Recipe | Blackberry Clafoutis

Traditionally made with cherries, instead this French classic is filled with juicy blackberries and is tasty with a coffee or as a dessert.

Serves 8

400g blackberries, washed
75g flour
100g sugar
3 eggs, beaten
250ml milk
Icing sugar (to serve)

1 Preheat the oven to 200C/ Fan 180C/Gas 6. Grease a baking dish about 25cm diameter (or ovenproof cast-iron frying pan) with butter.

2 Mix the flour and sugar, then make a well in the centre and add the eggs.

3 Gradually incorporate the flour into the eggs from the sides. Slowly add the milk, a little at a time, until you have a smooth, lump-free batter.

4 Pour one-third of the batter into the baking dish and bake in the preheated oven for 5-7 mins. Remove from the oven, add the blackberries on top of the partially-baked batter, and pour over the remaining batter.

5 Return to the oven and bake for a further 35-40 mins, or until the clafoutis is golden brown and puffed up. Serve warm, lukewarm, or cold, dusted with a little icing sugar.

Why berries are good for you

They may be little, but blackberries pack a punch when it comes to nutrition, offering an abundance of fibre, vitamin C, manganese and potassium. They are also great at aiding digestion and helping your gut health, their antioxidants may improve memory and cognitive function, they can help lower cholesterol and stabilise blood sugars as well as boosting immunity and bone health.  

Meanwhile, elderberries, long known for their use relieving cold and flu symptoms, are also rich in antioxidants, are an excellent source of vitamin C and can help reduce cholesterol and blood sugar levels. They must be cooked before eating as raw elderberries contain toxic compounds that can cause stomach upsets. 

This clafoutis is just one of the recipes from our September issue feature ‘Berry Nice’ which also includes recipes for Roasted Beetroot, Apple & Blackberry Salad, Chicken with Blackberries & Elderberries, Blackberry Brownies with Elderberry Yogurt and a couple of jams for good measure. The recipes are by Anna Rubingh.

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Tipple | Hedgerow Switchel

Long before brightly coloured sports drinks, farm workers relied on ‘haymaker’s punch’ – or ‘switchels’ – to survive the physical toll of the August harvest. By infusing the traditional base with summer gluts of wild berries and herbs, you can create a seasonal electrolyte drink.

You will need:

Blackberries, garden mint or lemon balm, fresh ginger, local honey, raw apple cider vinegar, water

To make:

Macerate the fruit: Place berries and mint leaves in a glass jar. Use the back of a wooden spoon to bruise the mint and crush the berries to release their juice. Blend the base: Add grated ginger, honey, and cider vinegar. Stir vigorously.

Infuse: Top up with cold water, seal the jar, and give it a good shake. Pop into the fridge for 2-4 hrs, or overnight.

Strain and serve: Strain the mixture through a fine sieve, then serve chilled over generous tumblers of ice.

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Playlist | Golden

DJ: Frances Ambler, Illustration: Elizabeth Chung

We make a playlist for each issue of The Simple Things magazine, and this playlist is made to soundtrack our September GOLDEN issue.

You can take a listen here and have a browse of all our playlists here.

Our GOLDEN issue is on sale from 28 August – you can order a copy via picsandink.com

Sponsored post | Feel Full of Beans with Suma

Celebrate Organic September with Suma’s beans, a simple yet delicious way to make small, nutritious changes in the kitchen

There’s something quietly reassuring about a cupboard stocked with beans. Not in a flashy, look-at-me sort of way, but in the comforting knowledge that a nourishing meal is never far away. A tin of butter beans waiting to be stirred through a late-summer stew. Chickpeas ready to become a speedy houmous. Cannellini beans to add substance to a soup made from whatever veg happens to be lingering in the fridge.

Beans are one of those simple ingredients that earn their place on the shelf time and time again. Affordable, versatile and naturally rich in protein and fibre, they bring flavour and substance to everyday cooking while helping us eat more plants. On top of all of this, specifically choosing organic beans can also be a small way to support a gentler approach to food production.

Rich pickings

Organic farming works with nature, rather than against it. By avoiding artificial pesticides and fertilisers, organic farmers focus on building healthy soils, encouraging biodiversity and creating resilient growing systems. Healthy soil is full of life – from earthworms and fungi to countless microorganisms – all playing a part in producing the food we eat.

That connection between soil, food and wellbeing sits at the heart of Organic September, the annual Soil Association campaign celebrating organic farming and food. It’s a chance to explore simple swaps that support a more sustainable food system, and beans are an easy place to start.

At Suma, organic food has always been part of the story. Founded as a workers’ co-operative in Yorkshire, Suma has spent decades making good food more accessible, sourcing products that reflect a commitment to people and planet. Their range of organic beans includes everyday essentials such as chickpeas, kidney beans, butter beans and mixed beans, ready to help with everything from weekday lunches to leisurely weekend cooking.

