Tabla de contenidos para Issue 475 en Yours Magazine

It's March at last (even though it often feels like we're still in the middle of winter) which means one thing in the Ventre household – time for my big spring clean. It's an opportunity to not only give our home a good scrub, but also to sort through absolutely everything in it – reminding me of what I've got, where everything is and, most importantly, it encourages me to find new homes for the items I no longer need. It's exhausting but hugely rewarding. If you're also planning to spruce up your home, we've got lots of great tips, tricks and clever products in our cleaning special! Also, in this issue is a chat with Dame Judi Dench who reveals how her faith has helped her over the years,…

She might be turning 91 this year but Judi Dench is determined not to let her age stop her continuing to live her life to the fullest. When recently asked about the prospect of celebrating her 100th birthday she replied, ‘Well I hope so! That would be nice. I'll try and make 100.’ Determination is something Dame Judi could never be accused of lacking during her incredible acting career. ‘You set your mind to a goal and go for it,’ the Oscar winner told reporters firmly in 2013 at the premiere of her movie Philomena. ‘You set your mind to a goal and go for it’ Just six weeks earlier Judi had undergone knee surgery but she was adamant it wouldn't stop her walking the red carpet at the upcoming…

The Big Cat Sanctuary in Kent has adopted the only Asian golden cat in the country. Frank is a ‘beautiful’ terracotta orange cat, whose species is native to south-east Asia. The cats are a vulnerable species because of the deforestation in their natural habitat. Sanctuary curator, Briony Smith, shared how Frank is ‘settling in incredibly well and we look forward to getting to know him’. Pygmy hippo Moo Deng has a new high-profile admirer who's donated a large sum to give her home a makeover. The baby pygmy hippo is a star attraction at a zoo in Thailand and continues to steal hearts around the globe with her cuteness. So much so, Canadian cryptocurrency tycoon Vitalik Buterin donated $293,000 to the zoo and signed up to its Wildlife Sponsorship Program,…

Breakfast pizzas Serves: 4 Takes: 30min, plus cooling if needed Cost per serving £1.65 ■ 2 x 145g pkt pizza base mix (see Tip) ■ Flour for dusting ■ 420g can baked beans ■ 100g prosciutto, torn ■ 125g cherry tomatoes, halved ■ 125g mozzarella, torn ■ 4 eggs 1 Preheat the oven to 220°C/fan 200°C. Prepare the pizza base mixes according to the pack instructions. Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for 5min until smooth. Divide into four equal-sized pieces. Roll each piece out to approx 16cm rounds, and transfer to two large oven trays. 2 Spoon the baked beans evenly over each base, spreading to the edges. Top with the prosciutto, tomatoes and mozzarella. 3 Bake the pizzas for 5min. Take out of the oven and…

CELEBRATE THE SEASON Cyclamen-flowered daffodil Daffs come in all shapes and sizes but this petite Narcissus cyclamineus has, despite its small size, won a big place in our hearts. Reminiscent of cyclamen flowers, vivid yellow petals sweep back to reveal slender trumpets. Pop it in a pot and it can't fail to fill you with the joys of spring! Looking glass’ Brimming with shimmering silverinfused foliage, this Brunnera macrophylla will illuminate the shadiest of spots in any garden. Hadspen cream A perfect combination of bright-blue flowers and heart-shaped green leaves edged with creamy-yellow, this looks lovely in partially shaded borders. Sea heart This new variety has got us head over heels with its heart-shaped, green-veined silver leaves. Sprays of pink and blue flowers add to its appeal in spring.…

Difficulty rating: YOU WILL NEED □ Hobbycraft Baby Brilliance 1 x 100g ball of mint □ One pair of 3.5mm (UK size 9) knitting needles □ One pair of 4mm (UK size 8) knitting needles □ 7cm pom-pom maker □ Tapestry needle ABBREVIATIONS k = knit p = purl st st = stocking stitch, 1 row knit, 1 row purl garter st = knit all rows st(s) = stitches k2tog = knit 2 stitches together p2tog = purl 2 stitches together rem = remaining rep = repeat yf = yarn forward WS = wrong side RS = right side ■ Can't get this yarn? Find a suitable alternative at yarnsub.com Bobble hat (Head circumference 30cm) Using 3.5mm needles cast on 66 sts. Rib row 1: *k1, p1* rep *to* for…

