Table of contents for September 2024 in Prima UK

The other day, my mum presented me with a box of plastic silver swizzle sticks (the ones you get in fancy cocktails) with the year 2000 on them. ‘I bought those for the millennium celebrations,’ she said. ‘But we never used them. Would you like them?’ I’m afraid I looked aghast – why would I want those? But then Mum added that she thought they might be worth something in the future. ‘Millennium memorabilia will be very collectable one day,’ she added. I wasn’t sure there’d ever be a market for a set of plastic swizzle sticks, but my mum’s pretty good at spotting a treasure of the future – she also has a box of crackers from Woolworths that she bought just before the store closed down, and one…

SUMMER DAYS Swishy silks, sequins and embellishments soften tailored blazers, while the extra layer makes for a great summer cover up. INTO AUTUMN Invest in a trouser suit for effortless autumn workwear. Add a cashmere sweater and check wool coat when the temperature drops. SUMMER DAYS Mix colourful straw accessories for a vibrant retro look. We love this colour combo of burgundy, lime and red. INTO AUTUMN Off-duty style made easy with the addition of a classic trench, stripey knit and baseball cap. Our favourite Converse finish the look. SUMMER DAYS Go for chic city style with elegant accessories. Layer up resin bangles for an individual look. Marks & Spencer has an enviable selection. INTO AUTUMN A must-have tweed blazer will have you autumn-ready in no time. Adding nude accessories…

It’s estimated that we Brits each have around £3,000 of unwanted items we could be selling, says Dan Hatfield. ‘The key is to remember that just because we don’t like something, it doesn’t mean someone else won’t love it.’ So is there anything we may have that could be worth a bit of money? ‘Toys from the 1990s are going for fortunes at the moment and Tamagotchis (left) are selling for hundreds or thousands of pounds. If you have any old Argos catalogues, these can go for up to £500! There’s a healthy market for items such as golf clubs, sports equipment and DIY items. Thinking ahead, today’s popular children’s toys should be held on to. In the future, that nostalgic feeling will hit the current younger generation and, sure…

As I watch my son Jonny making a Lego dinosaur or flying his toy plane, he’s happy and carefree, just as he should be at four years old. He only knows a little about his story right now, but he’ll grow up knowing he can ask anything he wants. I’ll encourage him to be open, talk, then talk some more. When I was a teenager, on fun nights out with friends, we wouldn’t worry about catching the last bus, or the next day’s hangover, saying: ‘What’s the worst that can happen?’ I found out at 20, when my beloved dad Tony died. He had lung cancer, but he and my mum, Pam, had shielded me, their only child. Through my shock, I couldn’t bear to see Mum in such terrible…

Whether it’s the ping of our phones announcing a new Facebook message, or an email asking for feedback on an item we’ve bought, modern life comes with distractions. Here, experts reveal how working on our focus doesn’t just make us more productive, it can transform our health, wellbeing and relationships. LET YOUR MIND WANDER It sounds like the exact thing you’re trying to avoid – daydreaming instead of concentrating – but sometimes, in order to find our focus, we first need to lose it. Far from being a waste of time, daydreaming – idly allowing a stream of thoughts to run through our minds – can enhance brain function and focus, according to new book The Focus Fix: Finding Clarity, Creativity And Resilience In An Overwhelming World by Chris Griffiths…

She’s the author of more than 30 novels, including the bestselling Dr Ruth Galloway series, but Elly Griffiths certainly isn’t planning to rest on her laurels. Having just published her first collection of short stories, The Man In Black & Other Stories, she’s busy putting the finishing touches to the first of an ambitious new series of detective adventures, this time set in the dizzying world of time travel. Her new series launches with The Frozen People next February. Her first four books were written under her real name, Domenica de Rosa, and focused on family and relationships, but she hit the big time with her Norfolk-based forensic-archaeologist series. The Crossing Places was published in 2009 and the wildly popular series concluded 15 books later with last year’s The Last…

‘My final memory of my grandmother is her on her deathbed, lipstick on, sucking champagne from a sponge. This was Joan Hardy: fun, glamorous and a little bit naughty to the bitter end. Squeezing her hand before I headed home, I knew it was the last time I’d see her. From the tears that glistened behind the twinkly smile, it was clear that she did, too. I was 24 when my grandmother died, in January 2007, and the news struck me to my core. Because grandma Joan wasn’t just my grandmother; she was also my muse, the person I looked to not just for guidance on how to live, but how to be human. To this day, when I’m in a pickle, I ask myself: what would Joan do? As…

