Table of contents for January 2026 in Prima UK

The other night, I went to a very interesting talk in our village hall about birds – which breeds are on the rise and which are in decline. Our favourite winter friend, the robin, I’m glad to say, is doing okay. The talk also made me realise how little I know about our feathered companions, and that’s one thing I’m determined to change in the new year. I’m going to find out more about them and learn to recognise the beautiful birdsong I hear on my walks with Scamper, my very naughty spaniel. (I’m told there’s a great birdsong app to help with this, so I’ll be downloading it!) On page 30, we’ve got a feature on the birds – and indeed wildlife – to look out for this winter,…

‘Like many people, I came back to jigsaws during the Covid pandemic. I found the act of putting a puzzle together, one piece at a time, calming for my nervous system. The type of jigsaws I particularly love are reproductions of paintings; during those difficult times they were a reminder that there was still beauty and light and nature out there. Working on a familiar painting gives me a more intimate relationship to it and makes me feel more connected to the painter. As I scrutinise the pieces, looking for the right one, I think about how the artist used their brush, about the subtle gradations in colour – details I might not have noticed if I was just looking at it among dozens of other paintings in a gallery.…

‘I feel like I’m a Secret Santa!’ Cordelia Oxley, 38, from Hampshire, uses her love of books to bring a smile to people across the world ‘For a bookish child like me, helping out in the family business was a joy. Our family’s bookshop, Laurence Oxley Ltd, in Arlesford, Hampshire, was opened by my grandparents in the 1960s and I loved reading the latest releases. When Harry Potter And The Philosopher’s Stone by JK Rowling came out, I was instantly mesmerised – Hermione was my heroine. I helped out in the bookshop at every chance I could. It was a joy to recommend all the books I’d loved so much to new generations of little ones. Going to university, then getting a job in marketing in London, my obsession with…

Stay snug this season with an exclusive 20% off Damart’s full winter collection. From everyday essentials and stylish outerwear to the cosiest loungewear and nightwear, Damart combines quality, comfort and style across the full range. Snuggle up and revel in a wellbeing boost of luxurious thermal fabrics. Soft neutrals mix with animal prints in Damart’s latest loungewear and nightwear collection, making relaxing at home a pleasure to savour. Nothing beats the comfort of Damart’s Leopard Print Thermolactyl Pyjamas, designed to keep you warm all night long. For an extra layer without the bulk, the Thermolactyl Lounge Jacket is a versatile essential, perfect over pyjamas or everyday wear. Combining ease and practicality, the Easy Fasten Thermolactyl Lounge Jacket is a winter must-have. Choose from Leopard Print or Off-White, offering quick dressing…

Gliding across the ice, air rushing past my ears, I feel like I’m flying… out of control! It’s my second lesson and we’re learning to skate backwards. I can’t see where I’m going and land, crash, on to my bottom. It’s a bit disheartening but, deep down, I know I’ve found something I love. I’d been an ice skating fan for decades but never skated myself. My parents, Jim and Maureen, had always enjoyed watching Olympic champions Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean, so it was perhaps inevitable their passion rubbed off on me. I was 11 when I first saw the skating duo perform at Wembley in London. We sat so close to the front I could almost reach out and touch them. I was captivated by the swish of…

1 FIND YOUR VOICE Singing is so and it’s one good for the soul, of the simplest ways to lift your spirits. So many people say, ‘but I was always told I can’t sing,’ and that breaks my heart. You can! Everyone can sing, so stop worrying what anyone else thinks. Go and play your music as loudly as you can and join in. Sing while you walk. Sing while you clean the house, and always sing in the bath or shower. Please try and sing out loud. Do it now while you’re reading this. And one last little thing… Please make this the year you stop worrying about what others think of you. This is your time to shine and sing. 2 MAKE TIME FOR A WORKOUT I don’t mean…

THE BIG CHILL If you’re tempted by those bargain bags of Christmas vegetables, make them last into January and beyond with these tips from foodwaste expert and freezer queen Kate Hall (thefullfreezer.com). They can be cooked from frozen. CARROTS AND PARSNIPS Blanch batons for three minutes then plunge into iced water. Freeze on lined baking trays then decant into resealable freezer bags. Cook from frozen with olive oil, salt, pepper and honey. You can also grate carrots, freeze on trays, then put into a bag and use in pasta sauces and curries. Add to porridge with cinnamon, raisins and nuts, or defrost, squeeze out liquid and use in muffins and cakes. POTATOES Freeze portions of cooked, mashed potatoes flat in freezer bags or bake them whole in the microwave and then,…

