Yours 200

2 2 ‘Why I never heart to heart

take life for granted’ The One Show’s Alex Jones, presenter of the BBC’s new reality show Tumble, chats about going it alone…

By Alison James here’s something very sparkly about Alex Jones – and it’s not just the fabulously glittery eye make-up she happens to be wearing when we meet. She’s the kind of woman you can have a laugh with, but she’s really lovely and genuine with it. You only have to look at her to know that – and maybe this has something to do with her outlook on life.

“I never sit back and take my wonderful job for granted,” she says. “I know how lucky I am to do what I do for a living, but I also know it won’t last forever. There’s a big queue of people coming up behind me who would love to do my job. I’m completely living my childhood dream. I never thought I’d be on TV – I was so shy as a child and still am in a way, although you probably won’t

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believe that now.

I don’t like big crowds and still get over-awed at times.

“I always watch things back – even The One Show which we do five days a week. Every time I think, ‘Oh gosh, was that OK?’ about my work.”

Alex can rest assured it’s more than OK. If it were anything less, she wouldn’t have been chosen to host Tumble – and on her own, too. Although she admits going it alone did cause some nerves. “On The One Show I’m

‘I never thought I’d be on TV – I was so shy as a child and still am in a way, although you probably won’t believe that now!’

❙ star chat ❙ It’s been quite a year for Alex. In addition to presenting The One Show and now Tumble, in March this year she undertook her own challenge for the Sport Relief appeal.

Dubbed ‘Alex Against the Rock’, she climbed 1200ft up the face of the infamous Moonlight Buttress in the USA in just two-and-half days. It was announced live on the Sport Relief telethon she had raised £1,281,476 for the charity appeal.

“The climb taught me so much about myself,” she reveals. “Most of all that while people always think they know what their level actually is, when you’re pushed and have a reason to be pushed, you can achieve much more. I can’t say the climb was pleasant,

Alex with partner Charlie, left, and during her climbing challenge

but I couldn’t say no to doing it when I knew, because of the position I’m in, that I’d be able to raise a lot of money for Sport Relief. I had to get out there and give it a go. “It was probably the toughest thing I’ve ever done – although I think it was probably tougher for mum and dad watching at home in Wales and waiting for the phone to ring. My approach to things is just to go with the flow a lot ✢ Tumble of the time. I think you can over is on BBC1 worry about yourself and on Saturday life sometimes.” evenings Alex has a similar laid-back approach when she talks about the house she and her partner of three years, Charlie Thomson, are currently renovating in west London. “It’s rather like living in a building site,” she laughs. “And that, in its way, is almost as challenging as climbing the Moonlight Buttress! It won’t be finished by 2020 at this rate. You have to do it when you’ve got a bit of time – and I haven’t much at all right now.

Gymnast Louis Smith, above We’re living in the kitchen at the left, will be judging the acrobatic talents of celebrities including moment but who cares? It’ll get Andrea McLean and Peter Duncan done eventually – hopefully once my painting skills have improved.”

Psst…

PIC: GETTY IMAGES, REX FEAUTRES, BBC

used to working as half of a couple so it is quite nerve-wracking presenting Tumble on my own because it’s entirely up to me to hold it all together,” she says.

“There’s absolutely no sitting on my laurels. It’s something of a sink or swim situation, but I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to do it.

Which TV presenter wouldn’t be?

“I love doing live telly and don’t really do much recorded stuff at all. I like the adrenaline rush you get and the instant response from the audience – it’s a much more natural reaction and I like the thought of the viewers watching TV at home as it actually happens.”

She admits she is worried about negative criticism of Tumble, which sees brave celebrity contestants take on the challenge of becoming gymnasts.

“I know there’s bound to be some negativity – but I think Tumble will be a bit of a slow burn. It looks spectacular, is very dramatic and is the kind of programme the whole family can enjoy together. It also leads into Strictly very nicely.”

As a former Strictly contestant herself (she reached the semifinal in 2011), Alex (37) feels that experience helps her present her new show. “I know what it’s like to take part in a celebrity show and so I can hopefully be more empathetic and sympathetic with the competitors in Tumble,” she explains.

