Table of contents for 6th Jan 2026 in Woman's Weekly

Unchained success “We were a tad busy with little children in the mid-90s, which might excuse my missing one of the most unexpected musical successes of that time. In an episode of the BBC series Soldier Soldier, two of the cast had to sing the song Unchained Melody. It caused such a sensation that Simon Cowell convinced them to release it as a single. It went straight to number one and stayed there for seven weeks. After several more hits, the pair, Robson Green and Jerome Flynn, went back to acting. Jerome later found fame in Game of Thrones, while Robson, among many successes, starred in Grantchester. See page 8.”…

“My gran, Marjorie Smith, was Yorkshire born and bred, and she was a legend. She lived in a terraced house not far from Rowntree’s chocolate factory – now Nestlé – and everything about that house is etched in my memory. My grandad was a cricketer, before working on the railways, then he became a groundsman – he was a proper grafter. They had an allotment at the end of their garden and between them, they taught me everything: the value of hard work, the joy of cooking and how to live a good, honest life. My gran was my mum’s mum, and what Gran didn’t teach me, Mum did. Gran cooked everything from scratch on this old enamel gas cooker I’ve got at home, and she’d make the best bacon…

3 HERBS TO... Help digestion 1 DANDELION ROOT for constipation. Also try liquorice or milk thistle, says medical herbalist Dr Chris Etheridge**. ‘Linseeds and psyllium can also help relieve it by giving the colon more fibre to aid transit.’ 2 PEPPERMINT for bloating. ‘Aromatic bitters such as wormwood, hops, peppermint and sage can promote good digestion,’ says Dr Etheridge. They stimulate acid production in the stomach to aid normal digestion. 3 SLIPPERY ELM for acid reflux – or marshmallow root powder. ‘These contain a compound called mucilage, which coats and soothes the throat, stomach and gut,’ says Dr Etheridge. Meadowsweet and German camomile may also help. NEWSFLASH Walk to beat dementia Walking more than 3,000 steps a day can slow memory loss in patients with early signs of Alzheimer’s, says…

BEE-NURTURING BULBS Bees can be tempted to leave their winter burrows in search of food if it is mild and sunny. Nectar-laden snowdrops, aconites and ‘Tommies’ (Crocus tommasinianus) are ideal for a pit stop. Grow these bulbs in a border or under deciduous shrubs, with aconites preferring shade. Alternatively, pop snowdrops like ‘Flore Pleno’ (H10-15cm) and ‘James Backhouse’ (H20cm) in pots, where you can breathe in their scent. FROST SOS A sudden frost can catch out the most vigilant gardener, leaving tender plants with wilted or blackened leaves. But all is not lost. Underneath the dead foliage, the roots may be fine and dandy. Test for damage by scraping away a small piece of bark from a stem. If it is green underneath, then the plant is alive and kicking.…

Difficulty level MEASUREMENTS To fit an average-sized female head. MATERIALS 1 x 100g (166m) ball of West Yorkshire Spinners ColourLab Aran (100% wool) in each of Grey (Dove Grey 1173) and White (Winter White 1171)*. Pair each of 4.5mm (No. 7) and 5mm (No. 6) knitting needles. Yarn is available from theknittingnetwork.co.uk. TENSION 18 stitches and 24 rows to 10x10cm, over stocking stitch, using 5mm needles. ABBREVIATIONS K, knit; p, purl; ss, stocking stitch (k on right side and p on wrong side); st(s), stitch(es); tog, together (decrease by working as many sts together as stated). NOTES The chart is worked in ss starting with a k row. 1st and last sts of chart are start and end of row. Yarn amounts are based on average requirements and are approximate.…

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: Ship’s loading mark. Average = 20 More than 40 = 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…

CIRCUS SPECTACULAR For a family outing featuring sheer spectacle and dazzling artistry, head to the Royal Albert Hall to see Cirque du Soleil’s Ovo. It’s circus on a grand scale, with the world’s best clowns, gymnasts and aerialists exploring the world of insects, from 9 January to 1 March. ✱ cirquedusoleil.com/OVO A fresh start A New Year’s Day walk is a long-standing tradition around the UK, and striding through the crisp, wintry landscape is an invigorating way to start 2026. As well as waking up a sluggish post-Christmas metabolism, walking is a sure-fire way to boost your wellbeing. To make a day of it, try one of the guided walks run by the National Trust, such as Pule Hill in Marsden Moor, or join the Ramblers for a local route,…

