Tabla de contenidos para Issue 490 en Yours Magazine

One of my favourite childhood memories is of coming home from school to find my mum had made new outfits for my dolls – and though I adored them, I had no idea how hard it must have been to create such wonderful designs in miniature. Even for my mum, who is a retired dressmaker, it was a fiddly job, but she tells me that, as well as the pleasure of seeing my big smile, she loved to sew and still does. It's a passion she's passed on to me. And, although my skills are limited to sewing on buttons and minor repairs, I adore it too – it's my favourite way to relax. Our feature on upcycling clothes on pages 58 and 59 has inspired me to rescue my…

After 45 years on the road, Daniel O'Donnell is taking a break. The decades of constant touring have taken its toll on the Irish singer, and he wants to step back and focus on his wellbeing. ‘I'm taking a wee break just to have a rest and enjoy it,’ says Daniel. ‘I do think as time passes, the clock tells you maybe you need to come back in a different form. As they say, “When you shake the bag, everything will fall out in the right place”.’ Before he steps back in January, Daniel is releasing his new album Now and Then. It's a beautiful journey through songs that have helped shape his long career, from Don Williams’ You're My Best Friend to Take Me Home, Country Roads. And, although Daniel…

Moving her needle in and out of the fabric, Ruth smiled as the shape of a teddy bear began to emerge. It was 1992 and, pregnant with her first child, she was hand-stitching a pram sheet. Ruth says, ‘The nursery was painted daffodil yellow, and I imagined all the memories we'd make in there. I'd been told I was having a girl and I pictured myself rocking her to sleep and clapping as she took her first steps.’ Ruth and her husband had been living in Spain for 10 years, settling in the region of Galicia. After a smooth pregnancy, Ruth was admitted to hospital in A Coruña. She explains, ‘Despite being 12 days overdue, the doctors wanted me to hang on for a couple more days, but they didn't…

START WITH SHAMPOO Maintaining vibrant colour starts with in-wash solutions, and there are hue-enhancing shampoos and conditioners to suit every shade. To keep brunette locks looking lush for longer, try washing with blue or brown colour-depositing products; blue to keep your colour cool or brown to restore richness. We recommend John Frieda Midnight Brunette Shampoo, £7.25, which helps to boost dark, glossy strands. To banish brassiness from blonde or grey hair, choose violet shampoos and conditioners. Touch of Silver Intensive Shampoo and Conditioner, £4.50 each, keep yellowness at bay. OSMO Super Ice Brightening Mask, from £4.80, is formulated with super-black pigment for brighter results on ice-blonde shades. PROTECT AND TREAT Keeping your hair healthy, hydrated and protected from the elements will help your colour to last longer, too. Make sure…

So what can we do to damp down inflammation? ‘There is evidence from multiple studies that food choices influence chronic inflammation levels,’ says Dr Daniel. ‘The Mediterranean diet is generally considered particularly beneficial and “anti-inflammatory”. Foods that reduce inflammation include leafy greens such as spinach and kale, berries, oily fish, nuts and seeds, and olive oil. Emphasising whole foods and healthy fats can effectively reduce inflammation and associated disease risks.’ Dr Mayoni agrees that the gut is often one of the first casualties of chronic inflammation. ‘Too much gluten, dairy, infections and chronic antibiotic use can damage the microbiome,’ she says. ‘The intestinal lining, which normally acts as a barrier, becomes more permeable, allowing molecules and substances that shouldn't enter the bloodstream to do so. This can lead to inflammation.…

Dr Jenna separates the facts from the fiction when it comes to all those things you might have heard. Feed a cold, starve a fever: ‘This is partly a myth. You need adequate nourishment and hydration whether you have a cold or a fever. Illness increases metabolic demands, so gentle, nourishing foods can help recovery. But in a severe bacterial infection there is some evidence that withholding food can help with severity of symptoms.’ Rub garlic on your feet to ward off bugs: ‘Myth. Garlic's immune-supportive compounds need to be eaten to be effective; your skin won't absorb them into the bloodstream in meaningful amounts, although it might be helpful for topical infections.’ Don't go out with wet hair or you'll catch a cold: ‘This is a myth with a…