“OK – it’s a telly programme at the end of the day, but when you’re taking part you put your heart and soul into it. You train every day of the week, you’re really nervous and you only have that one chance to get it right. I can recall those feelings before every performance of Strictly and I’m hoping this helps the contestants on Tumble. “I don’t know much about gymnastics – the judges are the experts – but it’s my natural disposition to be empathetic and is a role I feel very comfortable in.”

Alex shares a secret

She’d love Prince Harry to take part in Tumble.

“It would be great to see him give it a go and I think he’d probably be up for it, although I doubt it will ever happen. I’ve met the Prince a few times and he’s lovely – very nice, natural and he’s funny with it.”

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Style notes

The denim skirt Who says denim can’t look smart?

Team with comfy flats now then tights and boots later in the year.

Kay wears: Pink dot knit and denim skirt, both £26, 8-22, M&Co

Star buys PHOTOGRAPHY RUTH JENKINSON; STYLIST JO WINCH; HAIR AND MAKE-UP DEBBIE STOREY

to ease you into autumn

Gorgeous wardrobe staples that will keep you looking good until winter arrives!

By Fashion Editor, Michelle Nightingale

The knit

While heavy jumpers earn their place during the colder months, a lighter knit is a great transitional piece to keep you stylish and cosy.

Denise wears: Green merino wool knit, £69, s-ll*, Kettlewell; skirt, £23, 6-22, Next; necklace, £20, Jon Richard at Debenhams * sizes 8-18 YOURS

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The blouse

A simple blouse is a must to get you through the year.

Stop it adding on the inches by tucking it in, then add accessories to instantly update your look.

Denise wears: Blouse, £28, 10-20, Next; skirt, £29, 8-22, M&Co; necklace, £25, Betty Jackson.Black at Debenhams

OUR PICKS that won’t ever date!

Flattering weekend essential.

Grey jersey jumper, £30, 12-24, Marisota

❤

Lynda

loves

“Fresh and useful, everyone should have a crisp white shirt in their wardrobe and teamed with a dark straight skirt it will always look smart. I’d put a jacket over this outfit or doll it up a bit with extra jewellery for a nice lunch out!”

Great for now and in spring!

Mac, £40, 12-32, Bonmarché

The dress

Mid-length sleeves, a slimming waist detail and hem that falls to the knee makes this dress a versatile and flattering choice.

Denise wears: Dress, £79, 8-18, Phase Eight; shoes, £32, 3-9, Next; bracelet, £8, Jon Richard at Debenhams

Versatile choice cardigan, £15, 12-24, Bonmarché

The jeans

Practical buy bag, £28, Bhs

Team yours with smart separates to take you easily from late summer through to winter.

Kay wears: Waterfall jacket, £38 and top £22, 6-22, both Next; Confident Curves jeans, £29, 10-24, Savoir at Isme; shoes, £25, 3-8, Marks & Spencer

❤ Lynda

“I love this white jacket paired with straight jeans. It’s a nice simple shape that also creates a streamlined image if you have a large bust. It’s a good disguise for any middle-aged roundness!

This would look great with boots, too.”

loves

STOCKISTS: Bhs 0344 411 6000 www.bhs.co.uk; Bonmarché 0330 0262 728 www.bonmarche. co.uk; Debenhams 0844 561 6161 www.debenhams. com; Isme 0844 811 8112 www.isme.com; Kettlewell Colours 01460 279 800 www.kettlewellcolours. co.uk; M&Co 0800 031 7200 www.mandco. com; Marisota 0871 984 6000 www.marisota. co.uk; Marks & Spencer 0845 609 0200 www. marksandspencer.com; Next 0844 844 8000 www.next.co.uk; Phase Eight 0207 471 4422 www.phase-eight.co.uk. All details correct at time of going to press. Unfortunately we cannot guarantee availability, particularly during sale time.

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Must-have scarf, £6, Bonmarché Classic style blue court shoe, £20, 3-8, Bhs ✢ NEXT ISSUE Great ways to dress yourself slimmer!

