Innehållsförteckning för February 2023 från Chat Specials

Queen bee Here is my beautiful cat, Diva. Diva by name, diva by nature – she really does rule the roost. But I love her all the same. Chantel, Manchester Mouse trap As a mouse mum, I love to snap pics of my mice. Here are my boys playing together in their cage. Katie, London Puppy love I bumped into this gorgeous little thing whilst out on a walk and just had to take a pic. I was taken aback at how beautiful she was. I wanted to take her home! Mollie, Bedford Flippin’ fantastic I saw these goofy otters at the zoo last weekend. I have always loved otters – I think they’re fascinating and so clever. These guys were no different! Dave, Blackpool THAT’S SO BRITISH BEING SINGLE ON VALENTINE’S DAY…

As a nation it seems that we are fascinated by true crime – and sadly it is something that is very much a part of UK history, even to this day. But why are we engrossed by murder? And what does it take to catch a killer? From insiders to true crime professionals – here’s how you can play detective… WHAT TO WATCH, DO AND READ AT HOME… There are a huge range of true crime series, podcasts, books and films out there – these are our top picks… In the Footsteps of Killers – Channel 4 Join Silent Witness star Emilia Fox alongside criminologist Professor David Wilson as they reinvestigate three unsolved cases that shocked the nation. Using forensic evidence and criminological research in an attempt to unearth new…

Piling around the bar with my mates, we each ordered a cold pint. The local girls liked to dance on the side-lines, but a smiley woman caught my eye. Growing up in the Whitby area, I lived on a farm. Although the long hours were something that took a bit of getting used to, the socials were great! There would be a variety of things on every single week – dinner dances and summer BBQs. At the ripe age of 20, I met Cath, then 17. We had been attending the same Young Farmers events for months, I plucked up the courage and finally got talking. She also lived on a farm in the local area, so we already had a mutual background, and we got on like a house…

How many variations of their coffee does Starbucks claim it can offer its customers? To find out, solve the puzzle below… Fit these numbers into the grid, reading across and down. One number doesn’t fit. This is the answer. Your answer ____________________________________________ 3 digits 100 200 308 310 400 565 660 707 728 801 899 950 4 digits 1001 1625 1800 2500 3613 4750 7640 8391 9348 5 digits 19500 21750 38652 39250 42000 52821 53175 56000 74101 75796 87000 99000 6 digits 136716 168254 503920 507042 609756 7 digits 3745406 4068152 6308468 8751957 8 digits 92309587 Answers on page 60. 130+ PUZZLESin every issuePLUS£500to bewonON SALE NOW! Number jig page 30 Answer: 87,000 VARIATIONS OF COFFEE…

These stunning date locations make good proposal spots, too… Love is in the air Single, or very much in domestic bliss, it’s the season of love. Whether you’re hoping for a candle-lit dinner this Valentine’s Day, or perhaps something a little more adventurous, here are some starting points for every different type of couple. City dwellers For the couple who love the fast-paced hustle and bustle of city life, or a little bit of towny luxury – a romantic day at The Shard should be on the cards. Nestled on the river, with views stretching across London, The Shard has got to be one of the most romantic spots in the Capital. While bespoke proposal packages can set you back a couple of grand, The Shard can be done on…

HOW TO REGISTER It’s FREE to enter and it’s so easy to do. Just visit comps.lifedeathprizes.com and register by hitting the Create Free Account button and then you can enter as many competitions as you like. Go on, have fun! For website rules of play, go to comps.lifedeathprizes.com/rules. Terms and conditions apply, UK only…

Sitting opposite a lady with tears pricking at her eyes, I handed her a big box of fresh tissues. ‘It’s OK,’ I said, kindly. ‘Please take your time.’ In my role as a Clinics Admiral Nurse with Dementia UK, I was used to chatting to families going through really difficult times. It was tough hearing people’s struggles, but knowing I could offer them help and support was so rewarding. I’ve always had a special interest in dementia. My great-grandmother had dementia, and as a kid I’d sit and listen to all her stories. Sometimes she’d get names and places muddled up, and when other family members corrected her, she used to get confused and agitated. She got so much enjoyment from telling her tales, so I’d just sit and listen…

NEW IN Meet some of the newest launches from Garnier! Vitamin C Brightening Eye Cream, £10.99, Superdrug Eye cream – some of us use it religiously and some of us not so much. However, it’s an important step in any skincare routine to help brighten the under eye. This brightening cream, with vitamin C, niacinamide, caffeine and banana powder, will help to bring tired, dull under eyes back to life. Keep in the fridge for a soothing, cooling feeling and then apply a few dots and massage in. Micellar Gentle Peeling Water, £7.99, Boots Garnier are renowned for their micellar waters and their Gentle Peeling Water is no exception. Not only does it get to work to remove any makeup, but it will also help boost your skin’s appearance as…

