Innehållsförteckning för FESTIVE SPECIAL 2020 från Chat Specials

Christmas is a time of giving. No matter how big or small, it’s a chance to show our loved ones just how much they mean to us. Pennie and Frank (pg14) know that even the smallest detail can show someone just how much you care. Creating delicate, handmade cards, they make for the perfect Christmas gift. From cats and dogs to a sassy Santa, you’ll never want a boring Christmas card again! Giving doesn’t have to be in the form of a gift though. It can be a gesture that shows your love and commitment to a person. With his marriage on the rocks, Paul (pg56) was determined to make his wife happy. Switching the couch for the gym, he transformed his life and showed his wife just how much…

Kate Bryant, 52, West Sussex Walking down the street in my hometown, something caught my eye. I gained so many friends There was a flyer announcing that the local pantomime was looking for new members to join. I turned to my friend Tracy, 52, with a grin on my face – she raised her eyebrows back at me. ‘You’ve wanted to get back into it for years! We should join.’ ‘True’, I replied as I pondered over the flyer for a moment. ‘We’d only get small roles anyway,’ I said. I had always had a love for the pantomime, since I was a child – I’d always take part in local shows. Unfortunately, as I grew older my performing days had become a distant memory. But, now was the time…

Sophie Mason, 29, Waddington Trundling through the front door, I kicked off my dripping wet wellies and breathed a sigh of relief. ‘I’m soaked to the bone!’ I said to my husband Mark, 44, as we removed our sopping coats. It was 30 September last year, and Mark and I had been outside for hours with our guinea pigs. For years, we’d been running a guinea pig sanctuary from our home, and had been out preparing a special Halloween video to upload to our website. It was cold, raining and so horrible out, and now, at around 10pm, our tiresome job was finally complete for the day. My teeth chattering, I held my hands up in front of the radiator, trying to warm up. ‘I know what you need,’ Mark…

Jade Wilkinson, 27, Sunderland Tossing and turning through the night, I struggled to get to sleep. ‘Night Mum,’ I said, led in my bed next to her. Even after moving my bed into Mum’s room, I still couldn’t get a full night’s sleep. Aged seven, my parents were getting a divorce. My mum Karen, 53, raised me single handedly and worked really hard. I dreaded school. I was diagnosed with dyslexia and I couldn’t keep up with the other children in my class. They are my form of alternative therapy Lunch times were terrible, no-one was very nice to me in the playground. Everything started to get worse as I hit my teens. Staring at my reflection in the mirror, I hated myself. Why can’t I look like the girls…

Eco-friendly Christmas Give a gift to the planet this year by following these tips from the UK’s biggest green energy company Bulb. Christmas clothing Buy a good quality, signature Christmas dress you’d love to wear every year rather than buying new fast fashion outfits which you’ll throw away. Lasting presents Buy presents that will last, instead of disposable trends. Or, you could buy a voucher to support local businesses! Pre-loved gifts Second-hand stores and charity shops have beautifully vintage and as good as new gifts – take a look, you’ll be surprised. Eco gift wrapping Find eco-friendly wrapping paper or get creative by using old newspapers or magazines to wrap Christmas gifts in. Mindful shopping Shop from a limited variety of shops to save travel emissions from parcels being delivered…

Witnesses looked on in horror as a young woman lay trapped in the wreckage of her crashed car. Tara Brown had been going at a high speed when she lost control of her car and hurtled down an embankment. The young mum lay trapped in the upturned vehicle, screaming for help. A man in the SUV behind, leapt out and ran towards her. Neighbours hurried out of their nearby homes and rushed to help him smash a window. There was pure fear in Tara’s eyes. ‘We’ll get you out,’ they shouted. But Tara wasn’t frightened because of the crash. Her eyes were locked on the man who had been the first person on the scene. He wasn’t trying to save her... He ripped up the heavy metal lid of a…

Interior designer and warrior on waste, Lynne Lambourne, is encouraging us to cut costs on Christmas decorations for your home this year. ‘Making our homes look magical at Christmas should not cost a fortune,’ Lynne says. ‘This year watching the pennies will be a concern for lots of us so here are a few tips and ideas to add a cosy Christmas feel to your home without spending an absolute fortune.’ Lynne strongly believes in finding vintage treasures amongst charity shops, like the British Heart Foundation. ‘You’ll often find incredible gifts and home decorations for a shockingly cheap price – while also giving money to research into cures and treatments of heart and circulatory diseases,’ she explains. Due to COVID-19, charity shops desperately need support. Here is how you can…

