Breezethe village
Letter from the Editor
Hello again and welcome…
Coverage of bad news events has grown at a similar rate to that of the internet. Whether it is television, radio, general internet feeds or social media, the amount of negativity fed to us every day is overwhelming.
Surprisingly, humans have a ‘negativity bias,’ meaning we tend to pay more attention to upsetting headlines and images than good ones. When you read about war, poverty, and abuse online, the algorithms tracking your activity will believe that is what you are most interested in, so you will get even more of it.
But it is a bit like terrible food. We may think we want to eat chips and cake all the time, but it does not take long till you feel sick, and you realise you feel so much better without it (for a time at least).
Now, if you are a regular reader of this magazine, you will know that we do not really print news as such, and in terms of negative information, an occasional health article is as bad as it gets.
Rather, you will find travel ideas, puzzles and jokes, history, recipes, local event listings, and business profiles in these pages. None of our content is dramatic. It is unlikely to cause outrage or controversy. But, as a respite from doom, we hope you find the information entertaining and fun and, of course, that you find the local advertisers useful.
And if you have something good to share or to say, we would love to hear from you!
And the thought I will leave you with this month:-
“To much of a good thing Can be wonderful.”
Until next time…
Ashby u3a
break Grab a cuppa and a biccie!
The Village Breeze is a local community magazine and business directory distributed monthly to 8,000 homes and businesses in Appleby Magna, Donisthorpe, Linton, Measham, Moira, Oakthorpe and Overseal.
Deadline for next issue 15th November, 2024
Editor
Sheila J. Bethell
General enquiries 0753 441 3055
Advertising enquiries 01283 814214 Drop us an email info@thevillagebreeze.co.uk
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Ashby Woulds Town Council
New office for the Town Council
Ashby Woulds Town Council has a new office.
From the 1st July we are now based at Moira Village Hall, Ashby Road, Moira, DE12 6DP.
The project has taken 18 months to complete and has involved the conversion of a garage at the rear of the hall building. Our thanks to all involved and a special note of thanks to the Moira Village Hall Trustees for making the move possible.
Contact us
The office is open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday mornings 9am-1pm and is easily accessible from the main car park.
Email: clerk@ashbywouldstowncouncil.gov.uk
Telephone: 01283 552784
Visit our website: www.ashbywouldstowncouncil.go.uk or find us on facebook: @ashbywouldstowncouncil.
Coffee Mornings - see larger advert
Weekly coffee mornings continue to be held on Wednesdays at Moira Village Hall 10am-12noon. Tea/coffee and biscuits £1.
A great opportunity to meet new people and also chat to your local representatives.
Dog Fouling
The Town Council maintains a number of sites including parks and recreation grounds including football pitches. We are disappointed to see an increase in dog fouling and whilst we thank the responsible dog owners we would like remind others to be more considerate.
We have a seen a significant increase at Measham Road Recreation Ground. Marlborough Rovers FC has many teams using the football pitches with children as young as six training every week. Please pick up your dog mess and use the bins provided.
Albert Village Allotments
Albert Village Allotment Association has vacancies. It is a beautiful site at the rear of the recreation ground in the Heart of the National Forest.
For all plot enquiries please email: av.allotments@ gmail.com
Remembrance Sunday
On Sunday 10th November Acts of Remembrance will take place as follows; The Clock, Albert Village, 11am War Memorial, Bath Lane, Moira, 10.45am to include Scout parade and service.
Refreshments available afterwards at the Moira Miners Welfare Club.
All welcome to attend. In the interests of road safety, a road closure will be in place along Bath Lane from 10am until approximately 11.30am.
