Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 486 i Yours Magazine

The holiday season is well and truly upon us and there’s lots of inspiration in this issue if you’re planning a trip away in the coming weeks. We’ve got gorgeous ideas for your summer wardrobe from just £3, beauty buys for under £10 and the best hair products to help you fight frizz! I’m off to south Devon at the end of the month and I can’t wait! As a child I mostly spent my summer holidays visiting family in Cyprus and didn’t see much of Britain outside of London where I grew up. While I’m certainly not complaining, I’ve now discovered how wonderful holidaying closer to home can be. And I’ve fallen in love with Devon – its stunning beaches and rolling countryside make for excellent walking and there’s…

I thought my Oscar was a joke Despite being one of the most decorated actors in British theatre and global cinema, Judi is down to earth and often deflects praise with self-deprecation. On winning her Oscar for Best Supporting Actress, playing Queen Elizabeth I in Shakespeare in Love in 1998 – despite only eight minutes of screen time – she admitted she could barely believe it. ‘I thought they’d made a mistake,’ she said. ‘I just happened to be in the right costume at the right time. I don’t think of myself as a star. I’m just someone who enjoys what they do.’ In fact, despite Judi’s multiple other gongs, not to mention her Damehood in 1988, she admits she suffers from imposter syndrome. ‘I still get nervous. I still…

For someone described by Stephen Fry as ‘dizzy, dippy and divinely funny,’ Helen Lederer is surprisingly pragmatic. When she realised, in her 40s, that, despite appearing in a number of hit shows, she wasn’t part of the UK comedy elite like Victoria Wood, Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders, she ‘sulked a bit’. But not for long. ‘I sensibly realised that sulking isn’t very productive and also realised that I had a choice: get out of the acting and comedy business completely and do something else with my life or crack on and make the best of it. I cracked on,’ says Helen, who will be 71 next month. The common-sense decision has served her well. While she may not have received the superstar status she desperately desired in the Eighties…

Experts have been left stunned after an almost extinct animal was spotted in a new habitat. With dwindling numbers, the Leadbeater’s possum was thought to only live in Victoria, Australia, but one was captured on camera as it explored the Kosciuszko National Park – at least 250km away. The Leadbeater’s possum has big eyes and a bushy tail, and is so small that it only weighs 125g. Two rescue bears escaped from a wildlife park and headed to a food store next to their enclosure, where they raided a ‘week’s worth of honey’. Five-year-old sisters, Mish and Lucy, were orphans in Albania, but struggled to survive in the wild and now happily reside in Wildwood Devon Zoo. After their feast, the mischievous pair returned to their enclosure for a sugar-induced…

TRENDY PAIRING Wear this fun set together for a sunset dinner, or team the shirt with jeans for an easy, off-duty ensemble. DRESS TO IMPRESS An off-the shoulder frock may seem daunting, but they’re actually an easy way to keep cool without flashing too much flesh. GET SHORTY Wear shorts the grown-up way by opting for a long-line, tailored version which provides a little extra coverage. POOLSIDE ESSENTIALS In need of a body confidence boost? Bold prints are brilliant for disguising any lumps and bumps. WIDE STRIDES Palazzo trousers are brilliant for showing off your waistline and skimming over hips and thighs.…

COOK’S TIP Serve as a light lunch or try with grilled fish for a delicious supper. Panzanella salad Cost per serving 87p Serves: 4 Takes: 10min, plus soaking 200g day-old crusty or sourdough bread, torn into bite-size pieces 3 tomatoes, chopped 1 cucumber, diced 1 small red onion, thinly sliced 2 roasted red peppers from a jar, drained and cut into chunky pieces 165g canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed Handful of fresh basil leaves, torn Salt and freshly ground black pepper 4tbsp ready-made Italian-style dressing or vinaigrette 1 Put the bread into a large bowl. Add the tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, pepper, chickpeas, and basil. 2 Pour over the dressing and gently toss until everything is well coated. Set aside for 10-15min to allow the bread to soak up the…

It was the transatlantic sci-fi face-off to end them all. On Saturday 30 August 1980, ITV scheduled a new American show directly against the first episode of the latest series of Doctor Who. As a nation, we couldn’t help but feel that the Doctor’s low-budget bumbling paled in comparison to the expense and swagger of Buck Rogers in the 25th Century (1980-82). This fact was reflected in the shows’ respective ratings. Doctor Who saw its figures fall from a series high of 16.1 million viewers the season before to a low of 3.7 million viewers in November 1980, the lowest ratings in the programme’s history. The resulting numbers forced the BBC to move the Time Lord to a weekday slot where the competition was less intense. Buck Rogers was the…

