Chat 06 January 2022

I’ve got a new hero. He’s gorgeous, brave, loyal with a good job…and a waggy tail. Police dog Bart’s human partner Kelly is pretty cool, too. She shares their life on paw patrol (p30). Three cheers for Becky who is revealing her biggest secret in the hope of getting help (p10). And Kristina’s story is sure to cause a stir (p34). Can’t wait to hear what you think about this one. Turn to p40 for easy party foods to impress your guests, while candle lovers won’t want to miss our round-up of the best scents on p29. Plus tons more! Stay safe and well this week. COVER PHOTOS: GETTY, ELIZAVETA LEIZEROVA…

£25 for any photos that we use on Picture Perfect. They must not have been sent to any other publication and you must include written permission from a child’s parent/s or guardian/s. Post to Picture Perfect, Chat, 161 Marsh Wall, London E14 9AP, or email chat_magazine@futurenet.com Unfortunately, we can’t return photos without an SAE. And please don’t forget to include your full address and a contact number.…

Janice Collins, 70, Bristol Buttoning up my coat, I popped my head around the livingroom door. ‘See you later,’ I smiled to my mum and dad. ‘Take care,’ Mum warned as I slammed the front door shut. Like most parents, they worried. But I was 16, and used to having freedom. Growing up in Pill, a Somerset village, in the 1960s, my friends and I were always hitch-hiking or catching buses alone. It was 1968, before mobile phones and Uber cabs, and everything felt safe. After the four-mile bus journey, I spent the evening at my friend’s house playing Motown records, before wandering through the fading light back to the bus stop. It was 9pm, and the bus was due. Some 10 minutes later, though, there was still no sign. I peered into the darkness hoping to see headlights along…

Between them, Fred and Rose West raped, tortured and killed girls and young women, burying many at 25 Cromwell Street, Gloucester. Fred died by suicide while awaiting trial for 12 murders in 1995. Rose was convicted of 10 murders and given a whole-life term. But experts believe the 12 bodies found are the ‘tip of the iceberg’. In May 2021, police excavated the basement of the Clean Plate Cafe in Gloucester, looking for the remains of Mary Bastholm, 15. Mary vanished from a bus stop in January 1968, and it’s believed she was offered a lift by Fred West in a van – several months before Janice’s encounter. Mary was a waitress at the cafe, where Fred was a regular and reportedly did renovations. Private investigators filming ITV documentary Fred and…

NUMBER JIG According to Guinness World Records, the Hong Kong Girl Guides Association created the longest lanyard ever between 1999 and 2000. How many metres long was it? Fit these numbers into the grid. One number doesn’t fit. This is the prize answer. 3 digits 242271286291325326341584661945 4 digits 28482871342742374538492949485678571759766401858286709461 5 digits 1182115280173372212127713291894057641156412327614277523 6 digits 201261372600429267 7 digits 314769470901988722356 8 digits 24240746279167376248403594504261 WIN £250 Puzzle 1 Your answer: SPIRAL XWORD Which children’s figurine was originally invented by Thomas Dam? The answer to each clue (apart from the first) begins with the last letter of the preceding answer. The shaded squares will spell out the one-word prize answer. 1 Season (6) 2 Award for science, literature, peace etc (5,5) 3 Dwight D _, former US president (10) 4 Snakes, lizards, turtles etc (8) 5 Child’s overnight party (9) 6 BBC sitcom set in space (3,5) 7 Agricultural accommodation (9) 8 Hug (7) 9 _ Clapton, guitarist and singer…

£25 For every photo tip that we print It wheelie works Don’t get caught out this winter when the frost comes. A small piece of wood or similar across the corner of your bin will stop the lid freezing down! Mick Knowles, Worksop Beauty spot If, like me, you often forget when you’ve opened a new face cream or eye cream, add a sticky dot with the date written on it to the front of the boxes or bottles. Elaine Compton, Monkton Lightbulb moment To remember which paint colour you have used in different rooms of your house, remove the plate from your light switch and write on the inside. Sophie Undrill, Lincoln Crafty and classy I bought myself a plain pair of shoes and a metre of black lace ribbon. I then sewed the lace ribbon on…