Table of contents for 35-2023 in Best

A birthday should be a time for celebration and receiving well-wishes from loved ones. But when gardening guru and TV star Charlie Dimmock marked her 57th birthday on the 10 August, the occasion was sadly overshadowed. While many of her fans and viewers from her shows flocked to wish her a happy birthday, others decided to use the time to cruelly comment on her appearance and weight. A Facebook group called Television and Film Nostalgia posted a picture of Charlie from her programme Garden Rescue, as they led the tributes to the presenter, who returned to our screens after more than a decade away in 2016. Alongside the snap, they wrote, ‘Happy Birthday to Charlie Dimmock, 57 today!’ But it didn’t take long for some people to take over the…

TOP TIP Not quite ready to embrace Winter colours? Sophisticated shades of chocolate, beige and rust will warm up your wardrobe as we embrace the new season.…

Turning on the slow cooker, I seasoned a whole chicken I’d snapped up at the supermarket right before it’d closed, for just 10p. I loved bargain hunting, and this was one of my best finds to date! ‘It should last us a few meals – and we can make chicken sandwiches for lunch with it,’ I said to my husband, Darren. Everyone was trying to be more careful with the cost-of-living crisis and who didn’t like to save money where they could?! Growing up, my mum had always been savvy with money. We were lucky that it wasn’t something we’d had to worry about too much and, as I got older, I was fairly careful with my cash. I’d gone on to meet Darren in 2006 through friends and we…

1 TOP TRANSFORMER Windy, rainy conditions can wreak just as much havoc on your hair as typical ‘Summer’ weather. Damage remains a factor that many want to fix, no matter the cause. Bond-repair products target the internal structure, which affects its overall health. Get this section in good condition and it’s easier to achieve shinier, softer hair. Panthenol is the super ingredient behind HeadShock PlexSystem 2 Nourishing Hair Mask, £4.50. This vitamin can penetrate deep and prevent moisture loss, while jojoba and argan oil help replenish from the inside out. 2 TAKE YOUR MANI TO THE MAX You may feel like your nails grow stronger in the sun, but there are other issues to contend with. ‘Polish vibrancy can fade due to sun, sea and chemicals in the pool,’ explains Lynn…

HOW IT WORKS Did you know that 4 September is National Eat an Extra Dessert Day? Feeling inspired by this? We’ve come up with a plan that can help you lose weight while still enjoying a dessert a day. Indulging doesn’t always mean piling on the pounds as long as it’s done sensibly. For instance, you can stick to small portions and balance desserts out by otherwise sticking to a healthy diet with regular exercise. There’s always the option to share a dessert too. Besides, a little bit of what you fancy actually helps you stay on track long-term, according to research. GETTING STARTED ● Simply follow our plan (opposite), which includes breakfast, lunch, dinner plus a snack and dessert each day. ● Don’t add salt, sugar, sauces or dressings…

best essentials in association with best STRAWBERRY ICE CREAM Häagen-Dazs Macaron Strawberry & Raspberry Ice Cream, £5.25 for 420ml Häagen-Dazs was crowned the best ice cream for 2023, with this limited-edition collaboration with French pastry chef Pierre Hermé. Refreshing and summery, the berry notes were beautifully vibrant, and the coulis swirl cuts through the creaminess of the ice cream itself. Testers loved it, raving about the chewy macaron pieces throughout. We’d suggest stocking up while you can… best CHOCOLATE ICE CREAM Hackney Gelato Chocolate & Brownies Gelato, £5.75 for 460ml Decadent and rich, this indulgent dessert is made in the traditional Italian gelato-style and impressed the panel with its fudgy brownie pieces, velvety smooth texture and chocolate sauce. We’re calling it chocolate ice cream for grown-ups (so we’ll be hiding…

Autumn is on its way and it’s time for a wardrobe refresh. Busby & Fox is giving away a voucher worth £400 for one lucky reader to treat themselves to some new Autumn/Winter pieces. Busby & Fox is known for designing distinctly easy, timeless and relaxed pieces. Each item is created to be mixed with everything else in the collection, so you can revitalise your Autumn look with an effortless new capsule wardrobe that will not only give your style a facelift, but will work well with existing pieces too. For more info, visit: busbyandfox.com. To enter, see right. HOW TO ENTER ONLINE: Save money by entering online at hearstmagazines.co.uk/best3523a by 15 September 2023. PHONE: Call 0901 027 2719 by midnight on 15 September 2023. Calls cost 30p per minute,…