Store cupboard stars

The beauty of beans lies in their adaptability. They can form the backbone of a hearty salad, bulk out
a warming casserole or become the star ingredient in a simple supper. Toss butter beans with roasted tomatoes, olive oil and herbs. Simmer cannellini beans with garlic and greens. Blend chickpeas
with lemon and tahini for a homemade houmous to enjoy with crunchy vegetables.

Perhaps that’s why beans feel so at home in the slower rhythm that many of us are seeking. They invite us to cook simply, waste less and make the most of seasonal ingredients. They remind us that good food doesn’t need to be complicated.

This Organic September, a humble tin of organic beans might seem like a small choice. But small choices, repeated often, have a way of adding up – for our kitchens, our communities and the landscapes that feed us.

For more information and inspiration, visit suma.coop or follow on Instagram: @sumawholefoods

Competition | Win a Year's Dog Food & Treats to Your Door

Dogs are a joy, but caring for them isn’t always a walk in the park. That’s why the trained experts at Pooch & Mutt are here for all chapters and tails. For life.

From treating dodgy tums and soothing sore gums, to boosting their food and calming those crazy moods, Pooch & Mutt use their knowledge to solve your pet’s peeves and help them thrive. Pooch & Mutt’s range of science-led food, treats and supplements is designed to support dogs through every stage of life, using high-quality ingredients and expert nutrition to help them live happier, healthier lives.

Pampered pooch or mischievous mutt, they’re here for all breeds and needs.

The Prize

One lucky winner will receive 12 Pooch & Mutt vouchers worth £55 each – that's £660 to spend across the year on their range of food, treats and supplements. Whether you're stocking up on everyday essentials or trying something new, you'll have plenty to keep tails wagging all year long.

How to enter

To be in with a chance of winning a year’s dog food, supplements and treats delivered direct to your door, just click on the button below and answer the following question:

Q: Pooch & Mutt's science-led range is designed to support dogs at what stage?

Terms & Conditions

The competition closes at 11.59pm on 30th Sept 2026. One winner will be selected at random from all correct entries received and notified soon after. The winner cannot transfer the prize or swap it for cash. To enter this competition you must be a UK resident with a UK address. Any entrant outside of the UK can not be considered due to postage restrictions. Details of full terms and conditions are on p125 of the printed magazine and online at icebergpress.co.uk/comprules.

Reader discount

And to top it all off, The Simple Things readers can receive 35% off their next online order when shopping at poochandmutt.co.uk. All you have to do is enter the code ‘SIMPLE” at the checkout.

Competition | Win a Year's Membership to a Sketching Community

Win a year’s membership to Inspire, an online creative community, and enjoy daily sketch prompts with artist, Susan Yeates 

Does this sound familiar? You mean to sketch. You buy the sketchbook, you sharpen the pencil… and then life fills the gap before you get a chance to sit down.

If this is the case, this competition is for you. The Simple Things has teamed up with artist, author and creative educator, Susan Yeates (below), to offer one lucky reader a year’s membership to Inspire, her online sketching community, plus her brand-new Sketch-a-Day Card Deck. Together, the prize is worth over £315 and designed to keep your creativity alive all year.

Inspire is a warm, unhurried community for anyone who wants sketching to become a regular part of life rather than just a good intention. Each month brings a new theme, fresh tutorials, a live Zoom sketch-along, and a private, supportive community cheering you on. There’s no pressure to be good at it, and no way to do it wrong. It’s a chance to reconnect with yourself, reduce stress, and nurture a little personal growth – five minutes at a time, if that’s all you have.

Alongside the membership, you’ll also receive the Sketch-a-Day Card Deck, pictured below: 52 cards, 365 prompts, and a guidebook to help a daily sketching habit actually stick.

For more info, visit susanyeates.co.uk or follow on Instagram at: @susanyeatesartist

How to enter

For your chance to win an Inspire membership, plus sketching prompt cards, enter our competition by clicking the button below and answering the following question by the closing date of 12 October 2026.
Q: What is the name of Susan Yeates’s online sketching community?

Terms and conditions

The competition closes at 11.59pm on 12 October 2026. One winner will be selected at random from all correct entries received and notified soon after. Subject to availability. The winner cannot transfer the prize or swap it for cash. Details of our full terms and conditions are on p125 and online at: icebergpress.co.uk/comprules. 

Competition | Win a £500 Seasalt Gift Voucher

Want to bring a touch of the Cornish coast to your wardrobe? To celebrate its latest collection, we have £500 to spend at Seasalt Cornwall to be won plus runners-up prizes of £100 each

Based in Falmouth, Seasalt Cornwall designs creative clothing woven with stories of life by the sea. Its story began 45 years ago, with a shop that sold workwear to local fishermen and artists who shared a need for well-made pieces suited to Cornwall’s wild landscapes and elements. Since then, Seasalt has been honing its craft in tandem with the changing seasons to bring contemporary coastal style to wardrobes everywhere.

