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Sir Roger Moore’s daughter<br />

pays tribute to her dad…<br />

‘He was kind and generous to all’<br />

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Dawn at 60<br />

The birthday<br />

advice that’s<br />

made her laugh<br />

SEPT 26-<br />

OCT 9, 2017<br />

£1.55<br />

Graham Norton:<br />

‘Mum keeps me<br />

grounded’<br />

19 seasonal craft<br />

& cookery projects<br />

AUTUMN<br />

HARVEST<br />

✶ Bake a damson cobbler<br />

✶ Sew a hot water bottle cover<br />

✶ Low-cal mushroom recipes<br />

Win Luxury hotel breaks & more


Inside<br />

utumn!<br />

a Let’s celebrate<br />

this fortnight...<br />

COVER PIC: PEROU/REX/SHUTTERSTOCK<br />

Real life<br />

9 Animal Magic<br />

12 ‘Warming hearts this winter’<br />

16 Try something new: ballet<br />

18 Hats off to Marie!<br />

20 James Herriot documentary<br />

23 ‘I didn’t know I had a heart<br />

condition’<br />

28 ‘My hair-loss story’<br />

35 Bringing hope to victims of<br />

domestic abuse<br />

Star chat<br />

10 COVER Dawn French<br />

14 COVER Graham Norton<br />

24 COVER Roger Moore: ‘Dad’s<br />

kindness helped me so much’<br />

31 Joanne Froggatt’s new role<br />

146 Life Lessons with Suzi Quatro<br />

Your best life now!<br />

40 COVER New styles for autumn<br />

45 Get your glow on!<br />

46 Eye candy<br />

48 COVER Build your defences<br />

53 Health clues in your loo<br />

55 Happy feet<br />

Good to know<br />

66 Yours Retirement Services<br />

68 Winter wildlife tips<br />

71 Find your lost pet<br />

73 Your questions answered<br />

75 Watching the pennies<br />

Nostalgia<br />

60 The fun of chats on the phone!<br />

63 ‘My days a pin-up girl!’<br />

Leisure time<br />

87 COVER Mushroom recipes<br />

93 COVER Delicious damsons<br />

95 COVER Seasonal makes<br />

99 Knit a tea cosy<br />

101 Trees to plant for autumn colour<br />

103 A long weekend in Warwick<br />

104 Ten reasons to visit Hong Kong<br />

107 The Dark Skies Festival<br />

Your favourites<br />

57 Meeting Place<br />

65 Roy Hudd<br />

81 Friends of Yours<br />

109 Carers in touch<br />

118 COVER Your free<br />

chiffon scarf<br />

121 COVER Puzzles to test you<br />

& prizes to win<br />

137 Short story<br />

145 Horoscopes<br />

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OF PRIZES<br />

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60<br />

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yours.co.uk<br />

71<br />

40<br />

New-season<br />

styles to suit you<br />

Welcome…<br />

I love this time of year! The beautiful colours of nature,<br />

wearing snuggly jumpers and boots, cosy nights in and<br />

a return to comforting, hearty food.<br />

Our Inspiring You section this issue celebrates<br />

the very best autumn has to offer. Turn to p87 for<br />

delicious meals to make with mushrooms, seasonal<br />

craft projects and a fruity damson cobbler recipe to<br />

try. Plus, our fashion editor has scoured the high street<br />

for the new season’s styles that look great but won’t<br />

cost you a fortune (p40).<br />

The downside of autumn though (apart from the<br />

shorter days) is the prevalence of colds and flu. And,<br />

if you feel like you get every bug going these<br />

days, it’s not your imagination... your immune<br />

system does get less efficient as you get older so<br />

it’s essential to do everything you can to<br />

build your defences now. Turn to p48<br />

for the expert advice that will help<br />

keep you well all winter.<br />

See you next issue<br />

104<br />

Reasons<br />

to visit<br />

Hong Kong<br />

Keep in touch...<br />

We want to hear your news and views<br />

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Yours magazine,<br />

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Peterborough Business Park,<br />

