Innholdsfortegnelse for February 2022 i Choice

While the world remains in turmoil, and not just from Covid, it is comforting to look out of the window and see that nature is progressing in its usual implacable style. All over the garden are signs of life. Snowdrops are lifting their heads and the daffodils, tulips and other spring bulbs are pushing up for what looks like a very early season. The Japonica, trained along the wall, is dotted with white blossom. In the air the red kites are displaying in aerial patterns above the fields and look like they will be nesting again this year in a small group of old pines. Blue tits, coal tits, great tits and a little flock of long-tailed tits are battling with the squirrels and pigeons fora place at the bird…

IT IS Saturday April 24, 2010, a warm muggy day in New Orleans. After days of monsoon like rain the sun has finally broken through and Simon and Garfunkel, whose on-off relationship has been one of pop’s great soap operas over the past 50 years, are about to take to the stage. Things, however, are far from sunny backstage. Despite assurances from Garfunkel to his old friend and partner that the vocal cord problems he has been suffering from the last couple of months would be sorted out by the time the date came around, it was clear at a soundcheck that morning things were still far from right. They struggled through the performance somehow, but Paul Simon, the eternal perfectionist, was mortified and the US tour that was to…

Email your poems to: (editorial@choicemag.co.uk) or post to Your Poetry, Choice, 4 Milnyard Square, Orton Southgate, Peterborough PE2 6GX Please note, poems submitted for inclusion on this page must be the author’s own work Darling Valentine The first time we walked out togetherCascading downpour, terrible weatherOutside the cinema, your face was wetYet I somehow knew our fate was set We married soon after, I’d chosen wiseLoving, caring and always kindLooked after me when I was illHot water bottles to beat the chill Babies arrived, our lives completeA warm cosy home, the best in the streetYou grew veg in the garden patchPeas and beans in a big nice batch You helped me cope with an empty nestSo much time to relax and restGrandchildren too, such sheer delightYou taught them how to…

An official souvenir publication celebrates the forthcoming Platinum Jubilee of the Queen through 77 photographs chosen to illustrate memorable events in the reign of Britain’s longest-serving monarch. The beautifully produced hardback book features formal photographs of Her Majesty undertaking official duties on occasions such as the Coronation, the State Opening of Parliament and Trooping the Colour, alongside informal family pictures of The Queen as a young girl, as a young wife and mother, on holiday and enjoying the company of her children and dogs. Each photograph is accompanied by resonant quotations from speeches given by the Queen throughout her reign, from her wartime Children’s Hour radio broadcast at the age of 14 and her first televised Christmas Day broadcast in 1957 to her speeches welcoming Commonwealth leaders and US Presidents…

RETIREE MARION Taylor says she is “beyond grateful” to the cataract surgeon who restored her sight – and made a vital tumour referral. Marion, aged 79, is now embarking upon treatment for the growth, after a biopsy at Leighton Hospital. The former administrator was attending a pre-assessment clinic at SpaMedica in Newcastle-under-Lyme for cataract surgery, when Kenan Damer, the consultant surgeon was asked to examine her eyes and noticed the lumps. Following the find, Damer contacted Marion’s GP to share his concerns. In a matter of days, Marion was examined. The results, received at the end of July, mean she will now undergo treatment at a specialist clinic at Salford Royal hospital. Marion said: “I’m absolutely dreading it because the biopsy was painful. The good news is that I’m told…

THE UNITED Nations defines climate change as long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. Some shifts may be natural, such as through variations in the solar cycle. But since the 1800s, human activities have been the main driver of climate change, primarily due to burning fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas, which generates greenhouse gas emissions that act like a blanket covering the planet, trapping the sun’s heat and raising temperatures. Examples of greenhouse gas emissions that are causing climate change include carbon dioxide and methane. These come, for example, from driving petrol cars or burning coal for heating. Clearing land and forests can also release carbon dioxide. Landfills are also a major source of methane emissions. While energy, industry, transport, buildings, agriculture and land use are among the…

SUMMER IS the season to spend time outdoors. Whether you’re looking to host barbecues, parties or just casual gatherings, when designing your outdoor space it’s important to consider every element, as it all adds to the overall aesthetic. Emmie Brookman, interiors expert and creative director of online store Silver Mushroom, has shared her top tips on how to prepare your outdoor space for the sunny seasons: “Throughout 2021 and now into 2022, our gardens and outdoor spaces have increasingly become the preferred destination for gathering with family and friends, so make sure your setting is ready to host. It doesn’t have to be as extravagant as a pergola, but comfortable furniture and a good barbecue should be at the top of your list.” A seating area for all occasions “A…