This year’s collection is inspired by floriography, the folk tradition of using flowers to convey meaning and stories. Colour palettes are hand-picked from beachside gardens, and sketched prints
take inspiration from nature. Made with responsibly-sourced and recycled fabrics, each piece is designed with careful consideration for the way that it impacts the environment.

If you’d like to add some timeless staples to your wardrobe, then The Simple Things has teamed up with Seasalt Cornwall to offer one lucky reader the chance to win a £500 Seasalt gift card, while two runners-up will each receive £100 to spend in store or online. Enter today and you could soon be enjoying a shopping spree for pieces you’ll love more and more every time you wear them.

For more information, visit seasaltcornwall.com or follow on Instagram at: @seasaltcornwall

How to enter

For your chance to win £500 to spend at Seasalt Cornwall, enter our competition by clicking the button below and answering the following question by the closing date of 12 October 2026. 

Q: Which folk tradition is this year’s Seasalt Cornwall collection inspired by?

Terms and conditions

The competition closes at 11.59pm on 12 Oct 2026. One winner and two runners-up will be selected at random from all correct entries received and notified soon after. Subject to availability. Winners cannot transfer their prizes or swap for cash. Seasalt Cornwall gift cards are only redeemable in the UK. Details of our full terms and conditions are on p125 and online at: icebergpress.co.uk/comprules.

Natural Cures | Cooling Compress

Image by Stocksy

Hot weather, dehydration, tiredness and intense sunlight can all lead to summer headaches. Here’s where a few garden herbs can really come in handy.

These soothing herbs are traditionally made into a compress for tension headaches. This tea is also useful for stomach cramps and can be sipped to help with traveller’s tummy, too.

A few fresh peppermint leaves

A few fresh sage leaves

Boiling water

Muslin cloth

1 Place the herbs, whole, in a mug. Pour over the boiling water. Cover the mug with a small saucer to allow the essential oils to be trapped into the infusion. Leave it to cool enough to make a warm compress. (You can also refrigerate the infusion for a cold compress).

2 To make the compress, soak the muslin in the liquid, remove the excess, but don’t squeeze it out, it needs to remain nicely damp.

3 Lie down, place the folded, damp muslin on your forehead, take a few deep breaths and relax.

Learn to use your garden as your own pharmacy in our feature, The Herbal Apothecary in our August issue. You’ll find natural cures for everything from upset tummies and summer sniffles to restless nights and insect bites.

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Recipe | Halloumi Popcorn Bites

Photography by Catherine Frawley

Crispy, gooey, bite-sized treats. Dip in ketchup, tzatziki, plain yogurt or just enjoy on their own.

Serves 6

2 halloumi blocks, cubed

2 eggs, beaten

75g panko breadcrumbs

40g parmesan, grated

½ tsp paprika

3 tbsp sesame seeds

Olive oil

To garnish:

Pomegranate seeds

Fresh parsley

1 Preheat the oven to 200C/Fan 180C/Gas 6, and line two baking sheets with baking paper then set aside.

2 Set your bowls up in order – beaten eggs, panko breadcrumbs, grated parmesan with the paprika and

a twist of black pepper mixed in, and finally, a bowl of sesame seeds.

3 Roll each halloumi cube in the egg, then the breadcrumbs, then the parmesan, followed by the sesame seeds. Place on the baking sheet and continue until all the halloumi is used.

4 Drizzle with olive oil, then bake for 10 mins, turn each cube and bake for a further 10 mins. Serve with a garnish of pomegranate seeds and parsley.

This is just one of the recipes from our feature, ‘Setting The Scene’ - a menu for a film night held in your garden. It also includes recipes for Veggie Dolmades, Chicken Gyros, Greek Salad, Portokalopita Cake and Greek Mojitos.

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Astronomy | See this month's Eclipse

Image by Getty

Visit the greatest show on Earth this month as the sun is eclipsed by the moon

This year there will be a solar eclipse on 12 August (2026). The total eclipse will be visible over the Arctic ocean and in parts of Greenland, Iceland, northern Spain, Mallorca and northeast Portugal.

The UK will experience a deep partial eclipse obscuring up to 95% of the Sun in the early evening with exact timings and degrees of obscuration depending on location. Cornwall and the far southwest will see the highest coverage; the best spot to view it from will be the tops of hills, coastal high points or anywhere with an ‘open’ view.

Because the solar eclipse will occur near lunar perigree, when the Moon is closest to Earth in its orbit, the Moon will appear slightly larger than usual and it will be a relatively long solar eclipse, lasting over two minutes in some places.

The eclipse reaches its peak between 7 and 7.16pm. It’s worth stopping to look up as the sun goes down that day, too, as the Perseid meteor shower peaks just hours after the partial eclipse. If you can manage to spend the night in one of the UK’s dark skies reserves or anywhere away from the light pollution of towns or cities, you’ll see the meteor shower at its best.

Remember never to look at the sun directly during an eclipse and definitely don’t use binoculars or a telescope unless you’re a professional with the correct equipment. The best way to view an eclipse is by using proprietary eclipse glasses which you can purchase online. If you prefer the ‘Blue Peter’ approach, you can make a pin hole viewer to see the eclipse ‘reflected’ onto a piece of card or even use a colander* for a similar effect. You can find instructions for both these methods online.