PIECE OF CAKE… Artisan bakery The Original Cake Company have the perfect way to say ‘I love you’ this Valentine’s Day. Their luxury new Artisan 9 Piece Chocolate Cake Selection makes gift-giving, quite literally, a piece of cake, and is a step-up from your usual box of supermarket chocolates! Made with a decade-old secret recipe, each chocolate truffle cake is made with love and hand decorated to perfection, with milk and white chocolate hearts, rich chocolate shards and caramel ribbons. Whether you’re buying a treat for your partner or a friend, this gift box is sure to be a winner. • Available to buy from Amazon • Prices start at £22.95 LOVE IS IN THE AIR Just in time for Valentine’s Day, Emma Bridgewater have launched a brand-new Lovebirds collection –…

IN FULL BLOOM Plentiful bouquets of roses, carnations, and peonies – the perfect gift to receive. Whatever your flora preference, why not take inspiration from your favourite? Here are some stunning options from just £4… Add a little fun to your wardrobe! Fashion news Are you a fan of fashion retailer Karen Millen, but the price tag that comes along with some of their pieces seems a little out of reach? Thanks to their new rental service, Karen Millen Rotates, you can rent a glorious gown, or statement outfit, for just £6 a day! With some of their pieces costing over £500 to buy brand-new, grab yourself a bargain. There is a minimum renting time of four days at a time – so why not get the most out of…

Cross it Solve the puzzle to find a word. Fit the words back in the grid, and the letters in the highlighted squares spell out the answer. We’ve put in one word to help. 3 letters CAP IRK NOD RAP THE 4 letters APEX CARP HINT ROLE 5 letters BANDY CHAIN CHINA HUTCH PROXY 6 letters DETEST DIESEL ITALIC PURITY 7 letters BECAUSE PURSUIT  SHELTIE STIRRUP 8 letters  ADVOCATE  COMEBACK DISALLOW  EXECUTOR JERRYCAN THRILLER Your answer _____________________________ Answer on page 60. Cross it page 24 Answer: OUTSIDER…

World Radio Day falls on 13 February, and this year it will focus on celebrating the trust between radio reporting and its listeners. In honour of the event, we’re looking back at the history of radio broadcasting, and some of the most iconic moments on the airwaves. We guess video didn’t really kill the radio star after all… World Radio Day World Radio Day was formed by UNESCO – the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation. The idea was put forward by Spain during the 36th annual conference of the organisation. It aims to celebrate the importance of radio, and even to encourage world leaders to release public information via radio, as it is a very accessible form of communication. But where did it all start? The very first radio…

Pulling a yellow jacket over my shoulders, I put on my best security pose. Loving all types of sports from basketball to American football, I was very lucky that my job meant that I could have a glimpse at some of the big games in Oregon, US. Yet, I wasn’t the only one. Catching the eye of my supervisor Sean, 45, doing the same thing, we definitely had a lot in common. Both working 70 hours a week, back in 2015, meant we would spend a lot of time together on the same shifts. And before long, I’d quickly look forward to seeing him. Talking all things sports, I couldn’t help but feel a certain way – I was falling in love. ‘Do you want to go for dinner?’ Sean…

According to the New England Historic Genealogical Society, which famous woman is the 15th cousin of US comedian, actress and talk show host Ellen DeGeneres? To find out, solve the crossword then read down the letters in the shaded squares to find the answer. ACROSS 11 Having been taught (8) 12 Explode, as a volcano (5) 13 Picture snapper (6)  14 Sides on a pentagon (4)  15 Receive as a bequest (7) 16 Persuade by evidence (8) 17 Tanned hide (7)  18 Non-professional (7) 19 Simple to do (4) 21 Light wood favoured by model makers (5) 23 North American grassland (7) 24 Show devotion to your God (7) 28 Classical music work (4) 29 Make a choice (3) 30 Violin (6) 33 Mythical one-horned beast (7) 35 Fish that might be…

With national parks, bushland and miles of pristine coast, South Australia’s Yorke Peninsula is a perfect place to escape busy life. And back in the 1970’s, it was even quieter than today. Colleen Adams lived in the small town of Maitland on the Peninsula, with her painter husband Geoffrey, 26, and their two young children. It was 1973, and the couple had no telephone, no TV and no car – but it wasn’t unusual to have a slower paced way of life in the rural area. Colleen loved to keep her house tidy and was a devoted mum. Although, a secluded life did have downsides. Young mum Colleen, 24, was raising her two daughters, then aged three-and-a-half and 18 months, without many friends around her. Her nearest family were also…