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PE2 6EA<br />

Email<br />

yours@bauermedia.co.uk<br />

FACEBOOK<br />

facebook.com/<br />

Yoursmagazine<br />

Sharon Reid,<br />

Editor<br />

Subscription query?<br />

Call 01858 43 8884<br />

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Angela Whenman is here to help if you<br />

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For other queries call 01733 468000.<br />

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68<br />

Feed the birds<br />

this winter<br />

Autumnal cookery<br />

and home ideas<br />

The<br />

eyes<br />

have it!<br />

Visit our website<br />

yours.co.uk<br />

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Suzi<br />

Quatro


eauty picks<br />

Perk up your peepers in seconds with these age-defying buys,<br />

says Beauty Editor Michelle Nightingale<br />

Eye-opening tricks<br />

Wide-awake eyes are easy to cheat. Start with a light eyeshadow such as Bourjois’s<br />

Colorband Eyeshadow & Liner in Beige Minimaliste (£5.99), once set it lasts all day.<br />

Curling your lashes will also help and Laura<br />

Mercier’s eyelash curler (£11) is easy to grip,<br />

so you’re less likely to pinch the skin. A more<br />

flattering shade than black, brown eyeliner will<br />

softly define eyes. Maybelline’s Master Smoky<br />

(£5.99), gives long-lasting wear and has a builtin<br />

sponge to smudge the line for a natural look.<br />

Super<br />

serum<br />

The delicate under-eye<br />

area loses moisture<br />

far more quickly<br />

than any other part<br />

of your face. Olay<br />

Eyes Firming Eye<br />

Serum (£24.99/15ml),<br />

hydrates and firms,<br />

tackling fine lines<br />

and wrinkles.<br />

LUSCIOUS LASHES<br />

Mascara is a must for defined eyes and we think Gosh’s<br />

My Favourite Mascara (£9.99) is one of the best. It gives<br />

buildable coverage and made our lashes look thicker and<br />

longer without flaking. Wunder Extensions Lash Extension<br />

Stain Mascara (£19.95) promises three days of smudgeproof<br />

and waterproof wear. You’ll need an oil-based<br />

eye make-up remover to take it off.<br />

DON’T FORGET…<br />

…to keep your brows neatly groomed as this instantly helps<br />

frame and lift your face. Get yours professionally shaped at least<br />

twice a year and pluck sparingly in between to keep them tidy.<br />

Tweezers with sharp, slanted tips such as the Boots Precision<br />

Grip Slanted Tweezers (£3.80) give the best results. Fill gappy<br />

brows with a brow pencil using short strokes.<br />

Revlon’s Brow Fantasy (£7.99), comes with a<br />

sheer, tinted gel to keep stray hairs in place.<br />

Eye candy<br />

Stockists: Boots 0845 070 8090; Bourjois available nationwide; Gosh available from Superdrug 0345 671 0709; Laura Mercier available from<br />

John Lewis 0345 604 9049; Maybelline available from Superdrug; Olay, Revlon and Wunder available from Boots<br />