*Unlikely as it seems, holding up a colander is a tried-and-tested way of indirectly viewing an eclipse – even NASA suggests it as a safe method. Facing away from the Sun with your colander in one hand and a piece of white card in the other (you can also lay the card on the ground), find the best angle so that sunlight shines through the holes, projecting dozens of tiny crescents as the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun.

Read more about the August eclipse in our feature The Darkening in our August issue, in shops now.

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Fun | Summer Games You're Never Too Old For

We’re firm believers that play is important no matter what your age. Here are a few games for grown-ups to play outdoors this summer. Some are more sophisticated in tone than games of your youth - others are ‘throw caution to the wind and get grass cuttings in your hair’ kind of games. From the beach to the park and woods to campsites, we’ve got you covered. Let The Games commence!

Games for the Park

Kubb

We have the rules and also instructions on how to make your very own Kubb set in our August issue. Cut and paint your own and then head out with a gang of friends to play the game known as ‘Viking Chess’!

Frisbee Golf

All you need is  frisbee. Design a ‘course’ with targets to hit such as a bench, a large tree or a sign post. Try to avoid hitting the general public. The winner is the person to complete the course, hitting the most targets.

Games for the Beach

Sand Pictionary

Just like the game Pictionary (you can take the cards or make up your own) but you draw the pictures with a stick in the sand instead of on paper - all against a time, of course. 

Driftwood Build Challenge

Split into teams, then each team has 20 minutes to build something (maybe a castle or sculpture of a specific object) using driftwood, shells and other natural materials. Add an element of excitement by building as the tide comes in so you have to finish before the waves sweep it all away. 

Games for the Woods

Capture the Flag

This is a classic woodlands game and can get very rowdy as teams compete to capture the other team’s flag and bring it to their base. Find all the rules on the Scouts’ website: https://www.scouts.org.uk/activities/capture-the-flag/ 

Forest Bingo

Make everyone a Bingo card of things you might find in the forest. Hand them out and the first to fill out their card by photographing each item on their phone is the winner. Feel free to go funny with it if you like, eg ‘a face in a tree that looks like a former Prime Minister’, ‘a rampant squirrel’, ‘startled picnickers’ etc. 

Games for the Campsite

Campsite Olympics

Gather everyone together for races in camping-themed activities such as Fastest Tent Erection, Ooziest Marshmallow, Quickest Sleeping Bag Rolling and Most Efficient Fire-Lighting. Smores all round for the winners. 

Glow Stick Ring Toss

We have instructions for making your own Quoits set in our August issue. Simply replace the rope quoits with glow sticks made into circles with some gaffa tape nd you have yourself a night-time version of this classic game.

The instructions to make your own Kubb and Quoits sets are in our August issue’s Weekend Project pages, which we’ve called ‘Summer Throwdown’ and is in shops now. The ideas and photography are by Zoe Bateman. Follow Zoe on Instagram at @toocutecrafting.

More summer fun and games…

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Sponsored Post | Discover Britain's Best-Kept Secret with Island Escapes

A magical time to visit the Isle of Man, autumn and winter invite you to discover the island’s dramatic landscapes and rich Manx heritage under a copper-hued cloak. Discover its many highlights across each corner with Island Escapes - from dreamy glens, rugged hills and mountains to welcoming towns steeped in history.

Ramsey and The North

The North of the Island calls to nature lovers with its diverse landscapes that transform with the changing seasons. From rolling dunes to breathtaking moorland, it’s the perfect place to reconnect with the natural world and disconnect from the distractions of day-to-day life. Explore the Ayres Nature Reserve, where sand, wetland, and woodland create a haven for wildlife and birds migrating to warmer climates throughout autumn.
The traditional seaside town of Ramsey is filled with cosy cafés, delicious eateries, and an eclectic mix of independent shops, along with a deep-rooted connection to Manx culture. The sweeping promenade and active fishing harbour exude seaside charm, making it a true gem of the northern region.

For those seeking a tranquil escape, a stone’s throw from the north coast and the Cronk y Bing National Nature Reserve, Yn Thie Thooit is a welcoming thatched Manx cottage with a warming wood burner, perfect for cosy evenings after days of exploration.

Meanwhile, for larger groups, Thie Spooyt also awaits with a wood-burning stove, perfect for relaxed fireside moments with loved ones, and is tastefully modernised throughout. Situated near the vibrant harbour town of Ramsey, there’s plenty to see and do on the doorstep.

Laxey and The East

The East has a bounty of treasures waiting to be uncovered, from the world’s largest waterwheel to the changing colours of Axnfell Forest’s tree-lined trails. Here, you’ll also find the Isle’s tallest mountain, Snaefell, its name coming from the Old Norse meaning ‘Snow Mountain’. Standing at 620m, the peak offers sweeping views of the whole of the Isle of Man.

