Table of contents for 7-Jan-2025 in Woman's Weekly

Looking and learning “One of my wife and I’s favourite recipes is grilled salmon, accompanied by sliced-up watercress mixed in with crème fraiche. It sounds odd but works really well, and we first learnt to do it (and many other things) on holiday at a cookery workshop in Norfolk, when we were very much younger and I had a full head of hair. That recipe has passed our test of time and we remain eternally grateful for that now long-forgotten teacher who introduced it to us, their skill still lives on vicariously in our kitchen. Holidays sitting on a beach reading novels can be lovely, but a holiday when you learn a new skill can live on for a lifetime. See page 38.”…

It’s the end of an era, with Brenda Blethyn finally hanging up her mac as DCI Vera Stanhope after 14 years of pounding the Northumberland beat. The 78-year-old actor admits it was tough saying goodbye to the beloved copper. ‘It was a hard decision because I love Vera,’ admits Brenda when we meet. She looks smart in a navy suit and sparkly black boots, her blonde hair expensively coiffed. In person, Brenda is a sharp contrast to the dowdy Vera, who poured far more energy into murder investigations than she did her wardrobe. Brenda admits that when springtime rolls around, she’ll miss Vera even more. ‘Come March, when I would normally be getting ready to go back up to Northumberland, I’ll probably cry,’ she says. ‘It’s just that I’ve been…

“The other day I was telling my old school friend how I’d been triggered by the scent of a certain perfume, and she said, ‘What do you mean, triggered?’ ‘Well,’ I said, ‘you know that emotional Doctor Who-type TARDIS feeling where you’re taken back in time to feeling those adolescent feelings of hope and despair?’ ‘No?’ she said. Then I reminded her of the perfume and she went, ‘Oh my God, yes!’ and we recalled the night we’d both sprayed ourselves from top to toe with it, in the hope of getting asked to dance at a school disco. In fact, we spent the whole evening propping up the wall and munching on crisps. Interestingly, this failure didn’t affect our loyalty to the perfume. We’d still spray ourselves for a…

‘Curling has played a huge part in my life’ Vicky Gumley, 58, is an Airbnb host. She lives in Edinburgh with her husband John, 57. Aged 13, I went with my parents to my local ice rink. I had seen how much excitement being part of the sociable curling community had brought my parents and, as a sporty kid, I was happy to try something new. I didn’t know then that curling would take me to various countries across the world, introduce me to my husband, build long-lasting friendships and still be such an important part of my life more than 40 years later. When I was playing for my school curling team, I saw John on the ice and I can still remember the white Adidas curling shoes he…

3 REASONS TO Warm up before exercise 1 IT BOOSTS BLOOD FLOW Warm-up stretches help deliver more oxygen and nutrients to muscles and joints prior to a workout, which can help improve performance and reduce your risk of injury. 2 IT INCREASES MUSCLE TEMPERATURE ‘This reduces stiffness and lowers the risk of strains and sprains,’ says fitness expert Elyn Marwick. You could also try a heat rub before exercise, such as Deep Heat Muscle Massage Roll-on Lotion, £5.25 for 50ml, Boots. 3 IT LUBRICATES JOINTS Boosting flexibility and range of motion, ‘it stimulates production of synovial fluid, making joint movements smoother,’ says Elyn. WHAT’S THAT? The new Bio-kult 3-in-1 Biotic Blend Gummies are an easy way to give the whole family’s gut health a boost. They include multivitamins to help maintain your family’s…

1 STYLE WINDOWS Finding suitable window treatments for your bathroom can be tricky. Fabric blinds won’t last long unless they’re suitable for wet environments, so why not ditch the blinds altogether? Instead, apply a decorative film directly to the window glass, providing ample privacy. ✱ Aries patterned window film, from £15.63, Purlfrost 2 SWAP HARDWARE Shower caddies, toilet roll holders and towel rings can look tatty over time, especially if they’ve been exposed to high moisture levels. Next time they need replacing, shop around for a matching set to give your bathroom a cohesive look. ✱ Towel rail and shelf, £20, Dunelm 3 SORT OUT STORAGE Create a designated place to put your multipack of loo roll and extra bottles of body wash with an under-basin vanity or wall-hung cabinet.…