Betrayal Price £18.99 Pages 544 ISBN 9781838931438 HARDBACK BOOK OF THE MONTH Dan Raglan’s years in the French Foreign Legion forged unbreakable bonds, so when a former colleague, now an intelligence officer at the Pentagon, disappears, the call goes out to alert Raglan and get investigations moving fast. But Raglan’s not the only one looking for the missing man. A deadly conspiracy emerges hat leads him on a trail from the backstreets of Marseilles to the jungles of Honduras via a bitter battle in the upper echelons of the US intelligence community. it’s a top-class action thriller that grabs your attention from the first page and doesn’t let up for an instant. Hardbacks HEALTH What I Wish People Knew About Dementia by Wendy Mitchell Wendy Mitchell was 58 in 2014…

THE WILDLIFE Trusts’ Living Seas team has compiled its highlights of the past 12 months from around the UK. They include recovering humpback whales, long-distance orcas, and a rarely seen highland dancer sea slug – plus exciting news about the world’s largest skate in Northern Ireland. Large numbers of humpback whales were spotted around the UK. Until recently, sightings were extremely rare, but more than 75 sightings have been recorded since 2019 by Cornwall Wildlife Trust alone, showing how populations are recovering after bans on commercial whaling. The Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust saw humpbacks feeding around the islands, with one, named Pi, staying for more than two months. More humpbacks were seen in the Firth of Forth and off Shetland. The Minnack Theatre in Cornwall offered new drama when…

When did you last choke on your cornflakes when reading of the latest episode of silliness concerning hurt feelings over the words we use to describe each other, or the views we hold? I strive to keep the lid on my own emotional kettle nowadays but, really, sometimes I can’t help boiling over. Among the many news items that have turned up the heat in recent months was the report describing how a woman took exception to being described as a grandma when she was one, and proud to be one. Her claim at a tribunal – that when a colleague wrote in a review of a car that the 62-year-old had found it ‘comfy wheels for a grandma’ – was upheld. Age discrimination, the tribunal ruled. Having avoided asphyxiation,…

Just a reminder… …that in this month in 1958, motorists in Mayfair got their first glimpse of parking meters, new to the UK. The meters were first introduced in the USA in 1935 …in February 2004, Barbie and Ken split up. The toy company Mattell Inc broke the news of the dolls’ divorce, which ended a 43-year ‘relationship’ …and in this month in 1930, a cow called Ollie set a record by becoming the first bovine passenger in an aircraft and the first cow to be milked in mid-air. (It happened in America – of course.) Give me a coin I can bite on – not bitcoin Are you a bitcoin buyer? I know people who are, and notice that, rather like gamblers, they seem to speak up when the…

Write to Your views, Choice, 4 Milnyard Square, Orton Southgate, Peterborough PE2 6GX, or email us at: (editorial@choicemag.co.uk). (Views expressed are those of the individual correspondent and not necessarily those of the magazine) Astonishing Istanbul Regarding favourite holiday destinations (Choice, November), I have visited the fascinating city of Istanbul in Turkey twice, where East meets West. Originally it was called Byzantium, then Constantinople and finally Istanbul. I list below just a few interesting and unusual museums, mosques etc but you need to visit Istanbul to immerse yourself in the history of this ancient city, which has changed over the centuries and is now different. You cannot forget the awe and wonder inspired by the six minarets of the Blue Mosque. Inside, it is covered with blue tiles. At certain hours…

LUXURY SMALL ship specialist Scenic will introduce guests to a host of new experiences along Europe’s rivers in 2022 – from guided tours through 17th century palaces to meeting a local cheese producer in the Netherlands and kayaking excursions along the Danube. Several landmarks newly feature on Scenic’s Europe river cruises. Explore the ornately decorated palace of Schloss Weikersheim in Miltenberg, Germany, including the well-preserved Knights’ Hall that dates back to the 1600s, as well as its beautiful Baroque gardens, on the 15-day ‘Jewels of Europe’ river cruise. Or on the eight-day ‘Rhine Highlights’ itinerary, enjoy a guided tour of Marksburg Castle in Koblenz, Germany, perched high above the Rhine, and one of the few castles on this stretch of the river that has escaped destruction. Be shown around Bunker…

BE GYNAE Aware is a new campaign aimed at raising awareness of gynaecological health to help people learn what is normal for them, identify when something has changed and feel confident to visit their doctor for advice. Despite growing interest in women’s health and the Government’s commitment to a women’s health strategy, embarrassment and lack of knowledge about gynaecological health remains widespread, with a quarter of women feeling unable to seek care because of embarrassment about their condition. To make matters worse, many people have been avoiding visiting their GP due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Some reasons include not wanting to waste doctor’s time, concern about putting extra strain on the NHS, not wanting to make a fuss, difficulty accessing services, and fear of catching COVID-19 at appointments. While changes…