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 Cash in on spring cleaning by clearing out your cupboards and selling stuff you no longer want or need at a car-boot sale. It may not bring in big bucks, but every little helps, and it can also be an enjoyable day out. Follow our tips to make the most money – from what sells, what to take with you and how to set up your stall. Swot up Discover the locations of sales near you via local listings or…

NEWS YOU CAN USE HOW TO CLAIM PENSION CREDIT Applications for Pension Credit have surged, since the government restricted Winter Fuel Payments to those receiving the means-tested benefit, but rejections have also increased. Just over half of Pension Credit claims processed between April and December 2024 were not awarded, according to a freedom of information request to the Department for Work and Pensions by financial advisers Quilter. Hundreds of thousands of lowincome pensioners are still missing out on Pension Credit, which is worth on average £3900 a year, and unlocks other benefits including free TV licences for those over 75, Council Tax discounts and help with housing costs. To receive Pension Credit, you must have reached State Pension age, currently 66, and have a weekly income below £218.15 if you…

Yours WHAT'S BEST test Bissell SpotClean Cordless Having previously rented bulky carpet cleaners, we were keen to discover how this cordless alternative would match up. It's really compact and charges quickly to set you up for 35 minutes of cleaning. It comes with specialist cleaning fluid which you dilute in the water compartment before hitting start. Being lightweight and portable, it can reach tricky areas, such as stairs and car seats, with ease. The 1.7m hose allows you to get a good coverage, and there is a convenient clip at the back which means storage is neat too. The cleaning power was effective on ground-in stains and gave the whole carpet a refresh. We feel confident that regular use will prolong the life of our carpets. ■ bissell.co.uk Hurricane 650W…

Just like in 1966 our TVs are about to be invaded by four madcap young guys who live in a beach house, get chased by villains and are in a rock ‘n’ roll band. For most young girls watching The Monkees, only one boy stood out. Dark hair, big brown eyes and even prettier than Paul McCartney – Davy Jones was the perfect heartthrob. And better than Paul, he was on TV every week, falling in love with girls who we could fondly imagine were us. We were hooked! The series hit all our young teen buttons. The boys in their kaftans and flowery shirts captured the hippy freedom vibe – and sang new songs every week at a time when all we had was Top of the Pops. It…

Keep moving girls! * I was very interested in your article about volunteering in issue 471 and thought you might like to hear about my experience. I run a weekly class of chair-based exercises for over 60s at our local hall. I put on Sixties music and we sing along and really enjoy ourselves. I've been running these classes for 11 years and we sometimes have as many as 30 people attending. Each person pays £2.50 and I save this money. When I've got enough I take us out for a meal. We've had fish and chip teas, Sunday lunch and cream teas. I try to keep things interesting and jolly. Over the years, I've had both my knee joints and my left hip replaced and find walking very difficult.…

Podcast Radio 3 has signed up some very impressive names to host its podcast series Facing the Music, including Michael Sheen, Toby Jones, Dominic West, David Suchet, Don Warrington and Maxine Peake. They'll tell some fascinating stories as they dive into the lives of the world's greatest composers, ranging from Ludwig van Beethoven to Duke Ellington, exploring what drove them to create such incredible and enduring music. Listen on BBC Sounds. Theatre Bram Stoker's classic horror has been brought to stage and screen many times before, but never quite like the new play Dracula, A Comedy of Terrors, which comes to the Menier Chocolate Factory in London. James Daly and Charlie Stemp are among the cast of five who take on multiple roles in a send-up that owes as much…

Dear readers, I passionately detest clutter. I'm not sure why I find a jumble of items so offensive. I realise it's entirely other people's business if they fancy living among piles of yellowing newspapers, ornaments from long-forgotten holidays and batches of defunct bus tickets. If they dump their unfolded washing on the living room sofa, leave hundreds of ‘bags for life’ spilling out of open drawers and let junk mail colonise their halls, it's no skin off my nose. I'll be truthful, though, clutter creeps me out. Too much stuff spreading all over a home makes me nervous, as if I might open a cupboard and be knocked flat by an avalanche of ancient trainers. I'm no Marie Kondo, but I am all about the edit. What is this item?…