Get Christmas delivered straight to your doorstep! Carr’s Flour’s online store is a one stop shop offering the full range of Carr’s premium flours and bread mixes, so loyal customers nationwide can get all their favourite tried and trusted Carr’s products, sent direct to their home. Use the Carr’s range to create some festive magic. CHRISTMAS STOLLEN MAKES ONE YOU’LL NEED... • 160ml milk, warmed to 45°C • 1x7g sachet fast action dried yeast • 350g Carr’s Strong White Flour • 75g caster sugar • ½ tsp salt • 100g unsalted butter, softened • 100g dried sour cherries • 50g currants • 50g sultanas • 175g mixed peel • 200g good quality marzipan • ½ tsp ground cinnamon • Icing sugar for the topping HOW TO DO IT… 1. Lightly…

Lost interest? Experts warn that losing interest could be an early warning sign of Alzheimer's disease, with research showing that older people with severe apathy are almost twice as likely to develop dementia than those with a more 'get up and go' attitude. Researchers believe that new findings might help identify at-risk individuals when lifestyle changes and medications are more likely to work. The study looked at over 2000 people and found that after nine years, those with severe apathy were much more likely to be suffering dementia than peers rated low or moderate. An orange juice a day Anew study has discovered that drinking a glass of blood red orange juice with meals could potentially lower your risk of heart disease and stroke. After looking at a group of…

Flying home for Christmas Flying home from a holiday with my husband David and two gorgeous daughters Ivy and Rose. Stacy, East London Ahoy there Me and my cousin Rose went on a day trip to The Matthew in Bristol. Naomi, Marlborough Onion-usually big I came across this ginormous onion, I’m saving it for Christmas day because I think it’s big enough to feed the entire family. Dawn, Tadcaster Christmas cocktails I drink my yearly recommended alcohol intake in cocktails throughout December. Sally, Weston-Super-Mare Bauble bliss I look forward to decorating the Christmas tree all year, it almost beats Christmas day itself. Nancy, Worcester Prosecco pals Any excuse for me to see my friends and drink some bubbly and I’m there – me and my friend Lucy at a work-do.…

Rhonda Carter, 64, from Littlehampton Taking a seat next to my husband Paul, 63, who was slouched on the sofa, I made him turn off the TV. ‘We need to talk,’ I told him, tearfully. ‘I don’t want our marriage to end.’ ‘Neither do I, but you’re never here,’ he answered. ‘I didn’t retire to spend my days watching television!’ I snapped at him, starting to cry. Me and Paul had moved from London to the beautiful village of Rustington in 2015, after he retired from train driving. With a sandy beach just a stroll away from our front door, it was the idyllic retirement – but at 26st, Paul was miserable. When I first met Paul 46 years ago at a mutual friend’s birthday, he was the life and…

Emily Casey, 24, from Darwen Rifling through the kitchen drawers, I cursed myself for not being organised. ‘There must be a pen in here somewhere,’ I said. Finally, an old biro popped its little head out from under a pile of old bills. ‘Yes! Got ya!’ I sung. I was compiling a list of things I’d need for my singledom celebration party and I wanted to make sure it went without a hitch. My ex, Luke Clark, 24, and I had recently parted ways after nearly eight years together, due to his aggression and terrible mood swings. I threw a Christmas party to celebrate We’d met when we were both just 16 and had quickly settled down together, and made a lovely life for ourselves. The two of us really…

Undies aren’t just for Christmas – with Boody, they’re for life! Boody are forgoing fast fashion with their eco-undies: timeless essentials designed to last a lifetime. Driven by the desire to minimise negative environmental impact, all Boody garments are made from organically grown bamboo, a plentiful natural resource and sustainable alternative to cotton. Easy on the skin, hypoallergenic and highly breathable, this miracle plant produces one of the softest yarns available. Here for the long haul, the superbly soft yet functional fabric doesn’t let up over time. Even after multiple washes, their antibacterial properties are retained and high quality remains intact, so you can keep enjoying your undies for years to come. Providing comfort to you and the environment, Boody makes the perfect gift for Christmas (and forever)! AVAILABLE FROM…

Karen Saccone, 61, Derby Stepping into the local travel agent, I browsed through the brochures before finding someone to help me. ‘I’d like to book a trip,’ I announced bravely. It was January 2017, and I was planning to take my first ever solo holiday away. I was hoping to escape for some summer sun, but I’d never travelled alone before. I was currently single and living alone – my daughter Daisy, 38, was grown-up with her own kids – so I was ready to take the leap. ‘Do you have anywhere in mind?’ the travel agent asked. ‘Just somewhere with some sun,’ I replied. After discussing a few different holiday packages, I settled on one with Jet2 holidays. It was a seven-day all-inclusive holiday to Fuerteventura, Spain. The place…

