Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 479 i Yours Magazine

Here at Yours we always look forward to celebrating VE Day and like to make the most of our opportunity to come together to remember those who sacrificed so much for our freedom. In this issue we're commemorating the 80th anniversary with some powerful stories recalling what it was like to be children during The Blitz and how, despite the hardships, they still enjoyed moments of joy. On page 70 we turn the clock back to 1945 to revisit how the nation, from Royalty and politicians to soldiers and civilians, revelled in the victory. And there are some delicious recipes for you to try, including a scrummy strawberry cheesecake – perfect to take along to a street party. Also in this issue, our cover star Maureen Lipman exclusively tells us…

Cruelly dubbed the world's ugliest animal, the blobfish has been crowned New Zealand's Fish of the Year! The Mountains to Sea Conservation Trust holds the annual competition to raise awareness of marine life, and Kiwis went to the polls to support the misjudged fish. The Blobfish has no skeleton, muscles or outer scales. When out of water, the deep-sea creature deforms into a messy sea trifle. Birdland Park and Gardens in Bourton-on-the-Water in the Cotswolds is welcoming two new arrivals – a pair of female King penguins. The duo were hatched in Germany in 2021 and 2023, and are quarantining before joining their new colony. Both genders belonging to the species Aptenodytes patagonicus are known as ‘King’ penguins, which can cause confusion when talking about females. The pair are part…

■ Here are some colourful teddies I've been knitting for a local charity shop to raise funds for the homeless. Kathleen Fortis, via email ■ After finding some sewing magazines from 2014, I'm having fun making up some of the patterns. Aren't these piggy pin cushions cute? Maureen Humphrey, via email ■ I decided on a challenge to make 100 pairs of mittens before Christmas for the Love in a Box charity. I achieved it by November, and they went off to the Ukraine and eastern Europe. Jean Brookes, Wirral GET IN TOUCH We love to see your makes. Please share your creations with us using the contact details on page 3.…

NEWS YOU CAN USE CHECK THE VALUE OF YOUR POSSESSIONS Two-thirds of UK households are underinsured, as inflation has pushed up the cost of replacing home contents. Back in 2016, the average value of contents in a three-bedroom family home was estimated at £55,000 by the Association of British Insurers. Soaring inflation has pushed this above £72,900, according to comparison site MoneySuperMarket. Yet two-thirds of the contents insurance policies bought through MoneySuperMarket cover less than £70,000 worth of contents. ‘If you find yourself having to deal with a disaster only to discover that you don't have enough insurance, facing expensive replacement bills can be a shock,’ says Alicia Hempsted from MoneySuperMarket. When valuing your contents, look beyond the obvious items such as jewellery, computers and furniture. Consider more permanent possessions,…

There are few TV shows more iconic and more warmly remembered than Bonanza. Through 14 seasons and a staggering 431 episodes, this series would become an American institution, with its instantly memorable theme tune (which would go Top 20 in the States) and its focus on family above fist fights. Unlike other Western shows, Bonanza wasn't a simple shoot-'emup – it told broader, more universal stories, touching on themes such as racial prejudice, sexual violence and religious intolerance. ‘The gunfighter played a small, inconsequential role in the story of the west,’ Bonanza creator David Dortort explained. ‘The true history of the West is about family, pioneers… Our scripts delved into characters and dealt with human relationships, which is where the best stories are. And we tried to teach something about…

I still remember the excitement of VE Day. I was five years old at our celebration street party and felt very special to be chosen as Victory Queen. A boy named Geoffrey was King and we sat on someone's garden wall for a photograph. Not many people had cameras then and my mum proudly showed the resulting black and white photo around, but sadly it hasn't survived. Mostly I remember the excitement and singing and the long trestle tables laden with food provided by the neighbours. Even at that age, I remember a lifting of spirits everywhere though I didn't understand why. Audrey Roderick, Penzance, Cornwall Yours says: Thank you for sharing this timely memory with us Audrey. Read our feature on VE Day on page 70. ◆Our star letter will…

We're used to comedians Katherine Ryan and Seann Walsh making people laugh with their side-splitting jokes, but for their new show, hosted by Dermot O'Leary, the comics are faced with an audience who will try their hardest not to crack. Here, Dermot, 51, Katherine, 41, and Seann, 39, tell us why Silence is Golden. Why did Silence is Golden appeal to you? Dermot: You can explain this show in two sentences. Seventy of you have won £250,000 to split between you and all you have to do in the next hour is not say anything and our job is to get the money back. U&Dave said to us categorically at the start, ‘We don't have this money to give away,’ which comes with its own unique pressure. Katherine: I just…

