Innholdsfortegnelse for April 2022 i Choice

I’ve always been a reader, starting with adventure stories like Biggles and boy’s story comics like The Wizard and its tales of air aces, fish and chip eating champion athletes and an Afghan man mountain wielding a cricket bat to defeat tribesmen rebelling against British rule. These days they would all be cancelled, but in the Fifties and Sixties it was about stories of Empire, war and the public school system. Class war came in, too, when working class sporting heroes took on the snobby public school and officer class. It was the tough of the track versus the toff of the track. Nowadays I still enjoy adventure fiction – I’m working through Len Deighton’s catalogue – but I read lots of history, ironically now finding out the facts about…

THE BRITISH may be a nation of gardeners but it was not until the lockdowns of the past two years that many of us discovered the simple joy of planting a seed, nurturing it and watching it grow into something beautiful to look at or tasty to eat. As the main presenter of BBC2’s Gardener’s World, Monty Don had the role of garden therapist-in-chief rather thrust upon him but it also seemed appropriate that someone who has found personal solace in the natural world should communicate that to a troubled populace left fearful and often isolated by the suddenly strange, frightening world they were now living in. In an interview for the Guardian last year, Monty himself described his role as “the Vera Lynn of Covid”. “The BBC made a…

Bristol farewell The cry of seagulls in the wind,The sigh of storm to come;The screech of sheet, and clap of sail,And hiss of creeping foam. The yells and cries of seamen,The hauling on the chain,The ship’s a ready, “Anchors away”,The cry is loud and plain. “For we are bound for Africa,To thrust, and rape, and keep;Oh yes, we head for Africa,Black gold for us to reap”. With cutlass held to the heart,With black ivory seized and chained,The deed is done, and money made,And a fine rich life was gained. And in Bristol a carriage and pair,And children on the knee;With a butler and servants,No need now to go to sea. Everything now is fine and goodWith brandy sweet to taste,God is in his heaven,And the mistress to embrace. Until, that…

Gail Willis is an exponent and teacher of Hatha Yoga. She brings Choice readers a new exercise every month. Gail, who is 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 the…

A THIRD of Britons are worried about their financial futures, according to research by debt management company Lowell, but an Age UK survey says this rises to a worrying 75 per cent among the over-65s. The six biggest concerns are: 1 The rising cost of living Inflation is at its highest level for 30 years, having risen to 5.4 per cent in the 12 months to December 2021. In February the Bank of England predicted it could reach 7.25 per cent this month. This has been driven by increases in the cost of clothes, food, furniture, eating out, and spiralling energy bills, which are rising again this month when a 54 per cent hike in the energy price ‘cap’ kicks in. It is estimated that around 22 million households on…

England’s much-romanticised World Cup victory over West Germany in 1966 was the climax of a pivotal period of transformation for British football. All this was paralleled by much greater rewards and much higher profiles for the stars…Johnny Haynes became the first £100-a-week player, and there was the first £100,000 transfer fee (less £1) for Jimmy Greaves in 1968. The abolition of the £20 a week maximum wage in 1961 was ultimately good for the game and for its players, but it also served to break the bond between the professionals and those who paid their wages. Today, players’ wages generally make up about 70 per cent of a club’s turnover. It’s a truism to say that the pace of the game today is a lot quicker and the players are…

Supplies: ■ Fat quarter of orange fabric ■ Fat quarter of green fabric ■ One metre of co-ordinating ribbon ■ Basic sewing kit To create: 1 Cut two rectangles of orange fabric measuring 7in × 6in and two squares of green fabric measuring 6in × 6in 2 To make the carrot shape, fold the orange rectangles in half, lining up the 7in sides. Make a mark about 1in down the raw edge side of the folded rectangle and draw a line from the 1in mark to the base of the rectangle at the folded edge. Cut away the excess material along the diagonal line 3 Place the orange and green panels right sides together and stitch along the top edge, using a ¼in seam allowance. Finish the raw edges with…