Useful Contacts
Town Mayor Councillor Laurence Ordish
Call: Town Council Office 01283 552784
Email: Laurence.o@ashbywouldstowncouncil.gov.uk
County Councillor Robert Ashman
Call: 07711 441253
Email: Robert.ashman@leics.gov.uk
District Councillor Andrew Woodman (Norris Hill Ward) Call: 07970 520357
Email: Andrew.woodman@nwleicestershire.gov.uk
District Councillor Doug Cooper (Albert Village, Boothorpe, Moira & Spring Cottage) Call: 07968 297599
Email: Doug.cooper@nwleicestershire.gov.uk
Leicestershire Police - Forest Beat Team contacts If you need to contact a member of your beat team and the enquiry isn’t urgent then the easiest way to do this is via email, you can either do this through the Leicestershire Police website or on the details below:
North West Leicestershire Police
Please do not report crime or incidents via emails as the messages are not always monitored.
Email: northwestleicestershire.npa@leicestershire. pnn.police.uk
PS 4704 Cat Fletcher
PC 1389 Russ Leech
PC 1234 Owain Jones
PCSO 6686 Maddie Fearn
Did you know you can report crime and incidents using the police online portal?
Please visit https://www.leics.police.uk/Click on REPORT. In an emergency dial 999.
ASHBY WOULDS TOWN COUNCIL
Serving the people of Albert Village, Boothorpe, Moira, Norris Hill and Spring Cottage
Opening hours: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday mornings 9.30am - 1pm. Telephone: 01283 552784 Email: clerk@ashbywouldstowncouncil.gov.uk Website: www.ashbywouldstowncouncil.go.uk Facebook: @ashbywouldstowncouncil
Good as gold
Is it worth investing in the shiny stuff?
Gold has always been viewed as something precious thanks to its rarity and the difficulty extracting it. This year, the price of this valuable metal reached an all-time high and its value tends to increase when other markets get the jitters. It’s often seen as a refuge when recession looms.
But beware: gold can lose its glitter. The price goes up and down, as with any investment. That said, over time its value has risen impressively. According to Royal Mint, an ounce of gold bought towards the end of 1990 would be worth 650% more now.
Putting your money into this precious metal is more accessible than you might think. But it’s best seen as part of a diversified portfolio of investments.
Bars. Often when you think of gold you think of gleaming ingots and, yes, you can buy these. They’re available online from Royal Mint in weights of little as 1g up to 1kg, as well as from other bullion companies. But you have to consider storage. Royal Mint will store your gold bars in its vault at a cost of 1% plus VAT. Bank safety deposit boxes are another option and, while a home safe will save on storage fees, you’ll need insurance.
Bullion coins. You also need to factor in where to keep gold coins, which are available from
Royal Mint and independent gold brokers. Prices start at under £100. You can buy old sovereigns or newly minted money, such as a limited edition James Bond series. As they’re considered currency, gold coins are exempt from Capital Gains Tax if you sell them.
Jewellery. If you want to enjoy your investment, think about buying jewellery. Gold watches and sparkly accessories containing gemstones tend to be more expensive because of the work that goes into them. So while diamonds might be a girl’s best friend, solid gold necklaces or bracelets are a better investment. With jewellery, the more carats, the more pure the gold, with 24 carat being 99.9% gold. Always buy your pieces from a reputable jeweller; membership of the National Association of Jewellers for high street stores, or an Assay Assured certificate for an online retailer is a good indication.
Digital gold. Worried about having your treasure stolen? DigiGold may be the way to go. You own a portion of a gold bar which remains stored in Royal Mint’s vault. You can invest as little as £25.
Other investments. There are several ways to invest in gold without going near it. You can buy shares directly in gold-mining companies or indirectly through an Exchange Traded Fund (ETC), which will track the spot price of gold. ETCs are physically backed by bullion and may be better for most investors. As ever, only invest in something if you understand how it works and are prepared to take the risk.
Safe as houses
Simple ways to make your home more secure as the days get shorter.
Your home isn’t just where you keep your belongings and sleep at night, it’s your sanctuary. So, if you’re a victim of burglary, it’s a double blow –not only do you suffer financial loss, but it feels like a violation. However, with a bit of thought, you can minimise your chances of unwanted visitors.
Think like a burglar. Stand outside your property and imagine you’re trying to break in. Where would you start? Flowerpot on the front step? Remove that not-so-secret key underneath. Downstairs loo with the window that’s always open? Buy an air freshener instead! Ladder stored at the side of the house? It’s an open invitation.
