hill. This year's profits will go to the Alzheimer's Society. We hope to sell over 100 and raise even more money this time. We both enjoy putting the calendar together in a creative format and several of our customers send them to their relatives who have moved abroad. Janet Dandy, Burnley, Lancs Yours says: What a marvellous idea to turn your husband's hobby into a project you can…

SAGITTARIUS 23 NOV-20 DEC Life seems to slip back to ‘normal’ come mid-month, and keeping things simple around Christmas could appeal. ■ For a weekly update call 09044 705708 CAPRICORN 21 DEC-20 JAN Not overthinking seems wise, possibly as you await developments with another or others. January should be fruitful. ■ For a weekly update call 09044 705709 AQUARIUS 21 JAN-18 FEB Some things are a little bit up in the air, so trust any instinct that seems to say ‘wait and see’. ■ For a weekly update call 09044 705710 PISCES 19 FEB-20 MARCH Journeys, meetings and offers could feature, and you seem to come out on the winning side of a certain deal. ■ For a weekly update call 09044 705711 ARIES 21 MARCH-19 APRIL It's time to…

Rise of the grandma heel The sensible shoe that you probably loathed as a schoolgirl is having its day (again!). Even high-fashion Vogue magazine is recognising that this is the season of the ‘grandma’ heel, with socialites shunning stilettos in favour of comfort. In glamorous circles, shoes with modest low block heels of around two inches and MaryJane-style straps are becoming increasingly popular. Dames Judi Dench, Joanna Lumley and Penelope Wilton are backing Age UK's ‘Together We're Not Alone’ campaign this Christmas. ‘No older person should feel like they don't have anybody to talk to,’ says Dame Judi following news that 1.4 million elderly people last year faced eating Christmas dinner alone. They're urging people to donate to the charity appeal and help end loneliness. ageuk.org.uk/christmasappeal SAFE, WARM SLEEP If…

Love is all around Dame Maureen Lipman this Christmas, on stage and off. At 78, she's avidly looking at wedding venues with her fiancé David Turner, also 78, a business consultant who she proposed to after they met via a poetry website. We've spent an awful lot of time since then saying, ‘How did this happen?’ admits Maureen, whose late husband, the writer Jack Rosenthal, passed away in 2004. ‘It's all very exciting. We're enjoying this unexpected Indian summer of late love together which has taken us both by surprise. We're very grateful that it's happened because it's amazing. I recommend it.’ This Christmas, she's even appearing in a panto being billed as ‘one of the most romantic of all time’. As Mrs Potty the teapot in Beauty and the…

Honey is very friendly and loves playing with other dogs. We love her so much and celebrated her first birthday on 10 September. Sylvia Washington, Somerset Our breakfast guest, Tygar, is 11 years young, she loves sitting in the sun while eating her food. Brian Wishaw, by email Meet Mabel, a very affectionate sphinx cat. She loves getting close to people as she hates the cold, and wears lots of tiny knitted jumpers! Brenda Matthews, Chorley GET IN TOUCH Send us a picture of your pet with personality, tell us their likes, dislikes and age and if we print it you'll receive a £10 cheque…

Christmas cosmo Serves: 1 Takes: 10min ■ Ice cubes ■ 50ml gin ■ 15ml Cointreau ■ 15ml lime juice ■ 15ml Simple syrup (see Tip) ■ 30ml cranberry juice ■ 30ml strong cold brew ■ Prosecco or Champagne ■ Fresh cranberries and a rosemary or mint sprig, to garnish 1 Fill a cocktail shaker with ice, then add the gin, Cointreau, lime juice, syrup, cranberry juice and coffee. 2 Shake vigorously to create a stiff foam, strain into a Martini glass and top with a splash of prosecco or Champagne. Garnish with fresh cranberries and a rosemary or mint sprig. CELESTE'S TIP For a sugar syrup, boil 125ml water and 125g granulated sugar over a medium heat, stirring, until the sugar has dissolved. Cool, then store in a resealable bottle…

YOU WILL NEED ■ James C Brett Twinkle DK (3% polyester, 97% acrylic, 300m per 100g ball) DK (light worsted) weight yarn. 1 ball in each of: ■ Green shade TK37 (A) ■ White shade TK2 (B) ■ 25cm diameter wicker wreath, sprayed with artificial snow ■ Ribbon for a hanging loop ■ 3mm crochet hook ■ Yarn needle ■ Hot glue gun TENSION 15 sts x 15 rows = 7 x 6.5cm working double crochet, using a 3mm crochet hook ABBREVIATIONS ch = chain sl st = slip stitch dc = double crochet htr = half treble crochet FINISHED MEASUREMENTS Wreath: 25cm diameter Each mistletoe (beg of stem to tip of leaf): 7cm ■ Can't get this yarn? Find a suitable alternative at yarnsub.com Difficulty rating: Mistletoe wreath The…

NEWS YOU CAN USE HOW TO PLAN FOR LIVING LONGER Brace yourself for the possibility of living longer. The number of centenarians in the UK is expected to grow by 200% over the next 25 years, according to the Office for National Statistics. However, more than a third of people (35%) are worried about their money running out if they live to the ripe old age of 100, according to research by Canada Life. The research also found that people are not discussing the potential implications of living longer with their family or loved ones, such as care and inheritance plans. Just half of the UK population have discussed their intentions. Failing to plan can mean people don't stash enough cash for retirement during their working life or may unintentionally…