46<br />

YOURS n EVERY FORTNIGHT


♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥<br />

Inspiring<br />

YOU<br />

craft<br />

+ +<br />

easy crafting tasty recipes genius ideas<br />

Autumnal floral display<br />

An easy-to-make stunning centrepiece<br />

Time: 20 mins Skill level: Beginner<br />

Materials:<br />

Large pumpkin<br />

Fresh-cut flowers,<br />

leaves and<br />

berries<br />

A large scoop for<br />

the pumpkin<br />

Bring the beauty of<br />

autumn into your home<br />

with these creative ideas<br />

Seasonal Makes<br />

1. Cut a large circle off the top of your<br />

pumpkin and scoop out the flesh and seeds.<br />

This can be put aside and used for cooking.<br />

2. Fill the hollowed pumpkin with water.<br />

3. Place fresh flowers in your pumpkin vase.<br />

4. Display somewhere cool and it will last for<br />

up to two weeks.<br />

Cut small holes in the<br />

tops of apples to<br />

make a natural<br />

tealight holder<br />

fun to make<br />

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥<br />

Autumn leaf<br />

biscuits<br />

Serves: 8 Prep:15 mins Cook 12 mins<br />

1. Mix 300g (10½oz) plain flour, a pinch of<br />

salt and 100g (4oz) sugar. Make a well in the<br />

centre, break one egg into it and gently whisk.<br />

Chop 200g (7oz) of cold butter into small<br />

pieces and scatter around the edge.<br />

2. Combine everything with a knife and mix<br />

well or knead using a mixer.<br />

3. Form the dough into a ball and wrap in<br />

clingfilm for an hour or overnight in the fridge.<br />

4. Roll out on a floured surface. Either use a<br />

leaf cutter or cut into leaves using a sharp<br />

knife. Use a fork to make the vein detail<br />

inside your leaf.<br />

5. Bake for 10-12 mins in a preheated oven at<br />

200°C/ 400°F/Gas Mark 6.<br />

Use natural foliage<br />

to make a pretty<br />

table setting<br />

Snuggly fox<br />

Make a cuddly hot-water bottle cover using an old jumper and felt<br />

Time: 40 mins Skill level: Intermediate<br />

Materials:<br />

Old knitted jumper<br />

Rubber hot-water bottle<br />

Pieces of felt in rusty orange, black<br />

and white<br />

YOU COULD DESIGN<br />

A CAT OR DOG INSTEAD!<br />

Polyester toy stuffing<br />

Embroidery thread in black<br />

Fabric glue<br />

Velcro strip<br />

1. Turn your jumper inside out and draw the outline of the<br />

hot-water bottle on it. Repeat so you have two pieces.<br />

2. Sew the pieces together at the top and up two sides. Hem the<br />

bottom seams and sew or glue the Velcro onto both bottom edges.<br />

3. Using the picture as a guide, cut out 2 pieces for the fox’s face and<br />

one for the tail using the rusty orange felt. Take the white felt and cut<br />

out two triangles for the ears and three teardrop shapes (two for the<br />

eyes and one for the tail). Cut out a small circle of black for the nose.<br />

5. Position the fox tail on the knitted hot-water bottle cover,<br />

and sew using the free arm of the sewing machine but leave an<br />

opening for filling. Stuff the tail and, using the fabric glue, stick the<br />

white tip on the end of the tail. Sew the opening closed.<br />

6. To make the head, put the two orange face pieces together and<br />

sew, leaving a small gap for filling. Turn right side out, fill then sew<br />

the opening closed. Using the black thread, sew eyelashes on the<br />

two teardrop pieces. Using fabric glue, attach the white ears, eye<br />

pieces and the black circle nose to the face.<br />

7. Once dry, hand sew the fox’s head onto the bottle cover in the<br />

position shown.<br />

8. Insert hot water bottle from the bottom.<br />

Pretty pumpkin lanterns<br />

Pumpkin carving isn’t just<br />

for Hallowe’en!<br />

These stylish lanterns will<br />

fill your home with a warm<br />

and cosy glow. Make a series of<br />

holes using a drill, or simply<br />

cut out a heart shape from the<br />

front of your pumpkin and pop<br />

a small candle inside.<br />

94<br />

YOURS n EVERY FORTNIGHT<br />

YOURS n EVERY FORTNIGHT<br />

95


star chat<br />

PICS: ALAMY STOCK PHOTO, WENN, BBC, FAMEFLYNET<br />

By Vicki Power<br />

On stage, Graham Norton<br />

is waspish and witty as<br />