Built along the banks of the Laxey River, stretching out to the coast, the pretty village of Laxey provides a perfect base to enjoy the dreamy ‘ber months on The Isle of Man. Hop aboard the Manx Electric Railway to experience some of the island’s best sights, local culture, and heritage along the way, with routes from Laxey taking you to the top of Snaefell Mountain, north to Ramsey or south to Douglas.

A romantic escape, The Hideaway in Laxey is a contemporary retreat for two, with sweeping sea views and a soothing hot tub - the perfect spot for enjoying a refreshing autumn breeze. Whereas larger groups or families will love Rycroft House, sleeping up to six guests, with toasty underfloor heating providing warmth and comfort. Rycroft also welcomes dogs to join in with your adventure.

Port Erin and The South

Over the autumn and winter seasons, the south of the Isle is home to visitors and locals enjoying a slower pace. Port Erin’s sheltered bay is perfect for refreshing dips combined with the Kishtey Çheh Beach Sauna, while just around the corner, the Sound Café is a unique place to dine with panoramic views over the rugged and striking Calf of Man.

The Isle of Man Steam Train is a perfect way to capture the essence of the south, as culturally rich stops pepper your journey. Boarding in Port Erin, you can relax as the landscape rolls by, making sure to stop off in Castletown to explore its namesake Castle Rushen with sweeping views of the town’s harbour and coast.

As the train arrives back in the capital, Douglas, look forward to a plethora of cosy pubs and hearty restaurants - finding the perfect spot to relax on an autumn or winter evening after exploring the Manx Museum to uncover the island’s unique history.

Stay in the centre of Douglas at Loft 11, overlooking Castle Street. This imaginatively renovated loft embraces the architectural charm and character of Douglas, featuring exposed stonework and beams, and a considered collection of furnishings and finishing touches. Larger groups of up to 10 will love The Lighthouse Keeper’s Cottage; this truly unique escape combines luxury with one of the Island’s most distinctive landmarks and boasts uninterrupted views of the Irish Sea.

Peel and The West

Bathed in golden sunsets and featuring the island's longest sandy beach, the West of the Isle beckons for salt-kissed walks before sinking into cosy pubs and cafés, an ideal combo for the bracing months.

Take to the winding path that wraps around Peel Castle perched high on St Patrick’s Isle or tread softly through the magical Glen Maye to discover tumbling waterfalls cradled by towering trees.

If you’re a couple or family looking for a cosy seaside escape, Kipper Cottage, nestled within Peel’s historic winding streets, awaits with lovely interiors and a warming wood burner for hiding out in style.
Larger parties seeking a wintry stay need look no further than the spacious-yet-homely Ballarhennie House. Sleeping six and welcoming pets, this beautifully decorated home appeals to all with its strong eco credentials, sweeping sea views, and a games room for hours of entertainment.

The magic of the Isle of Man can be felt all year round, but throughout autumn and winter, as the year’s twilight approaches, a true connection can be felt to both land and sea. Discover Britain’s best-kept secret with an Island Escapes stay.

Culture | Films to Watch Outdoors

Like good food, good films feel a little different when watched outdoors. Here are our favourite films to watch en plein air

Family movie nights

There are so many great films you can watch with a gang of kids but you can’t go wrong with Jurassic Park or The Goonies for an adventure-filled feelgood film. 

Girls back garden film

Thelma and Louise is, of course, the classic female-centred flick. But if you need a film to put the world (and men) to rights, John Tucker Must Die is a great bond-over-it watch for your back garden cinema with the gals.

Films for thrill-seekers

If you want to really scare the wits out of everyone in attendance, The Blair Witch Project will do it. Especially if you have trees nearby to rustle ominously in the wind. Good for drive-thru horror fans is Stephen King’s Christine, the tale of a haunted car. 

Retro movies for outdoor screens

The Sandlot is a heartwarming baseball film that has all the summer feelgood mood you could hope for. Want to go a bit more upmarket? Try The Graduate for that classic end-of-summer coming-of-age feel - with a cracking soundtrack.

Best drive-thru screenings

To really make the most of the atmosphere, if you’re heading to a drive-thru event, you want a film with a classic drive-thru scene. We recommend Grease or One Crazy Summer.

Outdoor big screen ideas

If you’re choosing which big outdoor screening event you’re going to watch our advice is to pick a film that really goes big or goes home visually. The Greatest Showman and E.T. would both be excellent choices.

Outdoor couples film nights

Snuggling up under a blanket with a loved one and a shared bag of popcorn? Up the romance stakes with Roman Holiday Or Baz Lurman’s Romeo + Juliet. 

Movies to watch while camping

American Graffiti says ‘summer’ like almost no other film, set in one night just before a group of high-schoolers make their first moves into adulthood. If you’re arguing over the firelighters and tent pegs, The Great Outdoors will have you all chortling along at camping mishaps. 