The fascinating phenomenon known as the placebo effect is when you believe so strongly that a medicine or treatment will work, it actually does, even though it doesn’t provide any active substance that could be of any benefit. Placebos became prominent in the 1950s, when they started being used in ‘gold standard’ clinical drug trials – any medication needed to outperform the placebo (often a sugar pill) to prove it worked and was worth offering to patients. ‘Pharmaceutical companies spend billions every year on drug development and clinical trials to demonstrate their products are more effective than a placebo,’ says Dr Don Grant, senior clinician at The Independent Pharmacy. ‘In clinical trials, new drugs must be shown to have a statistically significant greater effect than that of a placebo to…

‘The start of a new season is an opportunity to give your home decor a little refresh – nothing major, just a few pops of seasonal colour. Try this project for a lovely way to bring warm tones and soft textures into your home for autumn. You can customise the hanging by using any shades you like, but I love these rich colours, contrasting with the natural wood beads to create a rustic feel. Macrame is a fantastic, accessible craft technique – once you master the basics, it’s a really mindful and relaxing craft everyone can enjoy.’ You will need * Card * Scissors * Macramé cord * Glue (optional) * Adhesive tape * String in matching colours * Comb * Wooden beads To create 1 Cut a piece of…

TREND WATCH BLOCK PRINTING If you love sewing, dressmaking or quilting, you have to try block printing. It’s a bit like lino printing – carving a pattern into a block to print on to a fabric with ink. You can then use the fabric for a cushion cover, tablecloth, on cards and so much more. If you fancy giving block printing a go, join the Indian Block Printing workshop at Horsted Keynes Heritage Steam Railway on 14 September. Tickets cost £150 and are available via Eventbrite. What I’m making this month I’m loving the continuation of the warm weather, and it may seem like a strange time to make slippers, but I’m a firm believer that there’s never a bad time to be cosy! I made mine with a gorgeous…

Parsley Petroselinum crispum This brilliant herb has been misused and misunderstood in the UK. It’s not just a garnish – it’s one of the most widely used herbs throughout the world. It can be used as a vegetable – both leaf and root – and can turn bland food into a feast. PROPAGATION The trick for growing parsley successfully is to keep the temperature consistent during germination and not allow the compost or soil to dry out. You can sow parsley in late summer to give a great winter crop. Water the site well prior to sowing. Germination takes two to four weeks. If you live in a cold climate, cover with a cloche – this will protect the young plants from the cold, stop the birds from getting to…

‘Summer on the high plateau can be delectable as honey; it can also be a roaring scourge. To those who love the place, both are good, since both are part of its essential nature.’ So begins Nan Shepherd’s book The Living Mountain, where she describes her lifelong pursuit of exploring the Scottish Cairngorms. I made sure that my well-thumbed copy by this intrepid woman, who lived from 1893 to 1981, was tucked in my rucksack as I boarded the Caledonian Sleeper train at London Paddington, bound for Aviemore. In celebration of strong, independent women, I had signed up for a Wilderness Scotland Women’s-Only Retreat with the aim of walking, talking, cold swimming and generally feeling nurtured alongside like-minded souls. After an Arran whisky nightcap in the dining car, I made…

Stay on track Intrepid is celebrating rail travel with 40 new train itineraries. As well as long-haul routes, there are flight-free options, and all group trips will be accompanied by a ‘local leader’. intrepidtravel.com/rail AFFORDABLE CORNWALL Just a five-minute walk from Porth Beach, Cornwall’s first aparthotel, Seaspace, opens in October, offering 56 (dog-friendly) self-catering apartments sleeping from two to six. There’s a pool, watersports and padel, as well as arts, music and foodie events, plus a deli. Studios from £100 a night. Look out for launch offers and a 25% discount for newsletter sign-ups. sea.space CRUISE NEWS Holland American Line is adding 10 round-trip Dover itineraries in 2025, aboard Nieuw Statendam. Cruises range from 14 to 28 days and cover everything from the Wild British Isles to the Arctic Circle…

