Tabla de contenidos para Issue 488 en Yours Magazine

It seems that ladybirds were inescapable this summer. From our gardens and beaches being overrun, to an England cricket game being invaded mid-match, the pretty critters truly were the star of the season. The ladybird boom across the country was caused by warmer weather and plenty of food available for the insect. It was the largest swarm since the famed ladybird invasion in 1976, which saw many people bitten by them as they hunted for food. Food waste bins are hailed for supporting environmental sustainability and aiding recycling efforts. But in the New Forest, residents are hitting back at the council's introduction of the compostable caddies, as local donkeys have been rummaging through the waste and leaving trails of discarded food behind. The free-roaming donkeys cause chaos on bin collection…

A whopping 80% of us are suspected to be wearing the wrong bra size, but the time (and cost) of getting measured and stocking up on the correct size can feel frivolous. What if we told you that it could be as much of a health check as going to the optician or dentist? So much so, that the Society of Radiographers has called for bras to become VAT-free, as they argue that better breast support could save the NHS money. Here's why. Banish neck pain ‘I feel that the majority of women who are wearing a badly fitting bra, especially with a fuller bust, are experiencing shoulder pain, neck pain and headaches,’ says Katie Weir, lingerie expert and Curvy Kate's Bra Whisperer. ‘A lot of this is coming from…

We've all got that one bit of the garden that's just not pulling its weight. Maybe it's a fence that's faded over the years, a deck that's seen better days, or a corner that's become a dumping ground for pots and garden tools. But here's the good news: you don't need to start from scratch to make it fabulous. Garden designers are masters at spotting the potential in every patch, and now you can too. These easy, affordable updates will breathe new life into tired spaces, making the most of what you've already got and adding just enough style to make it feel fresh. Ready to fall back in love with your garden? Let's go! Turn logs into instant edge appeal Even the best-planned borders can start to feel a…

Recent research from One Poll, has revealed that answering trivia questions is one of our nation's favourite pastimes. Two-thirds (64%) of us take part in regular quizzes with other people in pubs and bars and many of us enjoy shouting the answers when watching brain teaser programmes on television. As experts are beginning to realise it's a case of ‘use it or lose it’ when it comes to cognitive ability, quizzers’ love of life-long learning can also help to keep them sharp. Getting on shows like Who Wants to be a Millionaire and The Chase, can be lucrative too – although most prizes are more modest. ‘Keep your finger on the pulse of what's happening’ We asked Mark Hughes, a contestant quizzer turned assistant producer, question writer, and researcher who…

Yours What's best test Draper Cordless D20 18V 21cm 2-in-1 Grass and Hedge Trimmer We love that this trimmer is cordless, meaning it would be suitable to use on gardens of all sizes. For the price, we were impressed by the quality – the build of the device feels solid and looks good. It comes with two attachments of differing sizes, the longer of which was very useful for tall trees and bushes. We started off by cutting through light hedges for a tidy up and it performed well. We found that it struggled with some of our thicker branches, so maybe this isn't the best choice for cutting back on a larger scale. Another thing to note about this trimmer is that it doesn't come with a battery, so…

NINE LIVES Perhaps the ultimate case of multiple roles, Alec Guinness famously played nine different members of the D'Ascoyne family in the celebrated Ealing comedy Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949). Some family members appear only briefly: naval ‘hero’, Admiral Lord Horatio, goes down with his ship, while the suffragette turned ill-fated balloonist, Lady Agatha, memorably falls to Earth in Berkeley Square. Other roles such as the amiable young amateur photographer and the doddery Reverend Lord Henry D'Ascoyne are more substantial. But in every case, the transformation is remarkable, while at the same time, always still very recognisably Alec Guinness. DEAD RINGER Bette Davis obviously had a thing about playing identical twins, assuming both roles in two films, A Stolen Life (1946) and Dead Ringer (1963), made nearly 20 years apart.…

£10 cheque for every letter published The right note ◆ I really enjoyed watching the Live Aid Concert again 40 years on. Where did that time go? It took me back to being a teenager in the Eighties when we were spoilt for choice of musical talent. Live Aid was when music took on the world. We all believed it was possible to change things. They may not have changed the world, but they certainly left an impression and gave so many of us memories we'll always treasure. Maria Mullins, Exeter, Devon Manners do matter ◆ After finishing my shopping, I was first in the queue for a bus. As it was getting longer, two well-dressed lads in school uniform aged around 13 to 14 appeared in front of where…