Hello, strong women! According to a study by Vitality, more than a quarter of women aged 40 to 59 are exercising five or more times per week, and many are focusing on strength, bone health and balance. So, why not join in?  RESISTANCE BANDS They’re cheap, beginner-friendly and adjustable – they can help boost strength. BODY-WEIGHT MOVES Squats, lunges, press-ups: why not do a few while you’re watching your favourite TV show or waiting for the kettle to boil?  WOMEN-ONLY CLASSES Nervous about getting strong? Many gyms and fitness centres have beginner-friendly sessions just for women.  BE INSPIRED If you’re on social media, @lizearle, @carolinescircuits, @TrainWithJoan and @HerGardenGym offer ideas and motivation. EASIER, EARLIER DIAGNOSIS FOR ALZHEIMER’S Two tools that could speed up diagnosis are now in UK trials: a…

Of all your body’s hardworking joints, your hips might just be the most ignored. That is, until they start to hurt! ‘The hips play a huge role in just about every movement you perform in your everyday life,’ says physical therapist Andy Fata-Chan. They’re among the body’s most mobile and stabilising joints, bearing much of our weight and playing an integral role in balance, mobility and supporting the pelvic region. Your hips will let you know when they need a little TLC. After lengthy sitting sessions, your hip flexors (the muscles at the front of each hip) can become tight from being in a shortened position, leading to pain or stiffness when you’re walking, squatting, getting on and off the loo, or up from the sofa. Arthritis may develop as…

‘Back in 2013, I was volunteering at a tea party group for older people and a couple of the guests said that they didn’t have anywhere to go on Christmas Day. This really saddened me, so I decided to take them out to a restaurant. Word began to spread and eventually, with the help of some amazing volunteers, 18 of us went out for a lovely Christmas Day meal. I made some Christmas tree decorations to raise money and was able to give everyone a hamper of goodies, too. Afterwards, I had so many heartfelt thank you cards from guests saying how valued and cared-for they’d felt. I decided to start the Marmalade Trust to let me arrange even more Christmas lunches and help people experiencing loneliness build connections. To…

‘I used to work as a primary school teacher in Islington, north London, and after coming back from a Christmas break to my class of six-year-olds, it was heartbreaking to hear how some children had enjoyed receiving lots of presents and some hadn’t received any at all. ‘Why did Father Christmas bring you toys and not me?’ they’d wonder, perhaps thinking it was because they hadn’t been good enough. What a terrible thought for a child to have. My close friend Angela had also seen the need for play opportunities. We thought about how we could support children through toys and books, and how in turn children could help each other. It was from this point, in 2012, that we started collecting toys from children who had too many or…

‘New Year’s Eve is the perfect time to get dressed up, decorate the house with all things glitz and glamour and throw a great big bash to celebrate with our nearest and dearest. These reusable party jars are great because they add a suitable amount of glitter (the environmentally friendly kind, of course) and sparkle that’s needed to welcome in a brand-new year, while looking completely stylish. And, you will be able to use them time and time again no matter the celebration or occasion!’ YOU WILL NEED ● Printed out letters on to copier paper ● Pencil (optional) ● Scissors Temporary adhesive spray jars ● Paper ● Biodegradable glitter ● Glue gun ● Ribbon ● Twine ● Decorative stars (optional) ● Fairy lights TO CREATE ❶ Print out some letters…

When Laura Pelham became a mum, she was inspired to start a new business, Trixie Prints: creating prints to mark children’s big and small moments. She tells Prima’s Imogen Cooper about how she juggles it all and how watching her boys grow up offers endless inspiration. Where did the idea for your prints come from? I used to work in publishing and took voluntary redundancy after I’d had my first son, Ethan. I knew I wanted to use the time to start a business making and selling children’s prints. This was cemented after I had my second son, Harry. I realised I wanted to be at home with them, and to build a career around them. Watching them grow (they’re now five and two) has brought me so many new…

BUFFET BITES TASTY CHEESE FEAST FRUIT AND SEED TOPPING DESSERTS SEE P110 FOR IDEAS FOOD EDITOR’S FAVE NIBBLES DOUBLE THE SIZE! TIPPLES TOFFEE & WALNUT AROMAS…