When deciduous trees and shrubs are stripped of their leaves in winter, evergreens – which hold on to their foliage – take centre stage. Native species include Scots pine, juniper, yew, holly and ivy. These hard-working stalwarts are good for the planet and look glorious when the wider landscape is dormant. Evergreens can be found throughout the country, both in our gardens and in the countryside. To see them en masse, visit Glenmore in Scotland’s Cairngorms – for the largest natural Caledonian pine forest – or Bedgebury National Pinetum in Kent, which is home to a world-leading collection of conifers. And look in historic churchyards, where you may find ancient yew trees that have stood for hundreds of years. Evergreens support a host of wildlife By holding on to their foliage…

Smoked haddock soup Based on a Scottish recipe for Cullen skink, this hearty, nourishing bowl will help keep out the winter chills. SERVES 6PREP 15 minsCOOK 25 mins ✱ 480g smoked haddock fillets ✱ ½ stock cube dissolved in 300ml water ✱ 8 peppercorns ✱ 50g butter ✱ 1 onion, chopped ✱ 1 leek, sliced ✱ 350g waxy potatoes, cut into 3cm chunks ✱ 600ml whole milk ✱ 2 bay leaves ✱ Handful chives and parsley, freshly chopped, to serve ✱ Soda bread or crusty bread and butter, to serve 1 Put the haddock in a shallow pan with the stock. Add the peppercorns and simmer until lightly cooked. Strain the stock into a bowl, reserving the haddock and discarding the peppercorns. 2 Melt the butter in a large pan,…

Paracetamol safety in pregnancy Following unsubstantiated rumours about paracetamol use during pregnancy, the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, World Health Organization and European Medicines Agency have all published statements on the safety of its use in pregnancy. All state there’s no confirmed link between taking paracetamol during pregnancy and autism in children. Paracetamol remains recommended pain relief for pregnant women when used as directed, at the lowest dose and for the shortest duration. HEART NEWS Deaths in the year following acute myocardial infarction (heart attack) have declined from 23% in 2005 to 14% in 2019, according to England and Wales registry data. Two-thirds of the fall can be attributed to better management of hypertension and heart disease, including prescribing of statins and hypertension medication, plus the increased use of percutaneous…

Difficulty level YOU WILL NEED ✱ 15cm square of linen-blend fabric in a neutral colour ✱ 5x9cm solid cotton fabric ✱ 9x14cm print cotton fabric ✱ Embroidery thread in Anchor 110 (Very Dark Blue Violet), Anchor 111 (Very Dark Lavender), Anchor 779 (Dark Grey Green), Anchor 1209 (Variegated Violet), Anchor 1216 (Variegated Khaki Green) ✱ 19cm of 1cm-wide gold grosgrain ribbon ✱ Small piece of batting (wadding) or fabric scraps ✱ Dried lavender ✱ 1.5cm-long oblong button ✱ Fabric scissors, pinking shears and embroidery scissors ✱ Embroidery hoop ✱ Embroidery needle ✱ Pins ✱ Sewing needle and cotton thread ✱ Pressing cloth and iron FINISHED MEASUREMENTS 7x12cm 1 Using the pinking shears, trim the raw edges of the linen fabric to prevent it from fraying. Secure it in the embroidery hoop to create a neat, taut stitching surface. 2 Transfer the lavender motif…

ARIES 21 MAR – 20 APR You’re stronger and more resilient than you realise. Don’t give up – your persistence and dedication will bear fruit. TAURUS 21 APR – 21 MAY It’s a time to let go and free yourself from heavy burdens. Do what’s most important and let the rest go. GEMINI 22 MAY – 21 JUN Financially, new opportunities may present themselves. Do your due diligence first, and diversify and spread the risk. CANCER 22 JUN – 23 JUL Romance and love feature strongly this week. Unexpected encounters, synchronistic and magical events may occur. LEO 24 JUL – 23 AUG You may be facing challenging issues but there are answers to everything. Keep trying different approaches and you will succeed. VIRGO 24 AUG – 23 SEP Don’t compare…

