Table of contents for 25-Jul-2019 in Chat

When sick rumours started swirling about the new man in town, it lead to his murder. Did a vigilante want David dead? (p14). Proud mum Karen found an incredible way to remember her son Ben when he passed away (p62). Her message is an inspiration to us all. And Angel has stumbled across a rather stinky way of earning a living. But when you read how it’s changed her life, you might be tempted too! (p24). As well as your usual favourite puzzles, fashion, beauty, health, telly and more, we’ve got some easy bakes for summer picnics (p29) and pretty plates to pop them on (p27)! Now all we need is more sunshine...…

Sew clever To recycle an old towelling dressing gown, cut out a rectangle and sew into a pocket-shape to make a wash mitt. I jazzed mine up with a little heart motif, as well! Helen Cameron, London Scrub up  Got a worn out toothbrush? Don't throw it away - it's great for cleaning hard-to-reach areas, such as around taps and any little nooks and crannies! Laura Lennard, Aylesbury Just add water  Put a few drops of water in the bottom of a tea-light holder before lighting the candle. It keeps the wax from sticking to the sides, and you can remove the candle and use your holders again and again. Jade Davies, Billingham Get a grip! Cut a piece of rubber hosepipe lengthways, then put it over the handles of…

Swollen bit Q My clitoris gets bigger and more sensitive in the middle of my monthly cycle. Is that normal? Izzie, Stocksbridge A Levels of oestrogen hormone increase around ovulation, two weeks before each period. This boosts blood flow to your clitoris. What you describe is normal, though in some women the effect is slight and they might not notice it. Cloudy wee Q Sometimes, my wee is cloudy with bits in, but my practice nurse can't find what's wrong. Thea, Camelford A Cloudy urine may indicate a kidney or bladder infection - or, more rarely, kidney damage, stones or vaginal discharge. But it can also happen if you're dehydrated, when crystals are more likely to form in your urine. If you have pain when you wee, see your GP.…

Strawberry & passion fruit cupcakes Makes: 12 Prep time: 40 min, plus 20 min cooling Cook time: 20min • 150ml natural yogurt • 3 eggs, beaten • 1tsp vanilla extract • 175g golden caster sugar • 240g self-raising flour • 1tsp baking powder • Pinch of salt • 175g unsalted butter, melted For the icing: • 125g cream cheese • 125g butter, softened • 350g icing sugar • 14 strawberries, 12 chopped • ½ passion fruit, seeds and juice You will need: • A 12-hole muffin tin, lined with paper cases 1 Heat the oven to 190C, Gas 5. 2 In a jug, mix the yogurt, eggs and vanilla extract. Put the dry ingredients, plus salt, into a large bowl and make a well in the middle. 3 Add the…

2000: Body found Sarah Payne, 8, was playing hide and seek with her two brothers in Kingston Gorse, West Sussex, when she was abducted by convicted sex offender Roy Whiting. It was 16 days later when, on 17 July 2000, Sarah's body was found in overgrowth in a field near Pulborough. Whiting was arrested soon after, and the following year - while in prison for a driving offence - he was convicted and jailed for life for her murder. The tragedy led to Sarah's Law, a scheme which allows anyone to formally ask the police if someone with access to a child has a record for child sex offences. 2005: Failed bombings On 21 July 2005, Hussain Osman, Yassin Omar, Muktar Said Ibrahim and Ramzi Mohammed attempted to…

Tina Taylor, 58, Tadcaster Over the years, I’ve always been a huge fan of bingo. From going down to my local bingo hall with friends back in the day, it’s always something I’ve loved to do in my free time. However, in 2009, a friend recommended I sign up to Chat Mag Bingo. ‘It’s so much fun! Plus you can play from the comfort of your own home!’ she said. So, in July 2009, I decided to give online bingo a go. Straight away, I loved the fun and entertaining games on offer. There were lots of bingo rooms to choose from. I was so impressed with how simple the games were to play. I loved relaxing with a game of bingo and a cup of tea. And in the…

Denying the Moon Landing SMITHSONIAN On 20 July, it will be 50 years since the first moon landing so there’s a raft of programmes to mark the occasion across all the channels this week. Among them is this one-off documentary which explores the theory that Apollo 11 never made it to the moon. Who Do You Think You Are? BBC1 More celebs explore their family trees in the genealogy show, including Kate Winslet, Mark Wright and, in this week’s first episode, Daniel Radcliffe. Also look out for Jack Whitehall and his dad Michael as they become the first father and son to take part. Poldark BBC1 Good-hearted Dr Dwight Enys (Luke Norris) takes a risky career choice when he takes the stand in court to defend the King’s would-be assassin,…