Fruit loaf Makes: 10 slices Takes: 1hr 10min, plus cooling Cost per slice 34p 120g butter, softened, plus extra for greasing  200g mixed dried fruit  60g dried figs, finely chopped (see Tip)  65ml apple juice  160g caster sugar  4 eggs, lightly beaten  120g plain flour, sifted  30g self-raising flour, sifted  35g blanched almonds, roughly chopped Grease a 12cm x 23cm loaf tin and line with baking paper, extending up and over the short sides of the tin. Combine the dried fruit, figs and apple juice in a small saucepan over a medium-high heat and bring to the boil. Remove from heat and leave to cool to room temperature. Add the eggs to the mixture, one at a time, beating well between each – add a spoonful of flour if the…

Difficulty rating: YOU WILL NEED Super Chunky yarn from Lauren Aston Designs (100% merino wool), 65m to 100g 130g in Mid Grey (A) Jumbo yarn from Lauren Aston Designs (100% merino wool), 10m to 100g 20g in Bright Pink (B) Pair of 10mm knitting needles  Large darning needle Stitch marker Stitch holder 7cm pom-pom maker Strong thread to tie up the pom-poms SIZE 11cm wide (at widest part across flat hand) and 24cm long ABBREVIATIONS st(s) = stitch(es)  k = knit  p = purl  inc = increase  rem = remaining  k2tog = knit two together □ Can't get this yarn? Find a suitable alternative at yarnsub.com Both mittens Cast on 20 sts in A. Rows 1–7: [K1, p1] to end of row. Row 8: Inc, knit to end of row.…

Ah! The Fifties. A decade obsessed with peroxide blonde hair and the hourglass figure. While Hollywood had Marilyn Monroe, Jayne Mansfield and Mamie Van Doren, Pinewood had Diana Dors, Vera Day… and Sabrina. Born Norma Ann Sykes in Stockport in 1936, by the age of 16 she was on the West End stage thanks, in no small part, to her 42-19-36 vital statistics. Her most vocal champion was diminutive Liverpudlian comedian Arthur Askey. When Sabrina joined his television series, Before Your Very Eyes, in 1955, she became a national sensation. Dubbed ‘the bosomy blonde who didn't talk’, British cinema followed suit, casting her as the sexy swot, Virginia, in Blue Murder at St Trinian's (1957). Silently sitting up in bed, studying, and stretching a revealing negligee, her brief appearance even made…

What you're reading…. To Love a Liar by LV Matthews (Viking, £9.99) ‘Gripping, layered and full of tension,’ says bestselling author Claire Douglas. Ex-police officer Chris Fletcher waits for a verdict on a woman's death – just as his wife vanishes without a trace. Mixing marriage secrets and the dangers of undercover work, this is a clever, emotional story about trust, betrayal, and the lies we tell those we love. All Wrapped Up by Heidi Swain (Simon & Schuster, £9.99) ‘Warm, comforting and full of hope,’ says Jen Campbell. After heartbreak, Clemmie finds a fresh start, tucked away in Rowan Cottage. When she teams up to plan the town's first Autumn Festival, new friendships, and maybe even new love, start to bloom. This is a cosy tale about second chances…

£10 cheque for every letter published Make it easier please ◆ I have a suggestion for all councils in the UK regarding fly tipping/disposal of refuse. They always say how expensive it is to go and collect rubbish that's been fly tipped. However, my theory is if the councils made it easier for people to get rid of their rubbish and didn't charge anyone for this service, people could get rid of most things at their local dump site. I believe this would reduce, if not stop, all fly tipping and save councils money. How do other people feel about this? Noreen Coldwell, Oxspring, Nr Sheffield Cool chick ◆ Trying to stay cool in the heatwave, I had to chuckle remembering an encounter with a lady last year. We chatted…

If it's your birthday this fortnight… You are born under Libra, the scales, used to weigh the harvest and, in mythology, to weigh souls prior to ascent to the heavens. Libra is ruled by peace-loving (but no pushover) Venus, has a way of travelling far in life through treading softly, adores life's finer things, and loves to be part of a ‘we’. ■ Famous Librans celebrating this fortnight include Sarah Lancashire, Julie Andrews and Kate Winslet (pictured). SAGITTARIUS 23 NOV-20 DEC Jupiter moves across a nostalgic family-linked sky sector, while a full moon stirs emotions as youngsters make plans. ■ For a weekly update call 09044 705708 CAPRICORN 21 DEC-20 JAN The full moon on 7 October casts up ideas about where you need to be and where you'd like…

