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Remember, remember the fifth of November, gunpowder, treason and plot… On Friday, I will be at home eating a toffee apple – because I love them – with a friend and nothing more explosive than a packet of indoor sparklers. Why? Most of the evening will be spent with my sedated dog – and I’m sure many of you will be just as exasperated as me when the bangs are still going off late into the night. I’m no killjoy but when you really think about it, isn’t it strange that we still celebrate a foiled plot to blow up Parliament back in 1605 and burn effigies of poor ‘Guy’ Fawkes and his act of treason? If you’re off to a fabulous display, have fun. If you have a pet…

Husband-and-wife presenting duo Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes, both 61, recently admitted that this year, they will be spending Christmas apart, ‘with a sea dividing us’. But the TV hosts revealed an understandable reason for the shock decision – they both have elderly mothers that they want to spend the festive period with – after Covid restrictions saw many families kept apart last year. Eamonn – who is currently suffering with the dreaded virus himself – explained in an interview, ‘We have this issue now, in that we’ve got a sea dividing us. We often have a dilemma of whether I go to Belfast, whether Ruth comes with me. But Ruth wants to be with her mum. My mother is 93 this year. It’s easier for us often to be…

REMEMBER, REMEMBER THE FIFTH OF NOVEMBER Of course, Bonfire Night is coming up next. I do love a fireworks party, but we’re not having one this year as Jonathan and I have just moved into a new house and everything is still turning up in bits and bobs – we don’t even have a bed! We’ve only just checked out of the Holiday Inn! But I’ll definitely mark the occasion with a few sparklers in the garden – and then by New Year it will be time to go all-out and light up this sleepy little village! HIGHWAY TO HEAVEN Tom Fletcher and Amy had a lot of fun with their Highway To Hell routine. He said it was inspired by listening to it on the school run! Well, darlings,…

We’ve always loved animals here at best and think of them as part of our families. Clearly, we’re not the only ones! New figures released by PFMA (Pet Food Manufacturers’ Association) revealed that 3.2 million households in the UK have acquired a pet since the start of the lockdown and 74 per cent claim their pet has helped their mental health in the pandemic. But the study also raised concerns about animal welfare, too. Sadly, five per cent have already had to give up their pet and this figure increased to 11 per cent among families. But there are so many loving animals that need homes and there are charities that can help if you’re seriously interested in adopting a pet. Kellie Brooks, the Hertfordshire Rehoming Manager for Blue Cross,…

TOP TIP! Wineapp helps pair drinks to your meals, and offers delivery options, too! Free, iOS and Android…

Simple super greens pasta Ready in under 20 minutes, this zesty tangle of all the good things has become our go-to studio lunch. Finish with a light shower of cheese or a milky burrata orb. 400g dried wholemeal (wholewheat) pasta¼ cup (60ml) extra virgin olive oil4 cloves garlic, sliced1 long red chilli, sliced5 cups (175g) firmly packedshredded kale leaves2 zucchini (courgette), grated2½ cups (60g) baby spinach leaves½ cup (60g) sauerkraut⅓ cup (18g) shredded mint leaves1 tablespoon finely grated lemon rindsea salt and cracked black pepperbuffalo mozzarella, burrata or finelygrated parmesan and lemon wedges, to serve Cook the pasta in a large saucepan of boiling salted water for 8 minutes or until al dente. Drain, reserving 1 cup (250ml) pasta water, and set aside. Return the saucepan to medium heat and…

When I look back at my childhood, so many of my memories revolve around food. Whether it was sitting around the dinner table with my mum, dad and two older sisters, Victoria and Katherine, or going out to a local café in our hometown of Bath and sharing out cake, so we all got a mouthful of each one. Like so many families, food was key. We’d celebrate with nice meals and we were always encouraged to try new tastes and flavours. It was a way to show love, comfort and affection. I have a lot of memories of my childhood. When I was just five and in primary school, Mum started to struggle with her mental health. She was one of the first generation of women who was told…

He was born Arnold George Dorsey, one of 10 children, and grew up in Leicester. But he was renamed Engelbert Humperdinck and became one of the most successful recording artists of all time. In a career of over 50 years, Engelbert has sold more than 140 million records since his breakthrough hit Release Me made him a star. But the down-to-earth singer has never forgotten his Leicester roots. He met his wife, Patricia, in a Leicester nightclub in 1964 and they were married until she died from Covid in February, following a 10-year battle with Alzheimer’s. The star, who splits his time between LA and his Leicestershire estate, says he’s delighted to be coming home soon, for a 14-date tour. Hello there, Engelbert. How does it feel to be home,…