It’s that time between Christmas and new year when you have to make your home work that bit harder – entertaining guests and finding space for them to relax and stay over, too. Here’s how to work your rooms to the max… Entertain HOST WITH THE MOST A home should be many things, but come ‘Twixmas’ (the period between Christmas and new year) you may find that your tickertape of must-haves has stretched into a list longer than usual. Namely, a well-stocked fridge ready to cater all, a 360-degree space for entertaining, plus (more) room to fit everyone. And at the heart of it all is likely to be your kitchen/dining space – so, how can you make this engine of the home work even harder? For seating, the trendy…

The idea of gliding down a mountainside, flanked by snow-clad pines, looking cool in your ski gear, then heading to a cosy Alpine lodge for raclette and glühwein sounds great, doesn’t it? But if you’re a complete beginner, or just need a reboot, and feel a little overwhelmed by the whole notion of skiing – the getting there, the gear, the skillset – then fear not! Many resorts are easy to reach and ready and waiting to embrace newbies or those in search of a refresher. And it’s no longer all about the downhill as resorts have broadened their attractions for skiers and non-skiers alike. LES DEUX ALPES in the Isère region of south-east France is a no-brainer. Flight time from the UK is about two to Chambéry, and under…

What inspired your new book, Protein In 15? A lot of people are thinking about how to get more protein into their diet without relying on processed proteins such as bars and shakes, or animal products. The concept is simple: delicious recipes to cook at home with easy ingredients, ready on the plate as quickly as possible. Food prices are astronomical at the moment, so I’ve tried to make the meals accessible for all. What was the biggest lesson you learned from writing the book? I’ve always known protein is important for muscle growth and repair, but when I really dug into it, there are endless benefits – it also helps your metabolism, hormones, hair, skin and nails. What’s your go-to family recipe? In the morning, we always make something…

As she walked into the bookshop, Clara took off her woolly hat and scarf, enjoying the welcoming warmth of being indoors. After shrugging off her coat, too, she smiled at her friend Nancy, who was sitting at the till. Running her fingers over rainbow-coloured spines, she delighted in seeing how the smooth covers of newer fiction contrasted delightfully with the rougher older books. She breathed in the musty scent and sighed. ‘I’ve been thinking about what you said about working here,’ she said to Nancy. ‘I’ve always loved books and always complained I don’t have enough time to read as much as I would like. It would be such an indulgence to just read all day and talk about books.’ ‘One you’ve earned,’ her friend chirped in cheerfully, ‘and with…

The last… BOOK I READ… Disgrace by Jussi Adler-Olsen. I like fiction about murders and spying, and after enjoying the Dept. Q series on Netflix, I learned it was based on a book by a Danish author who has sold over 10 million books. This is the second novel in the series about detective Carl Morck, and I’m loving it. I read a lot of Nordic noir fiction. I especially like the Norwegian author Jo Nesbø and the work of Swedish writer Henning Mankell, who created the Wallander series. TIME I LAUGHED OUT LOUD… I recently went to a performance of MUSIK at Wilton’s Music Hall in London, written by Jonathan Harvey and Pet Shop Boys. Francis Barber is brilliant as the delusional faded star Billie Trix, who claims she…

‘Most Saturday nights, you will find me surrounded by dead bodies, while everyone tries to work out whodunnit. Surprisingly, I’m not in the police. I run murder mystery evenings. Teaching drama had been my career for most of my life, but around 15 years ago I started to think about retirement and what I might do next. My nowbusiness partner, Alex, who is an actor, was working for a murder mystery company, but suggested that the two of us could do better – so we did. That’s how Smoke & Mirrors was born. Our first event was in July 2013 at Wilton Windmill in Wiltshire: a murder mystery and hog roast. The plot revolved around crop circles, and an investigative journalist and his researcher who were poking their noses in…

‘The her steaming gingerbread hot chocolate. My little Velcro, I called Imogen, eight. She rarely left my side. Yet I would never forget the dark days, fearing I’d never be a mum. My husband John and I were so keen to start a family. But tests after two years showed early menopause. I was only 36, my fertility gone. Yet with egg donation, I could still be a mum. John would fertilise the egg, I would be the oven; my baby could still absorb some little part of me through the umbilical cord… I fell pregnant on our first implantation attempt in 2016, and Imogen arrived in January the following year. Now here we were, enjoying our drinks in Costa in Didsbury Village. I felt so content, sipping my latte…