What would deter you if you were a burglar? Low hedges at the front, high boundaries at the side and back, and locked side and back gates often put off an opportunist. Tech helps too: consider an alarm, a doorbell camera or motion sensor lights.
Security basics. But even if your home is like Fort Knox, if you don’t employ the most basic security measures you’re asking for trouble. As you leave the house or go to bed, think about whether your windows or doors have been opened that day. According to a summary of burglary trends from the Office of National Statistics, in 70% of cases an intruder simply walks in through an unlocked door. In 30% of cases, they get in through a window. Remember too that more break-ins happen during daylight hours, so vigilance then is every bit as important as at night.
Car trouble. Extend this mental check to your shed, garage and car. And beware, many vehicles are stolen because thieves are able to fish for the keys through the letterbox because they’re kept near the front
door. Some modern cars unlock just by having the keyless fob nearby. An amplifying device can be used to pick up the signal from your fob. Buying a signalblocking pouch or box is an easy way around this.
Good locks = good security. Each of your windows should have a key locking mechanism – now standard with most double-glazed units– with the key stored out of sight nearby. Ensure you have locks fitted on all downstairs or accessible windows at the very least; this is likely to be a requirement of your home insurance.
Doors should have a good locking system, ideally a mortice deadlock.
Don’t be a giveaway. Avoid displaying your worldly goods. If you have an expensive bike, keep it out of sight; take your mobile phone off the windowsill; and don’t leave the empty box for your new smart TV standing by the bin for days.
When you’re away, don’t leave the curtains drawn. Use inexpensive timer switches for table lamps and a radio to come on when it’s getting dark, both downstairs and upstairs.
a short story by murray clarke
In Vogue
No one likes painting and decorating! It’s a messy business and can be very expensive. When I was younger, I took great pride in doing everything myself. Now, older and wiser, and with more disposable income, I’d rather call in the experts. It’s ten years since I last gave the living room a lick of white paint – the smoke from the log fire has left brown stains all over the walls and the ceiling.
Time to redecorate!
I sourced a local decorator who wasn’t too busy, and he popped round to give me a quote. We agreed a price, and then Adam asked me the crucial question: What colour paint did I want?
What colour? I had absolutely no idea! White showed the dirt too much. A shade darker, perhaps?
Monday morning. I turned to my daughter for guidance. She lives in Bournemouth and considers herself young and trendy.
‘Dark blues and greens are really popular, Dad!’ Emily told me. ‘Funnily enough, we’re just about to have our lounge painted too. Jezza and me have chosen a shade of deep olive green for all of the woodwork, walls and ceiling. The latest thing! Will look amazing . . . Very “en vogue”,’ she added, pretentiously!
‘They start later today.’
and booked him in for the end of the week.
‘Why don’t you come down to Bournemouth at the weekend and stay with us for a couple of days, Dad?
Whilst you’re being painted.’ Emily said. ‘Get away from all the mess? I’ll be able to show off the colour of our newly-decorated lounge.’
And so I arranged a long weekend away, travelling down by train from the Midlands to the south coast, and stopping off for one night in London to visit our son, Andy. Emily would meet us at the railway station on the Sunday afternoon.
I was looking forward very much to seeing her happy, smiling face again . . . and her freshly painted “en vogue” cosy snug.
As the train approached Bournemouth station, I could see Emily and the two grandchildren waiting patiently at the end of the platform.
‘How are you all?’ I asked, embracing them warmly.
‘Wonderful, Daddy! Thank you!’ she replied. ‘I can’t wait to show you what we’ve done with the lounge!’
After a short car ride, we arrived at her home in a quiet suburb of the town. Emily made us stand in the hallway, and then, with a flourish, flung open the door to the newly-painted living room.
‘T’dah!’ she cried.
Oh wow! The room looked absolutely lovely! But what was this? The walls were painted a gorgeous shade of mid-yellow, with contrasting off-white woodwork and ceiling!