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Editor-at-large Valery McConnell bring us the highs and lows of the year Yours came into being…

1970s Valery

Looking back at

What we were watching on the gogglebox

We took Windsor Davies and Don Estelle to our hearts in 1974 when we saw the first showing of It Ain’t Half Hot Mum. Soon ‘Lovely Boy’ and ‘Mr La-diDa Gunner Graham’ became familiar catchphrases for us all. We also first watched Judith Chalmers showing us around fabulous holiday locations on ITV’s Wish You Were Here. As we had had power-cuts and rampant inflation at home at that time, it’s no surprise it was an instant hit!

PIC:ALAMY;CAMERA PRESS;CORBIS;COLLECTION CHRISTOPHEL©BBC/PYTHON PICTURES/DR MONTY PYTHONS FLYING CIRCUS;GETTY IMAGES; MIRRORPIX;REX FEATURES;;

What we were watching at the pictures

It was a year for controversial films.

Brave moviegoers went to see horror blockbuster The Exorcist, starring Linda Blair and Max von Sydow.

Those who were unshockable for different reasons viewed steamily erotic Emmanuelle with Sylvia Kristel.

Thankfully, the rest of us could safely watch Herbie Rides Again, knowing that Herbie was a cute VW car with a mind of his own and the only thing he was riding was the highway.

Who were our favourite pin-ups

It really depended on your age.

Teens could swoon over American

1974 THAT WAS THE YEAR WHEN… January ✢ For the first time, New Year’s Day was a public holiday ✢ To save energy during the miners’ strike, the three-day week was brought in

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in a hung parliament

February ✢ Children’s classic, Bagpuss, was first shown on TV ✢ The general election called

by PM Ted Heath resulted

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March ✢ Labour’s Harold Wilson led the first minority government since 1929 ✢ Agatha Christie’s play The Mousetrap moved to its permanent home at St Martin’s Theatre

✢ All contraception became free on the NHS, regardless of age or marital status

April ✢ Lada begin selling cars in the UK for £999

May ✢ The musical Billy, starring Michael Crawford, began its long run in the West End

✢ Abba went to number one in the charts with Eurovision winner, Waterloo June ✢ Jon Pertwee announced he was stepping down as Dr Who (right).

Tom Baker took over ✢ Northern Ireland was taken under

❙ happy days ❙ What was that year’s craze...

★ ★

Direct Rule from Westminster

July ✢ Real-life partners Jimmy Connors and Chris Evert (above)

★ Our faves from 40 years ago: Herbie, David Cassidy and Suzi Quatro. Above: Clint Eastwood and the irresistibly cuddly Wombles

were also Wimbledon champions ✢ West Germany beat the Netherlands in the World Cup final in Munich August ✢ President Nixon resigned following the Watergate revelations ✢ Prince Charles’ faves, The Three

heartthrobs Donny Osmond or David Cassidy, or go for blue-eyed home-grown David Essex, who sayed at number one for four weeks with Gonna Make You a Star. If you were that bit older, Charles Aznavour’s French accent made you go weak at the knees when he sang She. And we wouldn’t have said ‘no’ to action heroes Clint Eastwood and Steve McQueen starring the films Magnum Force and Papillon.

What music did we buy

It was glam-rock group Mud who topped and tailed the singles charts in 1974. Tiger Feet was at number one for four weeks in January, while Lonely This Christmas was the coveted Christmas number one.

Suzi Quatro struck a blow for female rockers with Devil Gate Drive, but Carl Douglas’s Kung Fu Fighting spent three weeks at number one because of the popular martial arts film around at the time. It was his only UK hit.

Degrees, were at number one with When Will I See You Again?

September ✢ The first episode of Porridge, starring Ronnie Barker

(below) was shown ✢ Ceefax, the world’s first teletext information service, was launched

Quite simply, The Wombles!

The charming children’s characters created by Elizabeth Beresford became hugely popular when they were turned into animated puppets by the BBC with a voice-over by Bernard Cribbins. Mike Batt wrote the theme music and soon we were all underground, overground and wombling free. He got together a band (all dressed in giant furry suits made by Mike’s mum) and became the most unlikely successful music act of 1974.

