Tabla de contenidos para Issue 481 en Yours Magazine

Earlier this month, a few of my colleagues and I joined the brilliant Cash for Kids team to help them raise money for vulnerable children. I only sold cakes and pushed a drinks trolley around Yours HQ, but in total the charity managed to raise over £1 million, which will go towards meals and fun activities for kids this summer. It was a brilliant day and it felt so lovely to be helping – even in such a small way. But that’s the nice thing about volunteering; you’re not just helping others, doing your bit also boosts your own mental health. In fact, Action for Happiness, a charity that aims to create a happier world, lists ‘giving’ as one of the most important keys to happier living. And in this…

There’s a spring in the step of Emmerdale actress Natalie Robb and it’s not just the much-awaited change in the Yorkshire weather. Last year the actress sadly lost her beloved dog Bronson, her loyal companion of 13 years. His death understandably knocked her for six, but the arrival of her new four-legged friend, Buddy, has helped put a smile back on her face. ‘Last year was quite a tough year for me,’ Natalie reflects. ‘Bronson was 15 and his death was very peaceful – he was at home – but the grief was incredible. You don’t know how something is going to hit you. ‘Some people say, “Oh, it’s just a dog”, but he was like my furry best friend. He was my soul mate really. It was just me…

Have you ever watched the animated musical, Sing, and wondered if animals are hiding their Celine Dion-esque vocal abilities? You’d be surprised to know you’re not entirely wrong. A study by the University of Warwick found that young Madagascan lemurs can sing, although their abilities are more similar to young children’s than pop divas. Researchers discovered that lemurs develop their vocals as they age and sadly, like humans, not every lemur was born for the stage. The arrival of a male bearcat to Paignton Zoo has keepers hopeful a romance will spark between him and long-time resident, Fig. Carlo has been paired with Fig to see if the two will mate and help save their vulnerable species from extinction. Bearcats, also known as Binturongs, have a surprisingly popcorn-like scent and…

OCEAN PRINTS Move over monochrome, blue and white prints are taking over and they’re perfect for the seaside. TROPICAL MOTIFS Not only will these exotic prints get you into the holiday spirit, but they’ll help to hide all kinds of lumps and bumps, too. SHAPEWEAR SOLUTIONS Need a body confidence boost? Opt for a swimsuit with built-in tummy control technology. FULLER BUST OPTIONS Specialised separates will provide plenty of support where you need it, without compromising on the fit around your waist or hips. OPTICAL ILLUSIONS Dark panels, stripes and wide waistbands are clever shortcuts to a streamlined silhouette.…

Pasta primavera with asparagus & peas Cost per serving £1.25 Serves: 4 Takes: 15-17min ■ 300g fusilli ■ 2tbsp olive oil ■ 1 leek, thinly sliced ■ Salt and freshly ground black pepper ■ 250g asparagus, trimmed and cut in half lengthways ■ 300g frozen peas ■ 50g pecorino or other Italian hard cheese, finely grated ■ 225g cherry tomatoes, halved ■ Fresh thyme sprigs, to garnish (optional) 1 Cook the pasta according to the pack instructions and drain (reserving half a ladleful of the cooking water). 2 After the pasta has been cooking for 5min, heat the oil in a large, deep-sided frying pan over a low heat. Add the leek, season with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally, for 6min, until softened. 3 Add the asparagus, peas and…

Make it this weekend We used a mix of stones, pebbles & shells, but you can upcycle broken tiles, glass, china & pottery (wearing protective gloves!) From £16.99 YOU WILL NEED ■ Weather resistant saucer: If you haven’t already got one, try 41cm Glazed Saucer White, £29.99 markeatongardencentre.co.uk ■ Sheet of card or large piece of paper & pencil ■ Mixed stones & pebbles: Fantian Pebbles for Pots, £9.99/900g amazon.co.uk ■ Shells, from £2/12 hobbycraft.co.uk ■ Mosaic tile grout, £5/500g hobbycraft.co.uk ■ Outdoor spatula or palette knife ■ Watering can 1 Draw round the outside edge of the saucer on the card or paper. 2 Arrange the stones, pebbles and shells. Allow for the thickness of the saucer rim around the edge. 3 Mix the grout to a fairly thick…

THE 39 STEPS (1935) Alfred Hitchcock’s adaptation of John Buchan’s spy thriller has the debonair Richard Hannay (Robert Donat) on the run and handcuffed to a troublesome, but beautiful companion Pamela (Madeleine Carroll). To put them in the right frame of mind for filming the escape scenes, Hitchcock handcuffed the couple together and pretended to have lost the key for several hours. Hitchcock changed Buchan’s story to such an extent that when, during a private screening, he asked the author what he thought of the movie he is rumoured to have replied, ‘Fascinating! I wonder how it will end!’ THE AFRICAN QUEEN (1951) Degenerate gin-swilling steamboat captain (Humphrey Bogart) and uptight spinster (Katharine Hepburn) are mismatched from the start. Travelling together through war-torn Africa, they face numerous dangers and slowly…