Food's the source of much marital banter for Prue Leith, 85, and ‘naughty’ hubby John Playfair, 78. He wishes he was married to Mary Berry when cake is rationed at home. Now she's cross with him for bringing her breakfast in bed on Saturdays. ‘He'll bring me tea and yogurt and I'll be furious because I won't be able to resist eating it. I don't usually have breakfast and I have a problem keeping my weight remotely down,’ she says. Treasured last words Knowing her own time is ‘extremely limited,’ assisted dying campaigner Dame Esther Rantzen, 84, desperately wants to leave her family with positive memories. ‘I want the ones I love to have good memories of our life together. Not terrible memories of the way I die,’ she's said.…

Julia Bradbury has loved walking since childhood, when her father would take her hiking in the Peak District after school. That passion shaped her career, leading to shows including Britain's Best Walks and Cornwall and Devon Walks with Julia Bradbury. But in recent years, nature has taken on an even deeper meaning. Following her 2021 breast cancer diagnosis and double mastectomy – a journey she shared in the documentary Julia Bradbury: Breast Cancer and Me – she credits walking with helping her heal, both physically and mentally. ‘It feels like a nice organic segue’ Now cancer-free, Julia has overhauled her lifestyle, cutting sugar, reducing alcohol, and deepening her mindfulness practice. Her fascination with ‘the science of wellbeing’ led her to write Walk Yourself Happy and launch Walk Yourself Happy Retreats, where…

Maureen Hunt was only three when she waved her older brother and sister off at the train station on the eve of the Second World War. It was September 1939 and, gas masks dangling over their shoulders, her siblings, Ken and Phyllis, looked terrified, but their mum, Ethel, had told them to be brave so they didn't cry. It was Maureen who sobbed on the bus back because, although she didn't fully understand what was happening, she already missed them. Days earlier, the Government had launched Operation Pied Piper, a mass evacuation of children out of British cities in case they were bombed. ‘My eyes stung from the heat of the fires’ Maureen was so bereft her dad, Joseph, bought her a tiny black kitten for her fourth birthday to…

SOOTHE MUSCLES If you're struggling with sore muscles, a warm bath can help relax tension and reduce inflammation. We highly recommend the Radox Mineral Therapy Muscle Relax Bath Salts, £3, which are enriched with calcium, sodium and magnesium for an effective body-soothing experience. Arnica extract is another ingredient renowned for its healing abilities. Use the Weleda Arnica Muscle Soak Bath Milk, £16.25, to assist with muscle repair and relieve soreness. Rosemary and lavender essential oils will also create a relaxing atmosphere in your bathroom. For a post-bath treat, apply the Neal's Yard Warming Salve, £16. We've found that the comforting formula provides warm relief to aches and pains. PREPARE FOR SLEEP One of the most popular times to have a bath is before bed as it's such an amazing way…

Quick feta egg tortilla Serves: 4 Takes: 25min, plus pickling and cooling ■ 150g feta ■ 4 eggs ■ 1tsp sea salt ■ 1tsp red pepper flakes ■ 4 x 11.5cm flour tortillas (or taco wraps) ■ 1 avocado, peeled, stone removed, and flesh sliced ■ 6-8 cherry tomatoes, halved ■ 15g fresh coriander leaves QUICK PICKLED ONIONS ■ 1 medium red onion, halved and thinly sliced ■ 60ml white wine vinegar ■ 1tsp caster sugar ■ 1tsp flaky sea salt 1 For the pickled onions, place the onions in a 280g jar. Add the vinegar, 120ml water, the sugar, and salt. Close the lid and shake to mix. Leave to pickle in the fridge for about 30min. 2 Heat a large frying pan with a lid over a medium-high…

Make it this weekend You may be able to source pallets locally from various companies or online marketplaces such as Gumtree and Facebook From £24.49 YOU WILL NEED ■ 2 large pallets & 2 mini pallets, for the base ■ 100mm x 22mm sawn treated timber, £8/2.4m wickes.co.uk ■ Sandpaper & hammer ■ Paintbrush, & leftover exterior wood paint ■ Tape measure, pencil & saw ■ Drill, drill bits, screwdriver & 5cm screws ■ 150cm wide wax cloth: Water Repellent Outdoor Canvas Fabric, from £9.99/m ukfabricsonline.com ■ Wooden batten or broom pole & nails ■ Spade, fork & trowel ■ Peat-free soil improver: Verve £6.50/50L diy.com ■ Plants: we used morning glories & squashes 1 Put the mini pallets in place, then arrange the two large pallets to make a…