Just like that! If you remember watching the late comedian and magician Tommy Cooper, you won't have forgotten his trademark red fez. One of his first headpieces was due to go under the auctioneer's hammer as Yours went to press and is expected to fetch £1500. Tommy, who was also known for his iconic phrase ‘Just like that!’ at the end of his magic tricks, died aged 63 in 1984. Long lasting love is… After more than four decades of marriage, Twiggy, 75, and her husband Leigh Lawson, 82, are as much in love as ever. The reason? Not retiring. ‘I think it's quite important to keep busy, I think that helps in your relationships,’ Leigh, has said. ‘We get on really well and we spend almost all of our…

It's been four years since her shock breast cancer diagnosis, but Julia Bradbury tells Yours she's now the ‘healthiest that she's ever been’. Sharing her lifestyle revamp, the 55-year-old broadcaster – who underwent a single mastectomy to remove a 6cm tumour in 2021 – reveals, ‘My dream is to be in bed by 10pm, and up at 6.30am. ‘I finish eating earlier, I'm taking hot showers just before I go to sleep. I've adjusted some of my supplements, so I'm on a really good magnesium right now. And I'm teetotal. I have some bubbles on my birthday – but now it's olive oil shots and not vodka shots!’ After discovering that she has the longevity gene FOXO3, Julia says she has been warned by DNA experts not to take it…

START FRESH If you're looking for a refreshing facial wash to wake up your complexion in the morning, this is a great option. Packed with vitamin C to brighten your skin, it's also enriched with anti-inflammatory caffeine to reduce redness and puffiness. Carbon Theory Vitamin C & Caffeine Facial Cleansing Wash, £7 GET GLOWING Looking for a natural sun-kissed glow? This lightweight bronzing serum contains caffeine to energise and de-puff. Apply a few drops to the face and décolletage, blending gently for a luminous, buildable bronzed effect. This Works In Transit Bronzing Serum, £38 NEW LAUNCH TARGET PUFFINESS This lightweight, water-based eye serum utilises caffeine to reduce puffiness and dark circles. It also features plenty of potent antioxidants to further soothe and brighten for a fresh, wide-awake finish. The Ordinary…

With cough and cold season approaching, we want to do all we can to prevent catching the winter bugs. Dr Deepali Misra-Sharp, GP and British Menopause Society advanced menopause specialist, says, ‘Winter is the season when coughs, colds and flu are at their peak, but there are steps we can take to strengthen our natural defences. By making small lifestyle changes we can boost our immune system and reduce the severity of illness when it does strike.’ We spoke to three top experts to find out what they do to improve their immunity and stay well during the colder months. Eat for your gut Around 70% of your immune system is located in the gut, so looking after it is an obvious place to start when it comes to improving…

Using precise weights is key to the perfect bake Silicone rolling pins are lightweight Serve up a tasty delight on a pretty cake stand…

■ Newly retired, I decided to challenge myself and make a personalised Aran cardigan for a little relative we are going to meet in Ireland this year. I'm so pleased with the outcome. Mary Cahill, via email ■ Look at the Fireman Sam figures I've knitted. I'm part of a wonderful team, The Nutty Knitters from Nantwich. Our creations are sold in aid of Marie Curie, in Morrisons, Nantwich. Ruth Barber, via email ■ I crocheted these squirrels holding acorns. Don't they look cheeky? Louise Ellis, via email GET IN TOUCH We love to see your makes. Please share your creations with us using the contact details on page 3.…

‘SSPTHOONS!’ A decade after joining the Carry On team and supporting Peter Sellers in a couple of crime comedy romps, Bernard Cribbins had become the beloved voice of The Wombles by the end of the Seventies. He stayed at Fawlty Towers during the first series (S1, E4: The Hotel Inspectors), playing the hilariously irritating Mr Hutchinson, a rather uptight and pretentious spoon salesman whom Basil believes to be an influential hotel inspector. Cribbins infuriates to the maximum with his fussy manners and insistence at watching a BBC2 ‘televisual feast’ on ‘Squawking Bird, the leader of the Black Foot Indians in the 1860s!’. ‘ANYTHING I CAN DO FOR YOUR LORDSHIP?’ The distinguished, moustachioed Michael Gwynn was the hotel's first guest (S1, E1), playing the duplicitous Lord Melbury in A Touch of…

