Yours magazine issue 248

Live the life you’ve always wanted!

Your essential guide to retirement bliss Britain’s No.1 fortnightly u I ss

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sleep 5 steps to

better tonight Cut your risk of diabetes BEAUTY Top-to-toe summer skincare kit

Alan reveals his guilty FREE pleasure!

10 pinks worth £25.97

Rosemary Shrager

reats T … t c fe r e P ic n ic P s d n e i r f h t i w e r to sha

‘The trip that changed my life’

June 21July 4, 2016 £1.55

FASHION Holiday buys for every shape & budget

Charlie Dimmock chats about her TV comeback

Charlie with Ground Force colleagues Tommy Walsh and Alan Titchmarsh

By Katharine Wootton

C

Charlie’s back in bloom!

PICS: MAIN PICTURE ALAN BURLES PHOTOGRAPHY; ALAMY

an it really be two decades since a certain gardening tour de force called Charlie Dimmock first graced our screens in a series called Ground Force?

The answer unbelievably is yes – where did those decades go! I’m with a beaming Charlie, in her element clutching a trowel, potting some bedding plants, and I can practically hear the Ground Force music tinkling away overhead.

Charlie, who went from working in a garden centre to global celebrity thanks to the show, can hardly believe

‘You never know with new programme concepts if it’s going to appeal, but I’m really looking forward to it’ where the years have gone either. “Ground Force was a long, long time ago!” she says. “1997 it started. Nearly 20 years – just wow!” she laughs. But now, after a

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The golden girl of gardening speaks to Yours as she makes her big TV comeback almost 20 years on from Ground Force! significant break away from the camera – the last Ground Force episode aired in 2005 – Charlie is set to return to TV. And we couldn’t be more delighted.

This July, Charlie will be fronting a brand new daytime show called Garden Rescue, where she’ll be going into garden disasters, to work her green-fingered

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magic. In each episode, homeowners will have their own real-world budget to stick to as Charlie tries to create a garden that will fulfil their needs. It’s a makeover-style show not that dissimilar to what Charlie and the gang used to relish on Ground Force, but this is not Ground Force Take Two – an idea Charlie

is certain wouldn’t work today. “Ground Force was so successful because it was a complete change to the gardening programmes at the time,” she says. “But I think we’ve seen and done that now so it wouldn’t work.

It was of its moment.”

In her new show, Charlie will once again form part of a presenting trio. But

star chat Much missed: Charlie with her dear mum Sue, who died in the Boxing Day tsunami tragedy

in the place of her former co-stars, Alan Titchmarsh and Tommy Walsh – who she still remains firm friends with today – she’ll be joined

by Harry and David Rich, the handsome gardening double act also known as The Rich Brothers, who are former Gold Medal winners at Chelsea, and in Charlie’s words, “just brilliant. Right out of my league!”

The show gives Charlie the chance to blossom once more at what she does best – making gardening accessible, entertaining and dare we say it, sexy. After all, Charlie’s days on Ground Force launched her name not only as a superstar presenter, but also as a universal sex symbol.

“That whole thing was a joke,” laughs Charlie.

“I was 32 when I started Ground Force and I’d never been called sexy before, so how on earth was I 32 and suddenly sexy? It was all a bit overwhelming. Funnily enough, when I started out, Esther Rantzen took me to one side and said, ‘you’re going to get stuck with some of the things said about you for the rest of your life.

I’m still referred to as the buck-toothed presenter and

I had my teeth fixed the year after I started presenting’.

I soon totally understood what she meant.”

The fame that came with presenting the biggest show on the box at the time also came as a big shock to the girl who, almost accidentally, found herself on TV after she met a producer while building a pond for the Meridian Broadcasting series, Grass Roots.

“In the first year of filming Ground Force, we were at Chelsea and people were stopping to wave at Alan

‘I was 32 when I started Ground Force and it was all a bit overwhelming.