We all know that a bunch of roses can say ‘I love you’ – but did you know that a bouquet can reveal far more than that? As Ella Bennison, owner of design studio Society Flowers in Cornwall, explains, ‘Plants and flowers have been known for their hidden meanings for a very long time, but floriography became more disciplined in the Victorian era.’ In the 19th century, bouquets were carefully composed so that the flowers carried meaning. A red rose declared passionate love; a yellow carnation hinted at rejection. Even how a bouquet was handed over mattered – with the right hand meant ‘yes’, the left, ‘no’. ‘It was once rigorous etiquette, and a way for people to pass on coded messages, particularly around courting,’ Ella adds. As publishers released…

For many of us, our mobile phone is the first thing we reach for in the morning and the last thing we see before we fall asleep, often doubling as an alarm clock, calendar, map, news source and camera – as well as connecting us with family and friends. In fact, the average UK adult now spends four hours and 20 minutes online daily – mostly on their phone. And it’s not just teenagers and twentysomethings who are hooked. Research shows that even 55- to 64-year-olds are spending three hours and 47 minutes online – and over 70% of that time is on the phone. It’s not surprising, explains clinical psychologist Dr Martha Deiros Collado: ‘Smartphones follow the same principle of unpredictable rewards that gambling and lottery games are based…

ARIES RELATIONSHIPS You’re going to have to do a lot of the heavy lifting this year. Strong relationships will get better, but weak ones are going to crumble. Surround yourself with the right people and you could end up feeling inspired by them and life. MONEY If there’s one thing to focus on this year, it’s getting clear about what you can and can’t afford. You’ll be under pressure over the next 12 months, so staying sensible and responsible with your finances is essential. WELLBEING There’s no escaping the need to build healthy routines and stick with them in 2026. Commit to consistency and you’ll feel the benefits – especially if you make space for calm and reflection through a regular meditation practice. NEED TO KNOW You have Saturn and…

Give the gift of Country Living and each month, a new issue will land on their doorstep – a lovely reminder that you care. Packed with delicious recipes, crafty makes, inspiring homes and thoughtful features, it brings the heart of the countryside home this Christmas and beyond. Plus they’ll enjoy Country Living Member Rewards, offering exclusive competitions, special discounts and unforgettable experiences. YOUR COUNTRY LIVING GIFT INCLUDES Country Living delivered to their door, as well as on their mobile or tablet, where they can access previous issues, specials and supplements Complimentary access to the digital edition of the Daily Mail, Mail on Sunday or The i newspapers, worth over £12.99 a month Free six-month House Beautiful digital magazine membership when you join for a year Country Living newsletter with inspiration…

‘Basket Brigade UK is part of a global movement inspired by American author Tony Robbins. When he was a child, his family was struggling. One Thanksgiving, a stranger knocked on the door with a basket of food. That small act of kindness left a lasting impression and inspired him to ‘pay it forwards’ and so, Basket Brigade was born. The mission for our UK team is simple but powerful: on 23 December each year, we deliver baskets filled with food, love and hope to families who could use a hand at Christmas. I first got involved with the charity in 2019, thanks to a friend, Denise, who invited me to help at an event. I was amazed by how many people had shown up to pack and deliver baskets. The…

MORE INSPIRATION AT… prima.co.uk EXCLUSIVE DESIGN FOR PRIMA Turn the page for instructions SIZE Finished toy measures approx 15cm in height, including wooden ring. MATERIALS ● Rico Baby Cotton Soft DK in shades:A – Dust (078) 1 x 50g ball.B – White (001) 1 x 50g ball.C – Light Blue (003) 1 x 50g ball.● A small amount of dark brown yarn or embroidery thread for details.● 3mm crochet hook● Toy stuffing● 70mm wooden ring.● Optional jingle bell to place in head for rattle. TENSION 22 sts and 26 rows to 10cm square over double crochet using a 3mm hook. Tension is not essential for this pattern; however, looser or tighter tension may result in a slightly bigger or smaller rattle. ABBREVIATIONS approx approximately; ch chain; dc double crochet; cm…