he holds court on The<br />

Graham Norton Show.<br />

His quick-fire asides<br />

and irreverent responses mean that<br />

former comedian Graham often<br />

outshines the parade of A-list guests<br />

gracing his sofa.<br />

But that’s just one side of him. The<br />

Graham I’ve met many times is still<br />

naturally very funny, but also much<br />

kinder and warmer than the man on<br />

stage. Off screen, there are no shiny<br />

suits, but a measured, thoughtful<br />

man. It’s a side of him we glimpsed in<br />

his first novel, Holding – a warm Irish<br />

yarn that came out last year to much<br />

acclaim – and in the compassionate<br />

responses he writes to readers’ letters<br />

as agony uncle for The Telegraph<br />

newspaper.<br />

Graham (54) is full of natural<br />

empathy and when I ask him where<br />

it comes from, he puzzles over the<br />

answer, stroking his salt-and-pepper<br />

beard. “I suppose I find it easy to put<br />

myself in other people’s shoes and<br />

imagine what that’s like,” he says.<br />

“What’s useful when you’re<br />

‘What’s useful when<br />

you’re advising people is<br />

not to see their part, but<br />

to see what’s driving the<br />

other person’<br />

advising people is not to see their<br />

part, but to see what’s driving the<br />

other person,” he continues. “You<br />

know when you’re like, ‘My motherin-law’s<br />

been very unreasonable,’ it’s<br />

handy to get into the mother-in-law’s<br />

head. She didn’t just wake up and<br />

decide to do this. But I don’t know if<br />

that’s empathy or trying to get inside<br />

someone else’s head.”<br />

Graham has never had therapy<br />

himself, but says he enjoys<br />

counselling others. “Some people in<br />

my group of friends do ask me what<br />

they should do. I think I have always<br />

liked giving advice, asked for or not,”<br />

Kindness<br />

of the chat<br />

show king<br />

Self-deprecating and humble,<br />

Graham Norton chats to Yours<br />

about being an agony uncle, family<br />

bonds and what he loves most<br />

he quips, adding that he adheres to<br />

strict self-imposed guidelines when<br />

it comes to advice-giving. “When it’s<br />

for romantic problems, you just listen<br />

then reinforce what the person already<br />

knows. Don’t shed light on anything,<br />

because otherwise you get blamed.<br />

And if they break up and get back<br />

together again, you can’t unsay what’s<br />

been said!”<br />

Graham has always displayed a<br />

caring nature towards his mother,<br />

Rhoda, particularly since the death of<br />

his father, Billy Walker, in 2000, from<br />

Parkinson’s Disease. He says the only<br />

good thing to have emerged from his<br />

father’s death is that it brought him<br />

closer to Rhoda and older sister, Paula.<br />

Graham with mum<br />

Rhoda, who is ‘very<br />

proud’ of her son<br />

Graham says he inherited his sharp<br />

sense of humour from his mum. “My<br />

mother’s instinct is, like mine, to be<br />

judgemental and dive in with a hard<br />

line,” he says with a chuckle. “But if<br />

you talk things over with her, she’s<br />

insightful and can see through things.”<br />

Graham is often a bit hesitant<br />

to discuss family members, eager<br />

to protect them from the spotlight<br />

that shines on him. We chat about<br />

his mum’s appearance in the short<br />

film shown at this year’s National<br />

Television Awards just before he was<br />

given the Special Recognition prize.<br />

It was full of celebrities singing his<br />

praises, but Rhoda stole the film when<br />

she admitted she was proud of her son,<br />

quipping, “But I’m not the type to go<br />

around telling anybody that. So don’t<br />

tell anybody.”<br />

“That’s true!” he laughs about his<br />

mother not being one to over-praise.<br />

“But it would be weird to, because I feel<br />

children can get too much affirmation<br />

from their parents – otherwise, it’s a<br />

tough blow to get to eight or nine and<br />

realise you’re not the best at everything<br />

and you’re not a princess.”<br />

He is quick to add that his<br />

childhood, spent moving around<br />

Ireland due to his father’s job with<br />