Blimey! I tried to envisage how dark that would look – like the dungeon in the Black Hole of Calcutta!
‘I want to achieve a “cosy” feel to the room,’ she explained. ‘Similar to a snug.’
Not wishing to appear a pair of old fuddy-duddies and, therefore, not in vogue, my wife and I decided to take Emily’s advice, and settled on the same shade of dark green for all of our room as well. I informed Adam, our decorator, of our final choice
‘We didn’t like the olive green when we saw the finished room. It was horrid!’ said Emily. ‘The reflected light from the dark green walls and ceiling made us look like aliens! We had a rethink and instructed our decorator to repaint everything immediately – in a lighter shade!’
I froze! Horrified!
I’d better phone our decorator – URGENTLY!
As if on cue, my mobile rang.
‘It’s Adam, mate,’ said a familiar voice. ‘I’ve just finished. The job’s a good ‘un . . . To be honest, though, not too sure about the dark olive green – but you’re the customer!’
Review : AUDI A3 SPORTBACK
What is it? The Audi A3 has essentially defined the premium hatchback class for nearly 30 years, and its combination of classy looks, a quality interior and refined driving characteristics means it has plenty of appeal.
For 2024, Audi has given its strong seller a little midlife update to keep it feeling fresh. Here we’re driving the five-door Sportback version.
What’s new? The refresh is nothing too bold. The looks have been sharpened with a wider, slimmer ‘frameless’ front grille. The front and rear bumpers look more aggressive, while the front headlight clusters now feature a choice of four different LED day-running light designs. There are new colours, new wheels and badging.
Other tweaks are minor and mostly to do with the interior.
What’s under the bonnet? There’s no change when it comes to engines, although at launch Audi is restricting the choice. For the time being, there’s just a 1.5-litre turbocharged mild-hybrid petrol badged 35 TFSI and a 35 TDI 2.0-litre diesel, both with 148bhp and a seven-speed automatic gearbox.
Both the 1.5-litre mild-hybrid petrol and 2.0-litre diesel accelerate to 60mph in eight seconds. While the diesel naturally returns better claimed fuel economy (54.2-57.6mpg vs 49.6-53.3mpg), the petrol coughs out less CO2 (121-130g/km vs 128-137g/km).
What’s it like to drive? There’s still a lovely balance between comfort and predictable, engaging handling for this update.
It rides better than a Mercedes A-Class, even in sporty S line trim, and the A3 feels agile, while the tried and tested 1.5-litre engine delivers pleasing acceleration – it’s only occasionally let down by the S tronic
gearbox which can feel hesitant. A separate drive of the 35 TDI showed the diesel is just as refined with minimal vibration.
How does it look? The A3’s update is subtle. The new front end, while undeniably more modern looking, spoils the sharp, classy design of the outgoing car in our eyes. But the A3 is still a super stylish choice in the premium hatchback class.
What’s it like inside? The new A3 gets a raft of tweaks. New backlighting in the door trims and contour lighting around the centre console and cupholders literally brightens the interior, while the centre console has been redesigned with a new gear selector.
Audi has added more textured surfaces to the dashboard, improving the already quality feeling cabin. The infotainment system has been tweaked, but remains simple to use.
What’s the spec like? The A3 is offered in Sport, S line and Black Edition trims.
Sport, from £32,035, gets LED front headlights, 17inch alloys, heated front seats, three-zone climate control, ambient lighting, the 10.1-inch touchscreen, 12.3-inch ‘Virtual Cockpit Plus’ screen, and a whole host of safety tech. S line, from £34,315, adds sportier body styling, 18-inch wheels with lowered suspension, LED headlights with customisable dayrunning light designs, LED rear lights with ‘dynamic’ (sweeping) indicators, leather-like sports seats with ‘S’ branding, and selectable ambient lighting. Rangetopping Black Edition cars add 19-inch wheels and black detailing, and start from £36,015.
Verdict This update only serves to make the A3 look and feel a little more modern. It’s likely the A3 will remain a favourite for those after a posh hatchback.