Clumsy carer My son Benjamin had to make a flour baby for school, and to keep it with him 24/7 for a ‘Preparing for Adult Life’ project. If he was going out he needed a responsible adult to babysit, but when I was chosen as Fred the flour baby’s carer, I accidentally left him too near the edge of the worktop. He fell off and our dog devoured him! Lucy Travell, Barnwood Good point! Abby, aged 5, was helping me find a card for a friend who was under the weather. In the shop, she commented, ‘Why do they sell so many “get well soon” cards? Why not “get well now” cards?’ Jayne Hawarden, Llanarmon Don’t ask Dad I was busy preparing dinner when our teenage son asked me for…

Gabrielle Myers, 29 Arriving at my mate’s house party, I felt a double dose of excitement. Not only was there a night of fun and games to enjoy, but he’d also just got a new dog – an American pit bull called Caine. As an animal lover, I couldn’t wait to meet him. It was 11 June 2017, and my friend already had a pit bull called Clyde. I knew that the breed had a reputation for violence (it is illegal in the UK but not all parts of the US, where I live), but I wasn’t convinced. I just didn’t believe any pup was born bad. Besides, I’d known Clyde for four years – he was friendly and playful. Plus I had two dogs of my own and one…

Will rash go? QI have a scaly rash all over my back which my GP says is pityriasis rosea. I've had it three weeks. What can I do? Jess, Widnes A The cause of this is probably a virus, though no-one's sure. It usually starts with a large scaly patch, followed by a rash all over your torso. Moisturiser will ease any irritation and it will clear after four to eight weeks. Piercing problem QI'm prone to keloid scars. Is it OK to have my ears pierced? Samantha, Woolwich AKeloids are large, raised scars to which some people are genetically prone when their skin heals after a cut. That would include ear piercing. If you do go ahead, ask about compression earrings to reduce scarring. Why a stye? QI have…

Kaddy Thomas, 51, Clevedon Closing the front door, I looked around my new flat. Home, I thought, happily. It was 1985, and aged 17, I’d just moved in to my own place. After a childhood spent passed from one care or foster home to another, I was desperate to stand on my own two feet. I quickly relished my independence. Still, keen to discover my roots, I asked my social worker if I could read my file. I found out my mother had come to England from The Gambia in West Africa, and had me at 22. Only, I’d been born with Apert syndrome, a genetic condition causing fusion of the skull bones, webbed fingers and toes. It was also known as ‘broken-doll syndrome’. Doctors had told my mother I’d…

Marie Martin, 32 Spying our waiter weaving through the restaurant with two piled-high plates, I turned to my date. ‘Here comes our food,’ I grinned to Corey. Despite having already polished off a ‘sharing’ starter each, we demolished our double bacon cheeseburgers in minutes, shovelled in chips and onion rings. ‘Delicious!’ Corey, 24, said. ‘What’s for dessert?’ It was March 2013, and our first date. I fancied the pants off Corey and we got on brilliantly from the start. Well, we had a lot in common – both of us really loved our food. Our relationship blossomed over three-course meals, buckets of popcorn at the movies and hot dogs and burgers watching sports games. You could say that it was ironic…when the other thing we had in common was that…

Aries 21 March - 20 April The temptation to slip back into old bad habits seems strong at the moment. You know what will happen, of course, and that’s part of the appeal. But it’s a bad idea and you know that, too. Call 0905 817 0690* for more Taurus 21 April - 21 May If you’re going to do something, you might as well go all the way. But what if you don’t like it? What if you’re so far in that you can’t come back again? Be careful - whatever this is, it’s deep. Call 0905 817 0691* for more Gemini 22 May - 21 June Money you thought you’d never see again comes back to you. It could be a refund on something you bought that wasn’t…

Mark Bunting, 46, Hull Stuffing the McDonald’s bag and the bananas under my jacket, I made my way up to the hospital ward. ‘Anything for Mum,’ I whispered to my wife Gemma, 31, hiding the grub from the nurses. It was March this year and my mum Eileen, 64, had been in Hull Royal Infirmary for two weeks. She had kidney problems and had just had a stent fitted. She was fed-up with hospital food, so I’d promised her a treat. ‘Thanks, son,’ Mum grinned as I sneaked the chips and burger to her. Not a day had gone by that Gemma and I hadn’t visited. The eldest of five boys, I doted on Mum. She’d had her hands full, bringing up me and my brothers. My dad Philip, 67,…