Least said, soonest mended!’ That’s how Brenda Cowling, playing the no-nonsense, gruff, but sweetly romantic cook Mrs Lipton in You Rang, M’Lord? (1988-93) would immediately halt an awkward situation: a gift to the veteran actress from writers Jimmy Perry (who was a pal from drama school) and David Croft. Much more than a pastiche of Angela Baddeley’s Mrs Bridges in Upstairs, Downstairs (1971-75), Brenda brought her long experience to the role. She had harsh venom and real heart. Having studied shorthand and typing as a back-up career, Brenda enrolled into the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. Soon after, she was cast by Alfred Hitchcock for his British-based theatre-set thriller Stage Fright (1950). Brenda played… a well-built RADA student! Film and television would continually see Brenda as the brittle battle-axe and…

What you’re reading…. Count My Lies by Sophia Stava (Century, £16.99) ‘Enough twists and turns to keep you guessing to the end,’ says Anna Smith. Sloane tells herself the lies are harmless as she worms her way into being a nanny for New York couple Jay and Violet. But she soon discovers she’s not the only one lying and her employers’ picture-perfect life hides a dangerous secret. The Mourning Necklace by Kate Foster (Mantle, £16.99) ‘Full of rich and evocative historical detail,’ says Amanda Morpeth. In 18th-Century Edinburgh, Maggie Dickson is hanged for the murder of her new-born child. Against all odds, she survives the execution and now must find a way to prove her innocence before she is hanged again. Secrets of the Toffee Factory Girls by Glenda Young…

* So much of the way we watch and enjoy sports is determined by people behind the scenes. There are nutritionist for the athletes, mechanics in sports such as cycling, Formula One, and groundsmen. Their importance shouldn’t be overlooked. My grandfather was a groundsman at a cricket club in Cheltenham. He was called a curator then. He prepared and maintained the venue, which needed constant maintenance and specialised care. He loved his job and, in those days, he only earned a few pounds for the privilege and free tickets to the games! People behind the scenes work so hard and need more appreciation. Dani Roberts, Ruthin, Wales Yours says: Behind every successful team, there’s usually another team! ◆ Our star letter will receive a stunning Lush Lilacs bouquet with chocolates…

Theatre It may not have been one of Disney’s biggest box-office hits, but the 1997 animated movie Hercules has become a cult favourite – and in June, it arrives at London’s Theatre Royal Drury Lane as a stage musical. Luke Brady plays the mythical strongman who is more than mortal but not quite a god – which means it’s going to take all his power to save the world from the villainous Hades. herculesthemusical.co.uk Podcast She’s previously explored the lives of female murderers in Lady Killers, but in her new podcast series, historian Lucy Worsley is turning her attention to con artists and thieves. Lady Swindlers unearths stories of everyone from the ‘Bobbed Haired Bandit’ who held up grocery stores in Twenties America to a trio of supposedly psychic sisters,…

If it’s your birthday this fortnight… You are born under Gemini, sign of the heavenly twins, Castor and Pollux, or the mythical Dioscuri, warrior brothers, one of whom died in battle, leaving his sorrowful sibling forever restlessly searching for his lost other half. Geminis are always moving forwards, questioning, curious about life, needing space, natural communicators, often lithe in body as they can forget to eat! ■ Famous Geminis celebrating this fortnight include Angelina Jolie, Kylie Minogue, Sally Dynevor and actor Brian Cox (pictured). SAGITTARIUS 23 NOV-20 DEC There’s a lot coming together with cosmic shifts taking you beyond an unsettling phase. ■ For a weekly update call 09044 705708 CAPRICORN 21 DEC-20 JAN Opportunities shine for you now, with past connections featuring. Twosomes and teams could do rather well.…

A return to Rutshire If you loved watching the hit TV series Rivals, you’ll be as thrilled as Dame Jilly Cooper to hear that filming for the second series is already under way. The show, based on her raunchy Eighties novel and starring David Tennant, Alex Hassell and Aidan Turner, became Disney+’s most successful general entertainment premiere ever in the UK. ‘It was magical working on the first season and seeing everyone fall head over heels for my beloved characters,’ said Jilly. Based in fictional Rutshire, it featured her old favourite character, Rupert CampbellBlack, and ended with Lord Tony Baddingham knocked unconscious in his office. Poignant petals Naming roses after royalty is nothing new – it happened in honour of Queen Elizabeth ll, Princess Anne and Princess Diana. But there’s…

