Innehållsförteckning för JUNE SPECIAL 2020 från Chat Specials

Mari Parker, 72, Barnsley, South Yorks Standing behind the counter, I watched the customers browse around the shop. At 72, I had a lot of time on my hands, so I regularly helped out at my son Daniel’s antique shop in Barnsley. That Sunday, I was doing the morning shift with Daniel, 42, and as usual, it was busy. Then, I heard the bell to the door go. A man in his early twenties came swaggering in with his hood up, pushing a bike alongside him. ‘How much for this?’ he asked me, coming up to the till. Only, before I could answer back, Daniel jumped in. ‘I recognise that bike,’ he said. ‘It was reported stolen on a Facebook group.’ Staring in horror, I could barely believe it. And…

Indoor planting is a fantastic hobby to take up. Not only can it save you money with the likes of herbs and vegetables, but it can also improve your mental health. You don’t need a garden to get your hands muddy! Top tips Growing your own seeds can be a highly rewarding challenge, but it takes a lot of love and dedication. Thankfully, in-house plant expert at leading garden centre group Haskins Garden Centers, Alasdair Urquhart, is here with a handy guide to get you started! Timing is key Whilst it’s tempting to plant your seeds as soon as you buy them, it’s important that you get the timing right. Always look on the packet for the sowing recommendations and the timing schedule. The art of watering Seedlings are delicate,…

Clare Holtby-Grey, 52, from York Cupping the furry ball of cuteness in my hand, she leapt up and gave me a slobbery kiss on my nose. ‘I’ll take her!’ I declared to the breeder. Last December, I was looking for a little Jack Russell to welcome into my home. And as soon as I lay eyes on this little pooch, I knew I had to take her with me. She was the perfect pup to fill my broken heart. ‘I’ll call you Angel,’ I whispered. She had been sent like an angel from above. Just months before, I’d lost my two best furry friends Snoopy, 16, and Charlie, 14. While I’d been in Australia, visiting my son, Joshua, 29, I got a call to say that my eldest dog Snoopy…

Rhiannon Roberts, 28, Tonypandy, Wales. Handing over a bag full of sweet treats, Dad smiled over at us all. ‘It’s for you lot,’ he said to me, my sister Aleyisha, three, and brothers, Connor, 10 and Barry, 14. Some people showed their love with sweet words, but our dad, David, always did it armed with a whole carrier bag full of sugar. I was only 12, and still a slim little thing but I wasn’t going to say no to some sweets! After Dad split up with our mum, Marina, and moved out, he’d often pop round with sweets and treats as a way to show just how much he was missing us all. And all of us definitely missed him too. But with Dad’s little treats becoming more and…

Want to improve your skills in the kitchen? Get ready for a flavour sensation with these top tips from spice kit brand Spicentice.com. Spice expert Ketan Varu says: ‘Food is always better when it’s been properly seasoned, but many home cooks are weary about experimenting with spices, but there’s no need to be intimidated by your spice cupboard!’ Ketan shares his top tips when it comes to cooking with 10 common spices… Cardamom This warm, aromatic spice is widely used in Indian cuisine. It’s also great in baked goods when combined with clove and cinnamon. Cayenne Pepper Made from dried and ground red chilli peppers, it adds a sweet heat to soups, braises, and spice mixes. Cinnamon Found in almost every world cuisine, cinnamon serves double duty in both sweet…

THE LONG ISLAND KILLER In December 2010, while out on a routine training exercise in Long Island, New York, a police officer and his dog stumbled across a burlap sack. Inside, they discovered the skeletal remains of a woman. After carrying out a further inspection of the north side of Ocean Parkway, Suffolk County police discovered three more bodies, all stuffed in burlap bags. No arrests were ever made They’d been scattered across Long Island’s South Shore, and police knew that they had a serial killer on their hands. ‘Four bodies found in the same location pretty much speaks for itself,’ Police Commissioner Richard Dormer said. And just a few months later, in March 2011, four more bodies were found in another area off the parkway. As some of them…

When a mother and young daughter were hacked to death with an axe, the suspicion fell firmly on the head of the family – Mark Lundy. Only, Mark was 180 miles away cheating on his wife. So just how did the kitchen salesman wipe out his family in an attack so brutal that it would go down in history? He cheated with a prostitute The answer lay in a silent witness – a polo shirt. The Lundy family lived in Palmerston North, New Zealand. Mark, then 43, was married to Christine, 38, and they had a daughter, Amber, seven, who was bright and outgoing. Mark and Christine hadn’t been able to conceive another child so Amber was doted on. Mark was a builder and joiner, and had set up a…

