Pick Me Up! 28-Apr-2022

Listening to my lecturer, I made notes in my jotter whilst keeping an eye on the screen. The modules on nutrition and the human body left me wanting to find out more. ‘Sarah, do you know what a dietitian is?’ my university lecturer asked. I had no idea. ‘I think you should look up how to become one,’ he suggested, softly. And from that moment my career kickstarted! Training on a paediatric ward, I experienced how to introduce food into a child’s life helping them to get better. There were some poor souls that had been admitted that really needed my help. After eight years, I made the decision to start working with eating disorder patients. My job involves trying to help as many young people and children as possible. And although it can be a challenge, the process is…

Half term fun for all Fun days out In celebration of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, a Norfolk based nature reserve will be hosting its very own Royal tea party with a twist this May half-term. Families visiting Pensthorpe Natural Park between Saturday 28 May and Sunday 5 June can take little princes and princesses on a regal stroll around the 700-acre park to find nature’s royalty in a brand new trail. From kingfishers to a red crowned crane, visitors will need to search high and low. The trail will feature facts about noble birds and will offer free arts and crafts for little ones. The Courtyard Café will be serving themed tea party treats so you really can feel like royalty. • Prices from £12.95, visit: www.pensthorpe.com Have you heard? It’s been 25 years since the original…

This is my grandson Harry, four, with his great grandmother Doreen, 86. Harry wanted grandma to swap hats! J. Bell, Durham STAR LETTER This is my granddaughter Mia looking very pleased with herself with two dummies! Mary Hadley, Cradley Look at my loopy labradoodle Lucy. I know need new cushions… Kelly Walker, Argyll The aquarium is always my favourite place to visit. My hubby got me a yearly pass so I can go as much as I want. Ava Garland, Devon 16-year-old Gammy-Clive is always on the lookout for somewhere to take a cat nap. Carol Gasan, Tiverton Flying Flowers® If your letter makes Star Letter of the week, you will receive some beautiful blooms from Flying Flowers. With over 30 years’ experience of helping celebrate life’s special moments and FREE delivery by post, a gorgeous bouquet by…

Growing up, even as a child, I always had to look after myself. I didn’t have a great start to life and I was in and out of care. I had four brothers, but I didn’t really know any of them. Five years younger than me, I remember my half-brother Stephen as a little baby, but that’s about it. When he was just a toddler, he was adopted by former Conservative MP Nigel Waterson and his wife, Barbara. I didn’t hear from him again as he lost touch with his birth family. We all moved on and as soon as I could, I started working and looking after myself. I built a life for myself. But then, out of nowhere, in 2010, I received a Facebook message from Stephen. At first, I didn’t actually know it was…

Left over hot cross buns? This is the perfect way to use them up! For more British Lion recipes, visit pg40! □ 5 medium British Lion eggs□ Zest and juice of 1 lemon□ 4 tbsp lemon curd□ 4 tbsp caster sugar□ 150ml single cream□ 200ml milk□ 4 hot cross buns□ 2 tsp Demerara sugar Serves: 6 1 Preheat the oven to 200C. In a large jug, beat the eggs, lemon zest, lemon curd and sugar together until smooth. Add single cream and milk and mix well. 2 Slice the hot cross buns vertically. Place all the end pieces over the base of a 1.2ltr shallow ovenproof dish. Neatly arrange the other slices on top, then drizzle over the lemon juice. 3 Pour the egg mixture over the sliced buns, then use a fork to lightly…

Putting my feet up, I sneakily leaned over for the TV remote. Hearing a familiar jangle ‘everybody needs good neighbours’ booming from the speakers, I hoped my husband Donald, 67, hadn’t heard the tune. ‘You better not be turning over Neighbours,’ Donald chuckled from the kitchen, before joining me on the sofa. It was his favourite TV soap, and we must have seen every episode twice over together. Snuggling into one another, we laughed at Jason Donovan on the big screen, with our son James, 22, sniggering from the other side of the room. ‘Not this again,’ he joked, rolling his eyes. Me and Donald had been together for 25 years, after first meeting, ironically, as next-door neighbours. From the moment I first laid eyes on him, I knew I wanted to be with him. His kindness radiated…