I’d never been called sexy before so how on earth was I sexy at 32?’ but had no idea who me and Tommy were. And the director said to us, ‘you do realise that next year everyone’s going to know who you are’. And we went, ‘get real!’ But he was right.

That was a big shock to go from walking down the high street normally to everyone going ‘oh hello Charlie’.”

It was all rather dizzying stuff for the down-to-earth tomboy from Hampshire who developed a love of all things green after pottering around the garden with her grandfather as a child. “My

granddad was a gardener and I used to help him in his vegetable patch,” says Charlie. “Now I’m older I think that must have been a nightmare for him. A five year old wielding a hoe, taking all the vegetables out. But really I was hiding from my gran who used to want to curl my hair and put me in pretty frocks. Not my thing. So instead I’d be down the garden with granddad.”

Charlie’s years on Ground Force really did change her life for ever. But it was a tragic event, much closer to home, that had the most dramatic impact on her.

In 2004, Charlie’s beloved mum, Sue and her stepdad Rob, were holidaying in Thailand when they were killed in the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami that claimed a quarter of a million lives.

Charlie desperately tried to fly out to Thailand straight away to find them but the Foreign Office warned her it would be pointless.

She was left inconsolable as it became clear her mum and stepdad were never coming back.

It wasn’t until six years later that she made her first major re-appearance into the public eye taking a role in the touring stage production

of Calendar Girls in 2010.

“I thought it was a wind-up when I was first asked to do it, as I’m not an actor,” she says. “I don’t know what was more frightening, doing Calendar Girls or working with proper actors. But the ladies I worked with were so lovely and helped me out hugely.”

Since then, she’s starred in several pantomimes and this year, she launched an affordable new range of gardening gear with the high street store, Poundland. And now, she’s looking forward to embracing her biggest challenge in decades as she returns to our tellies.

“I’m excited about coming back into the public eye.

We’ll see what happens.

You never know with new programme concepts if it’s going to appeal, but I’m really looking forward to it.”

And so are we, Charlie! n Garden Rescue starts in July in the afternoons on BBC1

Charlie’s new range

Charlie recently teamed up with Poundland to launch a new and exclusive garden range. Called In the Garden with Charlie Dimmock it includes solar lights, garden ornaments, tools, planting and accessories. The range is available in stores and online. n For more details visit www.poundland.co.uk/ gardening-2016 YOURS n EVERY FORTNIGHT

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HEALTH NEWS Energy booster

Prevent your afternoon slump with this once a day wonder pill from Quest Vitamins.

Once a day Energy B + C £6.65/30 with fatiguefighting B vitamins and energising Vitamin C to support your nervous system and improve concentration.

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Beat hot flushes

Hot weather + hot flushes = misery for many women but now there is a simple solution. Promensil Menopause Cooling spray £14.99/75ml has been specifically formulated to gently and quickly draw heat away from your skin, reducing your skin’s temperature and calming redness.

Available exclusively at www.boots.com

PICS: MASTERFILE; GETTY IMAGES TEXT: ALICIA PYKE COURTESY OF YOURS AUSTRALIA

Dairy-free treat

Alpro Go On Pot 85p/150g is the perfect pud if you need to avoid dairy products in your diet. It’s packed with healthy plant proteins and comes in three flavours – passion fruit, blackcurrant and mango. Available from www.sainsburys.co.uk

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Balancing

your blood sugar Feel energised and reduce your risk of diabetes in just four basic steps

I

f you’re prone to dizziness, poor concentration and a sweet tooth, consider your blood sugar. Also known as blood glucose, keeping your levels right will help you stay energised and reduce your chances of developing Type 2 diabetes, which affects four million people in the UK. “Glucose provides energy, but it can become a problem if your levels fall too low, which can happen on certain medications, or when they are too high, which is what happens when you have diabetes,” explains Dr Alan Barclay.

A simple blood test can reveal whether you could be at risk of developing diabetes.