A trip to the dentist is often viewed as a necessary evil. Something people dread but know is vital to keeping teeth healthy. Yet, in what has been called ‘the worst crisis in the history of NHS dentistry’, millions of people all over the UK are finding it impossible to even find an NHS dentist to see. Recent figures released by the British Dental Association (BDA) put the number of people unable to access an NHS dentist at an astonishing 12 million – that’s one-in-four adults. An investigation by the BDA in conjunction with the BBC late last year revealed that 90 per cent of practices across the UK were not accepting new adult NHS patients. Up and down the country there are now ‘Dental Deserts’, where towns and surrounding…

DORITOS KING BOX, BURGER KING, £5.99 Burger King® UK and Doritos are at it again and have teamed up to launch the hottest upgrade of the Summer: introducing the new Doritos King Box! In the ultimate level-up moment, the Doritos King Box includes the popular Double Melts Burger, fries and a refreshing drink – with the added bonus of the Doritos Chilli Heatwave Chicken Fries, for a jaw-dropping £5.99! ★★★★★ NANDO’S FULLY LOADED CHIPS, EAT-IN ONLY (NANDO’S), £8 Think pulled chicken, melted cheddar cheese, PERi-Salted Chips and spring onions, topped with PERi sauce and a creamy dressing. We know, we’re drooling, too. ★★★★★ DOMINO’S COOKIES, £5.99 And for dessert… If you’ve not already tried these bad boys, you’re in for a real treat! These cookies are a decedent combo of…

Ruth Wilson, 41, is one of the UK’s most celebrated actresses. Born in Ashford, Kent, she worked steadily after training at drama school, before her role as Alice opposite Idris Elba in Luther shot her to fame in 2010. In 2014, she starred opposite Dominic West as Alison in The Affair, a smash hit drama about marital infidelity. She also played her own grandmother in bigamy drama, Mrs Wilson, and portrayed Mrs Coulter in the BBC’s production of Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials. For The Woman in the Wall, as well as playing Lorna opposite rising star Daryl McCormack, she also acted as executive producer and explains why she has such a passion for the project. Can you tell us about The Woman in The Wall? It’s set in a…

STRICTLY COMING DANCING Starts 21 September BBC One Glitterballs at the ready for another sequin-filled series! Strictly will soon be back on the box. The confirmed line-up includes journalist Krishnan Guru-Murthy, soap stars Ellie Leach, Nigel Harman and Adam Thomas, paralympian Jody Cundy and presenter Angela Rippon – the show’s oldest-ever contestant at 78. We can’t wait! HOCUS POCUS (1 AND 2) Disney + Double Double, Toil and Trouble; Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble… It doesn’t get much more seasonal than Hocus Pocus, does it?! Head to Salem with the Sanderson sisters (Sarah Jessica Parker, Bette Midler and Kathy Najimy) for a special Halloween Treat, where’ they’ll Put A Spell On You, for sure! GREAT BRITISH BAKE OFF Coming this Autumn to Channel 4 Rejoice! Alison Hammond is the new…

To lose one parent unexpectedly is a tragedy. To lose both must be almost impossible to bear. And Location, Location, Location star Phil Spencer, 53 – who suffered such a tragedy – paid an emotional tribute to his parents, after the couple lost their lives in a fatal accident near their family farm in Littlebourne, near Canterbury, on Friday, 18 August – a spot now covered with bunches of flowers from well-wishers. Emergency services, including an air ambulance, arrived quickly – Richard, 89, and Anne, 82, were pulled from the car and taken to hospital. Sadly, Richard was pronounced dead instantly and Anne - who it’s thought was driving the couple to lunch-died a short time later. A carer, also in the car, survived. It is believed Phil’s brother rushed…