She may have graced the big screen alongside some of Hollywood’s greatest such as Meryl Streep, Dame Judi Dench and Sir Anthony Hopkins, but when she’s not on set, Olivia Colman relishes being at home. The 51-year-old star loves spending time with her writer-producer husband Ed Sinclair and their kids – sons Finn, 20, and Hall, 18, and a nine-year-old daughter whose name they haven’t revealed – at their London home. ‘I love spending time with my husband and children. For me it’s the little things that bring me the most joy, like all sitting down together for a Sunday roast,’ she says. Olivia and Ed, who met while studying at Cambridge University, have been married since 2001. He’s been the most supportive husband throughout her career, being by her…

‘I pass on the kindness shown to me’ For some, volunteering can be a cathartic experience and a chance to give back. Sue Sadler, 64, knows that she’s only alive and well today because of the kindness of strangers. Aged 45, a series of unexpected events meant that Sue suddenly found herself homeless. ‘I moved from Yorkshire to Coventry after my husband Philip died, feeling that I needed a fresh start. I stayed with friends and got a job as a cleaner,’ Sue says. But then she was diagnosed with breast cancer. The stress caused epileptic seizures and she lost her job. ‘My friends were great, but they had plans to emigrate and I hadn’t lived locally long enough to qualify for a council house. Suddenly, I found myself homeless.…

TACKLE ‘TURKEY’ NECK For many, neck creases and those dreaded jowls seem to appear from nowhere. They’re often caused by our collective habit of only applying facial products as far as the jawline. And an increasing trend of staring down at our phone screens has led to the relatively new phenomenon dubbed ‘tech neck’, too. Dedicated neck creams, such as This Works Perfect Cleavage and Neck Serum, £36, to restore tone and moisture to the skin. Apply in firm, upward strokes, to avoid pulling the skin downwards and increasing the sagginess. Make sure you apply broad-spectrum sun cream to your neck every day to protect against further UVA damage, while a massage tool can help to stimulate the tissues to help plump lines and tighten slack skin. Try Nivea Sun…

Add fresh foliage for texture NATURAL ADD GREEN A natural scheme will always benefit from an injection of green. This will enhance the organic tones of the room and, if your existing décor is rustic, then a soft green is the perfect match. WHITE ADD HOT PINK Liven up white walls with pops of hot pink. Bold prints offer an instant refresh, or you could spray-paint the legs of your desk and chairs for a subtle transformation. Alternatively, adding a few carefully selected accessories can make a big impact. GREY ADD YELLOW If you’re still loving the grey trend, add a splash of lemon or butter yellow to brighten up your space this summer. It’s the perfect pop of colour for small rooms, and works especially well in a bedroom…

Difficulty rating: YOU WILL NEED □ Big Wool from Rowan (100% wool), 80m to 100g, 1 ball in Concrete □ 1.5m of yarn in another colour (this pattern used Jumbo yarn from Lauren Aston Designs in Lilac) □ Pair of 10mm knitting needles □ Large darning needle □ 15mm crochet hook (optional) □ Fabric for lining (optional) □ Sewing needle and thread to match fabric SIZE When closed, the clutch measures approximately 24cm wide and 18cm tall ABBREVIATIONS st(s) – stitch(es) inc = increase rep = repeat K2tog = knit two together beg = beginning ■ Can’t get this yarn? Find a suitable alternative at yarnsub.com The little clutch combines simple techniques and stitches to create a fun pattern and texture that work well together. If you choose to line…

After seeing the pilot of the new show, NBC executives were so impressed they immediately commissioned a whole series, but with one stipulation – that a secondary player be removed from the cast. They told producer Norman Felton to drop the character whose name began with a K. ‘Will Kuluva?’ Felton offered, assuming that the network had been unimpressed by the actor’s performance as Mr Allison. Only later did it come to light that the network had meant the character Illya Kuryakin. By then, it was too late: actor David McCallum had been signed up to continue playing him. Yet Kuryakin (and McCallum) would turn out to be one of the main secrets to the show’s success. It’s just one example of the way The Man from U.N.C.L.E. succeeded despite,…

When the doorbell sounded, Karen was delighted that her miniature poodle jumped up to alert her. ‘Good boy,’ she said, making a fuss of him. Karen has been a dog trainer with Hearing Dogs for Deaf People for 11 years, having become involved with the organisation because her mum has been deaf since childhood. ‘I saw the struggles she’s had to face,’ she says. ‘I’ve seen her being pushed out of the way, accused of being drunk, and withdrawing in group conversations.’ Although her mum doesn’t have an assistance dog, Karen (67) was determined to help people who suffered from hearing loss. The puppies come to her when they’re eight weeks old and stay for up to 18 months or two years before going to their new owner. ‘I always…