Gemma Evans, 34, from Stanley, County Durham Looking at videos of my gorgeous niece, Paige, 19, strutting her stuff down the runway, I smiled. ‘You look lovely,’ I said. ‘Please will you compete in my charity pageant,’ she asked, fluttering her eyelashes. ‘Definitely not, I’m too old for that!’ I laughed. In 2017, I was 32 and a mum to two beautiful kids, Kristen, then nine, and Ashton, then seven. I felt far too old to be getting glammed up and posing in front of pageant judges. ‘Pleeease,’ she begged. ‘Just this once,’ I sighed. Kristen and I decided to join together, and make it a mum and daughter occasion. ‘I can’t believe we are actually doing it!’ I said to Kristen. It would be a bit of fun, plus…

Just 48 hours after the Gold Coast was rocked by the attack on Tara, devoted mum Karina Lock, 49, was gunned down by her ex-husband Stephen, 57. On September 10, 2015, Karina had agreed to meet her violent ex at a McDonald’s carpark in Helensvale. She’d made a fresh start on the Gold Coast after taking out a domestic order against him. Stephen pulled out a handgun and followed her into the restaurant where he fatally shot in her in the head, in front of 30 terrified diners. Stephen then shot himself and died from his injuries in hospital.…

Dress for your shape Just because our Christmas gatherings may be smaller and more intimate this year, doesn’t mean we shouldn’t dress up for the occasion! Award-winning personal stylist Susie Hasler, who runs www.styledbysusie.co.uk, shares her top tips on dressing for your body shape on Christmas Day… Apples When it comes to styling the apple shape, life is sweet! Flatter your upper half using interesting fabrics and textures such as sequins. If you’re looking for a smart/casual and comfy dress, go for a heavy texture such as velvet. Gorgeous with chunky boots and black tights for that post-Christmas dinner walk. TOP TIP Don’t fear sequins! They can easily be dressed down Strawberries To flatter your figure, keep the focus on those lovely slender hips and great legs. Draw the eye…

Be there for her Q I think my daughter might be gay. She’s 16 and hasn’t come to me about it yet which makes me think she might be nervous to. I want her to know I’m fully supportive – but should I wait until she tells me? Saffron, Derby A One of the most important things we can do as parents is to be there for our children, offering a listening ear for anything they want to talk about. As they get older this can be more challenging, as the times they want to chat often seem to be the most inconvenient for us! Teenagers usually open up when they don’t feel under pressure – so chatting over a cup of coffee, on a car journey or whilst shopping…

Mohammed Khan, 22 Digging my hand into a bag of crisps, I shoved a handful into my mouth. It was October 2017, and I was a third-year university student studying accounting in Toronto, Canada. With so much coursework to get through, I barely had time for a proper meal, and would instead snack on junk food. I’d always been a fairly big lad, but now, junk food had taken its toll, and I was 21st 5lb. That night, as I typed out an essay, I noticed a small patch of red, itchy skin on my right hand. I ignored it at first, but over the next few days, I noticed the patch had grown. It had become raw and painful, and incredibly itchy. Worried, I went to my GP. ‘This…

NAUGHTY OR NICE? Are you on the naughty or nice list this Christmas? Introducing the long-awaited collaboration between Batiste and Skinnydip, with the launch of two limited edition cans, Naughty and Nice. Available exclusively at Boots, for £2.99. 1. BATISTE NAUGHTY A bold and enchanting fragrance that will leave you feeling confident with your hair smelling divine. With striking Skinnydip cheek peach visuals printed on the can, this is a go-to product to include on your shelfie. Fragrance lowdown: • TOP NOTES – Pink pepper and lychee • MIDDLE NOTES – Rose and orange flower • BASE NOTES – Benzoin, amber and musk 2. BATISTE NICE A sweet and charming fragrance with feminine notes that will sweeten your day whilst creating a beautifully refreshed look. Fragrance lowdown: • TOP NOTES…

Rachel*, 29, from Cardiff Flicking through a real-life magazine, I read pages and pages of personal stories. It was June 2019, and I was on my lunch break where I worked part-time as a mechanical engineer. As I turned the page, I came across a story about a cam girl. She was sharing her positive experience of camming and promoting the career. Chatting to men and women in chat rooms online, she got paid for her company. Of course, some of it was promiscuous, but she enjoyed the naughty play, too. That sounds like a lot of fun! I thought to myself. The girl worked for a camming agency called Off The Record, and she liked the safety and security of the supportive platform. Throughout the afternoon at work, I…

THE CHRISTMAS LOG The Spanish region of Catalonia might just have the strangest Christmas decoration ever - a log that defecates presents. Yes, you heard that right. Every Christmas, Catalans celebrate with a log that has legs made of twigs, a smiley face, and a cosy red blanket. Children give it a little bit of food every night in the lead up to Christmas, in the hopes that he will reward them by ‘pooping’ presents! On Christmas morning they place the log partly into a fire and then proceed to beat the log with sticks in order to make it ‘defecate’ treats. To ensure the Tió de Nadal, or ‘poo log’ properly poops out presents, children even sing songs during the beating! SPIDER’S WEBS While this might scream Halloween to…