✔ To sow: While we may experience an Indian Summer, there’s a reduced amount of sunlight. Certain produce can withstand shorter days and cooler temperatures though, including kale and turnips. I find kale growing more successful in seed trays in a warm environment (indoors, for example) before planting out. If you don’t have ground space, give them the largest pots possible. Turnips, meanwhile, love a moist, cool environment. Similar to beetroot, sow seeds directly where you’ll grow and harvest them. Protect with netting and harvest when they’re the size of a golf ball – they made a great filler in stews. ✔ Harvest: Main crop potatoes – now’s the first time you’ll be able to lift these! Use a large fork, but take care to avoid spearing your produce. Store in…

Lyn hesitated before pushing the heavy door open. Her stomach felt as if an Olympic gymnast was inside practising their routine. This kind of thing never usually bothered her, but today felt different. Despite the warm air outside, she felt a chill radiate around her body and pulled the sides of her jacket around her waist. Inside, a young girl smiled at her from behind a tall counter, her name badge pinned to her pink tunic, the eyes questioning her arrival. ‘Umm…I have an appointment for 11 am. Ms Reed, Lyn.’ The young girl reached up and grabbed a pen from her immaculate bun, ticked her name on a clipboard and returned the pen effortlessly back into her hair. She leaned towards the keyboard in front of her and her…

Last Spring, comedian, author and mental-health campaigner Ruby Wax found herself in a mental institute after depression took hold – her first episode in 12 years. She went on to write I’m Not As Well As I Thought I Was, which has been turned into a theatrical stage show. From interviewing stars for her hit BBC TV show Ruby Wax Meets… in the Nineties to more recently taking a 30-day pledge of silence at a mindfulness retreat and following pal Joanna Lumley’s footsteps to Madagascar, every turn of Ruby’s life has taken her in a new direction. The Illinois-born star lives in London with her TV director husband of 35 years, Ed Bye, They share three children, Maddy, Marina and Max. Tell us about your new stage show… It’s a…

Much-loved actress, comedian and writer Mel Giedroyc heads to Dorset on a travel adventure with a twist. Inspired by her passion for books, Mel hooks up with her friend and Dorset local, Martin Clunes, to explore the spectacular scenery and iconic locations made famous by some of Britain’s favourite books and films. The two friends walk in the footsteps of Meryl Streep’s The French Lieutenant’s Woman, take a steam train ride through Enid Blyton country and sample Dorset’s finest cider on a farm overlooking Corfe Castle. A boat trip to Durdle Door on the breathtaking Jurassic Coast proves challenging for a sea-sick Mel, despite Martin’s best efforts at distracting her by reading bursts of Thomas Hardy, and a walk-and-talk with Raynor Winn, author of bestselling novel The Salt Path… Mel,…

1 PUT THE TIME IN The saying ‘you have to be in it to win it’ rings true and we’ve saved by spending time researching and planning our grocery buying. Talk to supermarkets to see what time they reduce. Coupons and cashback help, too. 2 DON’T BE EMBARRASSED It’s a difficult time for everybody at the moment, so there’s no need to feel ashamed of trying make your money stretch. It doesn’t matter what other people think, so stand by your yellow stickers with pride! 3 DON’T BUY FOR THE SAKE OF IT If you go into a shop and something isn’t an essential, or won’t contribute to your weekly meals, don’t buy it. I’ve walked into shops before and walked out again without buying anything – you’re well within your rights to…

Despite being one of the best-known faces in Britain, Susanna Reid is notoriously private, choosing to keep her behind-the-scenes life largely out of the public eye. But recently, the GMB breakfast host told of her heartbreak when she shared how she’d said a painful goodbye to a close friend, who had sadly passed away from cancer. Susanna, 52, revealed she’d attended her pal Suki Thompson’s funeral, after she died peacefully at her home in Perranporth, Cornwall, on 30 July, aged just 56. Mum-of-three Susanna posted a picture of the order of service from Suki’s funeral, which showed an image of her friend smiling, as she paid tribute to her. In a moving caption, she wrote alongside it, ‘Our beautiful friend Suki Thompson. The embodiment of strength & optimism. A passion…