To watch on the beach

Well, obviously it’s Jaws isn’t it? Dare you to go for a midnight wild swim after watching. For a less fishy thriller, but with lots of beautiful sea scenery, try The Beach, based on the novel by Alex Garland.

Classic back garden cinema

For hot summer nights, Rear Window with its simmering heat will have you on the edge of your deck chair. Or pick a classic crowd pleaser such as The Wizard of Oz for sing-along fun that everyone can join in with. 

Holding a back garden cinema night? You won’t want to miss our feature ‘Setting the Scene’ with photography and recipes by Catherine Frawley in our August issue. It features a menu of Greek dishes to serve along with your movie. 

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Competition | Win an Overlocker from Janome

Give your sewing a professional finish with a Janome overlooker worth £429

Professionally finish your garments and experiment with stretchy fabrics. This NEW 3/4 thread Overlocker, model ML454D from JANOME, has an improved fabric feed. An eight-piece feed dog enables fabrics to glide under the foot. Refinements like the gentle curve at the tip of the presser foot helps for a smooth start. The bi-level performance for stitching multiple layers is impressive and the presser foot also has added texture on the underside to assist in fabric feeding and fabric slippage.

An easy-threading lower looper mechanism with colour-coded threading chart is located inside the front sliding cover, which makes getting started and changing thread colours easy.

It’s fast and finishes like a dream. With easy changeover to rolled hemming, the upper knife release operation is a gentle push. Smooth sewing of thin fabrics results in less puckering to help create beautiful, consistent overlocking and fine rolled hems. Excellent needle visibility keeps overlocking on target.

What you could win

We have one Janome ML454D Overlocker to give away.

Perfect for finishing seams and curves in no time. The ML454D is a stable, smooth sailing overlocker with Hanenite vibration suppression, making it quiet and a pleasure to use with lots of useful features, such as:

·       4 Thread Overlocker for stitches using 3 or 4 threads, flatlocking, and rolled hemming

·       Colour coded thread guides and threading reference chart inside front opening cover.

·       Manual lay-in thread tension

·       Presser foot tension release

·       Sewing speed up to 1,300 S.P.M. (stitches per minute)

·       Adjustable stitch length 1mm to 4mm

·       Adjustable cutting width between 3.1mm to 7.3mm

·       Differential feed ratio 0.5mm to 2.25mm

·       Adjustable foot pressure

·       Uses Janome ballpoint HAx1SP needles

·       Quick change to rolled hem

·       Retractable upper knife with easy access release

·       Face plate thread cutter

·       Foot control

·       Moulded carry handle

·       Machine weight 6.1 Kg

How to enter

To enter, simply click on the button below and answer the following question by 10 September 2026:

Q: What is the maximum sewing speed the JANOME ML454D Overlocker can reach?

Visit your local Janome retailer to see the entire JANOME range or click here to find your nearest store. Follow Janome online at @janomeuk.

Terms and Conditions

The competition closes at 11.59pm on 10th Sept 2026. One winner will be selected at random from all correct entries received and notified soon after. The winner cannot transfer the prize or swap it for cash. To enter this competition you must be a UK resident with a UK address. Any entrant outside of the UK can not be considered due to postage restrictions. Janome will post the prize to a UK address free of charge for the winner. Details of our full terms and conditions are on p125 and online at icebergpress.co.uk/comprules.

Wellbeing | Reasons to Love a Puzzle

Glance at somebody’s phone while sitting next to them on the train or standing waiting in a queue, and they’re as likely to be doing a puzzle as scrolling. While digesting world events and scrolling socials can often leave us feeling anxious or down, completing a puzzle gives a feeling of quiet satisfaction and wellbeing. Just like we enjoy a boost of adrenaline and endorphins when we do physical exercise, solving a puzzle triggers the release of dopamine, which makes us feel happy, focused and motivated.

Brain training

And it’s not just completing the puzzle that feels good. While we’re searching for words, fitting jigsaw pieces or doing calculations, our brains are being challenged. “Giving your brain a regular workout builds cognitive reserve, and the more cognitive reserve a person has, the longer it takes for diseases in their brain to cause problems with everyday tasks,” says Tim Beanland, Head of Knowledge and Learning at The Alzheimer’s Society.

In one study, people with mild cognitive impairment maintained or slightly improved cognitive function after doing a daily crossword, while those who didn’t experienced a decline. Those doing the crossword also saw an improvement in daily activities like managing finances and medication, demonstrating the practical value of keeping the brain challenged.

Whether based on words, numbers or shapes, puzzles target different areas of the brain, testing memory and knowledge as well as verbal and numerical skills and the ability to keep multiple things in your mind. You’ve probably got a favourite type of puzzle, but challenging yourself with something different or harder as well as the ones you do regularly will keep challenging the different parts of your brain, advises Tim.

Off grid

While there’s a plethora of digital games sitting on our phones, let’s not forget the value of pen and paper-based puzzles. Analogue activities help to reduce screen fatigue and there’s often a real-life social element, too, whether that’s teams crowding round a table for a pub quiz or a family completing the crossword or placing pieces of a jigsaw over a morning coffee.