Jane, 70s, is looking for new friends in the Edinburgh area to have fun with. She likes countryside/beach walks, visiting museums, travel, music and reading. APR3-101 Widower Jan, mid-70s, is hoping to meet a kind, unattached gentleman of similar age – a non-smoker who drives, enjoys Sixties music, tribute bands, holidays and romance. Leicestershire area. APR3-102 Gill, 59, from the north west, loves animals, car boots, crafts, reading and the piano. She would like new pen friends male/female from all over the UK. APR3-103 Young-looking Sandy, 80, from Wirral, is still full of life and is looking for a smart gentleman, 70-80, for good company, coastal/country walks and pub lunches. APR3-104 Outgoing Ginny from County Durham, is retired and looking for female friends within 20 miles of Stanley. She enjoys…

Setting my backpack down, I flopped onto the couch. I'd just returned from an amazing trip visiting my son, Johnny, in Thailand. I'd been blown away by the bright colours and buzz, but now, back home in Kilkeel, County Down, I kept staring wistfully at my passport. As a young girl, I'd dreamed of travelling. But by my 30s, I'd been a single mum to Johnny and his sister, Aisling. I'd worked hard as a social worker, and family holidays had been caravan parks. Still, I longed to see a bit of the world. When Johnny started a travel blog, One Step4Ward, I began going with him on trips, and it inspired me to follow my dream – and Thailand was just the start of my adventures. But then I…

DOUBLE UP The innovative, two-sided applicator on this volumising mascara features fibre bristles on one side to coat eyelashes, and a fine-tooth comb on the other to separate – perfect for achieving a clump-free finish. STRETCH OUT Tubing mascaras feature polymers that coat each strand, creating a ‘tube’ effect. The result? Defined lashes with zero smudging. Best of all, they require no make-up remover – simply wash off with warm water. CREATE DRAMA Out of all of the affordable mascaras we've tried, this one from Collection is the best. Not only does it achieve a defined finish, but it also nourishes the lashes with bamboo extract. BOOST GROWTH For longer-lasting benefits, try this refillable option. It includes keratin, which can help to strengthen hairs, meaning bare lashes look and feel…

Difficulty rating: YOU WILL NEED □4-ply cotton yarn – one 100g ball of Patons Cotton will make approx four jar covers □3mm crochet hook □75cm of 6mm ribbon □Luggage tags □Empty glass jar, around 400g to 500g in size, thoroughly cleaned ABBREVIATIONS ch = chain ss = slip stitch dc = double crochet tr = treble crochet st(s) = stitch(es) ■ Can't get this yarn? Find a suitable alternative at yarnsub.com How to make Ch4 then ss to make a ring. Row 1: Ch3 (which becomes your first tr stitch). Work 11tr into the ring (12sts). Ss to join the round. Row 2: Ch3, then work a tr into the same stitch. Work 2tr into each stitch all the way round. Ss to join. (24sts) Row 3: Ch3, then work a tr into the same…

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. Financing a vehicle can be confusing, with so many different ways to cover the cost. If you aren't handing over a suitcase full of cash, you'll need to get to grips with the different ways to borrow enough money. The monthly payments will be driven (as it were!) not just by the price of the car and the form of financing, but also by the size of any deposit, the interest rate charged and the length of the contract.…

Panasonic Water Flosser Series 800 This device allows you to tailor your flossing routine by adjusting the water pressure across five different levels. It also remembers the last setting you used, so you don't have to manually reset it each time. ■ £109.99, panasonic.com ORDO Hydro Sonic Water Flosser A stylish addition to any bathroom with its sleek rose-gold design, this ORDO flosser gives you up to 2000 water pulsations per minute, three pressure settings and 360° nozzle rotation. ■ £52.99, Robert Dyas Icy Bear Water Flosser Ideal for travel, this flosser sits neatly in the water reservoir for compact storage, then, when in use, you extend the reservoir. It also has four nozzles, a two-minute timer and four pressure settings. ■ £59.99, icybeardental.com…

SIGN OF VICTORY CHURCHILL GAVE HIS FAMOUS VICTORY SIGN FROM THE BALCONY OF THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH IN WHITEHALL WHILE ADDRESSING CROWDS OF 50,000 PEOPLE. ‘IN ALL OUR HISTORY, WE HAVE NEVER SEEN A GREATER DAY,’ HE SAID. ‘THIS IS YOUR HOUR. THIS IS YOUR VICTORY… IT'S A VICTORY OF THE GREAT BRITISH NATION AS A WHOLE.’ BITTERSWEET RELIEF After almost six years in a war that had cost the lives of millions and brought suffering, rationing and bombing, the Ministry of Information announced that Tuesday 8 May 1945 would be treated as a holiday and be called Victory in Europe Day. Although the war wasn't completely over, parades and street parties took place across the whole of the UK, with the largest in London, particularly in Whitehall, Trafalgar Square,…

