Innehållsförteckning för May 2021 från Chat Specials

With the journey to freedom well under way, we can make the most of the great outdoors this spring. From wildlife, garden furniture to stunning landscapes, we have everything you need for a truly magnificent May. Whether you want to help our buzzing besties this World Bee Day (pg22), conquer a mountain (pg40) or find the perfect spring look (pg34), we have you covered. Laurie (pg52), loves spending time outside. So much so, he broke the national cycling record at the age of 88! Raising crucial funds for the homeless charity Llamau, he was determined to keep his wheels turning. Go Laurie! From 88 to just six-years-old, Laurie isn’t the only inspirational person this month. When little Annie (pg38) discovered her best friend had a brain tumour, she was determined…

Grief turned Amanda Taylor into a killer and social media made her infamous… Friends of Amanda Taylor were shocked to the core when they read her graphic Instagram post in April 2015. They , 24, had been going through a tough time since the tragic death of her estranged husband Rex, but her chilling words online were truly disturbing. Everything I did was for the right reasons. I stabbed my father-in-law to death because he destroyed my husband… she wrote. I wasn’t the perfect wife, but this was one last good thing I could do. It seemed unbelievable that someone would confess to a brutal murder on social media, especially as Amanda was a mum with two young children, but the widow followed it up with a post on her…

Kim Jones, 37, Barnsley Glancing round at the clock, then back to my daughter Annie, six, I knew it was going to be another race against time getting her hip length locks untangled before school started. My son Jacob, five, sat patiently while I frantically battled with the knots. Annie’s beautiful, blonde, wavy princess hair was her absolute pride and joy. Everyone knew her for her long locks. She was eager to start raising money She was insistent on growing it all the way down to her toes. One day, in September 2020 I was told some news about my friend Laura Howe, 34. Her son, Oliver, six, who had been friends with Annie since nursery school, had been rushed into Sheffield Children’s Hospital. The news was devastating. ‘Oliver wasn’t…

Ellie Barr, 29, from Birmingham Standing in my bathroom, I looked down at the tissue in utter horror. Why is it covered in blood? I thought, my heart pumping quickly. In February 2018, I was six weeks pregnant. After feeling nauseous and tired for a few days, my partner, Hassan, 31, and I had done a pregnancy test together the week before. The baby came as a shock, but it was a really lovely surprise. We’d been together for five years, and we already had a beautiful little boy, Elias, one, and Hassan’s caring son, Kaysan, eight. Having always wanted a family together, we were excited for another baby. ‘Hassan… I’m bleeding!’ I called out. ‘What do you mean, Ellie?’ he asked, rushing into the bathroom. After days of continuous…

Getting help Q My 83-year-old father was diagnosed with dementia last year and I’m struggling to cope. How can I get help? Danielle, Peterborough A My saying of caring for the carers is never more important than when we are looking after a loved one. First and foremost be kind to yourself, giving yourself the permission to let go of any anger or guilt. If you need some support for your mental or physical wellbeing, actively seek this sooner rather than later. I would recommend ensuring that you have sought as much advice on what is available in terms of help and support; this could be dad’s GP, your local council, or organisations like Age Concern. Finally, I would suggest discussing this as a whole family, having a discussion may…

Tom Jackson and Harry Bamber are the phenomenon known as ‘Twisted’ and they’re unveiling over 100 recipes in the all-new, Twisted: A Cookbook. It centres around social occasions which is perfect as we start to make up for lost time with loved ones. There is a chapter covering all occasions, whether it’s a BBQ or a garden gathering. Tom and Harry want to remind people how fun and delicious life can be when you don’t take it too seriously. Here are some picnic ideas! ROAST CHICKEN, TOMATO & TARRAGON AIOLI SANDWICHES Twisted: A Cookbook is out now (Hodder & Stoughton, RRP £20) SERVES 6 This is probably the best sandwich in the world. It’s best to roast the chicken fresh for this, rather than using yesterday’s leftovers. The crisp skin…

Sherri Dawes, 38, Kempston Stopping in the street, I watched as the robot car sped past me. Living in Milton  Keynes, I loved the Starship delivery robots whizzing around the place. ‘They are incredible,’ I’d say to my partner Ben, 39. I’d first met Ben in October 2019 whilst shopping in Tesco. The pair of us hit it off straight away and I loved how funny he was. Plus, he was a doting dad to his kids Charley, 17, and Sofia, nine. Lockdown did speed things up for us and we quickly went from dating to living together, along with my two kids – Lily, 12, and Ronnie, nine, last March. When we first got together, Ben had a romantic habit of whisking me away on surprise trips, but all…

A sustainable wardrobe is one that gives you longevity, joy and confidence. Award-winning stylist Susie Hasler reveals how to build a sustainable wardrobe… Before you buy Before buying an item of clothing, ask yourself: Can I wear this item three ways? If you can imagine three outfits with existing pieces in your wardrobe, go for it. If you can only see yourself wearing it once, it’s an unsustainable piece to buy. Accessorise Tired tops or drained dresses can often be jazzed up with accessories. Whether it’s a long necklace, colourful earrings or a bold scarf, accessories are vital to any wardrobe. They are affordable and a great way to inject personality into basics. Capsule wardrobe A capsule wardrobe is surprisingly easy to form. Essential items for an effective capsule wardrobe…