Solving problems requires communication and collaboration and encourages bonding and connection, important for our mental wellbeing at any age. “There is no ‘golden’ or ‘right’ age in which to start puzzles, and you can see even young babies ‘solving problems’ as they engage with the world,” says Tim. “The more we actively engage our brains, and the sooner we do so, the better.

The blog above is by Rebecca Frank and is taken from our ‘Wisdom’ feature in our August issue, in which we meet people who create puzzles, including a crossword-setter, a treasure-hunt designer and a quiz queen! And if you’re feeling inspired to do some puzzling yourself, don’t miss our bumper summer Miscellany - with extra puzzles - in our August issue, in shops now.

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Recipe | Pea, Mint & Ricotta Crostini

A nibble before dinner never goes amiss whether you’re cooking for two or ten, and these crostini are a lovely way to start off your evening.

It’s the season for fresh peas, but if yours haven’t grown well or you can’t find any, just defrost some frozen peas instead – the sweeter petit pois are lovely.

Makes 12

120g petit pois (cooked and cooled)
1 lemon, zested; juice of half
Small handful fresh mint, finely chopped
Sourdough baguette, thinly sliced into 12
150g ricotta

1 Preheat your grill to a medium setting. Meanwhile, add your peas to a bowl along with the lemon juice, the mint, a teaspoon of olive oil and salt and pepper. Mix to combine and leave to marinate.

2 Brush both sides of each baguette slice with olive oil, then toast until golden and set aside to cool.

3 In a separate bowl, mix the ricotta, three-quarters of the lemon zest, a drizzle of olive oil and seasoning.

4 When ready to serve, add a spoon of the ricotta mix to each baguette slice, top with the minty peas, drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle over the remaining lemon zest.

This recipe is taken from our new series, A Good Life, in which we follow Michelle Tansley as she grows food and flowers in her cottage garden in Derbyshire. This month’s pages also feature recipes for Raspberry & Lime Fizz, Tomato & Red Onion Salad with Mozzarella & Basil Dressing, Honey-Glazed Pork with Parmentier Potatoes & Tenderstem and Courgette, Blackberry, Thyme & Chia Loaf Cake. Follow Michelle on Instagram at: @myderbyshirelife

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Sponsored Post | Live for lebensgefühl and Visit Austria

Autumn in Austria is magical with a quieter way of life, meaning you can embrace all of the adventures on offer

Travel transforms us, but if the blistering heat and bustling crowds of high summer are not your cup of tea, then an out of season break can offer a far more magical getaway. Somewhere that offers 365 days of adventure is the Austrian Alps, famed for its breathtaking scenery and active lifestyle. During quieter months, you can fully embrace lebensgefühl – meaning ‘way of life’ – allowing you to enjoy everything at your own pace.

With the summer heat subsiding and glorious golden foliage, autumn is the ideal time to visit. If hiking is high on your agenda, you’ll be spoilt for choice. There are serviced mountain huts dotted along well-trodden trails all ready to welcome you in for a well-deserved rest and delicious refreshments – plan your route well and you could be savouring more than just the views.

Austria is a food lover’s dream. In Tirol, trails such as Außermelang-Alm, Farmkehralm and Jagdhausalm offer opportunities to sample local delicacies en route, such as milk, cheese, butter
and meats. Or perhaps try surspeck, a blossom-white bacon, in Upper Austria, or the distinctive tang of pumpkin seed oil in Styria, while Carinthia is home to the Gailtaler Alpine cheese trail – tasty cheeses and a good hike afterwards to walk off any over-indulgences, win-win!

Austria’s crystal clear lakes also prove enticing destinations. Carinthia’s Lake Weissensee offers a restorative route from Techendorf to Ronacherfels where you can enjoy secluded bays with enviable views – and, up until October, there’s even a boat to take you back to your starting point if weary legs win out. Straddled across SalzburgerLand and Upper Austria, Lake Wolfgangsee has shimmering waters that alter in tone, from light to deep blues and greens. While it may be too bracing for a dip in autumn, on dry land there are plenty of activities to enjoy. The Alle Neune tracks offer nine trails around the lake with varying degrees of difficulty, conditions and panoramas. Of course, you don’t need to do them in one trip – pick one and save the rest for future holidays.

Austria’s Alpine lakes are also the ideal spot from which to enjoy other popular activities such as boating, kayaking and paddle boarding – or you could simply find a peaceful patch to sit back, relax,
and enjoy your holiday, planting the seed for your next big Austrian adventure.

For more information, visit austria.info

Style | 10 Iconic Band T-shirts

T-shirt from Hollister

More than just a T-shirt, Band tees are a way to signal your undying fandom as well as a
being a piece of artwork in themselves.

Rolling Stones, Tongue and Lips tee

Designed by John Pasche, the lips logo is from the album Sticky Fingers. It’s since been voted the best band logo of all time and became a T-shirt classic.