FILM: REAR WINDOW (1954) ICONIC COSTUME: A striking monochromatic dress with a full white tulle and chiffon skirt, paired with a black low-cut, off-the-shoulder bodice with a cinched in waist. SHE WORE IT WELL: Grace Kelly DESIGNED BY: Edith Head SHOWSTOPPING SCENE: An ominous shadow falls over Jeff as he sleeps in a wheelchair. Lisa Fremont (Kelly) kisses him and then the camera pans around the apartment as she turns on lamps until her breathtaking evening gown is revealed. ■ Director, Alfred Hitchcock enjoyed collaborating with costume designer Edith Head. Grace Kelly's costumes tell the development of her character over the course of the film. ‘Hitch wanted her to look like a piece of Dresden china, something slightly untouchable,’ Head said. ‘There's a reason for every colour, every style and…

Scanning the skies, Caroline's heart soared when she saw the first signs of the birds returning. The little terns, with their distinctive yellow bills with a black tip, were flying back from West Africa to breed on the Norfolk coastline. ‘Some of the birds have been coming back here for 20 years,’ she says. ‘It's like seeing old friends again.’ Caroline, 60, volunteers with a team that runs a project by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) to boost the UK population of the seabirds. She explains, ‘Looking after a protected species is important and makes me quite emotional. I really love these birds.’ She's been helping with the project for the past nine years after taking early retirement as a researcher at the Institute of Food…

Event Don't miss the chance to visit the Folkestone Triennial festival this year. The event is Folkestone's celebration of contemporary public art and runs until 19 October, transforming the picturesque seaside town into a vibrant open-air gallery. Now in its sixth edition, the festival includes pieces created by 18 acclaimed artists from more than 15 countries to reimagine Folkestone's streets, shoreline and public spaces with stunning new commissions. creativefolkestone.org.uk/folkestone-triennial Visit The Giraffe Encounter at Port Lympne Safari Park in Kent gives visitors the chance to get up close to the tallest animals on Earth in a truly magical experience. Join expert keepers for this unforgettable behind-the-scenes experience and learn amazing facts about these gentle giants. You'll even have the chance to help feed the giraffes and take in stunning views…

Dear readers, The difference between a job and a chore when you were growing up, was the pay. One meant money in your Post Office account. The other meant that you'd continue to be fed by Mum and ferried about by Dad. My first paying job was as a babysitter for some friends in the village. Adults trusted me because I turned up on time, had a satchel full of homework, was unfailingly polite, washed up anything left in the sink and never complained about the quality of the snacks. Very quickly, I worked out the routine. Go in. Tell the horrible little munchkins that you'd be sitting over here (indicate comfy chair), while they made a mess over there (indicate area suitable for hosing down with bleach) and at…

MY LIFE lessons It would be tricky to find someone with a more varied career than Steph McGovern. After studying science communication and policy at UCL, the TV presenter found a job as a part-time researcher on Tomorrow's World. Quickly rising through the ranks thanks to her innate likeability, which is apparent as she chats to Yours, Steph can now boast her own BAFTA-nominated talk show Steph's Packed Lunch, several reality TV stints, her acting debut and, now, her first novel, Deadline. Steph, who shares a five-year-old daughter with her TV executive partner, talks us through the lessons she's learnt throughout her career. Believe in yourself I never thought, ‘I'm going to write a crime book,’ but then when everything was going nuts in lockdown and my baby was a…

If you're looking for a career change, have you ever thought of becoming a duck-crossing warden? Residents in North Yorkshire are volunteering to escort 20 ducks every evening so they can settle down safely before bed. To avoid previous unsupervised incidents that occurred last year, the locals have stepped up to help them. Known as ‘duckies’, the volunteers also place traffic cones around the birds in their roosting spot and watch them until they fall asleep peacefully. How cute! The UK is known for its colder weather, but who knew polar bears, that typically live in sub-zero temperatures, have found a home here too! Thanks to a viral video taken from a train to Ipswich, we now know the huge white bears can be found at Jimmy's Farm and Wildlife…