FILM AND TV 1 Which actor plays Dr. Ivo Robotnik in the Sonic the Hedgehog Movie?a Will Smithb Leonardo DiCaprioc Jim Carrey 2 Eddie Redmayne plays Newt Scamander in which fantasy film?a Fantastic Beasts and Whereto Find Themb Star Wars – A New Hopec Treasure Island 3 In Disney’s Lilo and Stitch, what is Stitch’s classified name?a Experiment 626b Experiment 600c Blue Monster 500 4 Which Zac Efron movie is the song Rewrite The Stars from?a High School Musicalb The Greatest Showmanc Hairspray 5 During EastEnders 35th anniversary episode, who died during the boat sinking?a Linda Carterb Ian Bealec Dennis Rickman Jr 6 Who directed the 2020 adaption of Jane Austen’s Emma?a Ava DuVernayb Kathryn Bigelowc Autumn De Wilde 7 In Cornonation Street, which character does William Roache play?a Steve…

Kylie Ferguson, 39 As the groom kissed the bride, I was beaming. It was July 2003, and my brother James and his new wife Adelle had just married in a beautiful beachfront ceremony in our home in Queensland, Australia, and I’d never seen them happier. When James first introduced me to Adelle just a few months earlier, she’d been a breath of fresh air. Originally from Ireland, she was a surgeon’s secretary and had met James at Royal Brisbane Hospital, where he worked in the medical records department. She was fun, bubbly, and loving, and as she swung my son Jacob into their air, sending him into hysterics, I knew she’d fit in with our family right away. They were a perfect match. And it seemed Adelle was a perfect…

Yvonne Cooper, 59, Norwich Sitting at my work desk, I noticed a familiar face. It was my ex-husband… I hadn’t seen him for years, but here he was fixing the lights in our office building. There was no bad blood between the two of us. We’d married when I was just 17 in 1978, before shortly going our separate ways. I guess we were just a bit too young. Over the years we’d both met other people and got on with our own separate lives. But now, standing face-to-face again, we were both single. Agreeing to pop over to his house, we thought we’d see if the flame was still there. And sure enough, it most certainly was. But it wasn’t just that which hadn’t changed! Paul’s love for Beanos!…

Karen Harris, 56, from Cornwall Sitting on the sofa at seven-years-old, my parents Peter and Sylvia, had something important they wanted to tell me. ‘You’re adopted, but we love you so much,’ they said. It was definitely a shock, but I didn’t mind, they’d given me a wonderful childhood. And as the years went by, I never saw them any differently. Sure, I wondered which of my biological parents I looked like and things like that, but I always felt special that Peter and Sylvia had chosen me. It was only when I gave birth to my first born, Matthew, that I even thought about my biological parents properly. Cradling my precious newborn in my arms, I couldn’t help but think, who were my real parents? And how could they…

Chocoholic Did you know that you’re meant to snap a triangle from a Toblerone by bending it towards the chocolate, not out? Yasmine, Taunton Beauty tips You can make a homemade facemask using a cup of (cooled down) green tea, 2 spoons of rice flour and ½ spoon of honey. Simply mix, apply to the face and leave for 20 minutes! Hayley, Dover Learn a new skill You can use old pretty wallpaper or wrapping paper to create beautiful origami. It makes a great display, and you can find lots of tutorials online. Louisa, York Red red wine To get rid of a red wine stain, blot with a paper towel and then cover the entire stain with salt. Let the salt soak in and dry before vacuuming. Daisy, Shropshire…

Stay ahead of the trends with Marks and Spencer’s new in women’s clothing. Whether you’re shopping for summer staples or you’re after statement jewellery pieces, you’ll fall in love with their latest range. Discover prints and patterns, contemporary tailoring and bright colours this season… Everyone needs a floaty white dress in the summer! Bring the beach to your jewellery box. Brighten up your look with metallics!…

You know that old bike that’s been rusting away in the shed or maybe a desk that’s on its last legs? Well, they don’t have to make a one-way trip to the dump! Why not upcycle them and give them a new lease of life? With a splash of paint and a dash of creativity, virtually anything can be upcycled. It’s a seemingly basic concept, but recently it’s sparked an exciting revolution. With everyone looking to save a buck, upcycling is a fantastic process that still leaves you with something beautiful at the end. Thrift is in, and this is a great way to save some money and help save the planet, too! 5 reasons why This year, power tool manufacturer, Ryobi Power Tools have launched their ‘Upcycler of the…

Closing my eyes tightly, I braced myself. ‘Won’t be long,’ the doctor said, slapping on a pair of latex gloves. It was January last year, and I was having what I’m sure every man dreads – a prostate exam. Ever since I’d turned 50, I had to have these dreaded awkward exams regularly. I’d had a few already – knew they were important. This time, though, something was wrong. Feeling something abnormal, the doctor referred me to Cheltenham Hospital for an MRI and a series of tests – but nothing came back conclusive. ‘The only way to make sure there’s nothing wrong is to take a biopsy,’ the doctor told me. So, on 31 January, with my wife Kirsty, 50, sat in the waiting room, I had the quick procedure.…

