Chat 09 June 2022

Ican’t wait to hear what you think of Monica’s story in this issue (p34). It’s a controversial one, that’s for sure. With her agreement, her hubby is in charge of everything – right down to what clothes she wears! I can’t imagine having a marriage like that. Can you? Let us know what you think! We hope you enjoy the issue – it’s our usual fab mix of real-life, true crime, puzzles prizes and more! PS If you’re entering the puzzles online, this is the link to use: comps.lifedeathprizes.com/puzzles COVER PHOTOS (MAIN POSED BY MODEL): GETTY, FUTURE STUDIOS…

What shall we buy today? My cheeky sons Jamie, 8 months, and Henry, 3, are always excited to find some yummy treats at the supermarket. Ben Berry, Essex I had a great time visiting the set of Coronation Street in Salford. Here I am on the tour, outside no.9 with its distinctive blue and yellow bricks! Luke Ithurralde, Durham My dog Henley, 10 months, always has a big smile on his face after a trip to the groomer! Julie Graham, Ballynahinch A recent day trip to a nearby lake for a picnic was a much-needed chance to relax and unwind. Samantha Mckibbens, Glasgow Our two Pomeranians, Teddy and Bear, are such happy chaps. They’re my whole world! Clare Turner, Plymouth My beautiful 3-year-old granddaughter Lucy loves going on trips to the local park. Sheila Cunningham,…

BETH NICHOLSON, FROM MANCHESTER, SAYS: My Local Hero nominee is Emma Brewer, owner of First Dance Studios in Woking. During the January 2021 lockdown, Emma, 47, wanted to keep the spirit of her local community alive. So she started a virtual interactive A-Z challenge, where participants would try their hand at a creative task for each letter of the alphabet: making art for A, baking for B, cooking for C and so on. Everyone shared their work in weekly online video calls for eight weeks. With the help of her sons Max, 15, and George, 13, Emma judged more than 1,600 submissions, and at the end, they held an online awards ceremony. Emma’s challenge boosted her community and brought everyone together. She was recognised for her efforts and, later in the year, Emma was nominated…

Charles Wolfenden, 41, Oakham Peering out of my bedroom window, I waved down to my two sisters – Laura, then 7, and Emma, 4, as they chased our chickens around the garden. Being the big brother, I doted on the pair of them. But baby of the family Emma, with her whiteblonde hair and cheeky grin, held a special place in my heart. She’d crack us up with her crazy antics, putting on shows in the living room, making the family watch. Over the years, I always kept an eye out for my little sisters. Even when I moved to London in 2004, I always kept in touch. Laura settled locally while Emma was living in Tenerife, working in a bar. Then, in 2006, Mum, Anne, 57, was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. With Dad Mike, 55, working…

NUMBER JIG You Jianxia of Shanghai holds the Guinness World Record for the longest eyelash hair. How many millimetres long was her eyelash hair when it was measured in May 2021? Fit these numbers into the grid. One number doesn’t fit. This is the prize answer. 3 digits 143 165 200 205 207 258 473 509 529 644 906 4 digits 1036 1517 1520 5027 5935 6586 6713 7542 8300 9005 9225 9841 9904 5 digits 11124 12924 13962 28424 38747 42842 52529 81827 82446 84992 90209 6 digits 282440 497433 639223 7 digits 3262516 5417555 6716916 8 digits 12859823 53406060 84944451 99859785 WIN £250 puzzle 1 Your answer: SPIRAL XWORD Pahoehoe, pillow and a’a are varieties of what natural phenomenon? 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 Prehistoric reptile (8) 2 Heater (8) 3 1989 Tom Cruise film (4,3) 4 The _ Trust, heritage conservation charity (8) 5 Retriever dog (8) 6 Jennifer Aniston’s Friends character (6) 7 Ball game played with netted sticks (8) 8 Number of sides on an…

Sock it to me When doing the laundry, I’m always annoyed when I find a single sock. The partner usually turns up eventually, but often after you’ve binned the other! A cheap cork board and some wooden pegs glued on keeps the singles ready and waiting for their mate. Sue Maynard, Pentyrch, Cardiff Clippy tip Turn any pretty button or old brooch into a cute bookmark by simply glueing them to large paper clips! Christine Hamori, Whitfield, Manchester Not so sill-y To keep my window sill tidy when propagating seedlings, I keep them in a tray from my old fridge. It catches any stray water, and they are easier to carry when I need to. Julie Phillips, Telford, Shropshire Light up your life I decorated an empty orange juice bottle with Sharpie pens and filled it with pretty battery operated…