The Cambridge Footlights of the early Sixties was something of a Boys’ Club. Peter Cook was the guiding light which all three Goodies and half of Monty Python followed. All were also involved in the radio show I’m Sorry I’ll Read That Again. The lone female voice was Jo Kendall. So brilliantly inventive and funny was Jo that she became known as JoKe – do you see what they did there? Born in Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire, Jo studied at the Central School of Speech and Drama. It was while teaching English and Drama in Cambridge that she joined the Amateur Dramatic Club Theatre, and there shone as Desdemona in William Shakespeare’s Othello. At the age of 23 she auditioned for Humphrey Barclay, who was directing the stage revue, Cambridge Circus. Jo’s…

What you’re reading…. The Serial Killer’s Party by Amy Cunningham (HarperCollins, £8.99) ‘Inventive, tense, and deliciously dark,’ says Tina Davies. When a handful of strangers gather at a remote country house, what begins as a glamorous party quickly spirals into a deadly game of secrets and survival. This is a wickedly entertaining tale of trust, fear, and deadly revelations. The Second Chance Supper Club by Caroline Roberts (HQ, £9.99) ‘Beautifully life-affirming,’ says Julia Bennett. After heartbreak drives Cath to rural Northumberland, her spontaneous supper club draws together lost souls in need of friendship. This uplifting novel celebrates community, courage, and the hope found in new beginnings. The Girl with the Suitcase by Lesley Pearse (Michael Joseph, £8.99) ‘Gripping, heartfelt, and rich with atmosphere,’ says Anna Forbes. In wartime London, a…

⍟ It’s easy for the younger generation to speak of minimalist homes and possessions when so much can be stored digitally – photographs, music, films and books. Few letters, postcards or birthday cards are sent any more as it’s quicker to send them online, but we can lose them with a technology glitch. I’d be devastated to lose my photo albums, letters, cards and journals. They’re also essential for those with dementia as these physical prompts take them back to a time they still recall. We had to build our collections in a physical sense. The internet wasn’t around until I was 34, so I’ll keep my mementoes. Decluttering is not for me. Sarah Treweeks, Birmingham Yours says: The cloud vs ‘clutter’ – what do readers think? ◆ Our star…

WORTH OVER £400 Win a 12-month Jewellery Making & Wellness subscription box Imagine receiving a beautifully wrapped box each month, delivered from the heart of Cornwall, brimming with sparkling gemstone beads, beautiful jewellery making supplies and calming wellness treats. That’s the joy of Kernowcraft’s Jewellery Making & Wellness subscription (RRP £33.99 per box) – and you could win a box every month for a year! ■ Visit kernowcraft.com ENTERING IS EASY! BY POST: Send the coupon on p9 ONLINE: yours.co.uk/competitions TEXT AND BY PHONE! Turn the page for details! Closing date: 25 August, 2025 £1,449 WORTH OF PRIZES TO WIN! WORTH £449 WIN THE NETGEAR NIGHTHAWK M3 MOBILE ROUTER! The NETGEAR Nighthawk M3 Mobile Router (RRP £449) lets you take WiFi with you wherever you go. One lucky Yours reader will…

When Lehanne Sergison received a phone call from a South African number in 2014, she expected it to be her beloved aunt, Christine Robinson, who lived there and ran a safari lodge. But it was a police officer who was calling with devastating news – Christine had been murdered in a brutal attack. Andrew Ndlovu, then 24, had strangled, stabbed and raped Christine, 59, at her home before fleeing to his native Zimbabwe. Frustrated by the South African police’s inability to track the killer down, as well as the lack of support provided by the UK’s foreign office, Lehanne, 54, took matters into her own hands and looked him up on Facebook where she found him hiding in plain sight – and looking for love. Over the next two months…

AWAKEN YOUR SENSES Nothing says ‘summer’ more than those fresh, citrus scents – so why not bring them into the shower? Yours loves this orange-infused shower gel, which lathers up beautifully for a fresh, zesty start to the day. BOOST MOISTURE Air conditioning and UV exposure can contribute to a dry complexion. Luckily, Bubble’s travel-friendly moisturiser helps quench thirsty skin without leaving a nasty residue. It’s mild enough if you suffer with sensitivity, too. TREAT YOUR FEET Want to make your pedicure last longer? The key is to apply a rich cream every night to ensure you keep your feet and nail beds soft. This affordable buy features plant-based AHAs which remove dead skin cells, along with soothing macadamia oil for sandal-ready heels. HYDRATE AND PROTECT We all know the…