1 If required, marinate the lamb overnight or for at least 30 minutes. Some popular flavour combinations are Lemon, garlic and rosemary or Paprika, cumin and coriander Many think that marinating lamb is unnecessary because the flesh is already tender 2 Always take your lamb out of the fridge 15 to 20 minutes before cooking. This will help it cook nice and evenly. 3 Score the fat of the lamb roast with a small, sharp knife. This will help the fat render out and create a crisp and browned surface. 4 Cook leg of lamb for 20 to 30 minutes per 500g at 180°C. 5 Lamb is best when served rare to medium, so for best results use a thermometer: it’s rare at 60°C, medium-rare at 60 to 65°C, and…

FROM PATCHWORK terraces to richer colour palettes, Calum Maddock, gardening expert at home improvements website (HomeHow. co.uk), has predicted the strongest gardening trends in 2022 that will make the most of your outdoor spaces. 1 Patchwork terraces Large terraces without foliage are less common these days due to the popularity of plants. This trend will see plants woven in between paving and large areas of stone to soften the visual look and add an extra amount of greenery to your garden. You can leave gravel gaps between pavers or use self-seeding plants to let nature control the patterns. 2 Cooking alfresco An outdoor kitchen could simply be a firepit with a removable grill top or you could have the full experience and install a pizza oven, outdoor sink and even…

WHEN THE weather is grim and it’s dark at 4pm in the midst of winter, April is the month I think about as I gaze into a gloomy garden, imaging the green shoots, the longer days and of course, the hum of wildlife as the Spring emerges. There’s a whopping 13 hours of daylight in April, compared to just eight at the start of the year in January, so it’s no wonder we’re all feeling a little more energised and finding more time to spend in the garden. Hedgehogs We’re not the only ones enjoying, the warming temperatures of course, and some creatures are literally shaking off a winter slumber. Hedgehogs tend to emerge from hibernation in March, meaning April is all about getting into their peak shape for mating…

FROM EERIE, sunken Dunwich to Trellech, a Welsh city unearthed by moles, historian Matthew Green tells the stories of ghostly places lost to nature in the fascinating Shadowlands (Faber, £20), and, based on the Radio 4 series of the same name, Victoria Shepherd’s A History of Delusion (Oneworld, £16.99) considers what makes people think they are the rightful queen of England, a zombie – or even made out of glass. My Own Worst Enemy (Swift, £14.99) is novelist Robert Edric’s moving account of growing up in working-class Sixties Sheffield and Be A Good Boy Sam (F.J. Blissett & Company Limited, £14.99) is the first volume of memoirs by the late Sam Kydd, a stalwart of British film and television for more than 30 years. The memoirs have been edited by Sam’s…

Huge horseshoes show what’s best about Britain WHAT’S STILL good about Britain? How would you reply if a visitor from a foreign country asked: “What is special about your country today?” Interesting question… There was a time when the older ones among us might have spouted about our heritage, our occupation of much of the globe, the brilliance of our inventions, how we were the workshop of the world. For a little nation, once upon a time, we packed a lot of punch. But that was then. What about now? The question about Britain 2022 came into my mind when I read recently of the ‘basic British values’ that are being taught to refugees -big themes like democracy, liberty, rule of law, respect, and tolerance. My next thought was about…

Just a reminder... ... that in April 2010, all flights in and out of the UK were suspended as ash from a volcano in Iceland moved south. The eruption sparked the worst airspace restrictions in living memory ... in this month in 2008, an eight-foot statue of the legendary steeplejack Fred Dibnah MBE was unveiled in Bolton, on the anniversary of his birth ... and in April back in 1901, the first motor hearse in Britain appeared. It carried the body of William Drakeford, of Coventry, an employee of the Daimler car company. A Daimler car had been adapted for the funeral. RAF ‘aviator’ term is a tad high-flown I wonder what my old dad, who served in the RAF during and after the war, would have thought of 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) Americans admired our knife and fork skills A couple of articles on ‘Patrick’s pages’ have resonated with me this month (Choice, March). The first, ‘Official: like wine, we improve with age’, has a very simple reason for the apparent improvement to our minds as we get older. The phenomenon is caused by us forgetting lots of things in the recent past and therefore leaving our minds empty and hungry for new any new information to replace the old stuff we’ve forgotten! The second, ‘Everything’s finger food these days’, is a memory from our first trip to the…