WALK TO REMEMBER
3rd November 2024
National Memorial Arboretum, Remembrance Centre.
Our annual walk to remember.... Arrive at 10.30am and set off around 10.40am, taking in as much of the grounds as possible. Its advisable to pre-book the parking due to the amount of people who visit this site. It’s a beautiful place, with a serene and peaceful atmosphere. Dogs are welcome but must be always kept on leads. Dogs are unfortunately not allowed at 'The Wall' monument, however, we will be able to hold your dog, should you wish to make the journey up to see it. Call 07568 157541 for more details.
CHRISTMAS FAYRE
13th November 2024
Moira Centenary Methodist Church
The ‘Chapel on the Hill’, Measham Road, Moira are holding a Christmas Fayre - 10am and 12noon. Everyone is welcome.
MICK FLEETWOOD
24th November 2024
Measham Baptist Church, 4pm
Mick Fleetwood. (As seen on This Morning) From a life of crime to life giver! Come and hear Mick’s amazing story. This is not a church service! Tea and coffee etc will be provided at no charge.
Call of the wild
In an era where screens, deadlines and urban noise dominate our lives, the need to get away from it all has never been stronger. Holidays in nature offer more than just a break from routine – they provide a vital means of restoring our wellbeing and rekindling our connection with the earth.
The Azores, Portugal Hidden in the heart of the Atlantic, the Azores are a cluster of nine Portuguese islands renowned for their natural beauty and diverse landscapes. With volcanoes, thermal waters, turquoise lagoons and Europe’s only tea plantation, it’s no wonder the islands are often called the Hawaii of Europe.
The archipelago is also a hotspot for diving, with an array of spectacular sea life that you’d usually have to travel far to see, including turtles, hammerhead sharks, humpback whales and manta rays.
Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica
The Scottish Highlands and Islands, UK
Looking to get lost in the wilderness? The epic landscapes of Scotland's Highlands and islands are one of the last corners of Europe where you can enjoy complete solitude. Some of Scotland's most dramatic and untamed landscapes can be found on its remote islands – from the Skye, with its fairy pools and endless undulating hills, to the Orkneys, an archipelago that time forgot. These unspoilt islands are a wildlife haven, offering glimpses of seals, whales, dolphins and thousands of nesting seabirds.
With cloud forests, gushing waterfalls, volcanoes and sweeping beaches, Costa Rica is a nature-lover’s wonderland and the Osa Peninsula is one of the most species-rich places in the world. Some 2.5% of the world’s biodiversity is crammed into this tiny sliver of paradise, where you can expect to spot jaguars, tapirs and hummingbirds. Parque Nacional Corcovado takes up almost half the peninsula and is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including the highly endangered giant anteater and all Costa Rica’s big cats.
Namib
Desert, Namibia
The Namib Desert is truly like nowhere else on Earth. Its sweeping red sand dunes and skeletal trees conjure up an otherworldly landscape, and while it may appear empty and serene, the desert is teeming with cleverly adapted animal and plant life.
Many who travel here make a beeline for the stunning dune panoramas around Sossusvlei and nearby Deadvlei. Wildlife lovers will also want to visit Etosha National Park, home to the critically endangered black rhino.
The Galápagos Islands, Ecuador
Six hundred miles from mainland Ecuador, the Galápagos are home to some of the world’s most diverse wildlife, and the inspiration behind Darwin’s theory of evolution. This is a place where time stands still and close encounters with wildlife are common, thanks to an absence of natural predators. Watch blue-footed boobies perform courtship dances, snorkel with white-tipped reef sharks and look out for the Galápagos giant tortoise.
Sweet chilli meatballs
Tasty pork meatballs cooked with a simply great sweet but spiced sauce. Sweet chilli has a universal appeal because it’s tangy but not too hot, plus a lot of people will already have it stashed in the kitchen cupboard.
Detail...
Serves 2-3
Preparation time 10 minutes
Cooking time 15 minutes
You will need...