Strawberry & white chocolate cake Serves: 18 Takes: 1hr 20min, plus cooling 250g salted butter, at room temperature, plus extra for greasing 200g white chocolate, broken into pieces 200g caster sugar 3 eggs, plus 2 egg whites 150g soured cream 2 tsp vanilla bean paste 250g self-raising flour 400g strawberries, hulled and diced into rough 1cm chunks FOR THE TOPPING 200g white chocolate, broken into pieces 140g cream cheese 70g salted butter, at room temperature 300g icing sugar 5 strawberries, sliced 1 Preheat the oven to 180°C/fan 160°C. Grease and line a 20cm × 30cm tin. Melt the chocolate in short bursts in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of barely simmering water (or in short bursts in the microwave, stirring between each burst). Set aside to cool slightly.…

Make it this weekend From £65.06 We upcycled old containers for this. If you need to buy, try a half-barrel planter, £23.99 garden4less.co.uk and Stewart Garden 60cm Varese low bowl in alpine grey, £32.99 longacres.co.uk YOU WILL NEED Glue & pencil Solar fountain pump: Pontec PondoSolar 150 Solar Fountain Set, £46.95 diy.com Copper pipe: Wednesbury, £8.1½m screwfix.com Old planter for the base Shallow bowl planter with a central drainage hole Saw or pipe cutter Spade & spirit level Watering can Cobblestones: Suburban Stones Scottish Cobbles, £10/25kg wickes.co.uk 1 Glue one end of the copper pipe to the pump’s outlet. Once dry, replace the outlet onto the pump. Sit the pump in the base of the barrel. 2 Thread the bowl planter down the copper pipe, sitting on the planter, and mark…

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 Many couples fall into specific roles, but if you tend to be ‘hands off’ in money matters, it might be a good move to gain an understanding – both for your own confidence and to be prepared, should the worst happen. Losing your other half is emotionally devastating, and having to get to grips with finances will be the last thing you want to deal with. Only 15% of women say they feel confident with money, should their partner pass…

SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN (1952) It’s one of the greatest musicals ever made, often copied and parodied, but never bettered – a perfect musical score with likeable characters, romance and humour. But the showstopping dance sequences, including the hilarious slapstick of Donald O’Connor’s Make ’Em Laugh, the unbridled joy of Debbie Reynolds in Good Morning (despite apparently having bleeding feet!) and Gene Kelly’s wonderfully indulgent 13-minute Broadway ballet, make this a stand-out spectacle. WEST SIDE STORY (1961) This may be a take on Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, but it’s Leonard Bernstein’s musical score and Jerome Robbins’ choreography that drive the story to its climactic ending. Iconic dance moves defined the rivalry between the Sharks and the Jets and the jazz-ballet style has never lost its cool. ROYAL WEDDING (1951) The…

FILM: MY FAIR LADY (1964) ICONIC COSTUME: A fine full-length, hand-embroidered, body-conscious white lace dress with a mermaid hem, high Edwardian collar, frilled cuffs, embellished with black striped velvet ribbon bows. The ensemble was topped with an over-sized hat also trimmed with black velvet and black ostrich feathers. SHE WORE IT WELL: Audrey Hepburn as Eliza Doolittle DESIGNED BY: Cecil Beaton SHOWSTOPPING SCENE: The moment Miss Eliza Doolittle makes her social debut at Royal Ascot races on the arm of Professor Higgins. ■ Renowned photographer and designer, Cecil Beaton, was in charge of costumes and art direction for the film. He won Oscars for both. ■ The costumes for this Ascot scene were all black, white or grey – inspired by the ‘Black Ascot’ of 1910, when attendees wore black…

Watching the children’s faces as they concentrated on reaching the high notes, Eileen couldn’t help smiling. She was helping out her daughter, Julie, at a toddler group run by the Salvation Army for youngsters and their parents. ‘Music has always been a big part of my life,’ says Eileen, 81. ‘I’ve been in choirs since the age of six. I’ve found music can be so uplifting, and it can also bring much-needed comfort at certain times.’ She first became a volunteer for the organisation when she joined a project called Good Neighbours, which aimed to ease isolation by making regular visits to people in the community who lived alone. ‘I’d go to see them once a week and got to know them well,’ she says. ‘I really enjoyed it, but…