Wham! Choose Life tee

Made famous when Wham! wore them in the Wake Me Up Before You Go Go video, this tee was designed by Katharine Hamnet to raise awareness for the large number of deaths from drugs and suicide at the time. 

Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Frankie Say Relax tee

An homage (or rip-off) of Katharine Hamnett’s creation above, using a very similar font and identical colours, the Frankie Say Relax tee is arguably more widely recognised than its inspiration. It was designed by journalist Paul Morley who also co-founded Frankie’s record label, ZZT. 

ACDC, Lightning Bolt tee

The first use of the famous lightning bolt logo was by AC/DC, who swapped the ‘forward slash’ in their band name for a lightning bolt, making them the first band to make money from merch. 

Nirvana, Yellow Smiley Face tee

When Nirvana launched Nevermind in 1991, the goofy yellow face with crosses for eyes appeared on the posters and flyers advertising the event. It’s appeared on countless button badges, stickers and T-shirts since and has been the subject of much controversy over who designed it. The band maintains it was the work of Kurt Cobain himself. 

The Smiths, The Queen is Dead tee

The iconic image of Alain Delon from the film L’Insoumis featured on the cover of the album The Queen is Dead and migrated to the T-shirt. The image was created by Morrissey. 

Oasis, ‘Oasis’ tee

From the band’s ‘Definitely Maybe’ period, this plain tee featuring the band’s logo by Brian Cannon in black-and-white on a blue background is a 90s classic. 

Pink Floyd, Dark Side of the Moon tee

The famous ‘prism’ illustration is still a best-seller and these days is more recognisable as a T-shirt than it is as an album cover. 

The Ramones, Presidential Seal tee

Designed by Arturo Vega, charged with creating a logo to establish the band as THE all-American rock band, the logo is inspired by the Seal of the President of The United States. 

Joy Division, Unknown Pleasures tee

Another iconic record cover that become an iconic T-shirt. Unknown Pleasures’ depicts the radio emissions from the rotating neutron star Pulsar CP 1919. The star turns, giving out electromagnetic radiation in a beam that can be picked up by radio telescopes. Each line represents an individual pulse. 

The image above is of a Hollister ‘Fleetwood Mac’ T-shirt. The image was inspired by the lyric about a white winged dove in Stevie Nicks’ song, Edge of Seventeen. Read more about inspiring T-shirts in our July issue’s ‘Wearing Well’ page.

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Sponsored Post | Built to Last with Rhino

Rhino greenhouses are built to last, giving you a space to sow, grow, tend and enjoy your
garden for years to come

August is truly one of the sweet spots in the gardening calendar, when all the sowing, tending and love that you’ve put in over the year comes to fruition and you can finally sit back and enjoy the magical fruits of your labour. The garden is full, the evenings are long, and there’s nowhere better to be than outside. For Rhino customers, summer also means a greenhouse working at its very best – tomatoes ripening on the vine, cucumbers climbing, and a whole array of herbs ready to pick whenever you need them. After many long months of care, you can finally reap the rewards.

Designed and manufactured in Norfolk, Rhino greenhouses are made to be part of your garden for life. Built to last with a 25-year warranty, they’re a thing of beauty with solid aluminium frames and precision-engineering.

If you’re now hankering after a Rhino of your own, now is a great time to turn your dreams into reality. Whether you’re after something compact for a smaller plot or a serious growing space that you can really stretch out in, there’s an option to suit every garden size and growing ambition. Rhino greenhouses, designed and made by gardeners, for gardeners.

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Nature | Summer Garden Bird Care

Photograph by Alamy

We’re reminded so often to look after birdlife during spells of cold weather but there are lots of ways we can help out our feathery colleagues in summer too, and it’s just as important. Here are eight ways to make your summer garden a bit more feathered-friend-friendly in the heat.

1. Provide shade. Dense hedging provides a cool place for birds to rest, particularly younger birds. 

2. Offer shelter from predators, too. Thick shrubs and hedges, especially with plenty of thorns, will prevent predators such as cats attacking, but allow just enough room for garden birds to sneak in. 

3. Delay cutting hedges until late August. Putting it off ensures nests are all empty. 

4. Use rainwater for watering. Even if you’re fortunate enough not to have a hosepipe ban, using mains water can affect wetland habitats and cause problems for the birds that live in them.

5. Provide both drinking and bathing water. And change it regularly. Water is essential for keeping garden birds hydrated and cool, but bird baths can be a breeding ground for diseases so refill them daily and clean them thoroughly once a week. 

6. Don’t tidy up too much. Piles of leaves and unmown corners of grass encourage the insects that birds feed on. 

7. Plant shrubs that produce berries to tempt garden birds: ivy, holly, crab apples and blackberries are all popular menu items. 

8. Place window decals on any windows that are highly reflective in order to prevent birds flying into them. Go outside and have a look to see if any of your windows are particularly difficult for birds to spot at certain times of day.

You can find more ideas for providing for garden birds in summer in our feature ‘Feed The Birds’ in our July issue.

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