CIRCUS CLOWN Cirque du Soleil returns to the Royal Albert Hall for its 29th year, bringing another spectacular show. The auditorium has been reconfigured to accommodate a dreamlike parade of breathtaking aerial and acrobatic performances, superb costumes and storytelling, as a clown looks back on his life. ✱ From 9 January to 2 March, cirquedusoleil.com/corteo Wild wetland Heavier rainfall means a higher risk of flooding, especially where land drainage separates a river from its floodplain. But a recent three-year project has shown impressive results. A previously straightened and deepened section of the Aller river in Somerset was filled in, allowing water to flow naturally from the river to the surrounding Holnicote Estate floodplain. A wildlife-rich wetland has since burst into life and the land acts like a sponge, storing and…

The January sales are as much a part of the holidays as turkey with all the trimmings. After the extravagance of Christmas, it’s understandable to want to save money in the new year, and bagging a bargain is the savvy shopper’s dream come true. However, the annual event has evolved incredibly from its humble, 19th-century beginnings. How did the sales start? The origins of the January sales reach back to 1878, when John Wanamaker – founder of one of America’s first department stores, Philadelphia-based Wanamaker’s – declared that January would be the best time to reduce the price of products that didn’t make much money at the start of the year. So he launched his so-called ‘White sale’, selling bed linens (which were available in white only at the time)…

1 FINE LINES Available with a matching jumper, this knitted skirt is perfect for luxe lounging, or dress it up with a white shirt. Skirt, £22.50, sizes 6-22, F&F at Tesco 2 CREATURE COMFORTS Treat your feet with these soft, cushioned-sole slip-ons that you’ll wear on repeat. Slippers, £12, F&F Clothing at Tesco 3 LOVE YOURSELF January deserves a new pair of PJs! This bargain pair is a great gift to yourself or a loved one. Pyjamas, £20, sizes 6-24, George at Asda 4 WINTER BLUES Lighten up your coat with this cute cornflower-blue beanie. The colour complements neutrals and all shades of brown. Hat, £10, Tu Clothing at Sainsbury’s 5 STRIPE IT LUCKY If you live in a Breton top, why not upgrade to a striped knit during the colder…

Chana dal and broccoli A variety of spices adds a depth of flavour to this hearty dal. SERVES 6 PREP 1 hr, plus soaking COOK 1 hr ✱ 400g yellow split peas✱ 6tbsp vegetable oil✱ 1tsp cumin seeds✱ ½tsp ground turmeric✱ 1 cinnamon stick✱ 3 cardamom pods✱ 500g broccoli, cut into florets✱ 1tbsp maple syrup✱ 1 large onion, thinly sliced✱ 2 garlic cloves, crushed✱ 2tsp grated root ginger✱ 4tbsp coconut oil✱ 2tbsp brown mustard seeds✱ 4 dried red chillies✱ 1 large garlic clove, sliced✱ 8 curry leaves (optional)✱ Coriander leaves, to garnish 1 Soak the split peas in cold water for 1 hr. Drain, rinse and drain again. 2 Heat 1tbsp oil in a large saucepan. Fry the cumin, turmeric, cinnamon, cardamom and 1tsp salt for 30 secs, add the…