As common as muck and twice as dirty, the gloriously uncouth Rita Webb was as likely to lift her skirt and flash a hefty pair of flannelette knickers as she was to unleash a scream of insults, peppered with bleeding this and bloody that. Rita was a proper character actress and she knew it. ‘I had to choose between being a hungry straight actress or a fat comedy actress,’ she said. ‘Simple choice!’ Born Olive Rita Webb, in Willesden, in February 1904, she had been on the legitimate stage for seven years before the fun and the money of frivolous theatre lured her away. During her time on the variety halls, just before the outbreak of the First World War, she met banjo player Al Jeffrey. A life partner, she…

What you're reading…. The Lamplighter's Bookshop by Sophie Austin (Harper Collins, £9.99) ‘Beautifully written, with likeable characters,’ says Hannah Cooper. When Evelyn answers an advertisement for a bookshop assistant she meets the enigmatic William. Both have something to hide, but, as the layers are brushed away, can they find the courage to write the next chapter of their story? I Would Die For You by Sadie Jones (Pan, £9.99) ‘A gripping dual-timeline thriller exploring the dark side of fandom,’ says Jane Bachelor. Nicole's life is upended when a writer arrives investigating the downfall of the biggest pop band of the Eighties. The same day, her daughter vanishes and Nicole is forced to confront buried secrets to protect everything she holds dear. The Golden Hour by Kate Lord Brown (Simon &…

£10 cheque for every letter published What's wrong with wrinkles? ◆Why is there so much pressure on people, particularly women, to look younger than they are? I'm in my 80s and would love to relax into a comfortable old age. Instead, I'm bombarded by adverts for serums, moisturisers and foundations, all ‘guaranteed’ to take years off me. There's no shame in growing older; not everyone's lucky enough to make it. I'd much sooner see a face full of laughter lines than one that looks as if it has been embalmed. After all, no one ever died of wrinkles. Mary Cook, Gainsborough, Lincs Getting ready to nibble ◆ My grandmother was unhappy with my grandad for not showing her enough attention. She told him she remembered when they were younger, he…

WORTH £120 IN TOTAL Win Recipes for Love and Murder DVD We have a mouth-watering prize for you as we're giving away four DVDs of Recipes for Love and Murder Series 2, each worth £30, courtesy of Acorn Media International. Maria Doyle Kennedy returns as food columnist turned agony aunt and amateur sleuth, Tannie Maria. She is joined by tenacious journalist, Jessie September, and police detective, Khaya Meyer, for a new batch of murder mysteries in the picturesque South African town of Eden. This time, the trio are dragged into a murder investigation that unearths the town's darkest secrets… ENTERING IS EASY! BY POST: Send the coupon on p95 ONLINE: yours.co.uk/competitions TEXT AND BY PHONE! Turn the page for details! Closing date: 19 May, 2025 £871 WORTH OF PRIZES TO…

SAGITTARIUS 23 NOW-20 DEC You may be tugged between a stay put and move on decision, yet progress seems to be in the air. ■ For a weekly update call 09044 705708 CAPRICORN 21 DEC-20 JAN You're moving into an important personal time, with new chapters unfolding around kith and kin. ■ For a weekly update call 09044 705709 AQUARIUS 21 JAN-18 FEB The cosmos stirs wanderlust, suggesting a busy time, with many short trips and maybe a bigger journey being planned. ■ For a weekly update call 09044 705710 PISCES 19 FEB-20 MARCH New avenues may now be explored by yourself or by younger members of your circle. Focus on strengths. ■ For a weekly update call 09044 705711 ARIES 21 MARCH-19 APRIL What's sorted and settled for you…

Dear readers, It's with a heavy heart that I tell you this is my final column for your favourite magazine. I have loved being part of Yours. Pushing my trolley round the supermarket, gazing at the artefacts in the British Museum and in every nook and cranny of the UK on my recent Vanessa Bares All autobiographical book tour, charming ladies have approached me, engaged in a spirited chat and told me how much they look forward to my column in Yours. It has been a pleasure and a privilege writing for and meeting so many switched-on, engaged and humorous people. Why am I hanging up my quill? The answer, as it pretty much always has been in my life story, is work. You might have noticed – I certainly…