If you want to update your favourite Little Black Dress or don’t feel comfortable in something sleeveless, these handy cover-ups come in four easy-to-sew options. There’s a slip-on kimono style or over-the-head options including a hanky hem, a circular cape or a drapey kaftan. In a matter of hours, you’ll have a new outfit enhancer, all ready to wear. Our model is wearing outfit options A, C and D. Please refer to the line drawings for option B. NEED TO KNOW WOMEN’S SIZES – 10-20 Sew a special cover-up in four versatile options. With a simple pattern and even simpler instructions, you can go to town on your fabric choice; we’re favouring the sequins here! FABRICS We used a floral sequin mesh for option A, a navy sequin mesh for…

£10 & UNDER NEW YEAR PLANNERS HANDMADE WARDROBE COSY CROCHET Keep cosy this winter with a chunky crochet jumper – it’s fun and easy to make with our free pattern! It’s the perfect project for intermediate crocheters and is a jumper you’ll love wearing year after year. Get it by heading to prima.co.uk/crochet-jumper. 3 of the BEST Knit and crochet blocking supplies What I’m making this month KNITTED NECK WARMER I’ve loved getting back into knitting as the days have got colder and shorter. The first project off my needles is a knitted neck warmer – it was quick and easy to knit, and I love the look under my favourite cosy winter coat. TREND WATCH SCRAPBOOKING This retro craft activity is making a comeback – and the new year…

FANCY SOME FIZZ? I hope your guests won’t leave you with a halfempty bottle of Prosecco at the end of dinner, but if they do, you can use a SodaStream to inject bubbles back in the following day. And if it’s beyond its best for drinking? Use it in cooking, just like you would with white wine (no, your sauce won’t be fizzy!). If you’re all out of both, vermouth also does the trick for sauces that require wine. FABULOUS FREEZER Here’s how to turn leftover risotto into arancini: first, freeze the risotto; when defrosted, pat it dry. In the palm of your hand, wrap bits of risotto mixture around small chunks of mozzarella and roll into balls until you have enough arancini (I make two or three per guest).…

£10 and UNDER Got an interiors question for our expert? Email prima@hearst.co.uk for a chance to get it answered in the mag 3 of the BEST INSTANT IMPROVEMENTS Winter has me itching for change – here’s how I’m doing it… GETTING GREENER Candle refill company Pott works with artisans around the country to make refillable candle pots and scents inspired by the seasons.…

WINTER WARMERS ● If you’re heading for the slopes, Marks & Spencer is rocking the skiwear. Affordable, stylish and well priced: £45 for the jumper (in black or white) and £89 for the trousers (sizes 6-18). marksandspencer.com ● Looking for a cosy winter getaway? Book Cherry Blossom Cottage in Cherry Burton, Yorkshire (seven nights from £577, sleeps four), and enjoy the North York Moors & Yorkshire Dales Dark Skies Festival from 13 February to 1 March. cottages.com; northyorkmoors.org.uk ● Combine town and mountains this winter in Isère, south-east France. Stay for a couple of nights at Maison Barbillon in Grenoble, then head to the snowy slopes. alpes-isere.com; maisonbarbillon.com Take the train Hop on board Lonely Planet’s new Epic Train Trips Of The World, featuring 200 amazing rail routes and first-person…

EDGE-OF-YOUR-SEAT STORIES Don’t Let Him In by Lisa Jewell (Century, £20) This is so, so good! Nina is mourning her husband, who died after being accidentally pushed onto train tracks. Then the very charming Nick, an old friend of her husband’s, enters her life. Clever, sharp and propulsive – and the whole way through, I was asking: ‘How the hell did she write this?’ Believe by SM Govett (Michael Joseph, £16.99) This book reminded me how much I enjoy a police procedural. Natalie has spent years trying to get over the fact that a jury found her boss not guilty of assaulting her. Then Natalie’s husband is also accused of assault… and a body is found in the woods. Cancel your plans – you won’t put this down. FIRST-TIME WONDERS The Boy…

NIGHTTIME DRAMA DAYTIME GLAMOUR…

‘I come from a family of crafters. My gran, Olive, would get me knitting, embroidering and doing latch hook. It was woodwork with my grandad, Alan. I loved it all. I could lose myself in the tasks, in busy hands. It quietened my mind. Because as I grew older, I was growing anxious. By 16, my mood was so low I began to self-harm. Two years on, having left home and working as a community carer, I spiralled. I’d said nothing to my family; I didn’t want them worrying, but trying to push away my problems made them worse and I ended up in crisis. I started therapy. Natalie, 26, was in my group. She was kind, funny and so supportive, I liked her instantly. She was struggling herself but…