£10 cheque for every letter published Soap misery ◆ I agree with Joanna Barlow about Coronation Street (Yours 477). I’ve always watched it and Emmerdale. They used to be light relief but now they compete to be most miserable! Such a shame. It’s a joy when Yours arrives! Helen Slaymaker, Bucks Where’s the fun? ◆ In the past I’ve followed Coronation Street and Emmerdale every week. Not any more! Recently, I’ve found the storylines so upsetting with plots that are difficult to follow and drag on for far too long. I know there must be light and shade to reflect real life but where’s the lighthearted fun we used to see? Rosemary Rich, Poole, Dorset Depressing viewing ◆ I fully agree with Joanna Barlow about Coronation Street being too depressing.…

Walking with Dinosaurs Sunday 25 May, BBC1 It’s 25 years since the BBC aired the ratings-busting Walking with Dinosaurs, so we were long overdue a sequel. The new series draws on a mix of stateof-the-art visual effects and the latest scientific research to bring more Jurassic giants back to life, showing how they lived, hunted and died, with more accuracy than ever before. The dinos on display include the Albertosaurus, a smaller but still deadly relative of the T-Rex, which could reach speeds of up to 30 miles per hour, and the plant-eating Pachyrhinosaurus, which used to gather in mega-herds of up to 40,000. Death Valley Sunday 25 May, BBC1 If you liked last year’s quirky detective drama Ludwig, then the BBC’s new comedy crime series, Death Valley, should be…

By the age of 15 Rupert Everett knew he wanted to be a star. Embarking on a path he felt destined for, he left school and enrolled at London’s Central School of Speech and Drama, before making his debut in the 1984 film, Another Country. With 50 years of film and theatre under his belt, Rupert, who came out as gay in 1989, has worked with the likes of Julia Roberts in My Best Friend’s Wedding and Madonna in The Next Best Thing, along with roles in the West End and on Broadway. Here he opens up to Yours about how his school days shaped him and shares his thoughts on ageing… Embrace rejection Acting does involve a fair share of being told ‘no’. It comes in various shapes and forms,…

Caramel is our lovely rescue chicken. She loves roaming in the garden looking for bugs. She’s very fond of my son Ollie who calls her his BFFF – best feathered friend forever. Nikki Richardson, Withyham Meet eight-year-old Mr Dylan. He hates going out in the rain but loves snoozing with his caterpillar. Helen Sharpe, by email This is my big boy, Bruce! Our rescue cat has a very loving nature. Bruce is eight years old and the one thing he loves most is food. Charnelle McEwen, Norwich 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…

■ I’d admired the pattern of this shawl in Yours and showed my daughter, Clare, who’s a keen knitter. I was delighted when she surprised me with it on Mother’s Day. Diana Thompson, via email ■ I’ve just finished crocheting a chimpanzee. He’s got such a cute face that I don’t think I can give him away. Well, not just yet! Ruth Slack, Belper, Derbyshire ■ Here are some of the hearts I love making to share with family and friends. Nadine Cole, via email GET IN TOUCH We love to see your makes. Please share your creations with us using the contact details on page 3.…

NEWS YOU CAN USE MONEY-SAVING MARRIAGE! If April’s increase in the State Pension has pushed you or your spouse into paying income tax, you might be able to get a tax break just for being married. Last month, the full new State Pension rose from £11,502 to £11,973 a year, which is only slightly below the £12,570 Personal Allowance, the amount people are typically allowed to earn each tax year, before starting to pay income tax. If you are married or in a civil partnership, and one of you is a basic-rate taxpayer, while the other doesn’t earn enough to pay tax, check out the Marriage Allowance. It works by transferring a chunk of the Personal Allowance from the non-taxpayer to the person who does pay tax. In practice, it…

Margaret, 79, from Scotland is widowed, she loves music, reading, TV and family. She is hoping to meet new penpals, male/female to exchange views, thoughts etc. MAY2-101 Fit and active Norma, early 80s, would like to meet a kind, caring gentleman with similar interests. She enjoys walks, cinema, theatre and dining out. Co Durham area. MAY2-102 Single lady, Brenda, 57, an animal lover who enjoys reading, recently joined a female choir and likes dancing. She hopes to find other ladies in the Ilford/east London area to meet up with. Would prefer to correspond via email. MAY2-103 Lesley, 70, from east London would like to meet a kind, caring gentleman with a happy disposition. Her hobbies include reading, pets and board games. MAY2-104 Tracey is hoping to find penpals in the…