Guinness, was happy. “I’m not making<br />

out like she was a cruel mother. There<br />

were lots of cuddles and kisses and<br />

stuff, but at the same time there was<br />

quite a low level of flannel.” Graham<br />

says he was closer to his mum than his<br />

dad, but felt well-supported by both:<br />

“As far as I know, I had a very happy<br />

upbringing and I loved my parents and<br />

they loved me, but obviously it’s the<br />

only family I’ve been in.”<br />

Graham hasn’t found the love of his<br />

life, but has had long-term boyfriends<br />

over the years. He lives in Wapping<br />

with the dogs he dotes on – Bailey, a<br />

labradoodle, and rescue dog Madge, a<br />

terrier cross. What makes him happiest<br />

is, ‘Walking the dogs on the beach on a<br />

windy, wet day.’<br />

It’s ironic to hear Graham talking<br />

about the ‘tough blow’ of discovering<br />

as a kid that you’re not the best at<br />

everything, because he’s proven<br />

himself annoyingly adept at many<br />

pursuits. Not content to rule Britain’s<br />

chat show world, Graham also lends<br />

his comedic talents to presenting<br />

the Eurovision Song Contest and<br />

The BAFTA TV awards as well as<br />

presenting a Saturday morning show<br />

for Radio 2. He’s also acted on stage<br />

and on TV, most notably in Father<br />

Ted, and is currently hard at work on<br />

his second novel after his first became<br />

a bestseller and won a Popular Fiction<br />

Prize in Ireland.<br />

‘“I still feel surprised when I look<br />

at that book on a shelf and go, ‘Wow I<br />

managed to do that’,” admits Graham.<br />

“To get those words in an order that<br />

makes sense and have people read it –<br />

I am shocked by that.”<br />

It’s the same feeling he occasionally<br />

gets on his chat show. He admits he<br />

sometimes has to pinch himself when<br />

seeing the Hollywood elite lined up<br />

on his sofa.<br />

“Some nights I’m introducing<br />

guests on the show and I look around<br />

and go, ‘Wow, this is my show and<br />

these people are on it. It’s incredible’.”<br />

Or maybe not so incredible when<br />

you’re as naturally talented and, yes,<br />

as kind as Graham Norton is.<br />

n The Graham Norton Show is on BBC1<br />

on Friday evenings<br />

Who let the dogs out...<br />

Graham is the proud<br />

owner of two pooches<br />

14 YOURS n EVERY FORTNIGHT<br />

YOURS n EVERY FORTNIGHT 15


Update your wardrobe in time for the cooler weather with these<br />

affordable fashion finds, says Fashion Editor Michelle Nightingale<br />

Autumn<br />

STYLE EDIT<br />

N<br />

one of us<br />

want to<br />

spend a<br />

fortune<br />

every time<br />

the season changes, so to<br />

save you time and money,<br />

we’ve pulled together<br />

our favourite autumn<br />

essentials that are figureflattering,<br />

stylish and<br />

pocket-friendly too. Many<br />

of these can be picked up<br />

at your local supermarket<br />

and aside from some<br />

investment boots,<br />

everything on these<br />

pages is £50 or under!<br />

Add a belt to help<br />

slim your waist<br />

Lesley wears:<br />

Coat, £45, s-l, Wallis<br />

| top, £6, 8-20,<br />

Matalan | jeans, £35,<br />

8-20, M&S | necklace,<br />

£14, Next<br />

FASHION EDITOR<br />

THE<br />

MUST-HAVE COATS<br />

Pretty and practical, these gorgeous coats<br />

prove that you can stay warm and cosy<br />

without spending a fortune. We love the<br />

pretty colours – a welcome change<br />

from black and grey.<br />

❤<br />

LO VES<br />

Gill wears:<br />

Pink coat, £50,<br />

8-20, Peacocks<br />

| grey knit, £35,<br />

s-l, Wallis | jeans,<br />

£35, 8-22, M&S<br />

| shoes, £28,<br />

3-8, Next<br />

THE<br />

CARDIGAN COAT<br />

This longer-length cover-up makes a<br />

great alternative to a traditional coat.<br />

Single-breasted styles<br />

can flatter a larger<br />

tummy or a bigger bust<br />

VALUE<br />

BUY!<br />

If you’re petite<br />

go for a belted style, and look for<br />

coats that finish mid-thigh, so they<br />

don’t swamp your frame.<br />

Lesley wears:<br />

Check coat,<br />

£39, 6-22 F&F<br />

at Tesco<br />

| lilac knit, £16,<br />

6-22, F&F at<br />

Tesco | shoes,<br />