Keeping Faith BBC1 The first series of the Welsh word-of-mouth thriller ended on a cliffhanger when Faith Howells' missing husband Evan suddenly reappeared. Now it's 18 months on, but with Evan banged up and the dodgy criminal gang he got mixed up with still looming large, Faith is in more danger than ever. But is there hope for their marriage? The Welsh version, Un Bore Mercher, was shown earlier this year, but this is the English language version. Eve Myles and Bradley Freegard return.…

1 DORSET On the southwest of England, why not enjoy a picturesque stroll along the fossil-strewn Jurassic Coast, then tuck into great seafood – try West Bay crab and Portland sea bass. 2 DURHAM  Set along a river, crammed with cobbled streets, and steeped in history, this city is a must visit, especially the UNESCO World Heritage cathedral and castle. 3 PEAK DISTRICT You won’t be able to move for panoramic views, with walking and cycling routes to ensure you take them all in. The Peak District also has its fair share of lakes, including the boating lake at Carsington Water.…

I'm so pleased for Katerina, who lost all of that weight after taking a selfie ( Chat 23 May issue). Sometimes it is the harsh reality that makes us change the we way do things. In Katerina's case, her photo made her realise that she was far too overweight, and unhealthily so. But since then, after following a health eating plan, she shrank by nearly 10st! What an achievement. She is an inspiration to others who feel they cannot lose excess weight. Katerina is living proof that they can. Shona Lloyd, Rhewl…

The notorious crimes of Martha Beck and Raymond Fernandez inspired the 1970 cult-film classic The Honeymoon Killers. Written and directed by Leonard Kastle, the film starred Shirley Stoler and Tony Lo Bianco in the lead roles and accurately portrayed Beck as an overweight, sullen singleton. But in Lonely Hearts, a 2006 remake, Beck was given the Hollywood treatment and was beautified, with Salma Hayek cast as the infamous killer. With glamorous red lipstick, elegant black gloves, pearls and a sophisticated hairstyle, Hayek's portrayal was a far cry from the wretched murderer who stole away innocent lives for her own gain. Jared Leto played Raymond Fernandez, while John Travolta and James Gandolfini were the homicide detectives hellbent on bringing the couple to justice.…

Katie MacKinnon, 34, Perth As I gulped a glass of wine, I sobbed on my neighbour’s shoulder. ‘I just can’t face Christmas alone,’ I wept to her. He seemed to get a real kick out of inflicting pain It was December 2010 and I’d just broken up with my partner of 12 years. Depressed, heartbroken, I was lower than I’d ever been. I felt alone and miserable. Just then, a good-looking young man walked through the front door. It was my neighbour’s son. ‘Hi, I’m Stefan,’ he smiled. ‘Don’t mind me,’ I said, drying my eyes. ‘I’m being daft.’ Grabbing a glass himself, Stefan joined me and his mum for a drink. Soon, my heartbreak was long forgotten. Stefan was so charming, it didn’t matter that he was 17 and…

As police officers opened the door to the flat, they were confronted by a gruesome scene. A 54-year-old man was dead in his home in New Tredegar, South Wales. His body was covered in wounds, including his neck, skull and both eyes. He’d been brutally stabbed 176 times, and his fingernails had been cut off. But the victim was no stranger to brutality himself. His name was David Gaut – and back in 1995, aged 21, he’d murdered his girlfriend’s 15-month-old son while he was babysitting. The baby had died of multiple injuries, including a broken arm, injured liver and spleen and a fractured skull. Though Gaut had tried to make it look like an accident, at Cardiff Crown Court, he was convicted of the toddler’s murder and given a…

Daughter can’t walk properly Q My two-year-old's feet turn inwards and she keeps tripping over her own toes! My specialist has told us just to wait and see. Fen, Aberdare A This is common in toddlers, due to twisting of the soft young bones in their feet, lower legs or hips. It nearly always it clears by itself, without treatment, although splinting sometimes helps if feet are twisted. Very rarely, if things aren't improving after a few years, surgery might be needed. Write to Dr Martin Edwards at Chat, 161 Marsh Wall, London E14 9AP. Or e-mail chathealth@ti-media.com Sorry, he can’t reply personally.…

A genetic condition caused by the mutation of a specific gene, Apert syndrome affects bone growth, and can be passed from parent to child, or can develop sporadically. It can lead to malformation of the skull, face, fingers and toes - and, in many cases, learning difficulties. In severe cases, it can also affect breathing, cause heart problems, put pressure on the brain and affect vision. Babies born with the syndrome have defined characteristics, such as a shorter skull from back to front, wider from side to side, bulging eyes set further apart and a large lower jaw.…