The Sixties singing legend on rock-and-roll renovations, kitchen discos to Bob Marley and her favourite trash telly. My favourite theatre show… Cirque du Soleil’s Alegría – it’s such an extraordinary experience. It is inspirational for an artist to see that kind of possibility; you start thinking, ‘I know, I’ll hire the Albert Hall and do something big.’ The film I love… I’m not big on musicals generally, but West Side Story is one of my favourite films of all time. I watched a documentary about Leonard Bernstein making the album of the score with Kiri Te Kanawa recently and I was glued to it – it was magical. The TV show I can’t miss… At the moment, my big thing is renovation shows. It’s not very rock ’n’ roll, but…

Recording three podcasts a week, on top of her work as a television and radio sports presenter, doesn’t leave Gabby Logan with a lot of time. ‘I’m always reading, but it’s biographies of podcast guests, or research about sports teams,’ she says. ‘It tends to be on holiday, when I have nothing else to focus on, that I can really devour books for fun. When I do get into a book, I love it. It’s proper relaxation.’ Despite her hectic schedule, Gabby has also found the time to write her own book, The Midpoint Plan, based on her popular podcast, The Mid.Point. ‘I wanted to capture all that wisdom about the challenges of midlife and create a bedside companion people can dip in and out of,’ she says. The book…

STAR OF THE MONTH VIRGO 24 August to 23 September There’s an eclipse this month and it’s taking place in one of the most sensitive parts of your chart – your Love Zone! If that sounds like some interesting developments in your private life, or the relationships with those closest to you, then you’re almost certainly right. Do release what’s no longer working, if you want to make it easy on yourself. LIBRA 24 September to 23 October Use this month to try to find a balance between taking time out for your mental health versus dealing with all your responsibilities. It doesn’t sound like much fun, but this is what the skies are urging you to do right now as the eclipse takes place. SCORPIO 24 October to 22…

A friend of mine is a carer to her mum. She’s learning to live with her mum’s dementia. This is not easy for my friend at all. One weekend, she mentioned it to some others in her local gym and she found, to her surprise, that many of them were in similar situations. My friend said she felt so much better because she realised she wasn’t alone. This is a reminder from her, via me, that talking most definitely helps. Sometimes, you may feel like you’re moaning, and you want to stay strong, but finding others who feel the same and chatting to them can make a difference. So if you feel lonely, please just call a friend. There are also many charities who will listen and help. On a…

As I sat there, trying to pluck up the courage to book some drumming lessons at a local academy, I felt a bit silly. ‘Am I just too old?’ I worried. At 51, I was bound to be a different generation to the rest of the young students. I’d always loved the idea of playing the drums, having been a guitarist in bands at school and university, but it did feel maybe I’d left it too late for my long-held dream. Finally, though, I sent the email, deciding on one-to-one lessons rather than being in a class with a load of youngsters. I still cringed, though, when I turned up for the first session and saw my teacher, Matt, was young enough to be my son! Matt, though, wasn’t bothered…

As locations go, they don’t come much more challenging than this neglected piece of scrubland on a busy town-centre junction. Where overgrown bushes, weeds and grass once grew, there are now pretty plants and cleared spaces. And it’s all thanks to the hard work and dedication of Staffordshire Wildlife Trust, local residents and charities. ‘We’ve come a long way already,’ says Sue Kneill-Boxley, team leader from the Staffordshire Wildlife Trust. ‘We’ve had the support of terrific volunteers, who turn up every Friday to help transform this forgotten bit of land into something the whole community can enjoy.’ The land was chosen by Prima readers from five neglected areas across the country to be transformed into a Prima community garden. With work having started this year, editor-in-chief Jo Checkley and features…

How would you like to have your own crime story printed in Prima? We asked Elly Griffiths to write the introduction to a crime story and you can take it wherever you want it to go. Elly’s opening is intriguing, to say the least. Now all you have to do is to fire up your imagination, get plotting and finish it off. We can’t wait to read your stories! HOW IT WORKS: Using Elly’s opening, we’d like you to craft an exciting short story. You have 2,000 words, excluding Elly’s intro, to show off your writing skills. When you’ve finished, give it a title and send your entry to us at prima.co.uk/shortstorycomp24 THE OPENING…‘She left you this.’ He hands it over as if the contents are both precious and slightly…