WHETHER YOU need to make your home more accessible for a family member, or you need specialist equipment to help you manage day-to-day tasks, home adaptations can often be expensive and time-consuming. That’s why it’s important to consider all of the financial options available to you before you commit to making any long-term changes, particularly if they involve any structural adjustments to the home. Disabled facilities grants If you or a family member living at home is registered disabled, you can apply for a grant from your local council to accommodate your specific needs and requirements. This can include the widening of doors, installation of wheelchair ramps, stairlifts, or a downstairs bathroom, and the adaption of lighting and/or heating controls for easier use. In order to be eligible, someone living…

Avocado and chicken bake This is a great light lunch or supper dish. As an alternative to the chicken, try chopped cooked prawns or drained, flaked, canned tuna fish. ■ 50 g cooked chopped chicken thigh or breast meat ■ 50 g freshly made brown bread crumbs ■ 1 tbsp Greek-style natural yoghurt ■ 1 tbsp freshly chopped tarragon or parsley ■ Salt and freshly ground black pepper ■ 1 large ripe avocado, halved ■ Juice ½ lemon ■ 25 g Parmesan cheese, grated EQUIPMENT You will need a one-litre mixing bowl, tablespoon, teaspoon, citrus juicer, pastry brush, microwaveable avocado dish, two microwaveable dinner plates, chopping board and knife, and cheese grater. NUTRITIONAL NOTE: Avocados have many nutritional benefits. The chicken makes a significant contribution towards your Recommended Daily…

Gardening for Mind, Body and Soul, by Annie Burdock There’s fascinating information from gardeners and psychologists on the health and well-being benefits of gardens and gardening alongside tips to help you get the best of gardening and your garden, all illustrated with beautiful photographs to aid identification of plants. You’ll find: ■ Practical ways to turn gardening into a powerful exercise routine and understand why it’s such a benefit to your body. ■ Simple projects to use the garden’s offerings to experience your senses on a new, more vibrant level. ■ Hands-on ways to engage more with the natural world, and tools to work toward a happier perspective and a genuine contentment in life. ■ Published by Summersdale, hardback, £12.99 ISBN: 978-1800071629 My Tiny Kitchen Garden by Felicity Hart You…

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 Natural Elements and 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…

EVERY MONTH research into all manner of topics arrives in my inbox, sometimes bizarre(Britain’s favourite pizza topping, for example – pepperoni if anyone cares) but often interesting. One that struck a chord with me, as I live in London, was from car leasing company Select which found, unsurprisingly, that drivers in the capital spend more time stuck in traffic jams than any other region. We lose 113 hours (or four and a half days) a year to severe congestion, 40 hours more than anywhere else. Locally, traffic chaos is a daily curse, but it has become far worse recently thanks to the introduction of a so-called ‘low traffic neighbourhood’ scheme. Never was there a greater misnomer. Barriers, such as bollards, and planters have shut off streets to cars, pushing them…

Can you help with a problem with HMRC? Q Can you please help my wife and myself following months of problems with HMRC? My wife suddenly started to receive demands from HMRC for quite large amounts. She wrote letters to them and received no reply. She then rang, often hanging on for well over an hour, felt she had sorted it, only then to receive further demands. In March 2021 she wrote a letter of complaint and, yet again, there was no response. Before Christmas last year I started to get demands too, even though I had already paid extra tax, like my wife. After Christmas we rang HMRC again; this time we did get somebody very helpful who was working from home. They explained that some banks do not…

