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Press and Journal
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Press and Journal
Emily Findlay's cancer journey, and her 'incredible' family and friends who rallied in hardest times
Emily Findlay still remembers her teenage years in Orkney when it seemed that everybody across the island was helping her through her cancer journey. After being diagnosed with neuroblastoma at 14, the youngster from Orphir was forced to endure years of gruelling treatment, but she has never had to do it alone. Right from the outset, her family and friends were with her on every step of a marathon trek as she travelled to Aberdeen for treatment and eventually settled in the city. Emily is now 29 and plans to get married to her partner, Mark, next September. In the intervening period, she has become one of the region's most inspirational characters. She took part in Courage on the Catwalk for Friends of Anchor and worked assiduously for the Archie Foundation and Befriend a Child. She has organised supercar days out for families who have either a child or parent with a chronic or terminal illness. And she even baked cookies to boost the charity coffers in the middle of lockdown. Having witnessed the impact and importance of the third sector in her adopted city, Emily is now in charge of organising the Celebrate Aberdeen parade in August. She insists that none of this would have happened without the support of her parents, Michelle and Clinton, and her little brother, Max. But that's only the start of her list. There are also the myriad doctors, nurses and medical staff whose expertise was – and remains – invaluable in guiding her through the toughest days. And the friends she made during her early life and after her relocation to Aberdeen. Emily told me: 'I loved growing up in Orkney, it gave me such an incredible childhood. 'When I was younger, I was barely in the house at the weekends and during the school holidays, I was always out playing with friends. 'I also spent a lot of my childhood travelling around the outer islands, and spent a lot of summers in Westray, which I absolutely adored. 'The scenery, the beaches, the walks and the wildlife are amazing there. 'I especially loved watching the puffins on our after-dinner walks. The Orkney community is so incredible, they rallied around me and my family when I was unwell. 'When I relapsed for the first time, [local artist and businesswoman] Sheila Fleet decided she wanted to design a range of jewellery where a percentage of the profits would go to a fund to support me if I needed treatment abroad. 'It was incredible how well supported the collection was, and every teen/young woman in Orkney had a Daisy for Emily. It was really special. 'That collection is now called Daises at Dawn and has raised money for numerous charities. I still have friends in Orkney, they are all wonderful people, and I wish that I got to see them more.' Emily is pragmatic about her health situation. It can be fragile and, in her case, there are no guarantees her illness will not return. Scans and tests are part of her existence. Yet, as she maintains, there is no value in sitting around, waiting for bad news to arrive, as if you have prematurely checked into life's departure lounge. And, as you might anticipate from this vivacious force of nature, she is offering 100% commitment to her task of saluting the city's voluntary organisations this summer. She said: 'Celebrate Aberdeen [on August 23] means so much to me and our team. 'It's all about bringing our community together and shining a light on the amazing work done by third sector organisations and volunteers across the city. 'With everything getting more expensive and funding and corporate support harder to come by, it's more important than ever to support these organisations. 'The event gives them the opportunity to be celebrated, to feel the support of the crowds lining the streets, and be part of something truly special. 'Both the parade and the Celebrate Aberdeen awards remind us how important these organisations are to the people of Aberdeen – in fact, they are the heart of Aberdeen. 'I love it when charities work together and we have so many instances of cross organisational working, such as the Fairer Aberdeen Fund. 'It's amazing what we can achieve when we work together. That's what Celebrate Aberdeen is all about; people coming together, cheering each other on, and showing just how much we can achieve when we work as one.' You wouldn't guess from meeting her that Emily has been seriously ill for half of her life. But when she embarks on a new challenge, she pours her heart and soul into it. That's one of the reasons why she was honoured with a BEM when she was just 22 in 2018. As she told me: 'I have met so many amazing people down the years.' And they mean the world to her. She said: 'My family, my friends and my fiance are so important to me. Luckily, my mum and dad and my brother visit Aberdeen very regularly, so I see them often. 'My friends are the most incredible group of people, they have rallied around me during the hardest times, and I am so so grateful for them. 'My four bridesmaids – Ceilidh, Adele, Rachael and Breige – are just utterly amazing and I don't know what I would do without them. 'I met them all at different stages in my life, but they are all so special to me. 'My friends' children also mean the world to me, I love being fun Auntie Emily, our 'Auntie Chi Chi' as Rachael's daughter calls me. 'I can't put into words how special it is to be in their lives. 'Last but certainly not least is my fiance, Mark, he is truly the best thing that has ever happened to me and I can't wait to get married to him. 'But I am going to stop there before I get too gushy.' Her music tastes are more Taylor Swift than Tin Pan Alley, so it's unlikely that Emily has any Bing Crosby CDs lurking in her collection. Yet, whenever I talk to her, I'm reminded of one of the old White Christmas crooner's collaborations with The Andrews Sisters. The lyrics run: 'You got to accentuate the positive, Eliminate the negative, And latch on to the affirmative, Don't mess with Mr Inbetween.' That is Emily Findlay in a nutshell. Further information about Celebrate Aberdeen can be found at their website Meet the 3 generations of Harray Potters casting their spell on Orkney Michies Pharmacy: Meet the family behind the iconic chemist Misty Isle Boat Trips: The multi-generational Skye family business, ages 11 to 75
Cosmopolitan
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Cosmopolitan
The Handmaid's Tale' Sequel ‘The Testaments' Season 1 - News, Cast, Updates, More