£10 cheque for every letter published Engaging moments ◆ I have met some interesting people while waiting for a train or bus or sitting on a park bench. Just a simple ‘Hello’ can start a conversation. People are always happy to chat and have many fascinating life stories to tell. One lad was so happy to chat that I received my first fist bump at the age of 72! Susan Joyce, Chelmsford, Essex My happy reminder ◆ After reading memories of autograph albums in Meeting Place, I am wondering if anyone remembers getting a telegram? I received one from my local vicar when I got married in 1971. He was on holiday at the time, so wasn’t able to conduct the service, but he sent my husband and I a…

If it’s your birthday this fortnight… You are born under the creative and passionate Leo, a fire sign who glows with an inner radiance and strength that brings a welcome directness. Leo has no time for petty stuff, is too busy living life, which is usually an eventful one. Leo is a fine parent as a rule, encouraging good efforts and lots of fun. ■ Famous Leos celebrating this fortnight include Princess Anne, Melanie Griffith, Sarah Brightman, Antony Cotton, Geri Halliwell, Ashley Jensen and Princess Beatrice (pictured). SAGITTARIUS 23 NOV-20 DEC Everything is happening at once, with far-flung people and places perhaps featuring quite significantly. ■ For a weekly update call 09044 705708 CAPRICORN 21 DEC-20 JAN Mars comes to your destiny point now, to steer you towards what you…

When it comes to career highlights, Anita Dobson has plenty. There’s the role of landlady Angie Watts in the very first episode of EastEnders in 1985, achieving a top five hit in the UK singles chart in 1986 with Anyone Can Fall in Love and a 2003 Olivier Award nomination. There’s also the small matter of being awarded an OBE in the 2025 Birthday Honours for services to charitable fundraising and philanthropy. And that’s without even mentioning her 25-year marriage to Queen’s lead guitarist Brian May. The pair first met in 1986 and tied the knot in November 2000. Now 76, Anita shows no signs of slowing down. This year she’s appeared in an episode of Father Brown, returned to EastEnders for the 40th anniversary and has just finished filming…

Here is my beautiful boy, Coco, working on his tackling skills. Although he is 11 years old, he still likes to play football. He has a very mischievous character and is so cheeky. Maria Ioannou, Hertfordshire Meet our lovable 13-year-old rescue dog, Fern. She loves lazing in bed, and eating dog biscuits and roast chicken. Helen Gasson, East Sussex This is Felix. He is my best friend and companion after losing my husband. Felix is a very spoilt four-year-old with his own Catio! Although he is very loving and sociable. Pam Stephens, by email GET IN TOUCH Send us a picture of your pet with personality, tell us their likes, dislikes and age and if we print it you’ll receive a £10 cheque…

HEAL SPLIT ENDS Packed with nourishing plant-derived ingredients, this clever cream helps to mend and smooth brittle strands. Apply to damp hair and style as usual. NEW LAUNCH SHINE BRIGHT Silicone shampoos are brilliant for smoothing and boosting shine but can leave hair feeling drier than usual. Living Proof has created a special formula that provides the benefits of silicone along with plenty of hydration. BEAT THE WEATHER If your hair struggles in humidity, then this lightweight spray is for you. Boasting a prokeratin formula, a quick spritz will make your locks look and feel more manageable while improving texture and shine, too. PROTECT & DEFEND Not only does this serum help to control unruly strands, but it offers heat protection too. Simply apply one to three pumps onto the…

£5 AND UNDER Display your homegrown cut flowers in pretty glass vases for a decorative touch. They’ll look great on a table when dining outside in the summer sun. Scented candles keep the bugs away £15 AND UNDER Outdoor rugs are an easy way to refresh tired patios during the summer months. They’re easy to clean, and some can even be used indoors. Solar lighting is the way to go £20 AND UNDER A chic metal tray table can be easily moved around the garden and used for a variety of tasks. It’s perfect for potting plants or serving as a side table for an alfresco drink or two. £50 AND UNDER Create a calming atmosphere with elegant lighting, comfy cushions, and must-have accessories for the perfect dining alfresco experience.…