For the meatballs
• 500g minced pork
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 40g breadcrumbs
• ½ bunch of spring onions, sliced, plus more to serve
• Finely grated zest of 3 limes
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1-2 tbsp vegetable or sunflower oil
• Sesame seeds, to serve
For the sauce
• 3 cloves garlic, peeled and finely chopped
• 15g root ginger, finely chopped
• 50ml water
• 3 tbsp soy sauce
• 6 tbsp sweet chilli sauce
• 3 tbsp tomato ketchup
Method...
1. Put the pork in a large mixing bowl with the egg, breadcrumbs, spring onions, lime zest, salt and black pepper. Get stuck in and mix until it’s well combined, then roll it into 12 equal-sized meatballs.
2. Heat the oil in a large frying pan and fry the meatballs over a medium-high heat until golden brown all over. Remove them from the pan, leaving the oil behind, and set aside.
3. Chuck in the garlic and ginger for the sauce and cook them for 30 seconds, then pour in the measured water, soy sauce, sweet chilli sauce and tomato ketchup. Stir well.
4. Get the meatballs back in the pan, turn to coat and bring to a simmer. Cook until the sauce is nice and sticky, and the meatballs are cooked through. (If you cut into a meatball, there should be no trace of pink. If there is, continue to cook for another couple of minutes, then test again.)
5. Scatter with spring onions and sesame seeds, then dish them up.
Recipe extracted from Speedy Weeknight Meals by Jon Watts, published by Bloomsbury Publishing, priced £20, with photography by Jonathan Gregson.
Grass roots support
Should you consider growing ornamental grasses?
Some gardeners won’t entertain the idea of including grasses within a planting scheme. Yet other gardens have entire beds dedicated to these swishing wonders of the plant world. In fact, grasses offer a huge range of opportunities for both beds and containers.
They shine during November and most of the winter, when many other plants are dormant. As tree leaves turn russet and gold, deciduous grasses complement the tones. They display copper, bronze and creamy white plumes, mingled with orange and red hues, adding warmth and gentle movement.
Different types
There are thousands of varieties of ornamental grasses, some being more suitable for gardens than others, especially in small spaces.
Clump-forming types include many Miscanthus grasses which are cespitose in habit. This means they form into mounds that come from a central point. Because they don’t use ‘runners’ which spread out sideways to seek new soil, they stay roughly where they have been planted. Some Miscanthus have viable seed, however, and new plants can spring up nearby. Anemanthele lessoniana, or pheasant’s tail grass is beautiful, but it will seed itself copiously all around the garden. Meanwhile, the parent plant will eventually die down.
There are sedge grasses such as Carex, a huge genus representing more than 2,000 species of grass-like plants. Typically evergreen, they tend to combine well with larger ornamental grasses and are excellent within prairie-style settings that include summerflowering perennials.
Other wonders of the autumn border are Calamagrostis, including the C. ‘Karl Foerster’, whose vertical habit makes it architecturally pleasing. It gradually spreads, but this is one you won’t mind forming into a larger clump! It has upright, strawcoloured stems and golden seedheads that bring welcome movement and visual warmth.
One native Calamagrostis parent (C. epigejos) is so hardy and tough that it’s likely to take over the entire garden. But it’s ideal for more difficult areas where little else will survive and can be kept in check by breeding with a more demure relative.
Other grasses make attractive groundcover and stop weeds filling in the gaps. Grass-like plants such as Liriope species and Ophiopogan can be used in this way. They will gradually creep and reproduce without crowding out nearby plants.
Bamboo
There are more than 1,000 species of bamboo and some are giants, reaching up to five metres tall. A few are thugs of the plant world, spreading vigorously using a running habit. But others are sedate, clumpforming beauties that enhance a garden if you have the space. These include Fargesia and Bambusa, some of which grow to only one or two metres high.
It’s always a good idea to use a root barrier when planting in the ground, as even clump-forming bamboo tends to spread. There are also varieties suitable for growing in pots, provided they are fed and watered.
COMMUNITY GARDENING GROUP
DON'T KNOW ONE END OF A SPADE FROM ANOTHER?