REMEMBER, REMEMBER THE FIFTH OF NOVEMBER… BUT REMEMBER OUR PETS, TOO EAMONN: Here you see a picture of our dog Maggie and then, alongside, almost unrecognisable is Maggie responding to the noise of fireworks. I don’t know what she thinks is happening, but the bangs and flashes scare her witless. It’s so distressing to watch. If you have a pet, you will share our helplessness. It’s pure animal cruelty but nobody in charge seems to care. There’s more that could be done. Restricting the dates and hours in which fireworks can be set off is one, instead of a month-long blitzkrieg. Nothing I or Ruth say will make a darn bit of difference but my dog, anyone’s dog, cat, rabbit, pony or farm animal’s face or response just might. Few…

KILLER THRILLERS The Russian Doll Marina Palmer Hodder and Stoughton, £16.99 (25 Nov) When Ruth bags a job working for super-rich Russian Elena, she’s catapulted into a world of high society – the great, the good and the dodgy. Soon she begins to realise her luxury existence is a gilded cage, and she’s in definite danger. A polished and brilliantly entertaining thriller. Lonely Hearts Lisa Gray Thomas and Mercer, £8.99 California-based private detective Jessica Shaw heads out for her fourth outing – and it’s a proper thrill ride. A taut story of serial killers, missing women and ‘The Lonely Hearts Club’ that fixes women up with pen pals on Death Row, it’s a deftly plotted slice of modern noir with a tough and likeable heroine. HISTORICAL HITS The Return Anita…

Former Labour politician turned TV presenter Ed Balls, 54, is married to MP Yvette Cooper, with whom he has three children. Here, he talks about his new documentary, the moving, hard-hitting, Inside the Care Crisis with Ed Balls – which investigates our under-pressure social care system… You took it right back to basics for this film – even receiving care yourself. Well, the whole purpose was to attempt to see it from the inside. I was willing to do anything to try and understand – and build up trust. Certainly, no one has ever brushed my teeth for me before. The people who work in these homes are amazing. Yes, and they don’t feel valued. One says, ‘They think all we do is make tea and wipe bums’, but what…

TO ORDER Go to countryliving.jemdeals.com or call 01483 204445 Calendar £7.99 Diary £11.99 Terms & conditions Delivery within 5-7 days to UK mainland only (some exclusions may apply). Please call for a postage quotation to other areas. If you are not completely satisfied with your product, call our customer services team on 01483 204597 and we will advise the best way to return the goods. Orders returned within 14 days in perfect condition will receive a no-quibble refund, less any postage costs.…

A second series of Channel 5’s entertaining new adaptation of All Creatures Great and Small, based on James Herriot’s popular books about his adventures as a young vet in the Thirties, has been enchanting Channel 5 viewers recently. It has been filmed mostly in Yorkshire, where the books are set. Apart from great characters and lovely animals, of course, the popular drama, filmed with investment and support from Screen Yorkshire, filmedinyorkshire.co.uk, once again features a number of picturesque locations up north that you can visit too… SHARP’S FARM The Bolton Abbey estate covers 30,000 acres of moorland, woodlands and agricultural lands, including a number of All Creatures locations. It was Sharp’s Farm that James Herriot (Nicholas Ralph) visits to treat the cows. Beside the ruins of Barden Tower is 17th Century…

A constant presence in the lives of her subjects, it is hard to remember sometimes that our beloved Queen is only five years short of her 100th birthday. But, recently, there has been a stark reminder in the form of alarm over the state of her health. Royal watchers were concerned by news that she pulled out of the much-anticipated COP26 climate change conference in Glasgow on medical advice, following the revelation last week that she had spent the night in hospital, after also cancelling a planned trip to Northern Ireland to mark its centenary. Ordered to rest, she missed the church service at Windsor last week, too – highly unusual for the religious monarch. The Palace has, understandably, been quite tight-lipped about the Queen’s medical situation, but it has…

Since she found fame as the numbers maestro on teatime quiz Countdown, Carol Vorderman has come a long way. Seemingly ageing in reverse, the now 60-year-old looks better than ever – and is busier than ever, too, promoting shows about science and working on a secret project. Having just bought a home in her native Wales, she tells best, ‘I’m delighted that I’m A Celebrity… is coming back to Wales. It’s only five miles from where I grew up, so I can go and peer over the fence and see what’s going on!’ Carol said recently, ‘I’m much happier being single and I love my life. People say, “She wants to be married again”. No, I don’t! Who says I do? I’ve got loads of single, independent girlfriends who are much…