Insulin regulates how much sugar

Type 2 diabetes affects 4 million people in the UK we have in our blood but, as we age, our pancreas is unable to produce as much insulin as it once did. “People with a blood glucose level higher than 5.5mmol/L but less than 7mmol/L have something called pre-diabetes or insulin resistance,” Dr Barclay says.

Six out of 10 people with prediabetes can prevent Type 2 diabetes from developing by improving their diet and by exercising.

healthy living

4-step plan…

Snack sensibly

Eating three square meals a day and having two healthy snacks in between is the best way to keep your blood sugar level.

“Brits are big snackers – with 39 per cent admitting that we consume more calories snacking than we do at mealtimes!” says Dr Barclay. Most of us don’t reach for healthy snacks, 41 per cent of us fill up on crisps, chocolate, cakes and biscuits – none of which are good for your blood sugar.

Your main meals should be balanced with half your plate full of vegetables and fruit, a quarter with protein (lean meat, chicken, fish, eggs and reduced-fat cheese are ideal) and a quarter with wholegrains (such as brown rice, quinoa, rolled oats or sourdough bread). These are low-GI (glycaemic index) foods – meaning they slowly raise the level of glucose in the blood and should help you to stay fuller for longer.

Your snacks should

Watch your portion sizes – remember this is a snack to curb your hunger until your next meal – not a meal in itself contain protein-rich foods such as natural yogurt, nuts and nut butters, lowfat cheese and houmous.

Try houmous and crudité, natural yogurt and berries, a palmful of almonds, celery sticks with peanut butter or cottage cheese on an oatcake with banana slices.

Watch your portion sizes.

Remember, this is a snack to curb your hunger until your next meal – not a meal in itself.

Eatt more whole foods Swapping processed foods for whole foods is the simplest way to stabilise your blood sugar.

Start by increasing your intake of fibre. “Fruit and veg are a great source of fibre,” Dr Barclay says. “Whether they are fresh, frozen or even canned.”

Fibre helps balance your blood glucose by slowing the time it takes for nutrients to be released into your bloodstream. The benefits include a more stable mood and fewer cravings, especially if you’re used to eating something sweet to get you through the 3pm slump.

You should choose low-GI wholegrain products, such as oats, barley, couscous and wholemeal pasta.

Have your blood glucose level tested

n Dr Alan Barclay dietician and chief scientific officer at the Glycaemic Index Foundation (www. gisymbol.com)

Warning signs of diabetes can be excessive thirst and urination, but that’s not always the case.

“The biggest problem is that you don’t necessarily know you have it. Symptoms can be easily mistaken for signs of ageing,” says Dr Barclay.

For instance, you might notice your vision is blurred or you’re feeling run down and more tired than usual.

However, everyone over 40 should be screened for diabetes as part of their NHS mid-life health check. A simple blood test will check your blood sugar level. n Reversing Diabetes by Dr Alan Barclay £14.99/ Murdoch Books

Reduce the waist Your waist size has the biggest impact on your blood glucose levels.

“Weight gain, particularly around the middle, makes you much more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes,” Dr Barclay says. “That’s because superficial belly fat means you’re likely to have deeper abdominal fat stores, and fat around the organs makes your body more resistant to insulin.

“Measure your waist about where your belly button is, then measure your height,” Dr Barclay says. “Divide your waist circumference by your height. If it’s more than 0.5, it means you’ve too much weight around your tummy.”

The key to losing centimetres is to shift the fat by exercise – not crash dieting.

“On some fad diets, you lose weight by reducing bone or muscle mass and end up being proportionally fatter,” Dr Barclay says.

“Instead, try walking, swimming, biking, dancing, tai chi or yoga.

“A little weight loss goes a long way - If you weigh 12st, losing just 6lb could be enough to reduce your risk of Type 2 diabetes developing.”