Landing on the ground with a thud, I banged my shoulder on the hard concrete, but I bit my tongue, tried my best not to cry out in pain. I didn’t want Luke to hear me from upstairs. I had no idea where he was, whether or not he was looking for me. I knew it was only a matter of time before he found me if I didn’t move. Scrambling to my feet, I ran to the next road. I didn’t dare look behind me. Thankfully, as I turned the corner, the taxi that Terri had called was waiting for me as she promised. Hauling myself in, I breathed a huge sigh of relief as I collapsed in the back seat. ‘Hospital, please,’ I whimpered softly. The poor cab…

When it comes to vintage auctions, you never quite know how they’ll go. With the likes of Antiques Roadshowand Cash in the Attic, viewers are often blown away by the amount collectables can sell for. An album containing the oldest ever photos of southern England, dating back to 1848, has been discovered and could fetch up to an astounding £70,000. Images of nature, scenic buildings, and portraits of workers were all captured by a technique developed by photographer Captain Thomas Honywood in a ‘historically important’ and ‘breathtaking’ collection. The earliest is a rural farm scene with a man standing by a fence from 1848. In another shot, is a group of men and boys in a study captioned, ‘Horsham Woodcutters’ dated back to 1850. Austin Farahar, Head of Photographics at…

FOR her FOR him FOR kids FOR pets…

Lost Hours by Alex Walters AVAILABLE FROM WATERSTONES FOR £8.99 A vicious murder is committed, but who has blood on their hands? On a hot summer’s afternoon, Michelle Wentworth enjoys a rare few hours of relaxation. Sunning herself by her pool, she sends her teenage son to fetch her a drink. But instead of a refreshment, Michelle is given a nasty shock when shortly after, her child’s bludgeoned body is discovered on the doorstep. DI Annie Delamere attends the scene, joined by DS Zoe Everett. There is nothing to suggest a motive or perpetrator. They dig into Michelle’s life and come to suspect she may have been the target. Her ruthless pursuit of profit has won her few friends, and relying on her lawyer’s questionable advice could mean she’s in…

Catherine Wilkinson, 30, from Blackburn Waving his phone in the air, my boyfriend Mike desperately tried to get a signal. ‘I’m sure they’ll turn up,’ I smiled, turning my attention to the beautiful scenery around us. It was August last year, and Mike, now 32, and I had come to Falling Foss for the day, a charming waterfall tea garden on the outskirts of Whitby. After meeting on Plenty of Fish in December 2013, Mike had brought me here for our first date, and we’d often come back and visit together. Now, Mike had arranged a double date for us and one of his friends and new girlfriend – but they were nowhere to be seen. Leaving Mike to track them down, I admired the beautiful waterfall in front of…

Sore point Q My teenage daughter has terrible acne and she’s incredibly self-conscious about it. What can she try? Wendy, Suffolk A Acne can be anything from a few small pimples to a misery-inducing pustular covering. Commonly thought to be the sole domain of teenagers, it can happen at any age and is caused by several factors. It is not caused by dirty skin or wearing makeup and in fact it’s advised not to overclean the skin. Make sure the diet is healthy so that we are feeding the skin with the correct nutrients. Using over-the-counter topical creams can work for those with mild symptoms but we have to be patient and use each product regularly for up to three months to see its full effect. If her condition isn’t…

It is supposed to be ‘the most wonderful time of the year’, yet the festive period can become a stressful time for many of us. This Christmas is set to be a little different and it may mean we have to get used to the idea of a Christmas without the usual large family gatherings. Instead, it may allow us some time to enjoy a quiet period at home to unwind after a rather strange and challenging year. Cheryl Lythgoe, Matron at Benenden Health and our resident expert, offers her top tips to help you enjoy a relaxing Christmas and take some time to look after your mental wellbeing during the festive period. • For more advice on how to look after your mental wellbeing this winter, head to: www.benenden.co.uk/be-healthy…

1 Hugely delicious 38.4 million calorie gingerbread house – Texas Made from nearly a tonne of butter, 7200 eggs and covering nearly the entire size of a tennis court stood the biggest ever house made of gingerbread. In 2013 the edible house was built in Bryan, Texas. The sweeties who built this 21-foot tall Christmas treat did so to raise money for St Joseph’s hospital to build a new trauma centre. Visitor’s at the gingerbread house were also able to meet Santa and have their photo taken with him. 2 Midnight magic Miracle on 83rd Street – New York City For the past 27 years, as the clock strikes midnight, on the 25 December baby Jesus’s are delicately placed among the nativity scenes and glistening lights outside the…