YOU WILL NEED Mrs Moon Plump DK (80% superfine merino wool, 20% baby alpaca) light-worsted-weight (double knitting) yarn, 50g, 115m skeins 6 skeins in Cherry Pie 1 pair of 3.75mm straight knitting needles 1 pair of 4.5mm straight knitting needles 3.75mm 60cm circular needle Stitch holder Tapestry needle SIZE: MEDIUM Finished measurements Chest: 100.5cm Back neck to hem: 58cm ABBREVIATIONS st (sts) = stitch(es) RS = right side k = knit p = purl patt = pattern st st = stocking stitch WS = wrong side K2togtbl = knit two together through back loop K2tog = knit two together P2tog = purl two together ■ Can’t get this yarn? Find a suitable alternative at yarnsub.com Difficulty rating: Back *Using 3.75mm straight needles, cast on 104 sts. Row 1 (RS): [K1,…

SENSIBLE SAVINGS NEWS YOU CAN USE Savers poured a record £14 billion into cash individual savings accounts (ISAs) in April, ahead of potential allowance cuts. Currently, each tax year you can pop up to £20,000 in any combination of cash or investments into an ISA, where your money can then grow untouched by the tax man. The government has been muttering about potentially lowering the amount that can be salted away in cash. It hopes this will boost the economy, by encouraging households to invest money in the stock market instead. Laura Suter from investment platform AJ Bell described moving money from ordinary savings accounts into ISAs as a ‘sensible step’, given that millions are now paying tax on interest earned on cash accounts outside ISAs. ‘The record month for…

John, early 70s, would love to meet a nice lady in the north east, similar age. He likes to walk – not too far – loves blues music and drives. AUG1-101 Ann, 77, would like to make new friends, male/female, to enjoy days out, lunch trips, visits to the theatre and maybe holidays. Downham Market/Norfolk area. Must drive. AUG1-102 Driver Sue, 64, a non-smoker with a positive friendly attitude, would like to meet a gentleman friend, mid-50s-60s, who is likeminded. She likes travel, meals out, theatre, dancing and dog walks. South west/Exeter area. AUG1-103 Elaine, 65, from Surrey, is housebound, she would like pen friends from anywhere. She likes rock music, watching TV, and animals. AUG1-104 Val, 54, from Glasgow, is friendly and outgoing. She enjoys walking through nature, eating…

£1,649 WORTH OF PRIZES TO WIN! Wordsearch Fancy expanding your record collection? Why not take some inspiration from these artists who had UK number 1 albums in 2024. ANSWERS ON PAGE 95 ARIANA GRANDE BEABADOOBEE BEYONCE BILLIE EILISH BLOSSOMS CHAPPELL ROAN CHARLI XCX COLDPLAY DAVID GILMOUR DUA LIPA ELBOW EMINEM GRACIE ABRAMS IDLES JAMES ARTHUR KASABIAN KENDRICK LAMAR KYLIE MINOGUE LEWIS CAPALDI LINKIN PARK MICHAEL BUBLE NOAH KAHAN OASIS POST MALONE SABRINA CARPENTER SHED SEVEN SNOW PATROL TAYLOR SWIFT THE CURE THE LAST DINNER PARTY THE LIBERTINES TYLER, THE CREATOR WIN £100 WHERE IS SAMMY SQUIRREL? Find where he’s hiding in this issue of Yours and you could win £100. To enter, fill in the Competitions answers coupon on page 95. Closing date for entries is 25 August 2025. More…

Podcast Chat show king Graham Norton and his friend, actress Maria McErlane, lighten the nation’s emotional baggage by dispensing “average advice and so-so solutions” to dilemmas submitted by listeners: the so-called Wangers. No topic is off limits – family disagreements, disputes with neighbours, problematic pets – and the hosts don’t hold back when rating the Wangers’ self-declared foibles in a lighthearted segment called Am I Weird? A problem shared is a reason to smile. Available on podcast platforms. Theatre An exuberant musical based on the 1993 Robin Williams film Mrs Doubtfire begins its first major UK tour on 13 August. Gabriel Vick plays Daniel Hillard, the doting father threatened with divorce, who dresses as Scottish housekeeper Euphegenia Doubtfire so he can spend more time with his three children. Iconic scenes,…

Dear readers, It has been a legal requirement – an actual law, I believe – for almost 50 years now, to refer to the extraordinary three months in the middle of the Seventies, as ‘the long hot summer of ’76’. What a time to be alive. Up until then, if you wanted a sunny holiday, it was a trip to Thomas Cook and two weeks in Benidorm. Otherwise, you were packing for a Rolodex of weather. Flippers and flip flops. Shorts and shift dresses. Thick trousers and thin socks. Pac-a-Macs and pullovers. But for one joyous summer, we suddenly discovered how easy it was when every day was the same as the one before with added heat. It all began on 23 June. And ended nine weeks later, shortly after a…