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r e m m Su y a d i l ho e l y t S

SEASIDE CHIC

Top, £18, 10-24, Bonmarché | Shorts, £12.50, 10-24, Bonmarché | Sunglasses, £12.50, Foster Grant | Sandals, £28, 4-8, Cotton Traders | Pumps, £39, 3-9 Hotter | Bag, £24.99, New Look

Pack your bags with these stylish finds and you’re guaranteed a fabulous holiday wherever your travels take you, says Fashion Editor Michelle Nightingale

Dress, £35, 10-26, JD Williams | Wedge shoes, £79, 3-8, Jones Bootmaker | Bracelet, £12, Accessorize | Hat, £14, Next

£29, 8-22, M&Co

£14, Next

tiP Stick to a simple colour palette to ensure your holiday wardrobe can be mixed and matched 40

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£26, 8-22, M&Co

Sunshine chic TIP Save space and minimise creasing by rolling your clothes

SIGHTSEEING STYLE Dress, £45, 8-22, M&Co | Shrug, £20, s-l, Wallis | Hat, £14, Next | Wedge shoes, £79, 3-8, Jones Bootmaker | Mules, £12, 3-8, Primark | Bag, £7, Primark

Stockists: Accessorize 0203 372 3053; Bonmarché 0330 026 2728; Cotton Traders 0844 844 1111; Foster Grant 01782 813 000; George at Asda 0800 952 3003; Hotter 0800 083 8490; JD Williams 0871 231 2000; Jones Bootmaker 0800 163 519; M&Co 0333 202 0720; New Look 0344 499 6690; Next 0333 777 8000; Olivia Burton www. oliviaburton.com; Wallis 0344 984 0266

or down Dress up

£60, Olivia Burton

PHOTOGRAPHY RUTH JENKINSON; STYLIST LINDSEY BAKER; HAIR AND MAKE-UP CARL STANLEY

£20, 8-22, George at Asda

Jacket, £32, 8-22, M&Co | Top, £15, 8-24, Wallis | Skirt, £30, 8-20, Wallis | Bracelets, £5.99, New Look | Bag, £75, Next

£32, Accessorize

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CHICKEN & KALE SALAD Spice up your summer with this delicious dish Serves: 2 Preparation time: 15 mins n n n n n n n

1 tsp peanut or coconut oil 1 shallot, finely sliced 1 lemongrass stalk, bruised 1 clove garlic, crushed ¼ tsp chilli powder ¼ tsp turmeric ¼ tsp ground ginger

GLUTE N FREE !

n 4 tbsp natural CO YO (or other n n n n n

natural yogurt) 1 cooked chicken breast, shredded ½ pomegranate 1x bag of baby kale Small bunch coriander Squeeze of lemon juice, to serve

1. Gently cook the shallot and lemongrass in a little oil until softened. Add the garlic, spices and a pinch of salt and cook for a further few minutes.

Take off the heat and stir in the yogurt to create a creamy spiced mixture.

2. Mix together the shredded chicken, yogurt and pomegranate seeds.

This can be cooled and refrigerated until needed.

3. Just before you’re ready to eat, stir through the kale and a few torn sprigs of coriander. Add a squeeze of lemon and serve.

Per serving: 233 cals 11g fat (7g sat fat)

C ook’s tip: This re cipe is gently spiced, so add a little e xtra chilli if you want to turn up the heat. Add cooked rice for a more filling lunch

MUSTARD SAUSAGE ROLLS This tasty offering takes only minutes to cook Serves: 12 Preparation time: 20 mins Cooking time: 15-20 mins n n n n n

450g (1lb) good-quality sausage meat 2 tbsp sage leaves, finely chopped 1 tbsp wholegrain mustard plain flour, for dusting 1x320g (11oz) sheet ready-rolled all-butter puff pastry n 1 medium egg, beaten n Cracked black pepper, for sprinkling

BUY THIS...

Cucumber and

Mint Pressé 1. Preheat the oven to 200°C/400°F/Gas Mark 6.