Welcome to your Prima treats! Each month, we’ll bring you top discounts, competitions and giveaways from brilliant brands, specially for our Prima members. If you have a Prima subscription, that automatically makes you a Prima member. Welcome to the club! This month’s highlights include the chance to win a pair of theatre tickets with a hotel stay, a gorgeous chocolate hamper and a steam iron. These are just three of the fantastic rewards and competitions we have for members, and new ones are added all the time, so do take a look. All the details on how to log in to the app or find treats on your laptop are in the box on the right. There are some great prizes to be won. Good luck! HOW TO FIND YOUR…

Why a kitchen disco is good for you Tomorrow, when you’ve added the milk to your morning tea, don’t sit down. Instead, click on to your favourite Christmas playlist and start moving! Because a little boogie by the toaster isn’t just fun, it could actually help to keep you steadier on your feet and boost your mood long after the decorations come down. The latest figures* reveal that every year in England, around 220,000 older people are hospitalised after a fall. Yet research shows that dancing or simply moving to music can improve balance, confidence and coordination. In a UK trial*, participants who joined music and movement sessions three times a week for 12 weeks reported less fear of falling and an improvement in mood. LET THE RHYTHM MOVE YOU…

Do you have a health question you would like to see covered? Email us at prima@hearst.co.uk We all know how it goes; one person gets the sniffles or a stomach bug and within days the rest of the household is down, too. The trick to stopping germs hopping from person to person is knowing where they hide, and how to get rid of them. Anything a poorly person touches often is likely to harbour viruses or bacteria. A 2023 UK study of London families found that when one member tested positive for Covid, virus traces were found on their hands and on frequently touched surfaces – and those traces predicted who became infected next. Other research found that around 45% of mobile phones carried respiratory viruses. Colds, flu, Covid and…

The beauty team has long loved skincare from Emma Hardie: it’s both effective and a joy to use. Take the brand’s Brilliance collection, which showcases the glow-boosting power of vitamin C in a range of smart, luxe products. We’re stocking up on the Vit C Brilliance Cleansing Balm, £52, for the way it transforms into a silky oil that melts away makeup, and the Vit C Radiant Renewal Serum, £65, a real workhorse that brightens and plumps skin – fast. This is skincare that looks beautiful, feels indulgent and delivers results. Just how we like it! HOW TO CLAIM Visit emmahardie.com between 30 November 2025 and 3 January 2026 and use code PRIMAEMMA20 on all full-size products at the checkout.…

‘I decided to volunteer in 2011 after my mum passed away. I saw Age UK’s TV ad calling for volunteers to talk to older people who were on their own. I spoke to various people but was matched with Patricia in 2014. She’d had a stroke so she wasn’t going out much, which was tough as she’s a social butterfly. We bonded right away. Patricia is an inspirational lady – if I get to 88 and I’m half as good as she is, it’ll be a miracle! She does lots of things to stay young at heart; for instance, she’s a Silver Reader, so she reads to local children Monday to Friday. She’s even had a letter from Queen Camilla, thanking her for her support. I look forward to our…

To fit chest: 81-86 (91-97: 102-107: 112-117: 122-127)cm. Actual chest: 101 (113:124:133:144)cm. Full length (approximately): 60 (62:64:66:67)cm. Sleeves: 46 (45:45:44:44)cm. MATERIALS ● West Yorkshire Spinners Retreat Chunky Roving in shade Mind (714) 6 (6:7:8:8) x 100g balls.● 1 pair of 6mm needles.● 1 pair of 6.5mm needles.● 6mm circular needle at least 100cm long.● 6 stitch markers.● 5 buttons. TENSION 14 sts and 19 rows to 10cm square over mock rib stitch using 6.5mm needles. ABBREVIATIONS  beg beginning; cm centimetre; cont continue; g gram; k knit; m1 make one keeping pattern correct; mm millimetre; p purl; patt pattern; rem remaining; rep repeat; RS right side; ssk slip 2 stitches knitwise, knit these 2 stitches together through back of loops (single left leaning decrease); st(s) stitch(es); tog together; WS wrong side;…