1 FINDING YOUR PERFECT FIT ‘I’ve seen women transformed by their perfect red,’ says make-up artist Tania Grier. ‘Part of the fun is trying everything until you have the one that makes your eyes seem brighter and your skin more luminous,’ she explains. Experiment with the orange-reds that have spilled over from Summer. To help muted reds and deep wine tones stand out against darker skin, look for lipsticks with a subtle sheen. ‘A classic English rose should steer clear of anything blue-based, as it can make skin look sallow,’ she cautions, instead Tania recommends coral-reds, which give fair skin a lift. 2 SLICK, PRESS, DAB… Three ways to master the art of application: 1) Line Create a barrier that keeps colour in place and prevents feathering by lining lips…

HOW IT WORKS Polyphenols. That’s the name of the compounds in fruits and vegetables that give them their colour – and when it comes to health, energy and weight loss, the more of them, the better. You see, according to scientists, polyphenols might power up your weight loss in three main ways. They seem to play a role in keeping your metabolism firing, they have the ability to slow down the growth of fat cells and they might even play a role in reducing appetite. The effect could be so potent that when a group of researchers looked at twins – they found the one who had the highest amount of polyphenols in their diet also had the least body fat! Increasing your polyphenol intake couldn’t be easier – you…

CHRISTMAS PANIC Christmas is coming sooner than we think and I cannot tell you how scared I am, Vanessa. Basically, I have got myself into a mess. I lost a lot of my part-time work due to Covid and, stupidly, I took out some loans. I thought I’d be able pick up more shifts to pay back the interest, but it has mounted up and now I feel sick to even look at the numbers. With my bills getting higher every day, I just don’t see how I am going to get out of this mess and I am scared that my kids are going to go without. What can I do? Lucy, Nottingham Unfortunately, you have no choice. Take the bull by the horns. Contact the nationaldebtadviceline.org.uk – its…

Shrien Dewani had returned to the UK shortly after his wife’s death and was receiving medical assistance to help him deal with the trauma of what he’d been through. He vehemently denied having anything to do with Anni’s murder. Yet, Tongo insisted he was offered £1,400 by Mr Dewani to kill his wife and the South African police believed there was enough evidence to arrest him on 8 December 2010. After Dewani refused to consent to extradition to South Africa, his solicitor said he was suffering from acute stress disorder and, in February 2011, Dewani took an overdose, leading to his detention at Fromeside Clinic in Bristol, under the Mental Health Act. While the courts battled as to whether Dewani should be extradited, Tongo was jailed for 18 years for…

One of Ireland’s most celebrated singers, Donegal-born Daniel O’Donnell is delighted to be on the road again, first in Britain, now in the United States – where he has an equally loyal fanbase. The 59-year-old star, who lives in Donegal with his wife of almost 20 years, Majella, has a recording career that spans 40 years, including 46 Top 75 albums in the UK – a feat not achieved by any other recording artist. And softly-spoken Daniel, known for his close relationship with his fans, shows no signs of slowing down as he approaches a milestone birthday. Music, he tells best (as well as a spot of bridge) is what keeps him going… Hi, Daniel, you’ve been on a UK tour and are now in the US – it must feel…

The Loose Women may be famous for their full and frank disclosure, but Linda Robson took it a bit far last week – by accidentally letting rip with a swearword while live on air. Linda, 63, slipped up while on camera, thinking that the Loose ladies were still in rehearsal. The panelists were discussing ITV’s cash competition where viewers are in with the chance of winning a million pounds when Linda made her blunder. ‘Oh hello, ladies,’ Linda said, as she wheeled the money out. ‘They’ve left me in charge of the prize – can you believe it? ‘This is it! It’s one million pounds right here in this trolley. It came straight from the ITV bank account this morning. ‘But how the f**k do I look at it?’ she…

SCORPIO 24 October – 22 November Scorpios such as former Friends star, David Schwimmer, as well as Hollywood hunk and Magic Mike actor Matthew McConaughey, set their own unique standards in life and may need a greater measure of freedom than most people are granted if they hope to achieve them. AQUARIUS 21 January – 19 February Joint activities will bring success where a solo attempt failed. Better still, you’ve been growing tired of working in solitude and you will enjoy having company. Are you single and looking for love? You could find yourself getting on really well with a friend of a friend and people will start asking you why you aren’t dating. TAURUS 21 April – 21 May A shared experience will turn the nature of a friendship…

Hollywood star Alec Baldwin, has broken his silence following the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. In a heart-wrenching statement on Twitter, the reportedly ‘inconsolable’ actor wrote, ‘There are no words to convey my shock and sadness regarding the tragic accident that took the life of Halyna Hutchins, a wife, mother and deeply admired colleague of ours. I’m fully cooperating with the police investigation to address how this tragedy occurred and I am in touch with her husband, offering my support to him and his family. My heart is broken for her husband, their son, and all who knew and loved Halyna.’ The 63-year-old father-ofseven was named as the person who fired the gun that killed Halyna – and wounded a second crew member – last week. Mission: Impossible star Baldwin…