A perfectly refreshing Mix together the sausage drink from Belvoir Cordials meat, sage and mustard until that will be a hit at well combined. any picnic! Available 2. On a floured surface cut the from Ocado, pastry sheet in half lengthways.

0345 656 1234 Spread half the sausage meat £2.29l along the length of one of the /75c pastry pieces, shaping it into a sausage and leaving a 1-2cm (½-1in) gap at the edge. Brush the edge of the pastry with a little of the beaten egg and roll it around the sausage meat pressing down the edges to secure. Repeat with the other half of the pastry and sausage meat.

3. Cut each roll into 6 equal pieces and brush the tops with some beaten egg. Sprinkle over a little black pepper, if using, and transfer the sausage rolls to two lined baking sheets – leaving at least a 2cm (1in) gap between them.

4. Bake for 15-20 mins, until the pastry is crisp and golden. To check that the meat is cooked through, insert a skewer into the centre of one of the rolls for 10 seconds – if it comes out piping hot, the rolls are cooked. The sausage rolls will keep in the fridge for up to 2 days – allow them to come back to room temperature before serving.

Per serving: 203 cals 15g fat (6g sat fat) Recipes from Cath Kidston TEATIME: 50 Cakes and Bakes for Every Occasion.

Published by Quadrille. RRP: £15

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recipe inspiration ASPARAGUS & HAM ROLLS A lighter twist on a sausage roll Serves: 6 Preparation time: 15 mins Cooking time: 15-20 mins n 1x320g (11oz) sheet ready-rolled all-butter n n n n n

puff pastry 120g (4oz) garlic & herb soft cheese 100g (3½oz) fine asparagus spears 3 slices Parma ham, cut in half lengthways 1 egg, beaten 1 tbsp Parmesan cheese, finely grated

1. Preheat the oven to 200°C/400°F/Gas Mark 6.

On a floured surface cut the pastry into 6 equal squares.

2. Spread a sixth of the soft cheese diagonally along the centre of each square. Take a sixth of the asparagus spears and wrap them in one of the pieces of ham. Lay the ham-wrapped asparagus over the soft cheese. Pull the two opposite corners of pastry over the filling and brush the pastry with the beaten egg to seal.

Repeat with the other squares, then sprinkle the rolls with the Parmesan.

3. Bake on a lined baking sheet for 15-20 mins, until the pastry is crisp and golden. The rolls can be served warm or at room temperature. They can be kept in the fridge for up to 2 days.

Per serving: 317 cals 15g fat (8g sat fat) Recipes from Cath Kidston TEATIME: 50 Cakes and Bakes for Every Occasion. Published by Quadrille. RRP: £15

CRUNCHY COLESLAW

APPLE FLAPJACKS

We love this healthier alternative to a traditional coleslaw

These quick-and-easy flapjacks make the perfect picnic pud

Serves: 6-8 Preparation time: 15 mins

n 1kg (2lb 3oz) apples, peeled, cored

Toss one green apple and a handful of radishes in the juice of one lemon to prevent them browning.

Toss together with a small handful of toasted almonds, ½ finely sliced red cabbage, washed kale, red onion, celery stick and 1 large grated carrot in a large bowl. Pour 120g (4oz) FAGE Total 0% low-fat yogurt, 1 tbsp poppy seeds, ¼ tsp Dijon mustard, 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar and 2 tbsp maple syrup into a jam jar and shake or whisk with a fork until combined. Season to taste. Pour the dressing over the vegetables 30 mins before serving and toss together until evenly coated.