GO ALL-IN-ONE Lean into the retro aesthetic of a jumpsuit with a necktie and bomber jacket DRESS TO IMPRESS Dark-wash dresses instantly look more polished, especially when they're slightly form-fitting. BE FLEXIBLE Wear a versatile midi skirt with trainers for off-duty style, or swap to heels and a blouse for something more formal. ADD VOLUME Pair your classic jeans with striking silhouettes, such as this blouse with a dramatic necktie, for a fresh look WALK ON THE WIDE SIDE Perfect for the office or a nice brunch, wide-leg styles walk the line between casual and dressy.…

Taking up the offer of vaccinations, if your eligible, is important says Dr Deepali. ‘I keep my immunisations up to date, including the annual flu jab. This is particularly important for people over 65, those with chronic health conditions, pregnant women and healthcare workers. ‘This year, I've also had the seasonal COVID booster, which is offered to high-risk groups, including those aged 75 and over and people with long-term health conditions.’ There are often new strains of COVID circulating, and Dr Deepali says adopting a healthy lifestyle is worthwhile, but adds, ‘No amount of supplements, diet or exercise can make you immune to infection so vaccination remains key. Even with new strains, vaccines are updated to target the most common circulating variants, and they help reduce the risk of severe…

Mushroom pizza Serves: 2 Takes: 40-45min, plus rising Cost per serving £1.40 145g pkt pizza base mix   Flour, for dusting  75g passata  2tbsp olive oil  1 garlic clove, crushed  100g mozzarella, drained and torn  Few fresh basil leaves  75g chestnut or button mushrooms, sliced (see Tip) Make up the pizza base mix according to the pack instructions. Place on a baking sheet. Leave to rise for the time specified on the pack instructions. Spread over the passata, leaving an approximate 2cm border. Bake for 17-19min until golden brown and piping hot. Serve. COOK'S TIP Try large portobello or oyster mushrooms for a firm meaty texture, if you like. Or look out for speciality mixes in large supermarkets. Butternut squash frittata Serves: 4 Takes: 1hr 10min, plus cooling Cost per…

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 A will is the only way to make sure your money and belongings go to the people and causes you care about. Yet more than half of us (56%) haven't made a will and another 10% admit their will is out of date, according to Will Aid. The top reasons for not writing a will include not understanding how it works and the complexity of the process, the cost, not finding time, and discomfort in thinking about death, according…

NEWS YOU CAN USE CAR FINANCING COMPENSATION Millions of drivers who bought vehicles with car financing could receive up to £950 each in compensation. The main issues arose when car dealers were able to increase the interest charged on car financing deals, so they could earn extra commission. Discretionary commission was outlawed from 28 January 2021, but motorists who bought cars on hire purchase or personal contract purchase (PCP) before then may have paid interest rates that were too high. As well as car purchases, this could also affect vans, campervans and motorhomes. It's not relevant if you used an interest-free offer, personal contract hire, sometimes known as car leasing, or arranged a loan that wasn't secured on your car. The city watchdog, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is now…

There's no need to be lonely – we can help! Friends of Yours is a completely free way to make connections and help tackle loneliness. Whether you're looking for a new penpal, someone to talk to on the phone or over coffee; perhaps to share a holiday with – or even a new romance – you just need to take the first step! Lonely Mike, 77, would like to meet a lady friend. He is kind and caring and enjoys outings, meals out and loves animals. Bedfordshire/Hertfordshire area. SEPT3-101 Pat, 78, from Thornton-Cleveleys, enjoys walking, holidays and days out. She would like to meet an active, independent, local, non-smoking gentleman of a similar age for friendship. SEPT3-102 Sandra, 77, is recently widowed and feeling lonely. She would like some pen…

Win! Skechers footwear with Deichmann WORTH £240 IN TOTAL Ease into autumn with Deichmann and its new collection of Skechers footwear offering comfort and style. Four lucky winners will receive a £60 gift voucher to spend in store or online. Deichmann offers an array of Skechers styles including hands-free Swift Fit with memory foam soles, and styles with premium cushioning like this new on-trend green style priced at £54.99. Deichmann promises the lowest prices on the UK high street. ■ deichmann.com/en-gb WIN! £50 DOBBIES GIFT CARD Dobbies Garden Centres has everything you need to refresh your garden this autumn, and five winners have the chance to win a £50 gift card to spend in store and online. From bright bedding plants and bulbs for spring colour, to great-value tools, garden…