Just for FUN FILM AND TV 1 Who played park owner John Hammond in Jurassic Park? a Richard Attenborough b David Attenborough c Jeff Goldblum 2 Which classic toy is going to have their own movie in 2023? a Furby b Barbie c Cindy 3 ‘Well, nobody’s perfect’ is the final line from what classic comedy starring Marilyn Monroe? a The Misfits b Some Like It Hot c Gentlemen Prefer Blondes 4 Where is the ITV series Strictly Come Dancing filmed? a Forsyth Studios b Imperial Studios c Elstree Studios 5 What is the name of the prison in the BBC sitcom Porridge, starring Ronnie Barker? a HMP Slade b HMP Slate c HMP Sleep SHOWBIZ 6 Who was crowned Sexiest Man Alive back in 1998? a Harrison Ford b Gary Oldman  c Michael Douglas 7 Which…

Cheese dream This cheeseboard my fiancée put together to celebrate our engagement was amazing! We are a bit strapped for cash this month, but this just goes to show – you don’t need to spend a lot of money to have a wonderful date. Zoey, Sunderland Romantic getaway Here’s my partner and me on a romantic getaway for Valentine’s Day. We’ve been together for about four years, and every year it’s better! I hope these getaways become a regular thing. Andy, Devon Over the rainbow Whilst taking my dogs for a walk, I spotted this rainbow over a shepherd’s hut. Isn’t it such a pretty scene? It really brightened up quite a dreary morning. Mary, Sunderland All the stops Look at this delicious chocolate tart I made for my husband on his…

Setting up my easel, I scoped out the venue. It was stunning, and I felt inspired. I couldn’t wait to get out my brushes and start painting the beautiful scenery. Taking a deep breath, I placed my canvas on the easel and unpacked my paints. As guests started to filter in, I got some curious looks. I’m used to it – what I do is a little unusual. I’m an artist, and I live paint weddings. My first wedding was in June 2020, after a friend on TikTok got me onto the ideas. Why haven’t I done that before? I thought. I could do that, too! I’d never even heard of it, but it was right up my street. I’d always been a painter, and since the age of 14…

Sitting at the kitchen table, I eyed up the biscuit tin. I could’ve sworn I could hear it calling my name. Karrieanne… But, I resisted temptation, shook my head and walked to the fridge instead. Getting out a carrot, I peeled it and started munching. ‘Delicious,’ I lied to myself. I’d always been what I liked to call ‘a chunk’. As a child, my dad would bring home mouth-watering takeaways and we’d sit on the sofa munching them and watching TV. Takeaways reminded me of warmth and happiness. I could hear it calling my name… Even as a teen, I would eat what I wanted, when I wanted. I loved spag Bol, curries, and of course biscuits and choc. Luckily, I was never bullied at school. I was confident and…

It’s a cold winter night, and while you’re tucked up inside with a satisfying warm dinner, others aren’t so lucky. In the UK, over 200,000 people face a night on the streets every single day. And that’s where Nightstop comes in. Providing a safe, welcoming place for young people in crisis, Nightstop have managed to accommodate 482 people into loving, warm homes, thanks to some very special volunteers. A SAFE PLACE I knew it was time to do something Clare Smyth, 40, from South-East London Lugging my bags home from my local Sainsbury’s, I passed a pregnant lady begging on the side of the street. Watching as other people walked by without so much as a smile, my heart sank. Seeing her out in the freezing cold, I thought back…

Little touches make a big difference! By George George Home is perfect for a home makeover…pick up a bargain with your weekly Asda shop! HOME TREND Interior trends are always changing, and it can be tough to keep up. But interior experts Hovia have revealed the top trends for this year – so spruce up your home with the latest styles. Brighter is better A house is not a home without that cosy feeling, and ideally you want to make the most of any natural light – but not everyone has big, sun-facing windows. So this year, the focus is on chandeliers and lamps. Oversized and noticeable ones are predicted to be in fashion. Choosing a large chandelier might be scary and it’s not for everyone, but take a leap…

Focusing on the task in hand, with the view of nature outside of the window, and my gouache paint set by my side, it was time to enter my own little dreamworld. Picking up a brush was enough to immerse myself into another dimension, where the strokes I made were the least of my troubles. Something I had known since I was just a little boy. Only, as I admired my masterpiece, whether that was my signature landscape shot, or a garden bird, it was clear that there was something missing – detail. That was the one thing that my hands couldn’t do anymore. No matter how much I would concentrate or no matter how long I took, it just wasn’t right. It was as if the tremor in my…

The moon has been a source of fascination for poets, composers and ancient legends across the world for centuries. But is there more to it than first meets the eye? NEW MOON – STILLNESS A new moon happens once a month when the moon and the sun conjoin in the sky, setting off a new cycle and signifying a ‘cosmic reset’. The new moon is an ideal time to set intentions and goals, and is also a time of quiet reflection. We may feel less sociable and have less energy – so it’s a great time to have a bath, get out your journal and practice some self-love! WAXING CRESCENT – REBIRTH As the moon begins to get illuminated after a period of darkness, it can bring optimism and change…