What were we eating and drinking

To impress our friends, we’d invite them round for a fondue, washed down with Mateus Rosé. And we’d make coffee in our new percolator served with cream and brown sugar. Who remembers Pony, ‘the little drink with the big kick’? It was actually just cream sherry, but proved surprisingly popular for a while. Children were fond of the equally unappetising Cresta, a luridly coloured fizzy soda drink. It was the polar bear declaring: “It’s frothy, man” that we really fell for.

October ✢ The first UK McDonalds opened in Woolwich ✢ The year’s second general election saw a Labour majority of three seats November ✢ Lord Lucan disappeared following the murder of his children’s nanny YOURS

✢ Disaster movie, Earthquake, went on UK release December ✢ The last episode of Monty Python’s Flying Circus (right) was broadcast ✢ MP John Stonehouse was found living in Australia having faked his death

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Celebration cakes Mark a special occasion with these show-stopping creations!

Hazelnut Meringue Layer Cake Easy to make ahead and assemble at the last minute Preparation time: 20 mins Cooking time: 30 mins

■ 250g (9oz) whole hazelnuts ■ 8 egg whites ■ 300g (11oz) caster sugar ■ 200ml double cream ■ 200g (7oz) strawberries, hulled and sliced in half ■ 100g (4oz) raspberries ■ Icing sugar to decorate 82

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1. Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F/ Gas Mark 4.

2. Blitz the hazelnuts in a blender until very fine.

3. Take a clean, grease-free bowl and add the egg whites. Whisk the egg whites until they form soft peaks. Gradually add the caster sugar spoon by spoon, whisk well in between. Continue until all the sugar has been added and the mixture is thick and glossy, then fold in the hazelnuts.

4. Divide the mix between three greased and lined Victoria sandwich tins and then bake it in the preheated oven for about 2530 mins, until golden.

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5. When done, take out of the oven, cool in the tins and then carefully remove.

6. Whip the cream until it forms soft peaks and spread a third of the mixture onto one of the meringues. Add a layer of strawberries and raspberries, and then top with the second meringue. Repeat the process with the second and third meringue topping the final meringue with the remaining cream and strawberries until you end up with a top layer of strawberries.

7. To finish, sprinkle with icing sugar © www.breastcancercare.org.uk/strawberry www.sweetevestrawberry.co.uk

FOOD

notes

Blueberry and Lavender Cake A moist bake bursting with fresh blueberries and scented with lavender Preparation time: 90 mins Cooking time: 25 mins

■ 175g (6oz) unsalted butter, room temperature ■ 175g (6oz) caster sugar ■ 3 eggs ■ 1 tsp vanilla extract ■ 225g (8oz) self-raising flour, sieved ■ 150g (5oz) Greek Style low-fat natural yogurt ■ 150g (5oz) fresh blueberries Lavender syrup ■ 60g (2½oz) caster sugar ■ 40ml water ■ 3 sprigs of fresh lavender including flowers Lavender & blueberry icing ■ 250g (9oz) unsalted butter, room temperature ■ 750g (27oz) icing sugar, sieved ■ 75g (3oz) fat-free blueberry yogurt ■ Drop of milk ■ 10g (½oz) violet food colouring 1. Grease three 6in (15cm) round loose-bottom cake tins and line with parchment paper. Pre-heat oven to 170°C/325°F/Gas Mark 3.

2. Cream together butter and sugar until pale and fluffy.

Add the eggs one at a time and continue to whisk after each. Add the vanilla extract followed by the flour.

3. Fold in yogurt and blueberries ensuring good distribution.

4. Pour the mixture into the cake tins evenly and bake until risen, golden brown and springy to touch. Insert a skewer into the centre of each cake and if it comes out clean the cakes are cooked.

5. Transfer the cakes to a wire cooling rack to cool completely before removing from the tins.

6. To make the lavender syrup, take a small pan and add all the ingredients, simmer on high heat for 5 mins.

Remove from the heat and allow to cool, then strain and discard the stalks.

7. To make the lavender and blueberry icing, beat the butter with the icing sugar until a paste is formed. Add the yogurt and mix in. If the icing paste seems stiff, add a drop of milk. Add the food colouring and continue to beat on high speed ensuring all colour is incorporated and the mixture is not streaky.

