Table of contents for 16 October 2025 in Chat

Welcome to this week’s Chat… I hope you’ve been enjoying our new Chat Local Legends series, celebrating unsung heroes in our communities. From lovely Charlotte, who runs a food bank from her shed, to the gang of mates who spruce up hospital grounds, I hope you’ve been inspired – I know I have. This week, we’re introducing you to Stefanie (p30), who we’ve dubbed the fairy frock-mother for her great work donating prom dresses for girls who can’t afford them. What a bunch of good eggs! Don’t forget to nominate your Local Legends – send them to the address on p5. Have a great week,…

Life hadn’t been easy for Taylor Wright. A troubled childhood saw her moved to a foster home at 13. Eventually she was taken in by a caring neighbour. Things started looking up. As an adult, she met Jeff, fell in love and put her past behind her. She went to university, got a degree in criminal justice and became a police officer. After marrying Jeff she went on to have a son, Drake, in 2010, who she lived for. But in 2017, her 10-year marriage to Jeff ended. It was messy, the pair rowed about money and custody of Drake, then 6. And Taylor, then 33, was devastated when, reluctantly, she allowed Jeff full custody. By then she’d left her job with the police and was out of work with…

1 Get off your bum Sitting or being in the same position for too long fatigues tissues and makes your back feel achy. Try to move as much as possible – at least every 30 to 40 minutes throughout the day, says Sam Bhide, founder of Physiozen. ‘Even just wiggling back and forth on your chair will get some movement in the tissues, improving blood flow and reducing pain and stiffness.’ 2 Roll up a towel Lying on your back, place a rolled towel horizontally under your lower back, creating a slight arch in your spine. Resting in this position for five to 10 minutes will encourage some extension into your lower back, says physiotherapist Tim Allardyce. ‘It shouldn’t hurt at all. If it does, stop the exercise and get professional…

Cowboy builder took my money Q My kitchen is a total building site. I paid a builder upfront - he ripped out the old kitchen, fitted a few cupboards, then disappeared. He’s blocked my number, won’t reply to emails, and I’m left cooking in the living room on a camping stove. I don’t know whether to go to the police, get a solicitor, or just cut my losses. I feel so stupid for trusting him. Debs, 61 A You’ve been conned, sweetheart. I’m so sorry. You were a bit draft to fork over the cash before the work was done, but don’t be too hard on yourself. There are so many scam artists around. Speak to Citizens Advice, Trading Standards or even the police. They’ll give you the advice you…

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Meri Ferrari, 40 Rushing from bed to bed, my legs ached and I couldn’t wait to get home. But it was July 2020, the height of the pandemic, and I was a nurse, treating people with Covid-19. Days earlier, I’d discovered I was pregnant. Me and my husband Andrew, then 38, had struggled with fertility issues and despite having one daughter, Paige, then 3, we didn’t think we’d have another. It felt like a miracle. Later, as Andrew massaged my feet, I started to worry. ‘What if I get sick?’ I said. He tried to reassure me. I kept on working, and we found out we were expecting a little girl. But that December I developed a cough and my doc confirmed I had Covid. ‘We’ll monitor you both,’ he…

Olivia Wallis, 28, London Glugging a carton of cranberry juice, I barely came up for air. ‘Yuck,’ I grimaced. I hated it, but desperate to get rid of yet another urine infection, I’d try anything. It was 2013 and, aged 16, I’d recently noticed my wee was blood red. True-life PATIENT CASEBOOK Docs said it was a UTI, gave me antibiotics. But now, months later, the burning and stinging was back. ‘Ouch,’ I winced, peeing as slowly as possible on the loo, but still in so much pain. I’d get rid of one infection only to get another. By my early 20s, I’d get UTIs every three months. More pain, discomfort and antibiotics followed. And I never got an answer about why I got so many. Dehydration, alcohol and sex…

The Fulgor Nocturnus, sold for around £6.5 million at auction in Shanghai in 2020, was the most expensive example of what object ever sold? To find out, solve the puzzle… Add a letter anywhere in each of the boxed-off words to fit the clue, eg, Grassy outcrops = TUTS + F = TUFTS. Write the added letter in the space provided. Read down the added letters to spell out the prize answer. WIN 2 x £25 Puzzle 9 Grassy outcrops Single-masted ship Currency unit Pursues Robbed Defile Grace Types Knock over Wind indicators Serpent Your answer: TO ENTER Turn to page 56 for details or visit comps.lifedeathprizes.com/puzzles…