ON REACHING retirement age, people may assume their borrowing days are behind them, especially after years of saving into a pension pot or managing an investment portfolio. But the reality is that, as life expectancy increases, borrowing into later life is becoming more common. There has been growing demand for mortgages from the over-55s, according to finance trade body UK Finance’s quarterly insight into mortgage lending. And more than half of new homeowners are expected to have a mortgage past the age of 65. With more people borrowing in later life, maintaining your credit score is ever more important. However, new data suggests that borrowers could be in the dark about their credit rating as they approach retirement. A recent survey by NerdWallet revealed that 60 per cent of adults…

Hello and welcome to my Craft Corner! Every month I share two new projects with Choice readers – one for those who enjoy hobbies such as papercrafting, upcycling and decoupage, and one for those who are fond of sewing and needlecraft, where I focus on simple, everyday stitched fabric accessories. I’ve lived and breathed crafting for as long as I can remember. I have very fond memories of cake decorating, cross-stitching and candle-making with my mum, and in my late teens I discovered the joy of cardmaking. I was fortunate enough to turn my favourite pastimes into my career by setting up Crafter’s Companion out of my university bedroom, and it’s been an amazing journey seeing my business develop into what it is today. I love experimenting and using our…

FEBRUARY IS a month of anticipation. It’s like watching the trailers at the cinema, or the moments before your favourite TV programme starts, when you’ve just made yourself a cuppa and settled down for some entertainment... The days are still short, but getting gradually longer, and we’re starting to see those first green shoots – you can smell spring on the air on those days when the sun makes a welcome appearance. Busy birds The Birds in your garden are almost definitely feeling the same anticipation, too. Males are starting to mark out their territories, ready to mate and nest in the spring, and they will be checking out the best properties. It’s still not too late to put up nest boxes – in fact, it’s National Nestbox Week starting…

DVDs No Time To Die (Universal – DVD and Blu-ray) After 15 years and five films Daniel Craig bows out in style as James Bond with a finale that will take your breath away. But before you embark on this hugely enjoyable close on three hour ride it may be worth reacquainting yourself with the previous films in the Craig run, particularly Skyfall and Spectre, since No Time To Die does assume a certain knowledge of what has gone before. The formula is much the same – a roller-coaster of a plot involving some of the most high-octane car chases of any Bond film, glorious cinematography, the usual high-end locations, glamorous assistants and love interest, amazing gadgets, and the love-hate relationship with Mand Q back home. But there’s also more…

WIM ALOSERIJ survived three concentration camps only to be bombed while on board a prison boat in the final months of the Second World War. He survived to tell the tale, and what a tale it is, as recounted to Frank Krake in The Last Survivor (Seven Dials, £18.99), In The Treeline (Jonathan Cape, £20) Ben Rawlence looks at the importance of the Northern forests of Scotland, northern Scandinavia, Siberia, Alaska, Canada and Greenland to the past, present and future of our planet, Against The Tide (Bloomsbury, £20) gathers together the late Conservative philosopher Roger Scruton’s essays and reviews on education, religion, politics and philosophy, as well his traumatic, personal experience of ‘cancel culture’ in the last months of his life, while Stephanie Grisham’s I’ll Take YourQuestions Now (HarperCollins, £20)…

See how many of the following general knowledge questions you can answer – then check how well you did (the answers are over the page): 1 What was Sri Lanka called in long-ago geography lessons? 2 In which traditional game are players standing in certain positions called silly? 3 Which renowned British author created Seth Pecksniff, Serjeant Buzfuz, Noddy Boffin and Bayham Badger (and a host of others)? 4 In what form did grannies once use napheline to deter a hungry household pest? 5 Give the initials of two celebrated Britons called Lawrence – one a desert fighter, the other a controversial novelist. 6 What was Twiggy’s real name? 7 And how is singer Gordon Sumner better known? (A clue: see my article on nicknames…) 8 Horatio Nelson, Elizabeth Fry…

Soothing, relaxing and stress reducing, these CDs from GAP MuSic and it’s sister label Tantajo Records are a great addition to any music collection. Checkout the GAP website: (www.gapmusic.co.uk) for more wonderful music for relaxation and wellbeing. Star Letter Prize: £20 and a selection of five reflective music CDs from GAP MuSic worth £54.75 and a pen from GAP MuSic goes to the writer of our Star Letter each month The CDs are: Moments of the Heart music for the soul – Various Artists. From the soothing melodies of Peaceful Lament and Confidence of Hope to the haunting ambiance of NaturalElementsand Awakenings, Moments of the Heart music for the soul is the perfect ‘friend’ to have by your side, to help ease away the hustle, bustle, and stresses of the…