Per serving: 118 cals 6g fat (0.5g sat fat) FAGE Yogurt Total

Serves: 8 Preparation time: 10 mins Cooking time: 30 mins

n n n n n n

and grated 40g (1½oz) sugar 150g (5oz) butter 70ml (2½floz) golden syrup 200g (7oz) oats Pinch of salt Pinch of ground ginger

1. In a pan sprinkle the apples with the sugar, cover and cook over a gentle heat until they become soft.

2. Add the butter and golden syrup and bring to a gentle simmer.

3. Gently stir in the oats, salt and ginger. Pour the mixture into a buttered cake tin 20.5cm (8in) and bake in the oven at 180°C/350°F/ Gas Mark 4 for 30 mins. Allow to cool before turning out.

Per serving: 354 cals 18g fat (10g sat fat) Pink Lady Apples

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enjoy free time A round-up of places to visit and events for your calendar

Out&about

3 OF THE BEST COUNTY SHOWS Cotswold Show and Food Festival July 2-3 With dog agility, falconry, crafts and a Shetland Pony Grand National, there’s something to please everyone at this great family fun day out.

Inspect the goats, sheep and other livestock on show, then go for a nosey round the food festival and fill up an empty picnic hamper with the finest Cotswold produce. n For more info, call 0128 565 2007 or visit www.cotswoldshow.co.uk

Soak up some culture on the cobbled streets of this West Yorkshire town as the Hebden Bridge Arts Festival begins

Discover the charms of hebden Bridge in West yorkshire

Smith, and Radio 2 DJ Craig Charles.

As it’s the 200th anniversary of the birth of one of Yorkshire’s best-loved literary daughters, Charlotte Brontë, there will also be a talk by the bestselling author of Girl with a Pearl Earring and Brontë fan, Tracy Chevalier.

If you want to blow the cobwebs well and truly away, join in the Commoners Choir Walk and head up onto the

Hebden Bridge is one of the busiest, friendliest festivals of the season moors for a rousing singsong and a big gulp of fresh Yorkshire air. If history’s more your thing, you’ll find lots of special heritage events, many of them free, where you can discover the fascinating history of this part of ‘God’s own county’.

In between events, make sure you have time to explore the many artisan shops and charming picturesque houses. n the hebden Bridge arts Festival runs from June 24 to July 3. some events require pre-booking. to find out more visit www.hebdenbridge artsfestival.co.uk

The Great Yorkshire Show July 12-14 This Harrogate show gives you a first-hand experience of rural life. Watch the motorcycle display team, admire the prizewinning bulls and international show jumpers, then indulge at the Cheese & Dairy Show. n Call 0142 354 1222 or visit greatyorkshireshow.co.uk

Linger for longer Treat yourself to a relaxing stay at Garnett Bed and Breakfast in one of the original, characterful Grade II buildings on the main road through Hebden Bridge. From here, you can explore the town, the surrounding Pennines, Brontë country and the villages of Haworth and Heptonstall. If you want to head to the city, Leeds and Manchester are just a short train ride away. n to book Garnett B&B call 0759 408 0556 or visit www.hebdenbridge.biz

Royal Welsh Show July 18-21 Showcasing the cream of Welsh livestock and the best food and drink of the valleys, this show has lots going on, from forestry and crafts to countryside sports, to keep the whole family entertained. n To book, visit www.rwas.wales

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pics: alamy, rex/shutterstock

T

ucked away in the middle of Yorkshire’s rolling hills and sprawling moorland, Hebden Bridge is a charming little market town that’s bursting with creative types. Every summer, crowds flock to its higgledy-piggledy cobbled streets for a celebration of the arts, taking in everything from photography, film and music to theatre, spoken word and dance.

The Hebden Bridge Arts Festival is one of the busiest, friendliest festivals of the season. Now in its 26th year, it has seen guests such as children’s writer Jacqueline Wilson and current Poet Laureate, Carol Ann Duffy, headline its programme of events.

The festival has something for everyone from folk music, acrobatics shows and nostalgic storytelling to a Make Do and Mend café. Among the famous faces at this year’s festival will be poet and Yorkshireman Simon Armitage, folk singer Kate Rusby, comedian and One Show presenter Arthur