My husband Rob and I had been living in our new home for just six months. We'd been married four years and decided this lovely house, on the outskirts of Cardiff, would be the place we'd start a family. It needed a few repairs – such as the broken doorbell. ‘We must get that fixed,’ I told Rob as he went to answer the door after hearing a loud knock one winter evening. ‘We've got a visitor,’ he said coming back into the kitchen. ‘You remember Ronnie Lockwood – he went to our Sunday school!’ Ronnie was a boy from the children's home, who was always a bit ‘different’. He'd disappeared, but now he was standing in our kitchen – a 30-year-old man, unshaven and shabbily dressed. He was holding…

Braised sausages & leeks Serves: 4 Takes: 30min Cost per serving £1.51 ■ 1tbsp vegetable oil ■ 8 good-quality pork sausages ■ 500g leeks, sliced ■ 25g plain flour ■ 450ml beef stock, made with 1 stock cube ■ 1tbsp Worcestershire sauce ■ 1tbsp wholegrain mustard 1 Preheat the oven to 200°C/ fan 180ºC. Heat the oil in a large frying pan over a medium heat, and fry the sausages for 5min to brown, turning often. Transfer to an ovenproof casserole dish. 2 Add the leeks to the frying pan and fry for 2min, stir in the flour and cook for 30sec before gradually whisking in the stock, Worcestershire sauce and mustard. Bring to the boil, stirring, then pour over the sausages. 3 Cover and bake for 20min or until…

Cardamine Happy under deciduous trees, the five-leaved cuckoo flower kickstarts spring with lilac blooms, then melts away to let summer plants shine. Leopard's bane Flowering for weeks on end, ‘Harpur Crewe’ (Doronicum excelsum) is a cheerful daisy that really packs a punch. Blue anemone For a picture-perfect spring vibe, plant divine daisy-like Anemone apennina among snowdrops and daffodils.…

It may be a chore for some for us, but Amanda Lamb admits she's enthusiastically preparing for her annual spring clean. In fact, the TV presenter admits she started two months ago! ‘I use January, February and March as my cleaning and decluttering months,’ Amanda, 51, tells Yours. ‘It's the perfect time of year to start thinking about your home. In winter we slumber down and hibernate but, as spring approaches, the days are longer and lighter, you can see blossom coming out of the trees and everything is bursting into life. In many ways it feels like you're waking up again.’ ‘Imagine there's a removal van outside your house’ And the mum-of-two explains, there are benefits both inside and out. She says, ‘I find cleaning and organising meditative. If…

REFRESH YOUR FLOORS You might be keeping on top of your floors, but giving them a regular, intensive going over will ensure they stay both hygenic and last longer. Steam cleaners are a great way to shift stubborn stains, without using harsh chemicals, and frequent carpet care will ensure you keep fibres fluffed and fresh. Treat your hallway to a new doormat for spring GET WINDOWS SPARKLING When the spring sunshine streams through the windows, it can highlight all kinds of streaks and dirt – so now is the perfect time to get them squeaky clean! These products are great for ensuring you get the perfect, streak-free finish. Window vacs are great for giving a streak-free finish to tiles and shower screens BLITZ YOUR BATHROOM Condensation can wreak havoc in…

Kevin, 70, from South Devon would like to meet a lady for outings. He enjoys walking, driving, 10-pin bowling and visits to the seaside. FEB2-101 Semi-retired Karen, 60s, from Kent is hoping to find a walking buddy. She is an animal lover, enjoys gardening, reading, volunteering and walks by the coast and in the countryside. Can travel within the Kent area. FEB2-102 Pat, 78, from Plymouth is looking for a kind, honest gent for friendship, perhaps more. She has a good sense of humour and enjoys reading, TV and holidays. She would like to get out more but would like a friend for company. FEB2-103 Miss W, early 70s, would like to meet a single gentleman in the North Yorks area. She loves cooking, reading, visiting National Trust properties, and…