Retired couple Peter and Julie Barnes from Gloucestershire have been home and pet sitting since they retired. During his career, Peter spent many years in the Armed Forces, including the Royal Marines, before working in the printing industry. Julie was a swimming coach and a manager at a large leisure centre. When they retired, they wanted to experience some new adventures. Peter was keen to get a dog, but the couple also wanted to travel, and thought it would be too difficult with a pet. Homesitting was the perfect solution. One of their favourite parts of the job is travelling, exploring new places and spending time in the countryside. Julie says, “We do a lot of homesits around the Cotswolds, near to where we live. Even if we’re only going…

Some matches during the heyday of terraced grounds attracted incredible crowds. In fact, the official crowd figures may have been significant under-estimates, as stadiums weren’t as impenetrable as they are now and turnstiles weren’t as efficient as modern digital systems. The introduction of all-seater stadiums increased safety but of course reduced capacity. In 1934,84,569 turned up at Maine Road when Manchester City played Stoke City in the FA Cup sixth round. There were also 80,000-plus attendances at Stamford Bridge when Chelsea took on Arsenal in the League in 1935 and for Manchester United’s ‘home’ League game against Arsenal in 1948; the latter was actually held at Maine Road while Old Trafford was being rebuilt after wartime bomb damage. Inevitably, but tragically, these massive attendances brought with them the capacity for…

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…

Kate Turner, Miracle-Gro’s gardening guru brings, you her top tips for jobs in the garden for April. Naturally, she recommends Miracle-Gro products but of course other brands are available. ■ It’s the perfect time to buy and plant summer-flowering bulbs such as begonias, dahlias and lilies ■ Continue to feed the birds as they will be trying to feed their young and will appreciate the extra support ■ Get your Miracle-Gro EverGreen Premium Plus Autumn & Spring Lawn Food onto the lawn; it’s likely the hard winter will have taken its toll and the lawn may need a little extra TLC ■ In April you can start sowing many types of vegetables outside, including spinach, peas, carrots and beetroot in well-prepared soil. You don’t need a large patch of land;…

CD of the month Various Artists Separate Paths Together (Grapefruit) This wonderfully eclectic three-disc set focuses on the British singer-songwriter scene during the post-Dylan, pre-punk era, and the 67 tracks range from hit singles to obscure album tracks. KevinCoyne, Kevin Ayers and Michael Chapman represent themore progressivewing, but tracks bymore pop-orientated artists such as Gilbert O’Sullivan, Peter Skellern and Leo Sayer do not sound out of place here – a quality song is a quality song, after all, no matter what genre it’s pigeon-holed under. It’s great to see such under-the-radar singersongwriters as Clifford T Ward andHarveyAndrews represented, while Peter Sarstedt’s contribution proves there wasmuch more to his talent than Where Do You Go To My Lovely.. Also featured are such luminaries as Al Stewart, Richard Thompson, Bert Jansch and…

The Marmalade Diaries by Ben Aitken Published by Icon Books Price £16.99 Pages 336 ISBN 9781785788130 At 84 and newly widowed, Winnie would like a live-in companion, someone who could help with the shopping, do some cooking and offer tips on the crossword. Ben is 34 and looking for somewhere to live. When he sees an advertisement for a Wimbledon house share for just £200 a month, it looks ideal. In November 2020 he moves in, just days before lockdown 2.0 comes into force. As they spend more time than expected in each other’s company, the friendship that grows makes a wonderful read. Winnie is a real character, quirky and fun, and Ben writes with wit and charm. HARDBACK BOOK OF THE MONTH Pick of the paperbacks The Real Stanley…

This month’s quiz will test your knowledge of what people used to call the wireless. See how sound your knowledge is about radio, past and present. The answers are over the page. 1 Can you name the private investigator and special agent who was the star of the BBC’s first daily radio series? 2 Name the Archers’ family farm. 3 And what is the name of the local pub that features in The Archers? 4 Which song did Terry Wogan popularise in his 1978 recording (it describes an annual custom at Helston, Cornwall)? 5 Name the first female host of the Radio One Breakfast Show. 6 Which character in the first major BBC radio serial used to say “I’m rather worried about Jim…”? 7 Name the Peruvian who was a…