£14, 3-8,<br />

George at Asda<br />

Lesley wears:<br />

Shirt, £16, 8-20,<br />

Matalan | chinos,<br />

£19.50, 6-22, M&S<br />

THE<br />

CASUAL SHIRT<br />

Casual and comfy, check shirts are a must-have this<br />

autumn. Perfect for layering under a knit, choose a<br />

pretty, fitted style to keep your look feminine.<br />

Gill wears:<br />

Knit, £35,<br />

8-20, Wallis<br />

| necklace,<br />

£12, Next<br />

WARDROBE<br />

ESSENTIAL<br />

Avoid adding<br />

bulky tops<br />

under your knit<br />

THE<br />

PRETTY KNIT<br />

A lightweight knit is a must in<br />

our changeable weather.<br />

THE<br />

STATEMENT<br />

BLOUSE<br />

A bold print blouse is a<br />

great way to look smart<br />

and stand out, but<br />

with minimal<br />

effort.<br />

This would look just<br />

as good tucked into<br />

a slim pencil skirt<br />

fashion special<br />

Gill wears: Blouse, £39.50, 6-22,<br />

Autograph at M&S | trousers, £22,<br />

10-22, JD Williams | necklace, £8, Next<br />

STYLE<br />

STAPLE<br />

Lesley wears:<br />

Dress, £29 10-26,<br />

JD Williams | bag,<br />

£36, Simply Be<br />

THE<br />

SMART<br />

DRESS<br />

Choose a dress<br />

that’s as easy to<br />

wear as it is stylish.<br />

This one features<br />

a flattering ruched<br />

tummy panel and<br />

sleeves, to help<br />

you disguise your<br />

least favourite bits.<br />

40 YOURS n EVERY FORTNIGHT<br />

YOURS n EVERY FORTNIGHT 41


Go wild<br />

for the birds<br />

this winter<br />

CREATE THE RIGHT ENVIRONMENT<br />

n Find a safe place to<br />

feed them<br />

Where you set up a feeding<br />

area for birds is very<br />

important. Keep it away<br />

from ground shrubs and<br />

bushes, so cats cannot<br />

lie in wait, but not out in<br />

the open, as they need<br />

somewhere to hide from<br />

any birds of prey.<br />

n Provide a bird bath<br />

“Ensure fresh drinking water is always available to birds,”<br />

says Hilary Wood, Head Gardener at Blenheim Palace<br />

(www.blenheimpalace.com). “During a deep freeze or heavy<br />

frost a lot of water sources may be frozen, making it hard for<br />

birds to find a drink.” A shallow dish of water not ony provides a<br />

drink but also enables them to keep their feathers clean, which<br />

means they are kept properly insulated when it’s cold.<br />

As the colder months<br />

approach, your garden<br />

hospitality will be<br />

appreciated more than<br />

ever. Birds are already<br />

scouting out places to<br />

feed when food is scarce<br />

later in winter, so turn<br />

your plot into a refuge for<br />

them now and enjoy their<br />

company all winter long<br />

By Gabrielle Albert<br />

n Keep your<br />

garden untidy<br />

Keeping your garden less<br />

manicured provides more<br />

shelter spots for birds and<br />

more homes for insects<br />

– which in turn become<br />

meals for your hungry<br />

feathered friends.<br />

Empty<br />

the bird bath<br />

of water at night<br />

and top it up<br />

with fresh in the<br />

morning to avoid<br />

it freezing over<br />

n Put up a nest box<br />

It’s never too late to<br />

put up a nest box. Even<br />

after the breeding<br />

season ends, birds will<br />

still use these to shelter<br />

themselves from the<br />

elements. “Make sure<br />

they are placed facing<br />

away from harsh<br />

northerly winds and<br />

are near a source of<br />

potential ‘insulating’<br />

materials,” says Hilary.<br />

“You could help<br />

encourage this by<br />

leaving brush piles<br />

around the garden or<br />

old leaves and twigs.”<br />

Which seeds are best?<br />

‘‘You’ll find a wide range of<br />

different bird seed mixes in<br />

the shops all year round,’’ says<br />

Gemma Butlin of the RSPB<br />

(www.rspb.org.uk). ‘’But some<br />

combinations are better than<br />

others for feeding during<br />

the colder months.” Here are<br />

some of the best ones to look<br />

out for – either feed them on<br />

their own or look out for them<br />

within seed mixes...<br />

n Millet<br />

This small seed attracts house<br />

sparrows, dunnocks, finches,<br />

reed buntings and collared<br />

doves.<br />

n Black sunflower seeds<br />