You need a blood pressure (BP) to keep blood circulating around your body, but high blood pressure has been dubbed ‘the silent killer’, as it’s one of the leading causes of cardiovascular disease – yet millions of people don’t know they have it. That’s because high BP has few symptoms, so it’s vital to get checked, as that’s the only way to know. In the UK, for every 10 people with a diagnosis, another seven have high BP but are unaware. This is scary, as having an uncorrected high BP increases your chance of complications such as heart attack, stroke, heart failure, kidney disease and dementia. HOW BLOOD PRESSURE IS MEASURED Your BP reading is given as two numbers – one over the other. The higher number is produced when…

A POP OF BLUSH Blusher is bronzer’s perfect partner. For a fresh and pretty look, choose clear, bright colours with no brown undertones. A GLEAMING EYE You can use bronzer to define your eyes, too – just run through the socket and finish with a touch of shimmer on the lid. TINTED LIPS & PARED-BACK LASHES You’ll need less makeup with a golden glow, so keep lashes sleek with a lengthening but non-clumpy mascara and try a just-tinted lip.…

SUMMER GREETINGS Upgrade your stationery by adding a splash of seaside colour to patterned cards. You will need *Patterned cardstock or cards *Craft knife and ruler *Cutting board *Stencils *Low-tack masking tape *Paint *Stencil brush To make 1 Cut and fold the card to make square cards the size you want (ideally to fit a standard envelope size), or use ready-made cards with a simple design. 2 Use ready-made stencils or create your own (see below for templates). Place the stencil in the centre of the card and use small pieces of masking tape to hold it in place. Apply the paint using the stencil brush in a dabbing motion, ensuring that you keep the brush as dry as possible to avoid the paint bleeding around the edges of the…

Measurements To fit chest: 81-86(91-97: 102-107:112-117)cm. Actual chest: 108(118:126:136:144)cm. Full length: 43(47:50:53:57)cm. Sleeve length: 45cm. Materials 10(11:12:13) 50g balls Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran in Beige 102. Pair of 5mm straight knitting needles. 5mm circular needles at least 80cm. 4 stitch markers. 2 large buttons. Tension 18 sts and 24 rows to 10cm square over stocking stitch/patt using 5mm needles. Abbreviations cm centimetre; cont continue; g gram; k knit; m1p make 1 stitch purlwise; p purl; patt pattern; pm place marker; rem remaining; rep repeat; RS right side; sm slip marker; ssk slip 2 stitches knitwise, knit these 2 stitches together through back of loops (single left-leaning decrease); st(s) stitch(es); st st stocking stitch; tog together; tbl through back loop; WS wrong side. 18-st cable panel Row 1 (RS): p6, k6,…

HALLOUMI OR COD PROVENÇAL I’m a huge fan of the briny salinity of capers and olives, and the depth and zing they bring to a dish like this one. I make this Provençal either with flaky cod, or another firm white fish, and halloumi makes for a great vegetarian version. Either way, it’s essential that you serve this with plenty of crusty bread to mop up the rich juices. PREP: 15 MINUTES COOK: 30 MINUTES • 100g cherry tomatoes, cut in half • 40g green olives, pitted and cut in half • ½ red pepper, chopped into small pieces • 1tbsp capers • 1tbsp olive oil, plus a little extra to drizzle • 3 sprigs fresh thyme or sage • 60ml white wine • Salt and black pepper • 100g halloumi or 1 piece cod • Drizzle honey • Crusty…

Summer fruit drizzle cake Lemon drizzle is probably one of the most famous cake flavours, and I utterly adore it, but I wanted to make something a little different and a little fruitier. I love berries when they are full of flavour in the summer and could eat them all day, every day. Adding a mixture of summer berries to this sponge gives it a delicious taste and moistness, and then creating a smashed berry drizzle topping makes it even better! You can also take this bake to the next level by creating a lightly whipped topping for freshness. SERVES 8 PREP 15min BAKE 50-60min COOL 1hr DECORATE 15min LASTS 2-3+ days, in the fridge • 150g unsalted butter, at room temperature • 150g caster sugar • 225g self-raising flour • 3 eggs •…

NATURAL GREEN If you’re in a colour conundrum, torn between the classic coolness of blue and the lively vibes of bright green, natural green is the meet-in-the-middle choice for you! It’s the perfect blend of the two. While commonly associated with bathrooms, its soothing tones also make it an ideal choice for breakfast rooms or kitchens. Among a sea of bright colours, natural green stands out with its ability to bring a smile to your face while emanating a tranquil vibe. This versatile shade pairs beautifully with terracottas, infusing any space with a feeling of calm that’s hard to resist. FANTASTIC FUCHSIA The ‘Barbiecore’ trend shows no sign of stopping and has brought with it a vibrant reintroduction of pink into our homes. No longer relegated to teenagers’ bedrooms, pink…