The very first episode of Downton Abbey, the period drama that introduced us to the Crawley family, was broadcast 15 years ago. The story is finally concluding with the new movie The Grand Finale. In cinemas on 12 September, the third and final film follows Robert Crawley aka the Earl of Grantham (Hugh Bonneville) and his household as they enter the Thirties, a decade of stark economic contrast in Britain, that brought significant social and cultural change. When new de facto head of the household, the eldest Crawley sister Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery) finds herself at the centre of a scandal following her divorce from Henry Talbot (Matthew Goode) and the family faces financial ruin (again), the Crawley family are forced to prepare for the future. ‘People love the nostalgia’…

A surge in dog adoption interest is down to Superman's super-cute dog, Krypto, who starred in the new Man of Steel movie. Fans loved the four-legged sidekick so much that Woofz, a dog training app, found that Google searches for ‘adopt a dog near me’ increased by a whopping 513% after the film's summer release. While many rescue pets will be rehomed, remember that adoption remains a real commitment.…

‘I remember thinking that Only Connect, where you compete by finding links between seemingly unrelated topics, was impossible,’ admits Mark. ‘But you can train yourself to recognise these associations. The New York Times website's game Connections is good training for that show. I write for a quiz show called Riddiculous, which uses riddles. ‘Practising with cryptic crosswords helps. Obviously taking part in trivia nights is good – although sometimes I get frustrated by poorly written pub quizzes! Try the online Quiz League of quizcentral.net for quality practice.’…

Whether you're enjoying a sunny day in the garden, taking a leisurely stroll in the countryside, or holidaying in the great outdoors, a portable solar charger means you don't have to worry about your phone or tablet running out of power. These easy-to-use gadgets capture energy from the sun, providing a simple and green way to keep your devices topped up wherever you are. Portable solar chargers are lightweight, compact and often fold up to fit in a bag or backpack. Most models have USB ports, so you can plug in your phone, camera, or other devices just like you would at home. Many are designed to be sturdy and weather-resistant, which means they'll stand up well to outdoor use. When choosing one, look out for the charger's power output…

Rockpools and sandcastles Devon is the ultimate nostalgic break, where families return year after year to relive their favourite holiday memories. Woolacombe's golden sands are made for rock pooling and building sandcastles, bringing joy to little ones and grown-ups alike. Salcombe's calm waters are perfect for paddling and ice creams by the shore, while over on the English Riviera, the seaside towns of Torquay, Paignton and Brixham offer retro charm in spades – think traditional piers, striped deckchairs, and scenic steam train rides along the coast. ■ Stay in style at the Trelawney Hotel, a charming Victorian retreat perched on Torquay's seafront heights, with rooms starting from £64.50 a night. Visit trelawneyhotel.co.uk Buckets of charm For Victorian charm and good old-fashioned fun, head to Scarborough. The historic South Bay is…

Hollywood mourned along with the rest of the world when news broke that Princess Grace of Monaco had been killed in a car crash at the age of 52. A statement from the royal palace said the former Oscar-winning actress had sustained fatal head injuries when her car careered over a cliff and plunged down a 100ft ravine. ‘I pulled on the handbrake but it wouldn't stop. I tried but I just couldn't stop the car’ Princess Stephanie It was initially thought that the brakes had failed on the 10-year-old Rover, which Grace was driving. Her youngest daughter Stephanie, 17, had also been in the car. Later examination of the wreckage threw doubt on the cause of the accident, and it was suggested the Princess had suffered a stroke, causing her…

It was midnight when they arrived. She carried the child, still sleeping, to the car deck and strapped him into his seat, then drove out with the handful of other vehicles onto the dock, with its shadowy industrial buildings, out of Kirkwall and into the country. She'd been expecting Perez to be up, waiting for her, the fire still lit. She'd texted when they'd come close to shore and phone signal had been restored. There'd been no response, but Jimmy was as taciturn in text as he was in speech. There were lights in the downstairs windows of the old manse when she drove up. She could see them seeping through gaps in the curtains that had been drawn against the cold. But when she let herself in, she could…

Happily settled on the sofa, I was watching Corrie with a cuppa when I heard the sound of a key in the front door. I froze. Who the heck was this? It must be my newlywed, middle-aged friends, Jack and Stella, arriving home early from their month-long honeymoon abroad on an exotic, sun-soaked, paradise island. I wondered why they'd needed to come home early and why they hadn't let me (their house-sitter) know about their sudden change of plan? Their 'second time around’ wedding had been a truly lovely day, full of fun, delicious food and plenty of wine, joy, laughter and music. It would stay in my memory for a long time. Anyway, back to the key in the door… grabbing the remote control, I quickly turned down the…