Gail Willis is an exponent and teacher of Hatha Yoga. She brings Choice readers a new exercise every month. Gail, who is now a full-time yoga instructor in Kettering, Northamptonshire, has recruited her mother Janet Rogers to help demonstrate the exercises. In each picture Janet now in her 80s illustrates the basic position for each exercise – the easiest one for the beginner. Gail illustrates the maximum position for each exercise. You should start following Janet’s position and try to increase gradually towards Gail’s advanced level. “Only build up to a level that you are comfortable with,” says Gail. “Some exercises you will be able to do the maximum level of stretch. Others you will achieve only the basic move or just a little more. It doesn’t matter because even…

READERS WILL be painfully aware of how much heating bills have gone up recently. Fuel poverty charity National Energy Action (NEA) predicts that the typical gas bill is likely to have gone up from £466 a year in October 2020, to £944 in April 2022. Several of the smaller firms have gone bust, including the one that we were using. Our supply has been taken over by EDF and our monthly direct debit increased 57 per cent. Trying to find a better deal is proving difficult, especially as I won’t agree to a smart meter. The Government’s energy price cap is expected to rise by as much as 40 per cent in April, which will mean more misery, although by then at least the weather should be warmer. By contrast…

What’s the difference between joint and tenants in common? Q Can you explain the difference between being tenants in common and joint tenants? And does it have any bearing when it comes to making a Will or selling the property? S Barnsworth, Leeds Michele Wightman of solicitors Knights plc replies: A Holding a property as joint tenants means that each person holds the whole property and they do not have a specific share in the property. You would own the property equally with the person you are purchasing with. If a property is purchased as tenants in common, each person will hold a definite share in the property which can be defined for each person. It is not necessary for each person to have an equal interest. How you hold…

Supplies: ■ One fat quarter of cotton fabric for the outer envelope ■ One fat quarter of cotton fabric for the inner lining ■ One fat quarter of medium fusible interfacing ■ Plastic snap fasteners and tool ■ Triangle template ■ Scissors ■ Basic sewing kit Create this charming holder for odds and ends with Trisha Boyd Cut: ■ 5” x11” panel of outer fabric ■ 5” x11” panel of inner lining fabric ■ 5“x11” panel of medium fusible interfacing 1 Adhere the fusible interfacing to the wrong side of the panel of outer fabric 2 Place the outer and lining panels right sides together. Centrally place a triangle template along the top edge and cut away the two corners. 3 Stitch all the way round, leaving a turning gap…

IN THE late Fifties the young Hastings-born folk singer Shirley Collins spent three years travelling across the Deep South of America in the company of her lover, the folklorist Alan Lomax, seeking out authentic folk and blues music. The newly republished America Over The Water (White Rabbit, £14.99) is Shirley’s account of that period, bookended by an account of her life before and after this eyeopening journey. This updated edition also includes anew introduction by Shirley. Murder At The Bailey (Biteback, £9.99) is the enjoyable debut thriller from leading criminal defence solicitor Henry Milner, Skylark, by Alice O’Keeffe (Coronet, £16.99) is a powerful novel based on the recent undercover police scandal and Janet Evanovich’s heroine Stephanie Plus is on the trail of a ruthless cyber criminal in the comic thriller…

Bridge LOVE ALL; DEALER EAST Playing teams, East opens one spade, which is passed round to North. What call do you make? Bid three diamonds. Even if you play weak jump overcalls, it is not best to use them in the protective position since there is no need to make a pre-emptive call. South knows his partner has opening values with a good suit and can now try three notrumps, which ends the auction. West leads the five of clubs and East inserts the king. You duck this, and the ten of clubs is continued, West following with the four. How do you plan the play? It appears as though West began with the queen of clubs since otherwise, East would have played the queen to trick one. If this…

THIS YEAR, more than 600,000 couples in the UK will be faced with the delightful and deadly serious task of picking a name their new baby will take into life. Some will follow the current trend of going retro, and call their new lad Alfie, or Albert -or, if it’s a girl, go for the equally backward-looking (and now fashionable) Mabel or Ava. But as we all know, the gift of the name we bestow on the newcomer is often forgotten as they grow up and reveal their personality or some peculiarity. It’s then that they get what for some is a curse and others a blessing…a nickname, perhaps one that will last a lifetime. Besides the advantage of being brief, and often reflecting character, nicknames often have stories behind…

As a schoolboy, I sometimes came across the Eagle magazine and remember thinking that it was a cut above. It had pristine, clear comic strips and a bit of a gloss about it (compared with the Beano and Dandy). The revolutionary comic was launched in 1950 and instantly sold 900,000 copies. In at the start (with pay of £4 10s a week) was a young illustrator called Greta Tomlinson, who leapt at the chance of getting in on the ground floor (literally) at the old tin-roof bakehouse where the Eagle took flight. She was the model for Professor Jocelyn Peabody who, in an early example of gender equality, was in the comic as ‘the brains of the operation’. Greta died recently at 94 and, reading about her work, which involved…