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HABITAT! Habitat is turning 60 this year, and to celebrate it has launched 60 Years Of Design, a new collection of furniture, tableware, textiles and accessories, designed by its in-house team plus Sebastian Conran and Margo Selby. We particularly love the furniture. GENIUS IDEA This clever laundry separation basket will make wash day a breeze. NEXT X CLARKE & CLARKE Next has launched several collaborations this year – this is one of our favourites! 3 of the BEST BED LINEN SETS…

Learn about different lives Intrepid Travel has seen a 164% rise in female expedition bookings from 2022 to 2023 globally. Its Women’s Expeditions are small group tours led by female tour guides. An eight-day Morocco Women’s Expedition costs £851 per person (excluding flights), and includes a hike through the M’goun Valley with the region’s first female guide. intrepidtravel.com Enjoy nature wellness Reclaim Yourself is a B Corp travel company that offers yoga retreats and wellness adventures. A five-night Iceland yoga and adventure retreat this October costs from £1,795 per person, including daily yoga with Raye Shekkar, hikes, thermal pools, massages and hopefully the Northern Lights (excluding flights). reclaimyourself.co.uk Have an adventure in India Village Ways offers small female-only trips to India for women of all ages united by a sense…

My book of the month Eddie Winston Is Looking For Love by Marianne Cronin (Doubleday, £16.99) This book was pure joy. At, 90, Eddie has lived a good life and enjoys working in a charity shop, where he befriends Bella after she leaves a bag of her recently deceased boyfriend’s belongings. Despite her grief, she wants to help Eddie find love and he helps her to heal. A story of friendship, love and discovering happiness. 15 August Slow Dance by Rainbow Rowell (Michael Joseph, £16.99) A beautiful ‘will they, won’t they’ love story from the author of Eleanor & Park. Cary and Shiloh were best friends in high school; everyone thought they’d end up together, but somehow it didn’t happen. It’s been 14 years and now they are guests at the same…

Walking around the supermarket, Sarah saw the ‘back to school’ displays and felt the same old emotions enveloping her. Excitement at seeing familiar faces, mixed with apprehension about the year ahead. The big racks of pristine school uniforms filled the entrance of the store. Red and green sweatshirts for the two local primary schools and smart grey sweaters for the one secondary in the town. She moved past them into the stationary department and looked at the range of pens, pencils and (her personal favourite) the pencil cases. She considered the different designs and tried to predict who would choose each style; cartoon charactewrs, plain colours and bright pink faux fur. The third one would be a mess after a few weeks at the bottom of a school bag, but…

Super natural Slip into neutral with a cool cotton skirt for effortless city-break chic. We love this flattering midi style, with handy side pockets and a part-elasticated waist – the ultimate in everyday ease. Pair with pretty cotton blouses, simple T-shirts or a fine-knit sweater for cooler days. See the sights Too breezy to go without a top layer, but too warm for a cardi or coat? We’ve found that a short-sleeved jacket is the perfect lightweight solution, giving that extra bit of coverage over vests, blouses and strappy dresses. Keep the colour to a versatile neutral that will work with numerous prints and fabrics. Best in broderie A broderie blouse is a summer must-have and an instant way to dress up the simplest of shorts and skirts. This intricate…

Mementos of the past, such as toys or family memorabilia, can be very comforting. ‘The nostalgia-fuelled pursuit of hunting down secondhand treasures taps into fascinating psychological needs we all have,’ says psychologist Dr Daniel Glazer. ‘From a clinical perspective, nostalgia can serve as an incredibly powerful coping tool when we’re overwhelmed by change and upheaval in our lives. It allows us to recreate a profound sense of continuity and comfort during those turbulent periods when we’re feeling a little adrift.’ ‘Surrounding ourselves with familiar, well-loved objects provides an anchoring effect, like a subconscious security blanket allowing us to maintain emotional equilibrium,’ he adds. ‘There’s something about the imperfections, the worn-in character, the sense that these pieces have their own rich histories before landing in our hands that makes them resonant.…