SOPHIE – I GOT IT FROM MUM When I was younger, I would often swipe Mum’s favourite lipstick, Revlon Fire and Ice, £8, when she wasn’t looking. I still use it today! She never left the house without full make-up and the most important thing she taught me was to stick to a look that suits you individually. I’ve also picked up great tips watching Mum applying her make-up over the years. Here are my favourites: Cheat a facelift: Brighten dark under-eye shadows by blending a concealer in an upside down triangle shape so the point finishes by the side of your nose. A handy way to glow: Rub foundation into the palms of your hands and roughly pat into skin. There’s something about the oils in your hands mixing…

It may have taken time for Camilla to earn a place in the nation’s hearts, but there’s no denying the Duchess of Cornwall is an advocate for women. She’s patron of many charities that work with women and recently, the Royal took centre stage at a reception for the Shameless! Festival, which aims to confront and change attitudes towards sexual violence. The mum-of-two discussed women – including Sarah Everard – who have recently lost their lives in ‘unimaginable torment’. ‘I know that all of you here today join me in paying tribute to all these precious lives that have been brutally ended, and in renewing our commitment to do everything we can to bring about the end of violence against women.’ During her speech at the Wellcome Collection in London,…

HOW HARMFUL IS TOO MUCH SCREEN TIME? I am getting a little concerned about the amount of time my twin boys spend in front of a screen – phone, TV, laptop – you name it, they’re on it. I have tried so hard to limit their time, but at 14, it’s pretty hard! Can it affect their mental health? And what about their posture? Most of the time, they’re hunched over, heads down. Their snappy, short-tempered behaviour in recent years is probably typical teen behaviour, but I feel screens aren’t helping. I just wanted to get a professional opinion that I can share with them directly! Annie, Glasgow DR HILARY SAYS: You are right to be concerned. There is mounting evidence that the use of screens can be addictive! Signs…

THE CRIME: A promising young woman, kidnapped and murdered on her honeymoon. But was it more than a hijacking gone wrong…? THE CASE: Bright, bubbly and beautiful, Anni Hindocha was loved by friends and family alike. ‘Our little angel,’ describes her dad, Vinod Hindocha. ‘She did innovation engineering at uni – an intelligent lady. As soon as she got time, she used to come back to visit, and when she came home, the house was different. Her presence made us so happy.’ The extended family, originally from India, moved to Sweden and remained close, living next to one another and coming together for family celebrations – something Anni was right at the centre of. ‘She became the glue to the family,’ said her cousin, Nira Hindocha, in new discovery+ documentary,…

Musical theatre stalwart Mazz Murray holds the honour of being the longest-running cast member of the Queen musical We Will Rock You, graduating from the ensemble to the role of Killer Queen. The daughter of songwriter Mitch Murray (who penned How Do You Do It? for Gerry and the Pacemakers, among other hits) and actress Grazina Frame, she has starred in Chicago, Fame, Rent, Sweet Charity and Fiddler on the Roof, as well as headlining tribute shows to Patsy Kline and Dusty Springfield. Currently playing Donna in Mamma Mia! in the West End, she’ll be taking one night off to play faded movie star Norma Desmond in a concert version of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Sunset Boulevard at the Royal Albert Hall. She tells all here… Norma Desmond has been played by legends like Patti…

This year JERSEY BOYS Fancy going back to the Sixties? Us too! Jersey Boys is an award-winning jukebox musical with music by Bob Gaudio. Presented in a documentary-style format, it dramatises the formation, success and eventual break-up of the iconic Sixties rock ’n’ roll group The Four Seasons with all their hit songs – and it’s officially back at the Trafalgar Theatre. Oh, what a night! Book now to get your Four Seasons in by the end of the year at londontheatredirect.com TINA – THE MUSICAL It’s simply the best! Don’t miss out on this sensational tale featuring the music of Tina Turner, and depicting the superstar’s life from her humble beginnings in Nutbush, Tennessee, to her transformation into a rock ’n’ roll star. Surely a night out with the…

I stare at the screen, rereading the email from HR. ‘Attached are your travel documents, map and itinerary for the forthcoming weekend conference in Bruges on “all that’s new in packaging.” Your hotel booking is on a half-board basis.’ I glance at my colleague Sal and gasp, ‘this conference – I thought it was after Christmas.’ ‘Nah. Plus, Neil in marketing booked our slot ages ago, before hotels got overrun with festive visitors to Bruges.’ ‘Why am I booked on it?’ I mutter, Sal raising an eyebrow. ‘Said you wanted to keep busy in the run-up to Christmas. You know – take your mind off Matt.’ I shudder. What had I been thinking? I work as a PA in sales and marketing, and I’m pretty sure I can get through…