PEA & MINT CROUSTADES Crisp croustade cases make a great base for these veggie canapés, but you could use crackers or toasted baguette slices instead. For meat lovers, garnish with shards of crispy Parma ham. HANDS-ON TIME 10min. COOKING TIME about 5min. MAKES 24 • 200g frozen peas or petits pois• 1 small garlic clove, crushed• Small handful mint leaves, plus extra small leaves to garnish (optional)• 25g hard goat’s cheese, finely grated, plus extra, shaved, to garnish• 2tbsp extra virgin olive oil• Lemon juice, to taste• 24 croustade cases, we used Rahms 1 Cook the peas in a pan of boiling water for 4-5min, until just cooked. Drain and rinse under cold water. Drain thoroughly. 2 Tip the peas into the small bowl of a food processor with the…

FOOD EDITOR’S NOTE A glorious centrepiece! This is a ‘cook ahead’ recipe and some elements are cooked before freezing, but it will need further cooking once out of the fridge. PREP: 20 minutes SERVES 6 • 500g frozen butternut squash chunks• 2tbsp olive oil• 1 red onion, diced• 1tsp frozen chopped garlic• 300g chestnut mushrooms, sliced• 500g block puff pastry plain flour, for dusting• 150g camembert, cut into slices• 2tbsp cranberry sauce• 1 egg, beaten IF MAKING AHEAD FOR THE FRIDGE OR FREEZER OVEN 1 Preheat oven to 180°C (160°C fan). Drizzle the squash with olive oil and season well, then roast on a baking tray for 20-25min until golden. 2 Fry the onion and garlic in the remaining oil until soft, add the mushrooms and cook for 5-6min.  3…

STAY AWAY FOR LONGER If you’ve got the option to take more than a two-week break and miss out January in the UK altogether, then Just Go! Holidays offers a choice of long-stay winter sun breaks of up to 30 days, with all-inclusive options and excursions included in many packages. The large Mediterranean island of CYPRUS is a tried-and-tested retreat for the winter months, with reliable sunshine and warm temperatures. Just Go! offers a 29-day stay at the Paphos Gardens Holiday Resort on an all-inclusive basis for £1,599 per person – working out at £55 per night. There’s a choice of departures in early January, and if you stay four weeks, you get a week free. Excursions include a guided tours of Paphos and a winery, a trip to Episkopi…

Hamnet Maggie O’Farrell’s bestselling novel Hamnet is a tender reimagining of Shakespeare’s life and loss. In this adaptation, Paul Mescal stars as William Shakespeare opposite Jessie Buckley as Agnes, as the couple grapple with the death of their son – a tragedy that inspires his greatest work. Coming to UK cinemas 9 January How To Get To Heaven From Belfast From Derry Girls creator Lisa McGee comes a darkly comic thriller about friendship, grief and chaos. When three childhood friends – Unforgotten’s Sinéad Keenan, Roísín Gallagher and Caoilfhionn Dunne – reunite for a funeral, a prank turns deadly and sparks a wild road trip across Ireland. Coming soon to Netflix The Night Manager Tom Hiddleston returns as Jonathan Pine in the longawaited second season of the BBC’s smash-hit thriller. Almost…

Sir Tony Robinson read anything he could get his hands on as a child. ‘One of my most vivid early memories is reading the ingredients list on the back of a bottle of pickles on my mum’s kitchen table! I loved words and the worlds they opened up.’ Best known as the presenter of hit archaeology series Time Team and for playing Baldrick in the comedy Blackadder, Sir Tony says both have influenced his debut historical novel for adults, The House Of Wolf, about King Alfred the Great and the Anglo Saxons: ‘I’ve always wanted to write about King Alfred – the only king we’ve called ‘Great’. I’ve written it as a page-turner, so I hope people will love it.’ The books that shaped my childhood… The Heirloom Library series…

STAR OF THE MONTH CAPRICORN  22 December to 20 January As the New Year dawns, you’re in a lucky patch relationship-wise, so make the most of it. Enjoy the people you love – revel in them and celebrate them! You’re also entering a seven-year cycle where life will be up and down in a (mostly) good way. At home, behave intuitively and you’ll attract extra blessings. AQUARIUS 21 January to 19 February Think poetry, soulmates and a touch of the mystical, and you’ll be making the most of a powerful new cycle beginning for you (and lasting right through to 2039!). What to sidestep? Getting tangled up with time-wasters or people who drain you. This is your moment – savour it, but keep your eyes open. PISCES 20 February to…