In this historical drama set in the Fifties, Michelle Keegan plays nurse Kate Thorne, who is on a mission to expose the truth behind her heartbreaking story. She moved from the UK to Australia using the Australian government's migration scheme subsidising the cost of travelling to the country. As the series returns for a second run, we find Kate reunited with her son, Michael, who was adopted against her wishes. But is her happiness short-lived? We chat to Michelle, 37, about filming down under and what the series has in store… What do you love about this role? I love the historical aspect of the show. I didn't know much about the Ten Pound Poms scheme before I was cast. Being able to delve into the research and meet people…

MY LIFE lessons He's become one of Britain's best-loved presenters, equally at ease in the deserts of Australia, the fjords of Norway or at home in the countryside near London – and now Ben Fogle is telling eager fans all about it on his new tour, entitled Wild. From his early days on BBC show Castaway, to his recent Channel 5 series New Lives in the Wild, there's nothing he won't turn his hand to, or won't be talking about to enthralled audiences across the country. He has been happily married to wife Marina for nearly 20 years, and they have a son, Ludo, 15, and daughter, Iona, 13. We asked Ben what he has learnt over the years. Your upbringing doesn't decide your future From the window of my…

Two pairs of brown eyes stared eagerly up at me. It was October 2023 and I'd taken my papillon dogs Candy, three, and Tara, two, for a run in woodland near Darwen, Lancashire. I kept an eye on both of them as they played and, when it was time to go, I blew the dog whistle. Candy came bounding up straight away, but Tara was nowhere to be seen. I called her name, blew the whistle again and kept searching. But she'd completely vanished. There was a scattering of holes in the ground and, knowing that Tara loved rabbit holes, I thought, She's gone down one chasing a bunny! I called my husband Alistair, who rushed to help me search. Then I called the fire service in case Tara was…

Keep rough and dry skin on your arms and legs at bay with this body lotion. The delicate botanical aroma helps you to unwind before bed too. Get your make-up off to a strong start with this silky primer. Lavender oil helps to reduce redness and irritation on skin, creating a smooth base for your foundation. A quick spritz of this delicate pillow spray over your bedding will create an instant relaxing aroma that will help you nod off quickly. Mist over dry hair to fight flyaways, add shine and coat strands with this long-lasting yet subtle perfume. Solid soap bars are big news, and this one is packed full of nourishing ingredients, including shea butter, to protect and replenish skin. If a dry and itchy scalp is an issue…

Pimped-up supermarket pots Grab yourself some bargain readyto-flower spring bulbs from the shelves outside supermarkets and DIY stores and turn them into something special to herald the arrival of blissful warmer days. How to make ready-to-flower bulbs happy Water your potted bulbs well and leave for a few hours before planting in any container (just make sure there's a drainage hole) of multipurpose compost – feel free to squeeze in as many plants as possible. Remember to water regularly so that the compost stays moist but not soaked. For a repeat show next spring, cut or pull off dead blooms, leaving the flower stem in place. Continue to water as needed for six to eight weeks after the flowers fade, until the leaves die down, so all the energy goes…

These DIY planters are easy to make and look pretty too! YOU WILL NEED… □ Wooden battens, 3 x 60cm and 3 x 120cm lengths – if you need to buy them, try 3 x Smooth Planed Square Edge Whitewood Spruce Timber, L1.8m x W34mm x Thickness 18mm, £1.98 diy.com □ Exterior paint and brush  □ Drill and screws, hammer and nails □ 6 tin cans (file edges smooth to remove sharp edges) □ Strong wire, cut into 25cm lengths and pliers  □ Herbs and compost 1 Paint the battens, leave to dry and repeat if necessary. 2 Use the drill and screws to fix the battens into a trellis shape as shown. 3 Hammer nails into the horizontal battens to create some hooks. 4 Use the hammer and a nail to make…