8. To assemble, take each cake and remove the parchment paper. Place onto the serving plate, drizzle with 1 tbsp of lavender syrup, allow to soak into the cake then spread a quarter of the icing onto the cake, spreading it to the edges, using a palette knife. Repeat this process with the second and third cake, layering with syrup and then icing. With the remaining icing – cover the top and sides of the cake and spread smoothly.

9. Decorate with fresh lavender sprigs or lavender sugar (available in Lakeland or major supermarkets). ©www.rachelsorganic.co.uk

TOP TIP Ensure an even colour by beating ingredients together on a high speed

Lemon Meringue Cupcakes Have a guilt-free celebration with these low-fat and lowsugar cupcakes Prep time: 15 mins Cooking time: 20 mins 1. Preheat the oven to 170°C/325°F/Gas Mark 3.

2. Using a mixer, whisk together 60g (2½oz) light margarine and 225g (8oz) sugar replacement (eg Splenda), until light and creamy. Mix in 115g (4oz) unsweetened apple purée, 2 tsp lemon essence and zest of 1 lemon, 185g (6½oz) sifted self-raising flour, and 2 tsp baking powder. In a separate bowl, whisk 4 egg whites to stiff peaks and fold into the cake batter.

3. Divide the mixture between the muffin cases and bake for 20 mins, until the cakes are firm and spring back to your touch. Transfer to a rack to cool.

4. For the meringue, place 125g (4½oz) caster sugar (or reduced-sugar substitute), 2 egg whites, 1 tbsp water and a pinch of salt in a heatproof bowl over a pan of simmering water. Whisk all the time until the sugar has melted and the mixture reaches 60°C. Remove the bowl from the heat and whisk vigorously until the mixture becomes meringue-like.

5. Spread a little lemon curd over the top of each cupcake. Spoon the meringue into the piping bag and pipe a large swirl on top of each cake. Gently caramelise the meringue under the grill until it is golden brown.

Because of the meringue topping, these cakes are best eaten on the day they are made.

Wicked Cupcakes by Luisa Zissman, published by Bantam Press, £14.99. Photography: © Robin Matthews YOURS EVERY FORTNIGHT

Sharing the

Caring

Where Yours brings the caring community together with information and support

Welcome... to the Sharing and Caring pages where we share uplifting stories. I hope you’ll be inspired by how Jane Mulhern faced up to life after being diagnosed with breast cancer.

Rosie Sandall, Reader Care Editor

‘I want to give something back’ few years ago when Jane Mulhern was expecting visitors, she used to rush around and clean the house – today she hopes people will accept her home as they find it as she thinks there are far more important things than housework.

Having a much more laid-back attitude to life and not worrying about little things is how Jane copes after a diagnosis of breast cancer.

“Being told you have cancer puts life in perspective,” says Jane. “You get to face your own mortality and you learn to realise that most things we worry about don’t matter at all.”

Today, two years after she discovered a lump in her breast, Jane says she’s still on her “cancer journey” but that she now wants to devote her time to supporting other people facing the same thing.

Since completing her own cancer treatment which involved a

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mastectomy and chemotherapy, Jane has been fundraising for Macmillan Cancer Support and she’s also set up a support group to help other people recovering from cancer.

Jane (52) has now joined Carers in Touch to encourage other people that, hard as it may seem at times, life can still be enjoyed after having cancer.

Her journey began when she discovered a lump in her breast – she’d always been careful to check herself as her mother had suffered from breast cancer many years ago.

On the day of her diagnosis she says she ‘went deaf’ and relied on her husband, Chris, to take in as much as he could about what the doctors were telling them.

“You just never think it will happen to you,” says Jane. “It doesn’t sink in at first but I decided to carry on with life as normally as my treatment would allow and not to think about cancer all the time.”

When they got home from hospital, Jane and Chris broke the news to their two

Jane’s diagnosis helped her put life in perspective

sons and their daughter and she says there were ‘many tears’.

But in the days ahead, Jane realised that she needed to adopt a positive attitude in order to face her operation and treatment.

Jane’s tips for coping with cancer:

✢ Buy a brightly coloured bag and put all the leaflets you are given in the bag.