Skin Clinic reveals how green fruit and veg is good on the outside and in Some Lesley Reynolds from the Harley Street of the best skin treatments are made from our favourite green fruit and vegetables. Known for their healing and radiance-boosting properties and often included in high-street skincare, mix your own at a snip of the price. CUCUMBER FACE MASK Cucumber is known for its fabulous depuffing and moisturising benefits, so is perfect to help soothe stressed skin. HOW Peel a cucumber, slice and mash, putting two whole slices aside. Blend the mashed cucumber with a teaspoon of honey, milk or natural yogurt. Spread over cleansed skin and place the two slices over the eyes. Relax for up to 30 mins before washing away with tepid water and patting…

1 HAND SOFTENER Nivea Intensive Moisture Hand Cream (£2.66, asda.com) Summer can be hard on our hands, but it doesn’t take long to bring them back to life again – especially if you get into the habit of using a nourishing hand cream at least three times a day. This one has been created for dry skin and is supplemented with almond oil to provide long-lasting moisture. Apply it before bedtime to get the best results overnight. 2 FOOT THERAPY Neutrogena Norwegian Formula CICA-Repair Foot Mask (£2.99, lookfantastic.com) Wearing sandals every day can leave your heels cracked and the soles of your feet with hard, difficult-to-remove skin. These foot mask socks will work wonders to make them look and feel better. The key ingredient is glycerine, which helps to soften…

From fearless firefighters who risk their lives to do their jobs, to those who raise thousands of pounds for charity, and people who have done something incredible that has turned someone else’s life around, there are heroes in all walks of life. We’re looking for the ordinary men and women going to extraordinary lengths to help others. So whether you know a member of the emergency services, someone who has performed a heroic act, a selfless charity fundraiser or someone who has triumphed over the odds, we want to hear about them. THE best HEROES These people, although they may not think it, are all heroes who have stood firm in the face of adversity – and we want to celebrate their great achievements. TO NOMINATE THEM If you know…

OH, BABY… My 25-year-old has just had her first baby, and though I’m over the moon, I’m getting quite worried about her not taking care of herself properly. She’s always on the go – and I know she’s young, but she’s not sleeping, instead she’s worrying about the baby 24/7. He’s fine, just cries a lot, but she won’t let me take him off her hands for a second. As a mother (and grandmother) I’m really worried about her – she needs to rest too, or she’ll burn out! Vicky, Glasgow It’s not clear if you are worried your daughter is running herself ragged on too little sleep or if you fear something more serious like post-natal depression? If you think there’s even a possibility her reluctance to let you…

Apologies in advance, but I’ve been on another holiday, just a shortie, four nights in the Dordogne visiting friends who – get this – have a family place in the middle of the countryside, a five-minute walk from a medieval village, with a stunning pool. Hahaha, I laughed all the way to Bergerac Airport and barely wiped the grin off my face for the rest of the week. This was the perfect mini-break – nothing could have been easier, or more perfectly French. Let’s just start with the food: three days in, I was 50 per cent cheese and 50 per cent wine; tbh I’m surprised I didn’t come home riddled with gout. On a trip to a local supermarket to buy supper, I chose a big fresh chicken from…

MY KILLER TWIN Channel 5, Wednesday, 2.15pm A woman escapes from an abusive relationship by moving back to her hometown, only to discover she has a long-lost twin sister. She then begins to suspect her twin may in fact be a murderer. WHO KILLED OUR FATHER Channel 5, Thursday, 2.15pm Leila wants to find out the identity of her biological father and sister. After her father’s death, she embarks on a journey to find the sister she never knew. MYSTERY 101: PLAYING DEAD Channel 5, Friday, 2.15pm A community theatre troupe mounts a production of a murder mystery that Amy Winslow unearthed; on opening night, someone tries to kill the leading lady, and Travis is forced to halt the show because it has become a crime scene.…

Ruth is in a relationship with an American writer who she has never named, but don’t expect to see her walking down the aisle any time soon. When asked about marriage she said: ‘I personally have no interest in walking down a church in a white dress.… ‘Honestly it’s never been something that I’ve wildly wanted or even really thought about. How long does love last? Can it really last a lifetime? People expect forever and when it doesn’t work out they’re somehow surprised.’…