Providing support and raising awareness of fertility struggles in the workplace is part of Anchor Hanover’s wellbeing strategy. They have policies in place around leave for fertility treatment, and support available including access to a confidential 24/7 Colleague Assistance Programme helpline. Anchor Hanover has also recently started offering services through Fertifa, a fertility benefits platform and digital clinic that can support colleagues whether they need help to grow their family, are currently pregnant or want to be proactive about their fertility health. Colleagues will be able to access a number of services through Fertifa. • 24/7 access to a dedicated Fertility Advisor to support and guide you through every step of your fertility journey • Access to experts that can help you navigate your way to NHS fertility treatment •…

Michael Anderson from Minnesota was the first to be dubbed Craigslist Killer by the media. Anderson was 19 when he placed an ad in 2007 pretending to be a married woman called ‘Amy,’ looking for a nanny. In reality, he wanted to experience killing. Graduate Katherine Olson, 24, replied and arrived at the home of Anderson’s parents for an interview. He shot her in the back, put her body in the boot of her car and dumped it in a nature reserve. Anderson received a life sentence without parole.…

Sewing is a fantastic hobby that enables you to create your very own dream wardrobe, with clothes that reflect your unique style and fit you perfectly. Plus, there’s no greater feeling than someone asking where you got a piece of clothing, and replying: ‘I made it myself!’ Kate Underdown and Rachel Walker, co-founders of The Fold Line, share their three-step plan for beginners who want to start making their own clothing. STEP 1: SUPPLIES To get started, you’ll need: sharp dressmaking scissors, a seam ripper, thread, a measuring tape, pencil, pins and snips. You’ll also need a sewing machine. Ideally you could borrow one from a friend or relative to test out. If you then decide to buy one, we recommend the Janome M50 QDC, which is great for beginners.…

Brigette Brouillard, 48. As the children gazed on in amazement, JB flashed two pearly whites. In my specially-built classroom at my 23-acre Second Chance Wildlife Center in Mount Washington Kentucky, JB - otherwise known as Justin Beaver - was the star of the show, and boy did he know it. ‘He’s so cute,’ the kids squealed, as JB worked the room. It was February last year and JB was one of our ambassador animals, helping me teach the children about wildlife. And while he wasn’t the only one we showed off, he was certainly the clear favourite. While the kids loved our skunks, bats, raccoons and possums, JB the beaver always stole the show. Only Arnie the armadillo could give him a run for his money when it came to…

Love your lady garden Cervical cancer screening is vital, but around 30 per cent of women under 50 don’t attend their screening, and over 7,500 women die each year of gynaecological cancers. Leading gynaecological cancer charity, The Lady Garden Foundation, are partnering with Superdrug to promote a gynaecological cancer awareness programme across UK health clinics. They hope this will help people to recognise the early signs, as well as encouraging cervical cancer screening attendance, and ultimately, save lives. Feel great This workbook is like no other. It is a self-guided course, but in a book. It contains life coaching, therapeutic writing techniques, self-hypnosis and strategic brand consultancy to encourage development in your sense of self, working towards goals and understanding your needs and desires. It can help in all aspects…

I broke a national cycling record at the age of 88! Laurie Brophy, 88, from Pencoed Unravelling my sleeping bag and waterproof cover, I got ready to bed down for another night on the road. ‘Ah, this’ll do nicely,’ I said to myself. In fact, I seemed to remember this spot well from last year. I was almost certain I’d been here before. And with my bike parked up beside me, I was ready to hit the hay. And sleeping in a field, I was doing exactly that! Before I knew it, I was sleeping soundly under the moon and stars. It was hardly surprising given that I’d cycled around 65 miles that day! It was September 2020 and I was cycling from Land’s End to John O’Groats. The popular…

Holiday reading I always use my holiday postcards as bookmarks, they hold more sentimental value. Sharron, Exeter Stain pains Get pen marks out of your children’s clothes by rubbing the affected area with toothpaste. Tina, Warminster Sinking feeling Mix ground coffee with some washing up liquid and boiling water then pour it down your sink to unclog drains. Chloe, Portsmouth Bring it to life Plants always brighten up dull areas of a room, like the fireplace during spring and summer months. Sarah, Glasgow Sneakily small Use tape on the bottom of your dustpan to sweep up tiny crumbs. Imogen, Chelmsford What’s in the box? Keep instructions for what goes in which recycling boxes in your kitchen above the bin so your kids can learn what goes where. Freya, Cardiff Old…

Jodie Crews, 38, from Kent Wrapped up warm, I walked along the pebbly beach near my home in Deal, Kent. The cold, salty wind sent shivers down my spine as my dogs, Teegan and Loulou, a Border Collie and Pomeranian, barked at the waves. I looked down at the shore and noticed a strange, browny-white object that must have washed up with the tide. What is that? I wondered, moving closer to examine it. It was the size of my hand and had large ridges over its curved surface. Maybe it’s a fossil, I thought, excitedly. I have to show Isabella! I scooped it under my arm, and took it home to show my eight-year-old daughter. Was it poo, puke or a prawn? Isabella was away at her dad’s for…