Many of us have old mobiles and computers taking up loft space, but the answer isn’t to throw them away, says Steve Athwal from The Big Phone Store. ‘Electronic waste is a serious global issue, as the components of old technology can be destructive to the environment,’ he says. ‘Don’t think that just because a phone doesn’t turn on, it won’t be worth anything,’ says Steve. ‘In the UK, mobile phone recyclers will usually pay money for your old device. If it can be repaired, then it will be restored, data-wiped and resold. Otherwise, working components can be stripped for repairs or are recycled.’ WHAT’S WORTH KEEPING? Is it worth hanging on to anything in case it’s more valuable in the future? ‘Tech items drop in value within a few…

PILLOW TALK Q Can I wash my pillows and duvets at home? A ‘You may need a larger washing machine with a 10-12kg drum to wash heavy items, such as duvets and pillows,’ says Joshua Warren, from electrical retailer AO (ao.com). ‘These should be washed every couple of months to eliminate mites and dust. Wash your duvet at 60°C unless the manufacturer’s care instructions say otherwise. Down and polyester pillows can be washed at a low temperature, but don’t put memory foam in the washing machine, as it may not recover its shape.’ CANINE SMILE Q Should I really be trying to brush my dog’s teeth at home? A ‘In theory, it’s a good idea to clean your dog’s (and cat’s) teeth – however, I’ve never personally had a pet…

‘Like Mum, I’d always enjoyed writing stories when I was young. Though I went down a science route and now work in psychiatric health, I always wanted to write fiction. Lockdown was the perfect opportunity for us to write together, but I never expected we’d finish a book. I was nervous about Mum seeing what I’d written but she couldn’t have been more encouraging. Knowing she was waiting for my chapter every other day spurred me on. It’s amazing we’re on our fifth book. Ours is now a successful business and there’s accountability from knowing Mum needs to see my chapters so we can stay on schedule. I cringe when I have to show Mum the love scenes I’ve written and it’s worse when she writes something a bit spicy.…

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1 Leaving a few hours between showering and applying your self-tan gives your skin’s pH time to settle after washing, which helps your colour to develop properly. 2 Tanning for a holiday? Oil-based sunscreens can break down fake tan. Use milks, creams and waters instead. 3 Too much formula is easier to blend than too little, and less likely to streak. 4 Trying to scrub away a mistake can make your look more uneven. Instead, go over the area with a light layer of the same self-tan or patch it up with instant tan on a makeup brush or sponge. 5 Even gradual-tan formulas can benefit from an extra layer of moisture underneath, so if your results are still on the patchy side, apply oil-free body lotion all over before…

TEENAGE ANTICS My biggest regret is not looking after my skin better when I was a teen. I used to sit out in the sun for hours, slathered in olive oil. I wouldn’t dream of doing that now. It’s SPF50 every day, without fail. Image Skincare Daily Prevention Ultra Defense Moisturizer SPF50, £62 INNER BEAUTY When somebody seems really happy, you gravitate towards them – that’s what I think makes someone beautiful. Gwyneth Paltrow is a good example, but I’m lucky to have so many people like that in my life. GLOW-GETTER Never underestimate the power of bronzing when you’re feeling down on yourself. I created Bare by Vogue because I wanted the golden glow I had in my teens, but skipping the skin damage. When I go on holiday,…

Measurements To fit chest: 81-91(97-102: 107-112:117-127)cm. Actual chest: 106(116:126:136)cm. Full length: 46.5(49:51.5:54)cm. Materials 3(4:4:5) 50g balls Paintbox Cotton DK in Dolphin Blue 437 (A); 3(3:3:4) 50g balls in Paper White 401 (B). 4mm hook. Tension 18 sts and 8 rows to 10cm square over treble crochet cluster using a 4mm hook. Abbreviations bptr back post treble crochet; ch chain; dc double crochet; flo front loop only; fptr front post treble crochet; htr half treble; rep repeat; RS right side; sl st slip stitch; st(s) stitch(es); tr treble crochet; WS wrong side; * repeat the instructions following the single asterisk as directed. Back Using 4mm hook and A, ch97(105:115:123), turn. Foundation row (WS): Working into 3rd ch from hook (counts as first tr), tr to end, turn. 95(103:113:121) sts. Rib row…