Before his death on Christmas Day in 2016, George Michael made no secret of the fact that he lived in fear of history repeating itself in his family. His uncle Colin (his mother’s brother) who was believed to be gay, reportedly killed himself on the day George was born in 1963. It is thought George’s heartbroken grandfather then also committed suicide, in the same way, just days later. George once said in an interview, ‘They’d both put their heads in the gas oven. And, lucky old Mum, she found both of them.’ However, another account suggests the cause of death of Colin was reportedly given as barbiturate poisoning and schizophrenia. The coroner allegedly said at the time, ‘This suicide has all the hallmarks of a schizophrenic. This man was very…

I’ve been single for so long that recently, when someone asks who I was with, I reply: ‘Sky.’ Don’t get me wrong. I’m still on a dating app – and I’ve chatted to quite a few singles on the phone recently. I even had a late-night call from one girl. I’d fallen asleep when the light from my phone woke me. Hiya gorgeous. Just wondered what you were up to? Well, I wasn’t starting a shift as a milkman, so I answered honestly: I was asleep? Maybe it’s my advancing years, but when she asked if she could come over, I found myself running a mental check list. The cleaner isn’t coming until the morning, the bed linen needs changing, did I shower before I went to bed, should I…

VIRGO 24 August – 23 September Brace yourself for emotional outbursts from your partner with this week’s Full Moon. It may feel like you’re living in a madhouse but, if you want to sort things out, you must take your share of the responsibility. Have you been a tad insensitive? Or critical? We all have different ‘mind maps’ and you may have inadvertently pushed a button. Single Virgos aren’t immune – you may have similar issues with someone close, such as a relative or companion. But with a little self-honesty and understanding, this phase can bring greater closeness and contentment. PISCES 20 February – 20 March The Full Moon in your sign on the 31st is bound to make you emotional. It will help to remind yourself that you may…

WILL I IMPROVE? After several long-term health issues, I’d like to know if you sense improvement, and I’d like to know if any of my loved ones that have passed have been with me during my last hospital visit? Donna LEE SAYS: Hello Donna, I feel that there was an elderly lady there with you. I feel she was a grandmother and there was a grandfather with you as well. There’s another lady but she’s not telling me who she is. Her hair was darker and shorter. I can see you have quite a few tumbles, I also feel your base chakra and sacral chakra needs some work done on them. There has been a bit of a waiting game for you for the last few years, and your body…

Available in-store at The Works & online at theworks.co.uk Prima is thrilled to bring you its collection of craft kits, on sale exclusively at The Works. Everything you need is included in the box, so you can learn new skills, make beautiful keepsakes and even give your finished creations as gifts. The joy doesn’t stop there, as every kit includes clever ideas for upcycling the cardboard box, as well as links to further crafting inspiration online. PRODUCED WITH THE ENVIRONMENT IN MIND All Prima’s craft boxes are 100% FSC certified and fully recyclable, and you’re encouraged to reuse all the packaging, too, from the tissue paper to the cardboard box. Prima has also worked to reduce the number of plastic components in its crafts. Exclusively at Scan the QR code…

RIVETING READS THE TURNGLASS Gareth Rubin Simon & Schuster, £16.99 (31 Aug) A take on the tête-bêche books (two stories in one volume), these thrilling tales are interconnected by history and travel from Victorian Essex to Thirties Hollywood. Murder, mystery and secrets combine to create a dazzling achievement that will hook you in. NORMAL RULES DON’T APPLY Kate Atkinson Doubleday, £18.99 This collection of 11 interconnected tales includes everything from the end of the world to a talking horse and a twisted fairy tale. The author’s first short stories in 20 years are inventive, wickedly funny and the volume itself is a thing of beauty. Don’t miss it! HISTORICAL HITS THE FRAUD Zadie Smith Hamish Hamilton, £20 (7 Sep) In her first historical novel, the bestselling author whisks us back…