Climb high Here are my children racing to the top of the wall. They are so brave! Sharon, Cornwall Congratulations! My brother Jon and his girlfriend Osh got engaged! Elliott, London Concrete Jungle The view from the top of the Empire State building in New York. Just incredible! F. Trevell, Northern Ireland Love at first sight Here is my cute little cousin meeting our hamster for the first time! Helena, London Cake crazy I helped bake these cupcakes to raise money for a charity in school. The kids loved them! Georgina, Windsor Puppy love My daughter Hayley and our dog Bella having a snooze. Christine, Bristol Afternoon tea The yummiest spread out with my sisters and mum. Fiona, Nottingham Burger feast Three Brothers restaurant, three burgers, three friends. We couldn’t…

Settling into his new bed, our new dog Paddy was as quiet as a mouse. It was November last year, and my mum Marjorie, then 99, had just rehomed the Patterdale Terrier from a local shelter. ‘Shall we put Corrie on?’ Mum asked, settling down with a cuppa. She’d watched the show since it began back in 1960, never missed an episode. Just then, as the familiar theme tune started to play, Paddy jumped up from his bed, his chin jutted far into the air. ‘Owwww!’ he howled. Mum and I stared at him, totally gobsmacked. ‘It’s only Corrie !’ I laughed. ‘What’s gotten into you?’ ‘Owww!’ Paddy continued, howling at the telly. ‘There there,’ Mum soothed, patting him on the back. She’d loved dogs ever since she was a…

Sammi Love, 31, from Newcastle Dear Eidy, Staring down at the pregnancy test, you were a total surprise. I know you won’t understand this yet, but you see, I’d had a contraceptive coil fitted a while back, which meant I shouldn’t have been growing you. But, you had other ideas for me and your dad. You’d slipped through the net so you could join our family and become a sister to your three brothers Ryan, 13, Zakk, eight and Abon, seven. Trust me when I say though Eidy, you may have been a surprise but me and your dad, Carl, were so excited to meet you. However, we had a long journey ahead of us before then, didn’t we? When we went for our first scan at 12-weeks, you were…

Hay fever It’s thought more than 10 million people in Britain suffer from hay fever. Vacuum cleaner company SEBO shares their top tips for beating that dreaded tickly nose and itchy eyes… Windows  Try to keep windows and doors shut in your house. If it gets too warm, draw the curtains to lower the temperature. Damp clean Dust with a wet cloth, as this will help to collect the dust and pollen. Stay clean Shower and change your clothes after you have been outside to wash pollen off. Flower power Try not to keep fresh flowers in your home. Fake flowers are just as beautiful and cost effective! Vacuum Vacuum your home regularly, using a vacuum with a powerful filter system and sealable bags.…

Jordan ended their marriage while stood at the edge of a cliff... They were picture perfect newlyweds – Jordan Linn Graham and Cody Johnson posed for wedding photos under floating bubbles blown by guests. Jordan, 22, looked stunning in a borrowed strapless gown with a ribbon bow around the waist. Her tiara sparkled and she wore a symbol of love around her neck – a heart-shaped necklace. Beaming Cody, 25, wore a blue suit with a flawless white rose pinned to his lapel. Later that day, the couple moved onto the dance floor. They’d had a song especially composed and sung for them by a songwriter called You’re Mine. As the bride wiped away happy tears, it seemed like the perfect start to the rest of their lives as a…

Ellie Bond, 25, Nottingham Scratching his underbelly, my pet snake, Allan, was more than happy to sit and watch Gogglebox with me. He’d glide out his tank to greet me and soon curl up in my arms on the sofa. Allan was a corn snake and I’d had him since 2011, when he slithered into my life as a baby. He was so little, he could curl up in my hands like a pretzel. And with a name like Allan, he wasn’t exactly considered threatening to most people! Besides, I’d had a whole host of unusual pets before, including rats, chinchillas and even a giant African land snail. Allan was my first snake, and I loved him. He was a gentle soul - shy but friendly to people he trusted.…

From mud fights to monkey banquets, how many of these unusual festivals from around the world are you familiar with? BABY JUMPING FIESTA, SPAIN Every June, devils are allowed to run wild in the Spanish village of Castrillo de Murcia. Dating back to the 1620s, hundreds gather as red and yellow-masked ‘devils’ run through the streets hurling insults at villagers and whipping them with a horsetail attached to a stick. Next, babies born the previous year are laid out on mattresses while the costumed men leap over them! The unusual ritual is thought to be a blend of Catholic and pagan traditions to represent the triumph of good over evil. BATTLE OF THE ORANGES, ITALY Dating back to medieval times, this giant food fight sees residents of the Italian town…

HAPPY FATHER’S DAY! Surprise your baby daddy with a personalised outfit this Father’s Day! What better way to say thank you for being the best dad in the world? Simply go to Firebox.com, choose a size and upload your favourite (or funniest) photo of their face. These comfy baby grows are available in five different sizes to fit your little one. The most perfect and practical joke present for a new dad! WHAT ON EARTH IS A MUFFNUT? First cronuts, then fronuts, now muffnuts. Ever heard of these cross-doughnuts? If not, it’s time to get to know! 1. CRONUT: a croissant-doughnut The pastry resembles a doughnut and is made from a croissant-like dough. These delicious desserts are most famously sold at Dum Dum Donutterie, based in London, Windsor, Birmingham and…