£1,550 WORTH OF PRIZES TO WIN! Wordsearch Hop from one line to the next as you search for all these stations on the London Underground. ANSWERS ON PAGE 109 ALDGATE ANGEL BAKER STREET BARBICAN BERMONDSEY BOROUGH CAMDEN TOWN CHARING CROSS COVENT GARDEN EMBANKMENT EUSTON GREEN PARK HOLBORN LIVERPOOL STREET LONDON BRIDGE MARBLE ARCH MARYLEBONE NINE ELMS OLD STREET OXFORD CIRCUS PADDINGTON PIMLICO SOUTHWARK ST JAMES'S PARK ST PAUL'S SWISS COTTAGE TEMPLE TOTTENHAM COURT ROAD VICTORIA WATERLOO WESTMINSTER WIN £100 WHERE IS SAMMY SQUIRREL? Find where he's hiding in this issue of Yours and you could win £100. To enter, fill in the Competitions answers coupon on page 112. Closing date for entries is 22 September 2025. More prizes to win at yours.co.uk WIN £50! TWO £50 PRIZES Prize crossword For this puzzle…

1 WIN WIN Entertainment • ITV1 If you've ever wanted the chance to win the same prizes as the studio contestants, but without leaving your sofa, ITV has invented a new game show just for you. Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins reunite for this Saturday evening quiz, with big prizes such as holidays, cars and tickets to sporting events all up for grabs. Most exciting of all, the series will build into an epic finale, where one contestant is guaranteed to win at least £1 million – and that person could be a viewer who made it through to the final! 2 THE FORSYTES Drama • 5 Period drama fans rejoice – John Galsworthy's epic novel series The Forsyte Saga is back on TV. This lavish retelling chronicles the lives of four…

A morning mist clings to the glassy surface of Rydal Water in the Lake District, casting a thin veil between the trees on the waterside – softly embracing the sun's first rays – and their painterly reflection. For now, it is calm on the surface; the shoreline's liquid imprint broken only momentarily by a coot or tufted duck as it glides idly by. Nestled by the water, and partially hidden among the foliage, is a boathouse; a subtle reminder of man's influence on this tranquil landscape. Rydal Water is one of the smallest lakes in the Lake District, at approximately three-quarters of a mile long and 55ft (17m) deep. Despite its size, it is extremely popular with visitors, due to its connection to English romantic poet William Wordsworth. His historic…

At the height of her tennis playing career, Sue Barker, 69, was ranked number three in the world. She won 15 World Tennis Association singles titles, including the French Open. But in 1977, she unexpectedly lost in the semi-finals at Wimbledon. After retiring in the mid-Eighties, Sue became one of the first female TV presenters of mainstream sport. She was host of BBC's Today at Wimbledon and, from 2000 until 2022, she presented coverage of the annual Championships. She also hosted quiz show A Question of Sport for more than 20 years. Although her brief romance with Cliff Richard in 1981 is perhaps her most talked about relationship, she has been happily married since 1988 to former policeman Lance Tankard, with whom she lives in the Cotswolds. Ahead of her…

My horses, Kate and Gwen, are the best of friends. They both love everything about life – from hanging around their stable and listening to the radio, to playing chase with my dogs. Lynda Jones, Oswestry Here is my sweet Daisy, relaxing in the garden in the sun. Patricia Cable, Woking This is Mollie celebrating her fourth birthday in style. She does not enjoy walking and prefers to be sleeping all day and having a good snore. She's the funniest dog around. Heather Tudor, Bristol 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…

Stifling my giggles, I called out to my twin sister Elma, ‘Quick, get out of sight!’ She darted around the corner, and we ducked behind a wall while our neighbour came to see who'd knocked at his door. Elma and I loved making mischief. We were born in Stockport in 1919, just 30 minutes apart. There were downsides to being a twin – we both hated the matching outfits our mother dressed us in, and sometimes we'd get into spats, but most of the time we were inseparable. Growing up, Elma was the life and soul of the party, while I was a bit quieter. We both loved a night out on the town, though, and heading off on shopping trips together. At 14, we both got jobs at the…