Qhave So tell been us what so far your ? favourite finds AI found a gift card - when I went to the shop, I found it had the equivalent of over £300 on it, so I bought a blender. Once, Antwan said he wanted a Nespresso machine...and out of sheer luck, I found one. It just needed a new part and was as good as new! Qdumpster What do your diving friends ? say about your A They couldn't believe it and asked what was wrong with me! I know it's difficult for people to understand, but it's precious ‘me' time. Being out in the elements, just me and the rubbish, is therapeutic. Qwith Have homeowners you had any confrontations ? A man once sat on his porch and…

For the next month, I mentally prepared for the gargantuan challenge ahead. This was going to be a huge lifestyle change. But Corey cheered me on. ‘Go for it,’ he said. First, I searched for a health coach online, someone who could hold me accountable, spur me on. Chatting to her about my goals was the first step. ‘It won’t be easy,’ she cautioned. ‘I know,’ I replied. But I felt more ready than ever. She set me up with a healthy weekly diet plan. Lots of veg and protein, very low carb. Now we can’t keep our hands off each other! I was eating six small meals a day – but, for once, I was eating the right things. And, slowly, the weight dropped off. Yes, it was challenging…

1 What's an ISA? An ISA is an individual savings account that keeps your savings or investments free of tax. You can put up to £20,000 each tax year in an ISA. 2 What are the rules about ISAs?  Every tax year you can put money into one of each kind of ISA, spreading your £20,000 annual allowance between them. So, you can save up to £20,000 in one cash ISA, or split some or all of that between a few different ISAs, such as one stocks and shares ISA and another kind, like an innovative finance ISA. 3 Possible long-term benefits  In 2016, the government brought in the Personal Savings Allowance (PSA) of up to £1,000. Basic-rate taxpayers can receive up to £1,000 a year in savings income tax-free.…

A spokeswoman for Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust said, ‘We would like to express our sincere condolences to Mrs Bunting's family. The attack on Mrs Bunting was carried out in the early hours of the morning by a fellow patient, who had given no prior indication of violent tendencies or intentions. ‘The ward was staffed in line with recommended national guidelines for the time of day, however it is clearly not possible for staff to supervise all patients individually, round the clock. Staff were shocked, but immediately followed all the correct procedures, which included alerting security, ensuring Mrs Bunting received appropriate medical attention, isolating the other patient, calling the police and recording the attack as an incident.'…

Coronation street Meet Gemma and Paul’s mum! A familiar faces turns up this week when former Casualty actress Jane Hazlegrove joins as Paul and Gemma’s mum Bernie. Just as Chesney and Gemma decide to get back together, Bernie arrives claiming she’s about to be made homeless. Paul’s horrified to see his mum back and warns his sister that it will end in tears. And it looks like he might be right when Bernie makes a few unsubtle advances towards Chesney! Emmerdale Moira kisses Nate! After snogging Rhona a couple of months ago, Nate’s had a one-night stand with Tracy and has set his sights on Amy. But now it seems he’s got another admirer in Moira. After she warned Amy against going out with the hunky farmhand, Nate wondered if…

Anne Goward, 55, Canvey Island Pulling up my jeans, I struggled to fasten the button around my bulging belly. Great, another pair for the rubbish pile, I thought. It was August 2014, and since I’d turned 48 in January 2012, nothing fitted the same. And I thought I knew why. Like most women my age, I was going through some ‘changes’. Hot flushes and mood swings. And worst of all was the bloating. At first, I thought I’d been enjoying too many meals out with my boyfriend Barrie, 49, and son Alfie, 13. Yet even on days when I only ate salads, my tummy ended up looking like a big swollen balloon. ‘Do I need to lose weight?’ I asked Barrie one evening, when I was feeling self-conscious. ‘Of course…

Demi Macfie, 27, Blackpool Police cars, fire engines, aeroplanes, helicopters and steam trains... My little boy was obsessed with them. ‘I want to be a lorry driver when I’m older...and a firefighter!’ Francis told me as he revved his toy cars over the settee. ‘Good plan,’ I grinned. It was last December, and Francis, then 6, had always been obsessed with vehicles. They all fascinated him. He was a typical little boy. Full of energy, rarely sat still. But everything changed the following month, when my partner Darren, 52, went to pick Francis up from school. ‘His teacher said he’s not been himself,’ he told me when they got home. He’d seemed delirious and had been bumping into things. Concerned, we took Francis straight to our GP, who sent us…