Family affairs What starts as a space to keep up with far-flung relatives can quickly turn into a battleground. One false move and aunt Joan will kick you out for talking politics, and there’s always one who leaves in a huff, only to quietly return with their tail between their legs. But when Nan starts with the emojis, things get really interesting. We’re sure she just meant she was having aubergine for dinner… Dream team The one group you will never leave. These are your people, the ones that keep you sane. Whether you need a gossip, a moan or a giggle, this group is ready and waiting with the perfect meme. The name of this group is an inside joke, so obscure that even you can’t remember what the…

When Megan walks down the street, nheads turn. But it’s not her bottle-blonde hair, crystal-blue eyes and bubbly pink wardrobe that leave people staring. It’s her tan. ‘At 14 years old I started using fake tan’ explains Megan, now 19. ‘I was lily white, like really white.’ But after getting sick of the patchy coverage, when she was 16 Megan switched to using her mum’s sunbed at home. ‘I’d calculate exactly how much electric I’d used and go and put it on at the shop,’ she smiles, explaining she didn’t want her mum to know. She did this for a year before deciding to use a local tanning salon instead. ‘I noticed a drastic change in my colour, which I loved,’ she says. With a wardrobe full of bright tones,…

Top tip If you don’t have passata, drain a tin of tomatoes then whizz until smooth. Flatbread pizza No need to wait – this quick-rise dough uses yogurt to speed things up. SERVES 4 READY IN 30 MINS 250g self-raising flour 120g plain yogurt 2tbsp extra virgin olive oil, plus extra for drizzling 100g tomato passata 250g mozzarella, torn 50g pepperoni slices 50g baby plum tomatoes, quartered  1 corn on the cob, kernels sliced off into different sizes 20g pitted black olives 10g basil, torn, to serve Rocket leaves or a green salad, to serve 1 Heat the oven to 220C Fan, and put a large baking tray in the oven to warm up. Put the flour, yogurt and olive oil in a bowl with a pinch of salt and…

Aries 21 March-20 April The Full Moon in Aries this week brings a fresh start in one area of your life. Prioritise what’s most important to you. Energy flows where intention goes. ● Call 0905 817 0690* for more Taurus 21 April-21 May Much as you dislike moving beyond your comfort zone, you’re being guided to try something new. Follow your passion and let this desire for change lead the way. ● Call 0905 817 0691* for more Gemini 22 May-21 June Trusting your inner voice can be difficult when you have so much internal chatter. Often you feel split in two directions or indecisive. Practise being present. ● Call 0905 817 0692* for more Cancer 22 June-23 July You’re a gentle soul and in tune with the feelings of…

Carley Adair, 35, from Strabane What’s your favourite biccie to enjoy with a cuppa? Definitely a Bourbon chocolate cream! One or two of those are delicious with a cup of tea. What’s the best advice you’ve been given in life? Don’t let anyone nasty get to you and try not to care about what others think of you. Instead, work on changing how they make you feel, because that’s something you have power over. Who are your best friends? There’s my gorgeous cat Sabrina. Also my friend Aisling, as we’re really alike in personality and get along so well. And I have two other wonderful friends, Brandon and Dustin, who are always there for me. What do you like to do when you have a night in? My perfect night…

Martine McCutcheon, Queen, Robbie Williams and The Selecter have all had Top 10 hits in the UK with songs featuring which word in the title? To find out, solve the puzzle… The three answers in this puzzle read the same across and down. The clues are given, but not in the right order. Read down the shaded squares to spell the prize answer. WIN 5x £20 Puzzle 3 PROPORTION PERSON ON A BIKE FIRST APPEARANCE Your answer: TO ENTER Turn to page 56 for details or visit comps.lifedeathprizes.com/puzzles…

STYLE TIP Pair with other earthy tones such as olive green for a luxurious colour palette, and contrast textures like suede and bouclé. STYLE TIP Give floaty dresses a tailored touch with a blazer in a lighter neutral shade, such as cream or beige. STYLE TIP Break up an all-brown outfit with a sleeveless knit. Tuck the front into your jeans to keep the look streamlined rather than bulky. STYLE TIP Balance a high-waisted skirt with a boxy denim shirt to highlight your waist and create a flattering silhouette.…

Diagnosis panic Q I had a blind spot in my vision that lasted an hour, followed by a headache and flashing lights. I went to the urgent eye hospital because they thought it might be a retinal detachment, but they diagnosed retinal migraine. Is this serious? Jade, Bristol A A diagnosis of retinal migraine is usually less worrying than retinal detachment. Retinal migraines occur when the blood vessels in your eye narrow, and can be caused by factors like dehydration or stress. Keeping a diary of symptoms can help you figure out any patterns or triggers. If you don’t get migraines often, you usually won’t need treatment. But if they happen frequently, avoid triggers like caffeine and alcohol. Painkillers and medications like topiramate might help. Some people also find acupuncture…

