Pick Me Up! 13-Aug-2020

I began volunteering for SSAFA, The Armed Forces Charity, 16 years ago after I retired from being a nurse. Both of my grandfathers had served during WW1 and WW2, and my husband was ex Merchant Navy, so I had always felt some connection to the military. We’d seen a SSAFA advert looking for volunteers, and both being associated with the services, my husband and I thought we’d go for it. We met with one of the Divisional Secretaries and went through the roles. The beauty of it was I could work when I wanted, and we’d get to meet some extraordinary people along the way. SSAFA is there to support military personnel, veterans and their families, when they are in need. So, we go to people’s homes and fight their…

WE’RE LOVING THIS! Looking for new ways to keep the little ones entertained during the summer holidays? Well look no further than Little Cooks Co, the UK’s first healthy cooking kit for kids. This monthly subscription-based recipe kit is posted through the letterbox, direct to kids. It is packed with all the natural and healthy dry ingredients of that month’s delicious and nutritious recipe for children to bake in their home. Ingredients are perfectly  measured to make each recipe and also it includes a small activity or craft for children to  enjoy while making their yummy  bake from scratch. It’s fun, educational,  affordable, and will create lasting memories for all involved. Ready to bake? Prices start from £12.99 www.littlecooksco.co.uk Something fishy This little guy refuses to sashay away! Whilst Sea Life Brighton remained closed…

Getting home from school, I dropped my books and gym bag on the floor. ‘What club was it today?’ my mum Judy, now 60, asked, plating up my dinner. ‘Gymnastics,’ I replied. All through my childhood, I was sporty and flexible. But I was also quite a clumsy child–I was always falling over, sometimes ending up in hospital with dislocated joints. I put it down to being active–I loved dancing, gymnastics and cross-country running. Little did I know, my fragile joints were caused by a rare, life-changing condition, something I would discover later in life. At 13 years old, I noticed something else unusual. Looking in the mirror, I realised I had a strange curve in my spine. My doctor recognised the condition immediately ‘You’ve got scoliosis,’ he explained, examining…

Fate has a way of turning your life upside down. After 30 years of marriage, my husband Dennisand I thought we were on our way to a happy retirement together. We’d met in London back in the 80’s. I was a single mum of four working for a taxi firm–Dennis was one of the drivers, and had swept me off my feet. After getting married, we moved out to Kent, and Dennis was a great dad to my kids. Our golden years arrived in 2006 when our first granddaughter arrived, followed by a second in 2009. ‘We’ve done pretty well, haven’t we?’ Dennis smiled. But it was that year, when I was 50, that fate came calling. ‘I’ve got a splitting headache,’ I grumbled to Dennis after a long day…

This week, our tip of the week will receive a great product from Addis! Part of the Lynsey Queen of clean collection this pink fold flat basket is ideal for when space is a premium. It collapses down to store in between the smallest of gaps yet boasts a large 38l capacity. Also great for supermarket visits. For more ways to make your life easier, visit addis.co.uk Let’s chill! If you store clingfilm in the fridge, it won’t stick to itself when unravelling. Angela Garvin, Romford Three little gnomes Destined for the bin, that would be a sin! Paint them, love them, now happy little things. I brought my gnomes to life. Carol Loader, Somerset Cheers to that! I decant small amounts of spirits into bottles in the freezer. On…

Complete the grid then read down the shaded squares to reveal the hidden answer. Clue: Film industry job. ACROSS 6 _ Lennox, singer (5) 7 Confessed (8) 10 John _, voiced Sulley in Monsters, Inc. (7) 11 Current of air (7) 12 Meeting for discussion (7) 13 Is uncertain or indecisive (7) 14 People eligible to work (6,5) 19 Sordid (7) 21 _ Imbruglia, singer who had a UK No. 2 single with 1997’s Torn (7) 23 Aviation terminal (7) 25 Idea (7) 26 Provide the capital for (8) 27 Valuable commodity (5) DOWN 1 Relaxed and unofficial (8) 2 European language (6) 3 Make progress (4,6) 4 Among (4) 5 Singer who rose to fame as part of hiphop group The Black Eyed Peas (6) 6 Month (6) 8…