Call Me Red: A Shepherd’s Journey by Hannah Jackson AVAILABLE FOR £16.99 ON AMAZON NOW Growing up on the Wirral, Hannah Jackson had no idea she wanted to work on a farm until a life-changing family visit to the Lake District in her late teens. It was there where she first saw a lamb being born, giving her the drive to defy her urban roots and become a shepherd. She never looked back. In this uplifting and inspirational memoir, Hannah shares how she broke the stereotypes of her ‘townie’ beginnings, took risks and faced up to the challenges of being a young woman in a male-dominated industry. In Call Me Red, Hannah gives a unique insight into farming life and reveals a mindset and determination that proves no matter your…

Nic Hewitt, 34, from Cumbria Like most teenage girls, I struggled with my hormones. Whenever I was sad, it felt like the end of the world, and when I was happy, I was absolutely euphoric. There was rarely a middle ground, but all my friends were like it, too. Only, as we left school and grew up, my hormones never seemed to balance out. Soon, it was clear that there was more to the situation. So, getting in touch with a mental health specialist, in 2004, at the age of 18, I was officially diagnosed with bipolar. I was glad to have answers, but something told me there was more to it than that. I couldn’t put my finger on it, but none of the medication or therapy was helping.…

Children are growing up with anxiety, uncertainty and low self-esteem, and the Covid-19 pandemic only intensifies this. How can we enable them to flourish, in these infamously ‘unprecedented’ times? Katharine’s latest book, A Mind of Their Own (£12.99, in bookshops or at muddypearl.com) tackles everything from body confidence to bullying, from dealing with disappointment to strong emotions, and gives steps to take when challenges come. Packed with encouragement and creative activities, it will help families form good practices like listening well and setting consistent boundaries. A Mind of Their Own equips parents to build resilience and care well for their children’s mental wellbeing. Why am I not happy? Q I’m pregnant after years of trying. I should be over the moon, but I’m numb and worried that I was so…

Pearl Bartlett, 47, from Bath Cradling my stomach, I winced in pain. It was January 2019 and I was struggling with terrible tummy trouble. Any time I needed to go to the toilet, I was in agony. It was like I was about to give birth! ‘Could it be IBS?’ I asked my doctor. ‘Maybe,’ he mused. ‘We’ll try you on some medication and see if that helps.’ But as the months went on, I was back and forth to the doctors all the time. None of the medication I tried seemed to do the trick and my GP was beginning to think it could be crohns disease. Only, it wasn’t until a year later that I was finally referred for a colonoscopy. Stuck on a waiting list, by the…

It’s mint! Meet the new Mint collection from e.l.f cosmetics! This new collection allows you to melt into sweet and refreshing shades, textures and latte-inspired neutrals with pops of mint pastels. With seven key products, it’s deliciously irresistible and perfect for the warmer months ahead. Exclusive to Superdrug. 1. MINT MELT BRUSH TRIO, £8 The limited-edition Mint Melt eyeshadow trio includes a blending brush, all over eyeshadow brush and an eye contour brush, all of which work to effortlessly apply your eyeshadow. 2. MINT MELT CLEANSING CLOUD, £4 Now in mint green! A reusable and soft makeup remover that allows you to remove a full face with only water. 3. MINT MELT EYESHADOWS, £4 A Mint Melt colour scheme with rich mint and brown shades. Choose from these highly pigmented…

FILM AND TV 1 Who won Dancing on Ice 2021? a Faye Brookes b Colin Jackson c Sonny Jay 2 Who is the voice of Shrek? a Idris Elba b Samuel L. Jackson c Mike Myers 3 Who played the main character in the new Enola Holmes film? a Millie Bobby Brown b Margot Robbie c Emma Watson 4 What is the new Marvel series called? a WandaWoman b Vision c WandaVision 5 What’s the pub called in ITV soap Emmerdale? a The Woolpack b The Queen Victoria c The Dog in the Pond 6 What is the longest running soap opera in the UK? a EastEnders b Coronation Street c Hollyoaks 7 What was the first animated Disney film? a Beauty and the Beast b Cinderella c Snow White…

BIG BIRTHDAY VIBES Is it nostalgia? Is it the sugar content? There’ certain celebratory feeling you can only get from biting into a big wedge of birthday cake… Until Firebox has crammed all of the big birthday vibes into their new Birthday Cake Chocolate Vanilla sponge-flavoured white chocolate with a decadent layer of sweet raspberry jam and lashings of rainbow sprinkles – doesn’t it sound delicious? The box is letterbox size and doubles up as a birthday card. The perfect way to send birthday love in the post! Birthday Cake Chocolate Bar, £9.99, Firebox.com GOOD DEED OF THE MONTH Dementia Action Week, led by Alzheimer’s Society, is a national event that sees the UK public coming together to take action to improve the lives of people affected by dementia. Between…