EAT MORE ANTI-INFLAMMATORY FOODS Inflammation is thought to contribute to numerous health conditions, including Alzheimer’s, asthma and arthritis. Eating anti-inflammatory foods may reduce pain associated with inflammation and improve overall health. Get your fill of avocados, broccoli, berries, dark chocolate, green tea, kale, oily fish, nuts, spinach and tomatoes. ‘Eat the rainbow,’ says nutritionist Victoria Malcolm*. ‘Aim for at least 30 different plant foods each week.’ SLEEP THE SCANDI WAY Struggle to sleep next to your partner? Try two single duvets instead of a double. For those experiencing sleep disturbances related to menopause symptoms, for example, it can be game-changing. ‘Having a light duvet can help alleviate hot flushes during the night and ease sweating,’ says sleep and body clock scientist Dr Kat Lederle. ‘Plus, it gives you your own…

I feel guilty spending Q I feel guilty every time I spend money on myself, even for small things like a coffee or new lipstick. However, we can afford for me to do this. Melissa, Birmingham A I wonder how good you are at buying things for others? I think you probably have two sets of beliefs. When it comes to buying something for yourself, you probably feel that you don’t deserve it or it’s selfish to spend it on yourself. What you need is a reframe, and to see these purchases as a way to improve your wellbeing and sense of contentment. The happier you are, the better it is for others around you. So, by purchasing a few things for yourself, you’ll be doing everyone a service! Lonely in my marriage Q I’ve…

DOMINICA Looking for a holiday that feels more adventurous? Head to verdant, mountainous Dominica, the Caribbean’s wild, untamed isle. Lush and mountainous, its landscapes are brimming with exotic greenery and colourful birds, just the thing if you’re more keen to hike, soak in sulphur hot springs or splash in emerald waterfall pools than laze on the beach. Where to stay Sea turtles nest on the beach at Rosalie Bay Eco Resort & Spa, near the cluster of clapboard buildings in the foothills of the Morne Trois Pitons National Park. It’s a peaceful set-up of 22 rooms, plus a serene pool, traditional Caribbean bistro and unspoilt black-sand beach. ✱ Seven nights B&B from £1,653pp, including flights, with Sunvil; sunvil.co.uk DOMINICAN REPUBLIC Packed with affordable all-inclusive resorts, beautiful landscapes and a vibrant…

Harriet knew exactly when she began to loathe William Coke. She had been happy to see the arrival of a new neighbour just down the road. The street was a friendly one, and usually attracted the type of person who enjoyed socialising and joined in the local community. A couple of days after William moved in, Harriet had knocked on his door with a welcome hamper and a card. ‘Yes?’ He stood just behind the barely open door, staring at her cautiously. He was tall and gaunt with hollows under his high cheekbones, his hair charcoal grey. ‘Welcome to Richmond Street! I’m Harriet. I live just over there.’ She gestured to her cottage, neat and cosy, across the road. ‘I brought you these.’ ‘Oh.’ He stared at the hamper and…

What Have I Done? by Ben Elton (£25, HB, Pan Macmillan) Decades in the making, the veteran comedian’s autobiography won’t disappoint his army of loyal fans. Answering the question ‘What have I done?’, he takes a deep dive into his past to reveal the stories behind The Young Ones, Blackadder and his stand-up career, as well as his Catford childhood and receiving a late-in-life BAFTA. Expect uncensored tales of brilliant friends, a few foes and an entertaining recount of the times in which they’ve all lived. Drinking the World by Victoria Brzezinski and Bert Blaize (£22, HB, HarperCollins) Not sure where to head off to on your next break? This food and drink-themed travel guide is sure to inspire. Each chapter covers a wine-producing region – from Armenia to the…

“You might remember that last week I was living the high life. Well, what passes round here for the high life. I was helping my friend Wendy host a small tea party for two members of the committee that runs our charity shop. Wendy, you see, wants to take over as manager and her main asset is that she lives in a manor house. We thought this would appeal to Mrs Protheroe, who is an ocean-going snob. You might also remember that Mrs P mistook me for Wendy’s maid, even though she has met me before. It was an easy mistake to make, of course. If I was ever going to land a role in Downton Abbey, it wouldn’t be as Lady Grantham, would it? No, I’d be the slightly…