Walking out of my family home, I felt exhilarated. I was leaving my life as a Jehovah’s Witness (JW) and, with it, my family, and the controlling bubble I’d grown up in. In a documentary earlier this year, Rebekah Vardy – wife of footballer Jamie Vardy – revealed she, too, was raised a Jehovah’s Witness but left the faith aged 15. While Rebekah alleged she was a victim of abuse and I was not, much of what she’s described about her upbringing really resonated with me. I was born into a JW family, with my brother and sister, and we lived in Derby. Dad worked in sales and was an Elder in the church, while Mum was a housewife. Our faith governed every aspect of family life. JW identify as…

WIN 1 X £200, 2 X £100 OR 3 X £50 PRIZES ACROSS 1 Free from ostentation (6) 4 Yearly (6) 9 Large number (7) 10 Educational establishment (7) 11 Direct competitor (5) 12 Ordered arrangement (5) 14 Elector (5) 15 Perhaps (5) 17 Instruct (5) 18 Become tense (7) 20 Vehicle towed by another (7) 21 Main meal (6) 22 Scattered rubbish; brides (anag) (6) DOWN 1 Recollection (6) 2 Manner of giving a speech (8) 3 Ability (5) 5 ___ power: source of energy (7) 6 Impel; spur on (4) 7 Missing human interaction (6) 8 Doubt (11) 13 Merchant (8) 14 Risky undertaking (7) 15 Technique (6) 16 Trousers that end above the knee (6) 17 Follow the position of (5) 19 Smile broadly (4) What was the name of Kylie Minogue’s debut…

TRAVEL SNAPSHOT This holiday hotspot in the south of Greece’s Ionian archipelago comes alive in Summer with beach days, boat trips and balmy nights at traditional tavernas. From the west coast’s wild and pine-studded cliffs to the centre’s age-old olive groves and the east coast’s accessible sandy shores, there’s a huge diversity of landscapes, attractions and memorable things to do, with spotting sea turtles in Laganas’s crystal waters being an unmissable highlight. INSIDER’S GUIDE Zakynthos (or Zante, its alternative name) draws crowds to its mass-market beach resorts at Laganas, Kalamaki and Tsilivi; but there’s lots of authentic charm, too. The pace slows down considerably beyond the touristy areas, where villages like Keri and Volimes hide away on hilltops. Elsewhere, look out for ruined buildings and the Venetian castle above Zakynthos…

During a moving on-air tribute to legendary chat show host Michael Parkinson – aka Parky – the Loose Women ladies shared their own memories of the broadcasting icon. Jane Moore remembered interviewing the man himself, while panellists Kaye Adams and Linda Robson shared their own personal highlights. But when Coleen Nolan chimed in, things got interesting! ‘He was brilliant at asking celebrities questions you wouldn’t have thought of,’ mused the Blackpool-born star. ‘And they were happy to tell him.’ But then, after Kaye reminded her that her ex Shane Richie was on an episode of Parkinson, Coleen mentioned an infamous 2003 A-lister interview on the same episode which, in part, the late presenter regretted his handling of, issuing the star with an apology years later, for ‘losing his temper’. ‘Yes,…

Mel has been married to Ben Morris since 2002. The happy couple met at a dinner party in 2000 and were reportedly instantly drawn to each other (aww!). TV producer and LAMDA drama teacher Ben and Mel share daughters Florence and Vita. In 2021, Mel quipped that Ben, who she says she couldn’t do her job without, has a hilarious nickname at home. ‘Ben is so brilliant around the house. He’s known as Military Dad. I hope the girls are getting a balanced view of life. There’s an invisible rein, but I like to think it’s made of elastic.’…

‘What makes a marriage work? According to a British woman, Soudi Al Nadak, who married a Dubai millionaire, it’s rules. And not just ones like no farting in bed or no phones at the table – these are big, serious, proper rules. No friends of the opposite sex. Phone tracking must be switched on, at all times. He mustn’t have a second wife without asking her permission. Sounds fair enough to me. It’s not an existence I’d choose, but she seems happy, plus she gets to spend his money on herself all day, every day, to make sure she always looks perfectly groomed and turned out for him. Predictably, many people have a problem with the way she’s chosen to live her life. Why? I suppose she invites it documenting…