Samii Wood, 41, Bedford As I knocked on my friend’s front door, a sob escaped my mouth. ‘Come here,’ Juliane, then 33, said as she opened up, enveloping me into a big, soothing hug. I sighed, letting it all out. It was 2018 and I was a mess after a break-up. But that cuddle helped make everything better. Over the next few years, I trained to be a reiki therapist and learnt all about healing energy. And I often thought back to that embrace. So when I saw a documentary about a professional hugger in the USA, it caught my attention. In June 2022, I went to a women’s retreat, with several different healing workshops. As part of the closing ceremony, guests were invited to lie down on blankets and…

3 Ways to… get your home ready for autumn As the colder months lay ahead, here are the jobs to tick off now. 1 Avoid boiler bother If your service is due, do it before winter hits. Getting an annual boiler check means an engineer will be able to detect any problems before they escalate into a costly repair or replacement, or it breaks down when it’s freezing outside. Plus, it’s essential for your gas safety at home. A well-maintained boiler also works more efficiently, which helps to reduce the amount you pay on your energy bills each month. 2 Clear the air Test your heating – if your radiators aren’t heating up properly or are cold at the top and warm at the bottom, they could need bleeding. Find more information, including a…

Debra Lancaster, 55, Northumberland Carefully lifting up a mossy log, I watched in amazement as dozens of centipedes scurried out. ‘Wow,’ I said, letting one run over my hand. It was August 1978, and I was playing outside, hunting for insects. Much better than being stuck indoors with my stepdad Jeffrey, then 29. Mum had married him a year earlier, when I was 7. And I hated him. He’d smack my bottom or belt me if I made too much noise. So I tried to keep out of his way. Only, later that month, Jeffrey called me upstairs one afternoon. He stood on the landing, his trouser zip undone. ‘Be quiet,’ he whispered, placing my hand on to his crotch. Fear pulsed through me. ‘Our secret,’ he said afterwards. Just…

Q I’ve bought a gua sha tool, but I’m not sure how to use it – do you have any advice? Janice Wood, Aylsham, Norfolk A A gua sha is a traditional curvy-shaped stone tool that is designed to work with the contours of your face. When used regularly to massage your cheeks, it can help to stimulate blood flow and drain excess fluid to de-puff and revive lacklustre skin while relieving tension, to leave your complexion looking refreshed and defined. Use a tool like Botanics Rose Quartz Gua Sha, £15, Boots, and swipe it along your jawline and cheekbones in slow, firm strokes from the centre of your face outwards for a few minutes daily. Apply a couple of drops of a silky serum such as Pure Purely Radiant…

Jeshma Raithatha was days from celebrating her 18th birthday. But that wasn’t all there was to look forward to. It was May 2005 and the teen was in the midst of revising for her A levels at Claremont High School in Kenton, London. She’d already earned a place at university to study for an arts degree. Devoted to music, she was a keen singer and played the clarinet. A bright, bubbly, beautiful teen who’d even done some modelling work. Now she was looking forward to getting her exams out of the way. Afterwards, she’d be jetting off on a girls’ holiday to the Canary Islands. Jeshma was close to her dad Suresh, mum Manjula, brother Trishul, 15, and little sister Nishma, 12. Today, Jeshma was heading into school to study,…

Chat winners issue 29 (17 July 2025) Anyone from your town in the list this week..? £1,001 CASH T Wisher, Warminster £500 CASH R Harrison, Barnsley R Tomkinson, Mansfield £250 CASH F Durance, Ledbury G Sutherland, Glasgow £200 CASH D Allen, Rowley Regis £100 CASH S’O’Brien, London R Murray, Preston E Sloan, Bangor £75 CASH K Puttock, Salisbury £50 CASH M Harness, Clacton-on-Sea L Chappell, Chesterfield S Smith, Deeside D Whicker, Southend-on-Sea R Riley, Buxton S Barrett, Preston £40 CASH M Gould, Brierley Hill £30 CASH R Maddocks, Tamworth R Hawker, Mold £25 CASH J Bull, Manchester B Forshaw, Blackpool £20 CASH P Jackson, Sutton J Smith, Shepton Mallet A Richardson, Deal E Atkinson, Stockport R Booth, Beverley R Smithwhite, Paignton J Hocknull, Lymm G Rochester, Bournemouth N Smith, Peterborough…