New drug for schizophrenia Xanomeline/trospium chloride, the first new schizophrenia treatment in more than 50 years, has been approved in the USA but not yet in the UK. Existing antipsychotic treatments, which block brain dopamine receptors, treat hallucinations and delusions but are ineffective against anhedonia and cognitive impairment. The new drug is effective against all symptoms with a better side-effect profile. It’s the first treatment exclusively targeting cholinergic neurotransmitters, which affect many functions, including learning, memory, digestion and movement. SICKLE CELL DRUG WITHDRAWN Sickle cell treatment voxelotor has been withdrawn months after rollout following a ‘higher than anticipated’ number of vaso-occlusive crises (acute painful crises) and deaths, clinical evidence showing that its benefits no longer outweigh the risks. Patients taking voxelotor should have been contacted to ensure that they discontinue treatment…

Hot chocolate pudding A miraculous effect – the sauce sinks as the cake cooks. SERVES 6 PREP 25 mins COOK 35 mins ✱ 100g unsalted butter, softened✱ 150g golden caster sugar✱ 1tsp vanilla extract✱ 3 medium free-range eggs✱ 125g self-raising flour✱ 30g cocoa powder✱ 125ml whole milk✱ 70g dark chocolate, chopped FOR THE SAUCE ✱ 100g golden caster sugar✱ 25g cocoa powder, sifted✱ Custard or pouring cream, to serve YOU WILL NEED ✱ 1.5ltr ovenproof baking dish, greased 1 Heat the oven to 170C Fan/Gas 5. In a mixing bowl, beat the butter, sugar, vanilla and a pinch of salt until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating between each addition. Add the flour and cocoa, pour over half the milk and mix until smooth, then…

EVERGREEN SCENE Create a winter tapestry with a pot brimming with hardy evergreens. Pop to a garden centre and have fun choosing plants that look good together. Try pairing glossy leaved euonymus, like the white-and-pink splashed ‘Harlequin’ (H50cm), with the fountain-like carex ‘Bronze’ (H35cm). Add a splash of rich colour with bedding violas, like ‘Purple Beacon’ (H20cm). WORTHY WINNER Drum roll, please… Rose of the Year for 2025 is a pink hybrid tea called ‘You’re My Everything’. Hardy and vigorous, it grows just under a metre high, making it a rosy option for a patio pot or small bed. It has creamy yellow buds that unfurl to reveal frilly petals edged in rich pink. Plant this beauty now to enjoy its scented blooms from July to September. GARDEN TO VISIT…

Difficulty level MEASUREMENTS To fit S/M (M/L) woman’s hands. Length 18 (19)cm/7 (7½)in. MATERIALS 1 x 50g (112m) ball of West Yorkshire Spinners Bo Peep Pure DK (100% wool) in Rosehip (1112)*. Pair each of 3.75mm (No. 9) and 4mm (No. 8) knitting needles; stitch markers; spare yarn to hold sts. Yarn is available from theknittingnetwork.co.uk. TENSION 22 stitches and 28 rows to 10x10cm, over patt, using 4mm needles. ABBREVIATIONS K, knit; patt, pattern; p, purl; sm, slip marker; st(s), stitch(es); up1, pick up horizontal strand lying between needles and k into the back of it (to increase 1 st). NOTES Yarn amounts are based on average requirements and are approximate. Instructions are given for small size. Where they vary, work figures in round brackets for larger sizes. Figures in…

The Travel Bucket List (£30, HB, Dorling Kindersley) Need ideas for your next big trip? Look no further than the 500 experiences beautifully set out in this stunning book. From seeing the Taj Mahal to attending an orchestral performance in Vienna, and climbing the dunes of the world’s oldest desert, there’s something for everyone. With enticing photography and little ‘good to know’ snippets, it’s the perfect gift for anyone with wanderlust looking to tick off those ultimate bucket-list adventures. A Year Of Living Curiously: 365 Things Really Worth Knowing by Beth Coates and Elizabeth Foley (£14.99, HB, Faber) More uplifting than your morning coffee and definitely more fascinating than your commute, this mind-expanding almanac is ideal for a daily dose of knowledge. Put down your phone and spare just two…