BLUEBERRY LEMON CAKE ‘This delicate lemon and blueberry sponge is light in texture and a breeze to make. I’ve added a quick luscious buttercream dotted with jam to add flavour and colour. Make sure all the ingredients are room temperature.’ SERVES 8-10 PREP 45min COOK about 30min FOR THE SPONGE • 135g softened butter, plus extra to grease • 100g full-fat Greek yogurt, plus extra to serve • 3 medium eggs • Zest and juice 1 lemon, plus extra zest to decorate • 150g self-raising flour • 135g golden caster sugar • 150g blueberries, plus extra to serve FOR THE BUTTERCREAM • 250g unsalted butter, softened • 500g icing sugar, sifted • 1tsp vanilla extract • Milk, to loosen • 3tbsp blueberry jam 1 Grease and line 2 x 15cm round cake tins with baking parchment or use silicone moulds.…

THE LOW-DOWN FORAGE FISH Tinned food has always been popular for its long shelf life and low cost, but recently a particular kind of tinned fish has been praised for its healthiness. Forage fish, such as sardines, anchovies and herring, are an abundant group of fish that feed on tiny organisms and are preyed on by other marine life. They’re rich in omega-3 oils and vitamins, are environmentally friendly and research has found that eating more of them may reduce diet-related diseases and lower our global carbon footprint. Sardines are my favourites among these wonderful fish; I like to stir them into a garlicky tomato pasta sauce for a 10-minute dinner, or serve them on toast with olives and fresh parsley for a Portuguese-style lunch. Check our top picks below…

‘It has a great flow and is so easy to navigate’ Sam and Andrea Trebbick live in an 1850s cottage with their daughter. They have slowly renovated their home, retaining as much of its character as possible. The new kitchen was an entrance hall and kitchen separated by an internal wall, which was removed. The old kitchen was dated and had only been given a fresh coat of paint since the couple moved in 10 years ago. The couple found a pre-loved kitchen on rehome.co.uk. How did you get started? We began the process using kitchen designer Sandy Armitage of Sandy Armitage Designs to help us achieve a look that worked for us. After several iterations, we agreed on a design blueprint. We then set about keeping an eye out…

This fun-filled autumn cruise is a great option for lovers of radio to enjoy a trip with a difference. You’ll be joined on board by some of the greats from the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s, including Ken Bruce and Kate Thornton. Get to know your fellow passengers through on-board entertainment and see the highlights of elegant Hamburg and exciting Amsterdam. Joining you on this cruise are much-loved and award-winning DJs Ken Bruce, Martin Kemp, Jenny Powell and Kate Thornton. Along with the Greatest Hits Radio gang, you’ll take to the seas on this very special cruise. In late October, you’ll board Ambassador Ambience in London Tilbury, setting sail for mainland Europe. This ship has all you’ll need to keep you entertained at sea, from a wellness centre to plentiful dining…

CAMP BESTIVAL 15-18 August, Weston Park, Shropshire; shropshire.campbestival.net A summer festival for all the family, with Rick Astley, Faithless, Level 42 and Paloma Faith on the bill. PEAKY BLINDERS: THE REDEMPTION OF THOMAS SHELBY 13 September-21 June 2025; peakyblindersdance.com A new dance-theatre show adapted for the stage by Peaky Blinders creator Stephen Knight. THE DUCHESS 5 October-20 December, Trafalgar Theatre, London; theduchessplay.com The Doctor Who and Broadchurch star Jodie Whittaker treads the boards for the first time in more than 10 years. SPEAKEASY WITH KAREN HAUER AND GORKA MARQUEZ From 24 February 2025, musicalsontour.co.uk The Strictly favourites channel everything from secret Speakeasies to the disco balls of Studio 54 in the show. NEIGHBOURS: THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR 3-18 February 2025, mapletreeentertainment.com Celebrate four decades (yes, really) of the iconic Aussie soap.…

Things We Do For Love by Miranda Dickinson (HQ, £9.99) Will fledging actor Lucie and established actor Theo find love when they are performing Shakespeare together for tourists? 1 August Close Knit by Jenny Colgan (Hodder & Stoughton, £16.99) Gertie wishes she had the courage to leave the Scottish Island where she was born. A new job on an airline and a possible romance give her the chance for a new lease of life. 15 August The Spark by Holly Miller (Hodder & Stoughton, £20) Childhood sweethearts Neve and Jamie are destined to be together for ever, until tragedy strikes. Years later, Neve meets Ash, who is so like Jamie. Will she take a second chance on love? 1 August…