“These seeds are an excellent<br />

year-round food,” says<br />

Gemma. “The oil content is<br />

higher in black than striped<br />

ones, so will provide birds<br />

with more energy in the<br />

winter. Tits and greenfinches<br />

will really enjoy these.”<br />

n Nyjer seeds<br />

These are small, black<br />

seeds which need a special<br />

type of seed feeder and<br />

are particularly enjoyed<br />

by goldfinches and siskins<br />

(pictured below).<br />

GET PLANTING<br />

“Planting evergreen trees and<br />

plants in your garden will add<br />

protective areas for wild birds to<br />

shelter in throughout the winter,”<br />

says Hilary. “Try to include plants<br />

which might produce fruit in the<br />

colder months, such as hawthorn berries for birds to eat.”<br />

Energy-boosting<br />

foods<br />

While seeds are a<br />

necessary part of<br />

a bird’s diet, there<br />

are a few other<br />

inexpensive options<br />

which can really give<br />

them a much-needed<br />

boost of energy during a<br />

cold snap. These easy-tofind<br />

suggestions will have<br />

your garden visitors forever<br />

grateful...<br />

n Mealworms<br />

“This beetle larvae is a natural<br />

food and can be used to<br />

feed birds throughout the<br />

year,” says Gemma. “They are<br />

particularly relished by robins<br />

and blue tits and may attract<br />

other insect-eating birds such<br />

as pied wagtails.”<br />

n Cat and dog food<br />

“Meaty tinned cat and<br />

dog food is an acceptable<br />

substitute for earthworms<br />

when birds can’t reach them<br />

as the ground is frozen<br />

or covered in snow,” says<br />

Gemma. Blackbirds certainly<br />

won’t refuse this. Meat can<br />

attract magpies, gulls and<br />

cats so keep a close eye on it.<br />

n Bird cake and food bars<br />

“Fat balls and fat-based food<br />

bars are an excellent winter<br />

food for birds,” says Gemma.<br />

“Remember to remove the<br />

netting before putting them<br />

out because the soft mesh<br />

can trap and injure birds.”<br />

Don’t<br />

be a fairweather<br />

feeder!<br />

Birds will associate<br />

your garden with<br />

food and need it so<br />

much more in<br />

winter<br />

n Peanuts<br />

“These are rich in fat<br />

and very popular with<br />

tits, greenfinches,<br />

housesparrows, siskins,<br />

nuthatches and great<br />

spotted woodpeckers,”<br />

says Gemma. “Crushed<br />

or grated peanuts attract<br />

robins, dunnocks and even<br />

wrens. However, some<br />

can be high in a natural<br />

toxin so buy them from a<br />

reputable retailer to ensure<br />

they are safe!”<br />

Keep bird feeders,<br />

tables and bird<br />

baths scrupuously<br />

clean as poor<br />

hygiene can<br />

spread diseases<br />

and harm birds<br />

n Bird feeder<br />

cleaning brush<br />

£1.50 from Wilko<br />

GOOD to KNOW<br />

Kitchen leftovers<br />

“Your unwanted leftover food<br />

can be great for birds and<br />

provide them with the energy<br />

they need to feed their<br />

young, build their nests and<br />

generally get ready for the<br />

colder months ahead,” says<br />

Gemma. Try adding some of<br />

these to your bird table.<br />

n Plain cooked rice<br />

n Uncooked<br />

porridge oats<br />

n Breakfast<br />

cereal<br />

n Apples and<br />

pears<br />

n Unsalted bacon<br />

n Plain potatoes (cooked,<br />

cold and cut open)<br />

Foods to avoid<br />

Birds may get pretty<br />

desperate in the winter<br />

months, but that doesn’t<br />

mean we should feed them<br />

just anything. Although you<br />

might mean well, giving<br />

them the wrong foods can<br />

sometimes do them more<br />

harm than good. Steer clear<br />

of dry biscuits which lack<br />

nutrition and can choke some<br />

varieties. Bread is also bad<br />

news because it fills up their<br />

tummies but doesn’t provide<br />

many nutrients. Never put<br />

out milk because birds can’t<br />

digest it, and avoid salty foods<br />

because salt can be toxic in<br />

high quantities.<br />

68 YOURS n EVERY FORTNIGHT<br />

YOURS n EVERY FORTNIGHT 69<br />

PICS: ALAMY STOCK PHOTO, SHUTTERSTOCK

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