As I popped my trilby on and checked my reflection in the mirror, it hit me again how we wear lots of different hats in life. I wear a mother’s hat, a daughter’s hat, and a life coach’s hat, among others. But in December 2015, the death of my husband, Kevin, meant I was thrown into wearing a hat I’d never contemplated – that of a widow. And for a time I wondered if I would ever wear anything else. I was 15 when I met Kevin, who was 17, at a youth club dance. He was so handsome, with long hair and a gorgeous smile. He didn’t come over for ages, but we had the last slow dance together, and then we kissed. We agreed to play pool days…

Lemon and Blueberry Cheesecake Pots Whip up delicious mini cheesecake pots in just 15min. For extra zing, you could add the finely grated zest of half a lemon to the cream cheese mixture. Hands-on time: 15min. Makes 6 • 125g digestive biscuits• 75g butter, melted• 350g cream cheese• 5tbsp icing sugar, sifted• 200ml double cream• 6tbsp lemon curd• 150g blueberries 1 Whizz biscuits in a food processor until finely crushed (alternatively, bash in a food bag with a rolling pin). Add melted butter and pulse/mix until combined. Divide between 6 small tumblers or ramekins and press gently to level with the back of a spoon. Chill for 5min. 2 Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, mix the cream cheese and icing sugar until smooth. In a separate bowl, whisk the double…

TOP TIP! Wash every other week to prevent build-up of debris, dust and dirt. When not in use, place them on a towel rack or the side of the tub to air dry.…

DOES SHE NEED KNEE REPLACEMENTS? My mum, 78, has always been super active but in recent years, her arthritis has really kicked in, in both her knees and hips – but particularly her knees. Her GP has given her ibuprofen and she’s getting sporadic physiotherapy, but she is literally hobbling about. She can barely walk these days and I can tell she’s in agony, but she puts a brave face on it. Personally, I think she needs to push her GP for a scan to see if she needs knee replacements. What do you think?  Lisa, Watford DR HILARY SAYS: No amount of painkillers, anti-inflammatories or physiotherapy will deal with the underlying arthritic problem in her joints. They might ease pain and maintain mobility but they cannot render her as…

SALTY AT SEA When it comes to beach life, Salty loves to make a splash PET OF THE WEEK Name: Salty Owner: Bev, from Essex Breed: Border Terrier SUPER SNOOZE What are the chances of Salty dreaming of the answers to that crossword? QUEUING FOR CUDDLES How long does a cute pup have to wait for a paw-some hug? SITTING PRETTY Room for one more? Only if there’s space for a cosy blanket, of course… GYM PUP You can guarantee Salty has a wheely good time on the balance beam! SAY CHEESE! With gnashers as bright as these, we don’t blame Salty for flashing a grin! KEEP IT CRYPTIC Something tells us that Salty isn’t a team player with this crossword… CALLING ALL PETS! From funny to cute, we’re looking…

CAN YOU GROW FOR FREE? One of the biggest advantages of growing produce is having your own supply of fruit and veg, dodging supermarket prices and allowing more control of your shopping basket. Yet it’s quite easy to find yourself overspending on seeds and tools. If you’re savvy, there are ways to get growing while spending as little as possible. PROPAGATING In basic terms, this involves taking a cutting from a healthy plant and creating a brand new one, preventing the need to purchase more. This is a great way to multiply your supply and to share new plants with others. In the past, I’ve shared rhubarb plants and herbs with friends to help them start cultivating their own supply. Rhubarb – crowns are the easiest path to success (as opposed…

1 GREGGS Each time you buy a product (from sausage rolls to tuna crunches) from the bakery chain, you’ll get a stamp. Collect nine stamps in a category (coffees, sweet treats or bakes), and the 10th item will be free. You’ll get a free hot drink just for downloading the app and signing up. Register the date of your birthday and you’ll get a free sweet bake, too, on the day. Use the app to order and skip the queue with Click + Collect. 2 ALL BAR ONE Visit All Bar One five times and collect your loyalty stamps on its app, and they’ll pop £10 into your app wallet for your sixth visit. You get a complimentary cocktail when you download and register, and the app enables you to order…