The genesis rechargeable cell With a different look to many rechargeable lightbulbs, the genesis rechargeable cell has a dimmer switch and a battery life of 9-17 hours and takes just five hours to fully charge. ■ £36, pooky.com Cordless Rechargeable Lightbulb This bulb has a six-hour battery life with just a 1hour 30min charge time via USB. Whether you're using it as a night light, decorative piece or a torch, the bulb doesn't overheat so can be easily moved. ■ £28, Dunelm BOBOPAI USB Rechargeable Light Bulb For ultimate customisation, this bulb comes with a remote control to adjust the brightness, colour and timer. To keep track of your preferences, the bulb has a handy memory function that allows you to find the settings from the last use. ■ £9.99,…

TRAGIC BLONDE Jayne Mansfield tragically died a few years after this picture was taken. The young mum was just 34 years old and on her way to a TV interview. She was sitting in the front of a car with her driver, Ronnie Harrison, and her divorce attorney boyfriend, Samuel Brody. Three of her five children were in the back. The car hit a tractor and the front passengers were killed instantly. Thankfully the children survived, but were obviously heartbroken at the loss of their mother. Her youngest child is actress Mariska Hargitay, who is famous for playing Detective Benson on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. DID YOU KNOW? Elizabeth Taylor isn't the most-married Hollywood star – that title goes to Zsa Zsa Gabor who married nine different men.…

Character actress, spirited comedienne, and dependable woman of funny voices, Pearl Hackney was born in Burton upon Trent, in October 1916. She spent most of her formative years in Liverpool and made her first mark in showbusiness on the stage of the Windmill Theatre in London. Having trained as a ballerina under the guidance of Anna Pavlova, from the age of 15 Pearl was working the venue in the chorus. She had made her way up to principal dancer by the time she met an up-and-coming comedian by the name of Eric Barker. The couple married in 1936 and remained a near-constant fixture of Light Entertainment for decades afterwards. Their radio broadcasts together relied on a gleeful and natural shorthand of domestic bliss and knowing bickering. By the time of…

What you're reading…. Anything For You by Sophie McKenzie (Canelo Suspense, £5.99) ‘So many twists and turns, you'll be dizzy by the end,’ says Georgina Michael. Alison is horrified to find out her 18-year-old daughter, Lola, is seeing a man in his 40s. Even worse, he's the man who ruined her life two decades ago. Determined to break up the relationship, how far will Alison go to protect her daughter? Black Tag by Simon Mayo (Bantam, £16.99) ‘Great characters and clever plotting,’ says Amanda Wilton. When a prestigious London gallery burns, firefighters discover an unidentified body among the ashes, someone who shouldn't have been there. Crusading journalist Famie Madden seeks answers and uncovers the secrets of a deadly conspiracy waiting to be exposed. Notes on a Drowning by Anna Sharpe…

£10 cheque for every letter published Worth a try? ◆ When I visited Denmark and went shopping in a supermarket there, I discovered that they had a special department for single people. They sold small packs of butter, margarine, cheese, fruit etc to suit a pensioner. What a good idea! When you live alone, so much food is wasted. I do wish this idea could be adopted in supermarkets here. What do other readers think? Angela Patchett, Fleetwood, Lancs Chatterbox generation ◆ I have often noticed that the Gen Z age group of 18 to 24 years don't like talking on the phone. My grandson is in this group and recently we had 50 text messages between us over a simple question about birthday gifts. A quick call would have…

SAGITTARIUS 23 NOV-20 DEC You're turning things around at the core of your life, taking the bull by the horns and making things happen. ■ For a weekly update call 09044 705708 CAPRICORN 21 DEC-20 JAN Taking the time to explore fine print and research options may prove useful as you contemplate commitments. ■ For a weekly update call 09044 705709 AQUARIUS 21 JAN-18 FEB Something gets settled, possibly financial, and it could bring a sense of relief, maybe celebration. ■ For a weekly update call 09044 705710 PISCES 19 FEB-20 MARCH Something delayed or neglected gets sorted out, with a sense of breakthrough and improvement coming. ■ For a weekly update call 09044 705711 ARIES 21 MARCH-19 APRIL Prepare to shine your light in new ways and dare to…