Each year, around five million people undergo surgery in the UK – from joint replacements to cancer treatments. What happens before the operation can help you get better faster. Prehab – getting into the best possible shape before an op - improves your chances of a better outcome. Here are some expert tips to go into your surgery fighting fit. Breathe easy ‘During and after surgery, your breathing may be affected by anaesthesia, pain and reduced mobility, increasing the risk of complications,’ says Professor John Dickinson, head of the Exercise Respiratory Clinic at the University of Kent. ‘Strengthening the muscles you use to breathe, particularly the diaphragm, can help you recover more quickly.’ Inspiratory Muscle Training (IMT), using a small, handheld device to create resistance to inhalation, can help. Professor…

Plum and green are ideal for this style your home Go for walnut and rustic furniture in a bedroom Mix textured fabrics and bold designs for a timeless look…

■ My memorial knitted display honours the veterans and heroes of the Second World War and sits proudly on the spare wheel on the bonnet of my ex-military Land Rover. Nikki Joseph-Eaton, via email ■ I've just finished crocheting this tiger. I loved making him - think I'll soon have a zoo! Ruth Slack, Belper, Derbyshire ■ This Magic Roundabout scene was made by the ladies of the Ruby Hunt crochet group and made an eye-catching display during the Donington Flower Festival. Mildred A Elliott, via email GET IN TOUCH We love to see your makes. Please share your creations with us using the contact details on page 3.…

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 With September marking the start of the school year, seize the chance to learn something new yourself. Perhaps you'd like to master an existing skill or try something completely new. Boost your confidence and keep your brain engaged by taking up new hobbies and activities, and have fun at the same time. It doesn't need to cost a bomb, with our selection of cheap and free ways to expand your horizons. ‘Borrow textbooks from a library’ Learn a language Whether…

Anker SOLIX PS30 Portable Solar Panel Compact and foldable, the Anker Solix PS30 features high-efficiency solar conversion and dual USB ports for simultaneous charging. Its clever design makes it ideal for when you're travelling light. ■ £49, Argos FlexSolar 10W Portable Solar Charger Perfect for powering smaller devices, the FlexSolar 10W charger is a budget-friendly option that charges phones, smartwatches, portable Wi-Fi and more. ■ £31.99, Amazon Quecha Camping Solar Panel 50W Designed for camping trips, this 50W solar panel efficiently charges your USB devices using solar power. It's specifically built to withstand outdoor conditions. ■ £129.99, Decathlon…

Few kids’ shows have been imbued with as much relentless, joyful, excited energy as Here Come the Double Deckers! (1970-71). A laughter-filled sound effects and music-packed riot of a programme, the show was based around seven fun-loving children who spent their days using an abandoned London double-decker bus parked in a junkyard as their gang hut. Similar in spirit to the TV show The Monkees (1965-68), each episode saw the madcap bunch of juveniles embarking on all manner of often unlikely and zany adventures. However, the show's lifespan proved short, with just 17, 22-minute episodes airing on BBC1 on Fridays. But while the journey may have been a short one, those prepared to join them were guaranteed a ride to remember. THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT ‘Get on board!’ went…

The voice of the grey-haired woman sitting next to Anna rises above the hubbub of the packed marquee… 'She died just a week after we saw her, Arthur.’ Little Snodbury's ‘There Be Murders!’ Crime Festival is a sell-out, as always, and Anna's Aunt Ginny, better known as detective fiction writer Ginny Asquith, is the star attraction. Really, thinks Anna, if I was a best-selling author, I'd do everything I could to avoid being trapped for the weekend with gossipy middle-aged women avid for selfies, even in a glorious setting like the grounds of the Manor. She sighs. Aren't writers supposed to be anti-social? Anna's neighbour on the front row is still speaking. ‘Just like poor Margaret, gone only days after our visit. Got me thinking, Arthur – we really should…

You've done what?’ Mel threw her bag on to the kitchen table and glared at her husband. ‘Invited my mother to your birthday party,’ Andy said hastily, averting his eyes. 'She rang up out of the blue and we got chatting and I – err - mentioned the party you're having for your big day.’ ‘Are you mad?’ Mel scowled at him. ‘Did you forget that I've invited my mother?’ ‘Yeah, I know,’ Andy sighed. ‘What's the problem?’ ‘Nothing much. Just that they hate each other. The evening's going to be ruined now by those two sniping at each other and point-scoring. Still, at least she'll be gone early, I suppose. She won't want to miss the last train.’ ‘Hmm,’ muttered Andy, stifling a cough. ‘What?’ asked Mel. ‘I said…