ARIES 21 MAR – 20 APR Staying calm will be especially important this week, as your patience may be tested, but will enable harmony to be restored. TAURUS 21 APR – 21 MAY You’re unstoppable. Even if you’re unsure about your exact direction at first, keep being proactive. You will find clarity. GEMINI 22 MAY – 21 JUN Love is in the air for you. Relationships of all kinds are enhanced with plenty of opportunities for greater peace, harmony and understanding. CANCER 22 JUN – 23 JUL You may receive good news regarding finances, or a proposition may come your way. Stay open to new possibilities! LEO 24 JUL – 23 AUG Resilience is key this week. Although you may have the feeling you are constantly climbing uphill, keep going.…

“Here’s some good news to start off the new year. A polite pumping of the fist might well be in order and perhaps a modest display of fireworks. Mrs Beasley, the manager of our charity shop, has come home two weeks early from a trip to see her sister in New Zealand. This means we will finally see the back of Adam, also known as The Vicar, who has been acting manager and who – can we speak frankly here? – has been getting on everybody’s nerves. As you might remember, he arrived from our sister shop with a sense of high moral purpose and an instinct to make everything better. Nothing makes somebody more unpopular, in my experience, than an instinct to improve everybody else. ‘Only her dogs dared…

Wear sunscreen daily Yes, we sound a bit like a broken record but when it comes to daily musts, SPF on your face is up there as one of the most essential steps in your routine. Even during the winter months, UVA and UVB rays can damage your skin, which can lead to premature ageing like wrinkles and sagginess, as well as pigmentation and dryness. Incorporating sunscreen into your skincare regime is easy, as these days there are plenty of lightweight products designed to be worn under make-up without any greasiness or white cast. Bubble Solar Mate Daily SPF 30, £19, Boots, can be applied after your usual skincare, and will keep you protected while hydrating and softening your cheeks. Dose up Collagen is a hugely important protein that’s naturally…

They expect me to be grieving Q My mother died recently. We had a difficult relationship but I did love her and she was ‘my mum’. She had dementia for 10 years and, during this time, I found peace with our relationship and grieved the mother I never had. I’ve been fine with her death – I feel relief and a sense of freedom. But others think I should be grieving. How do I tell them I’m fine? Name and address withheld A In just the same way as you have me. You loved your mother and she was an important person in your life. Your relationship may have been difficult at times but that didn’t stop it having deep meaning and you have found a way to come to terms with it. It isn’t that you…

Difficulty level YOU WILL NEED ✱ 10cm-diameter MDF coaster bases ✱ Damp cloth ✱ 100g each of 12mm Ottoman standard tiles in Brilliant Blue, Mid Turquoise and Aqua✱ Protective gloves ✱ Mosaic glue ✱ Pair of tweezers ✱ 50g of 8mm Ottoman standard tiles in Aqua Isles mix ✱ 50g each of 8mm round darling dots in Blueberry Bombe and Acqua Vitae ✱ 50g each of 10mm triangles in Blue Skies and Aquaeous ✱ 100g of penny rounds in Brilliant Blue ✱ 200g white grout ✱ Container (for mixing the grout) ✱ Stirring stick ✱ Grout spreader ✱ Paper towels ✱ Sponge STOCKISTS Grout spreader, £1, and mosaic glue, £5.80, both Hobbycraft; MDF coaster bases, £2.59 for six, 12mm Ottoman standard tiles, from £1.49 per 100g, 8mm Ottoman standard tiles,…

Wordwise You have 15 minutes to find as many words as possible using the letters in the grid. Each word must contain four or more letters, one of which must be the central square. No proper nouns, plurals or foreign words are allowed. There is one nine-letter word in the grid, for which the clue is: Branch of anthropology. Average = 15 More than 35 = well done SUDOKU To solve this puzzle, fill in the grid so that each 3 x 3 box, each row and each column contains the numbers 1-9. LINKWORDS Fit 10 words into the grid so that each links with the end of the word on its left and the beginning of the one on the right. Then unscramble the letters in the shaded squares to…