Whether you do or not, you would be welcome at our friendly community gardening group. Formed initially as one of Measham Medical Unit’s Social Prescribing groups, we aim to offer exercise and social contact as a means to bolster physical and emotional well-being and improve our public spaces at the same time.
We currently look after 3 sites in Measham, meeting on a Monday at 10.00, to work until 11.15 or so, when we head to the Age UK Cafe on Measham High St for tea and biscuits. (Own cost : £1)
Some members also tend an allotment in Appleby Magna — organic, zero air miles, fruit and veg!
Call or text Linda on 0745 299 1949.
ASHBY
u3a AFTERNOON TALK WITH...
DR ANN FEATHERSTONE
Talk about 'Mrs Rose Buckner'
Dr Ann Featherstone is a retired university lecturer and teacher as well as a writer. Her particular interest is in popular entertainment in the 19th century. She is going to talk about Mrs Rose Buckner. Come along to the Congregational Church, Kilwardby Street, Ashby-de-la-Zouch LE65 2FQ [Look out for our flag on the pavement outside] on Tuesday 26th November. Doors open at 1.30pm for 2pm start. Tea, coffee and biscuits will be available – along with a warm welcome. Why not come along as our guest for a ‘taster’ visit? In addition to our monthly talks we also have in excess of 30 different interest groups, come and see what it's all about.
For more information visit: ashbyu3a.co.uk email: members@ashbyu3a.co.uk
Facebook: facebook.com/Ashby u3a
Divine Davina
TV presenter Davina McCall first catapulted to household fame in 2000 as host of the hugely popular Channel 4 reality show, ‘Big Brother’. More recently, she’s been honoured for her work shining a spotlight on women’s health.
Early beginnings The doting mum-of-three, who turned 57 in October, was born in Wimbledon, London to a French mother and English father, and at the age of three went to live with her paternal grandparents in Surrey after her parents’ marriage broke up.
Davina started out as a singer but, dissatisfied with her lack of success, took a job at a modelling agency as a booker. She then ran a restaurant for two years before a brief spell in Paris as a Moulin Rouge-style cabaret performer.
Her first stint in TV came in 1994 when she was hired as a presenter for MVE Europe, going on to host the ITV late night game show, ‘God’s Gift’, in 1995, followed by cult dating show, ‘Streetmate’ in 1998. Little did she know how her fame – and fortune –would change when, in 2000, she was chosen to present the inaugural series of ‘Big Brother’.
Busy summer schedule It’s been a busy few months for Davina, who lives quietly with her celebrity hairstylist partner Michael Douglas, in Kent in a £3.4 million home the couple built from scratch. She met Douglas in 2019, two years after her split from husband Matthew Robertson, the father of her children, Holly, Tilly and Chester.
Workwise, fitness fanatic Davina, has been back on ITV1 and ITVX with a fourteenth series of the multi award-winning documentary series, ‘Long Lost Family’, and a second series of ‘My Mum, Your Dad’. In this romance show, grown-up kids nominate their single parents to head into a country retreat in the hope of finding love.
On the personal front, there was a double celebration in July when daughter Holly, 22, graduated from Newcastle University, where Davina also received an Honorary Doctor of Civil Law. She made it clear the honour for her work in media and especially around women’s health means a lot to her, adding, “I will continue to raise awareness and campaign for education and research for as long as I am breathing.”
The TV presenter has campaigned in Parliament for better support for women going through the change of life. Her debut book, Menopausing, co-written with Dr Naomi Potter, immediately shot onto the bestseller list and was named Overall Winner and Winner of Non-Fiction Lifestyle Book of the Year at the British Book Awards 2023. She has also made and presented two documentaries for Channel 4 on the subject during which she describes her own menopause journey.
Royal honour This year also saw Davina receive an MBE for her services to broadcasting from the Princess Royal, whom she’s admired from a young age. “She always seemed to be quite gung-ho and she rather shared my ethos in life, I felt.”
Menopausing: The Positive Roadmap to Your Second Spring by Davina McCall and Dr Naomi Potter is published by HQ, priced £22.