Read one at a time otherwise you will be overwhelmed ✢ Don’t suffer on your own; join a support group and talk to other people – our group meets in a pub and we laugh all the time. We enjoy a lot of black humour ✢ If you are a carer, which is a stressful job, get support for yourself ✢ Don’t be afraid to ask questions – however silly you think they are ✢ Take someone with you to all your appointments – you probably won’t take in what’s being said.-

Rosie’s Who pays for care? news Who pays for temporary round-up residential care can be

Star letter

I’m so glad I joined the Yours Bereavement complicated. Specialist advice group. I have received website www.myageingparent. letters and emails and com has a simple guide to funding temporary have arranged to meet two care for elderly relatives. Most people with members for coffee. I’ve assets will have to fund their own temporary enjoyed writing to others in the care, but allowances should be made to same boat. Is bereavement enable them to maintain their own home. easier for men? When I pass The value of their home will not be included our local pub I’d love to pop in in the means test. but can’t face going in alone. ✢ Please send any news, stories, or I’m sure a man would. letters for Rosie to the address below Angela Cleife, by email

Carers in touch

The free Yours Carers in Touch scheme has helped carers and those on their own through bereavement or illness to make lasting friendships. Rosie meets Molly Wright When Molly and David Wright married 14 years ago, they looked forward to a long and happy marriage. Both of them had been widowed and they considered themselves lucky to find love the second time around.

Sadly, they now find themselves living apart as David’s dementia meant that Molly couldn’t care for him at home any longer.

Now Molly (72) is trying to adjust to living alone while David is cared for in a nearby nursing home.

“We had many happy years before David began to show signs of dementia,” says Molly. “The first time I noticed something was wrong was when David couldn’t do the scoring for card games – something he

always did.

“We had some lovely holidays after David retired from farming but eventually it became impossible for us to travel.”

Molly – who has recently been given the all-clear five years after being treated for ovarian cancer – says that things came to a head last year when it became clear she could no longer care for him at home.

Now that David is being cared for, Molly has joined the WI, goes to a weekly tea dance and carers’ group, and has just booked her first coach holiday to Austria. She recently joined Carers in Touch to make some new friends.

✢ Congratulations Molly! You will receive a £50 high street voucher.

If you know a carer who deserves recognition, please write to Rosie Sandall at the address on p3, or email rosemary.sandall@ bauermedia.co.uk

How to get in touch To join Carers in Touch or the Yours Bereavement Support group, write to: Rosie Sandall, Yours, Media House, Peterborough Business Park, Peterborough PE2 6EA Email: rosemary.sandall@bauermedia.co.uk Please include your full name and address (and email if you have one), a few personal details about your situation, family, interests and a contact telephone number and I will be in touch soon.

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PICS: JOHN SANDALL, ALAMY

Facing a mastectomy was very hard indeed and this was followed by six months of chemotherapy when Jane lost all her hair.

“I had lovely long hair,” says Jane, “so I had it cut short and then shaved it. It was a painful time as you lose your femininity; I didn’t feel human.

I bought wigs, but at home I just went around with a bald head.”

It was while Jane was very poorly at home after chemo that she decided she wanted to “give something back” after her treatment.

“I went to a day centre where I met other people who had cancer and I received so much support from them.

No one can make the cancer journey on their own. Talking to other people makes you feel like you are in an executive club with people who really understand how you feel.

“I enjoy life every day now. I’m upbeat and positive; I’m quite a different person! I’ve learned how to relax and I enjoy spending time with my family and my granddaughter. You can’t sit around waiting to see if cancer will come back. I look after myself now; I always wear make-up, I have my hair and nails done and I do whatever makes me happy. You can’t change a cancer diagnosis but you can still enjoy life.

“If by telling my story, I can encourage one person to check anything unusual about their body, then it will all be worthwhile.”

❙ your stars ❙

horoscopes ght

Astrologer Lynne Ewart predicts what’s in store for you

this fortni

Between August 19 and September 1 With Mercury in Virgo, it’s a good time for tending the little details that keep life running along, while a new Moon on the 25th favours making serious efforts to straighten out anything that’s been holding us back.