The flag-waving personality and grumpy crudeness of Thirties comedian Leslie Fuller has been almost entirely forgotten, perhaps because he is so historically and, somewhat irretrievably, rooted in the camaraderie of the Great War. Indeed, Fuller was stuck in the essence of the trenches. In the summer of 1914, 25-yearold Albert Leslie Fuller had joined up, as a Second Lieutenant with the Huntingdonshire Cyclist Battalion. A keen cyclist, and frustrated performer, Fuller had grabbed the opportunity of forming a knockabout concert party for the regiment. With all that bicycle action they were inevitably dubbed The Ped'lers! ‘He was Margate's favourite comedian and film star’ Leaving the Forces in 1919, Fuller was canny enough to retain the rights to both The Ped'lers’ name and their comedy sketches. They were to serve him…

Retired Christine from Kent would like male/female penpals from the Scottish Highlands or Islands. She loves Celtic music, wild places, reading, cooking and travel. DEC1-101 Widow Jackie, 72 from County Durham would like to meet a non-smoker gentleman with a good sense of humour for socialising. She loves walking, meeting up with friends and enjoying life. DEC-102 Driver John, in his 80s is fit for his age, 6ft tall with a full head of silver hair. He would like to meet a lady of similar age in the Crewe/Nantwich/Sandbach area. DEC-103 Puzzle-mad Linzy, from South Pembrokeshire is 68. She is looking for penpals/friends to meet up for coffee, days out and short breaks. She loves the sea, dogs, reading and food. DEC-104 Patricia is a young 86 from Bristol and…

Dear readers, Isn't it a relief that none of us has a crystal ball and we haven't a clue what awaits us as we usher in the New Year with a glass of fizz and – in my case – a kiss on the cheek from grandson AJ, five? Goodness, if we had the faintest inkling of the sneaky potholes in the road ahead we'd get into bed, pull the duvet over our heads and give the whole thing a miss. When 2024 began, I was still struggling to come to terms with a horribly public break up in January 2023. I'd stayed in a distressing relationship for far too long for fear of being alone. Yet, here I was, in the position I'd dreaded, trying to put a happy…

MY LIFE lessons There's not much Julian Clary hasn't successfully turned his hand to during his career. Starting out in stand-up, he began appearing on TV in the Eighties and now has a plethora of acting credits to his name. Then there's the annual London Palladium pantomime appearances, his series of children's books, his first murder mystery novel, Curtain Call to Murder and a stint in the Big Brother house. And across his career spanning 40plus years, the 65-yearold has learnt a lot along the way… It's important to be grateful for opportunities Every time I arrive at the London Palladium and walk onto that stage something ethereal happens. I remember the first time I did the Palladium in the Nineties – doing my own show there – and now…

A dairy cow has given birth to extremely rare quadruplet calves. The bull and three heifers are thriving at Calcourt Farms in Wernllwyd, Powys. The chance of them all being born alive was just one-in-11 million. Matthew Hicks, the farm's fertility manager said, ‘This is a once-in-a-career, probably lifetime, experience. I'd say we might have a set of twins a month, twins do happen. But quads? Never.’ The world's loudest animal has been discovered in the sea and it's only 2in long! Pistol shrimp, also known as snapping shrimp, are capable of producing sounds up to 189 decibels with the snap of their large claws. That is louder than a rocket launch, a live music gig and even fireworks, according to the Royal Institute for Deaf People. When they snap…

WORK PARTY Not only will this velvet blazer make your dress feel more professional, but it will look great with jeans too! Gold plated VISITING FAMILY Feel cosy in an embellished cardigan paired with trendy flats. LUNCH WITH FRIENDS Red and berry hues are ideal for making this metallic style feel more casual. DINNER DATE Amp up the glam factor with this plush faux-fur jacket, which looks – and feels – more expensive than it is! CHRISTMAS EVE DRINKS Nothing says party season like sequins! This cropped jacket is ideal for jazzing up almost any outfit. Supermarket steal…

Festive truffle tart Serves: 16 Takes: 15min, plus chilling FOR THE BASE ■ 350g cookies and cream biscuits (I use Oreos) ■ 125g unsalted butter, melted FOR THE FILLING ■ 230g dark chocolate, broken into pieces ■ 280ml double cream TO DECORATE ■ About 20 chocolate truffles (I use Lindt Lindor truffles) ■ Festive or gold sprinkles (optional) 1 For the base, put the biscuits into a food processor and process until finely crushed. Alternatively, put them into a plastic bag and crush with a rolling pin. Tip into a medium mixing bowl, then pour in the melted butter and mix until fully combined. 2 Pour into a deep, loose-bottomed pie tin, pressing down firmly into the base and around the edges with the back of a spoon to create your…

What you're reading… Guilty by Martina Cole and Jacqui Rose (Headline, £25) ‘Another brilliant read from the Queen of gangland crime,’ says Jill Reading. Steph Barker runs a shelter for local prostitutes. When her friend goes missing, Steph suspects violent pimp Artie Rogers whose reign of terror is out of control. As more women disappear, the tension rises, and dark secrets come to light. Lone Wolf in Lights by Stacey Kennedy (Afterglow, £8.99) ‘Sweet, spicy and tackles some interesting themes,’ says Dawn Keel. Willow leaves the city to open a bar in cowboy country, but ruffles some local feathers. Enter ex-bull rider Eli with a solution… A fake relationship to get the town off her back – what could possibly go wrong? The Christmas Stocking Murders By Denzil Meyrick (Bantam,…

With her trademark honesty, humour and vulnerability, Brenda Edwards has been a Loose Women staple since joining the panel in 2019. It's easy to forget, in fact, that Brenda, 55, began her career almost two decades ago on The X Factor. And now, the presenter is returning to her musical roots as she plays Matron ‘Mama’ Morton in the UK tour of Chicago. Brenda sat down with Yours to talk juggling TV and theatre, how music has helped her through loss, and her hopes for 2025. Hi Brenda! Does Chicago have a particular poignancy for you? Chicago was the first musical I went into after reaching the semifinal of The X Factor in 2005 and it has a special place in my heart as a result. It is a wonderful…