PIC: REX FEATURES

If it’s your birthday this fortnight…

…from the 23rd onwards, you are Virgo, like actress Suranne Jones born August 27, 1978. Virgoans are worriers and perfectionists who always feel they could do better, and yet they often put the rest of us to shame with their skills. Virgo is kind, considerate, and also pretty independent.

Suranne’s chart reveals an exact conjunction of the Sun with Saturn, suggesting a serious, cautious approach to life, yet her communicator planet Mercury is alight with aspects, so acting is almost therapeutic for her. January will bring a reprised role linked to what’s decided this October.

VIRGO

CAPRICORN

TAURUS

Aug 24-Sept 22 A determined new Virgo Moon forms on the 25th, which could see you applying yourself diligently to a new regime, and perhaps marking a significant time for a sibling.

Thought for the fortnight: A ‘back to school’ choice could feature. ✢ For a weekly update call 09044 705705

December 22-Jan20 Official business could be resolved under the new Moon of the 25th, and with Mars and Saturn aligned, this might involve property or funds.

A group could also feature.

Thought for the fortnight: Trust your intuition over a tricky choice. ✢ For a weekly update call 09044 705709

Apr 21-May 21 There’s a new focus around a loved one as they arrive at a new chapter in life, maybe through work. Look out for a very efficient expert around late August, too.

Thought for the fortnight: An improvement could finally begin. ✢ For a weekly update call 09044 705701

LIBRA

AQUARIUS

GEMINI

Sept 23-Oct 23 It’s time to draw back a little and tuck yourself in to do something different, such as research into future possibilities, perhaps with resources in mind.

Thought for the fortnight: A break will do you good. ✢ For a weekly update call 09044 705706

Jan 21-Feb18 You are in a purposeful phase, where you have a mission and you’re going to see it through; it may involve a strengthening process of some kind.

Thought for the fortnight: You are about to become better organised. ✢ For a weekly update call 09044 705710

May 22-June 21 With a new Moon on the home zone of your chart, an all-change domestic phase or even a new arrival could be keeping your clan rather busy!

Thought for the fortnight: Try to make sure you get enough shut-eye! ✢ For a weekly update call 09044 705702

SCORPIO

PISCES

CANCER

Oct 24-Nov 22 Mars and Saturn give you added focus on an allimportant target or precious goal, and whether that’s personal or professional, you really can make a difference.

Thought for the fortnight: There’s a green light on plans. ✢ For a weekly update call 09044 705707

Feb 19-Mar 20 With a new Moon forming in your partner house, it’s a good time for being a ‘we’ rather than a ‘me’, so team up to achieve those goals.

Thought for the fortnight: Time to concentrate! ✢ For a weekly update call 09044 705711

June 22-July 22 Your usual routines give way to something new, with an emphasis on either a team or a partnership project that has a ring of success around it.

Thought for the fortnight: The devil’s in the detail. ✢ For a weekly update call 09044 705703

ARIES

LEO

Mar 21-Apr 20 A certain project demands a lot. You’ll pull out the stops to achieve something that to others may seem daunting, but you Ariens do come well equipped for taking on life’s challenges!

Thought for the fortnight: You know you can do it! ✢ For a weekly update call 09044 705700

July 23-Aug 23 The presence of Jupiter in Leo makes everything larger than life, while also opening new doors, quite literally for some, as a domestic change looks set to go ahead.

Thought for the fortnight: A well-planned project takes off nicely. ✢ For a weekly update call 09044 705704

SAGITTARIUS Nov 23-Dec 21 Ambitions, property matters and ‘doing your homework’ feature. There’s an awaited turnaround for someone close, too.

Thought for the fortnight: Light could be shed on an old mystery. ✢ For a weekly update call 09044 705708

Calls cost 66p per minute from a BT landline. Calls from other operators and mobiles may vary. Weekly readings last approx five minutes, monthly readings approx nine minutes, year ahead readings approx 13 minutes. For entertainment purposes only. Users must be over 18. Service provider: Spoke. Customer services helpline: 0845 270 8302 (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm). www.lynneewart.com YOURS

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