We may be done with the final season of The Handmaid's Tale, but that doesn't mean we get to leave Gilead, or some of the beloved characters, quite yet. Author Margaret Atwood did us all a solid in 2019 and released The Testaments, a sequel to her best-selling dystopian novel published 34 years after the fact. And not surprisingly, Hulu is already in the midst of turning that book into a new show. So what exactly will that new show be about? And when will we get to watch it? Here's everything we know so far about The Testaments. The new show will be based on the Margaret Atwood novel of the same name. If you haven't seen how the final season of The Handmaid's Tale ends, this may give away some spoilers, so you've been warned. The Testaments takes place several years after the end of The Handmaid's Tale and focuses on three central characters: Agnes (who we know from the show is actually June and Luke's daughter, Hannah), Daisy, and the love-to-hate-her Aunt Lydia. Agnes is living in Gilead with her adoptive parents, Commander Kyle and Tabitha. When her mother dies and her father quickly remarries, her new step-mom has her put into a wives school to get her quickly married off. As her marriage to a creepy commander is being arranged, she learns the truth about her real parentage and enrolls herself in the training program for aunts to escape the nuptials. There, she learns about her half-sister, Nicole, who was smuggled out of Gilead to Canada as a baby. Daisy is a teenager living in Toronto with her adoptive parents, who are secretly working for Mayday. On her 16th birthday, her parents are killed and Daisy is taken into hiding where she discovers she's actually Nicole. She's then recruited to help with an operation in Gilead, taking her closer to her sister than ever. From Lydia's perspective, we jump back in time a bit to learn about the creation of the aunts. But it seems the Lydia in The Testaments is a bit different than the one we know from The Handmaid's Tale. She hates Gilead and wants to help the resistance by supplying critical information to Mayday. It's important to note that there are A LOT of differences between Atwood's first book and the TV adaptation because the book basically only covered season 1 of the show, so it's likely there will have to be some adjustments made to the plot of Hulu's sequel. For example, in the book version of The Testaments, Gilead is very set on getting Nicole back, whereas in the show, not only does it seem Gilead has forgotten about Nicole being taken to Canada, but June got an entire freakin' plane full of kids out of Gilead. Also, by the end of The Handmaid's Tale show, Nicole (or Holly, as she's actually named) still very much has two alive parents and is being taken care of by her grandma, so it will be interesting to see how her adoption storyline is weaved into the on-screen sequel. And let's not forget the fact that in the show, the Canadians eventually turned on Gilead refugees and had them all kicked out of Toronto and shipped to Alaska. With Aunt Lydia playing one of the central characters, we can of course expect the marvelous Ann Dowd to reprise her role. Chase Infiniti has been cast as Agnes and Lucy Halliday as Daisy. In the book, there's a scene where June (or, rather, Offred, since she's never actually given a name in the books) is seen, but we don't have any confirmation as to whether Elizabeth Moss will be making an appearance. Filming for The Testaments began in April in Toronto (the same place The Handmaid's Tale was shot) and although there's no official premiere date yet, the show is expected to air sometime next year.
Cosmopolitan
3 days ago
- Cosmopolitan
Hydra is the laidback, stunning and walkable Greek island you need to book for your next summer trip
With hundreds of islands, it can be slightly overwhelming to know which of the picturesque Greek paradises to spend your precious annual leave at. However, after spending a week on the calm, sunny and car-free island of Hydra, it's safe to say it's at the top of my list of recommendations. The small island is located less than an hour away by ferry from the city of Athens. Spend a night in the city and soak up the lively atmosphere before heading over for a week of true relaxation in Hydra. The island was beloved by Leonard Cohen, and recently featured in an episode of Prime Video's Daisy Jones and the Six. But despite its fame, the vibe is lowkey and relaxed. Cars aren't allowed so everyone travels by foot, boat or donkey. The town itself is easily walkable, and you can see it all within a day, which leaves plenty of time for the highlight - the beaches. Dotted around the island are a number of gorgeous coves, mainly rocky, that took my breath away on multiple occasions. There are so many, you'll want to spend a good week on the island hopping from place to place, picnic and books in tote bags, ready to spend afternoons swimming in the crystal clear sea followed by Spritzes and games of Uno. And when the day is over, make sure to pay attention to the unreal sunsets as you get ready for a chilled out dinner in the marina. Ready to plan a week in Hydra? Here's everything you need to know about the Greek oasis. One of the biggest reasons I love Hydra is how the buildings have been maintained, with many restrictions stopping the development of big hotels taking over. Instead, hotels are boutique and intimate, like the Hotel Miranda where we stayed. It's located just a minute's walk up a side street from the main port, and was originally a sea captain's mansion built in 1810. There are just 14 rooms in the hotel, some with balconies looking out to sea, and others with garden views. The small number of rooms and relaxed nature of the hotel makes it feel like you're staying at the house of a great family friend. And this in part is due to the fact the hotel is run by Miranda - hence the hotel's name - and her lovely family. Breakfast is served each morning in the hotel's courtyard, surrounded by lemon, orange and jasmine trees, where you can tuck into freshly made pastries and local jam, while chatting away with other guests. Simply heavenly. Over the years it's played host to a number of artists and exhibitions, and this is reflected in the walls of the hotel, which are decorated in a very classical style but with all the modern facilities you could want. Book your stay at Miranda Hotel here Hydra is the island to come to if all you want to do is relax on the beach, catch-up on your reading list and swim in crystal blue waters. However, knowing which beach to go to is crucial. Many of them are accessible by water-taxi only, so you do need to slightly plan ahead - however the ones I've listed below are all accessible on foot. The journeys to them are so picturesque, it makes the stroll all the more enjoyable. Spilla beach Located less than a five minute walk from the centre, the Spilla beach is less of a beach and more of a series of plinths to rest and dive in from. It's set between two beach bars - the Hydronetta and Spilla beach bar - which are built into the rocks. It's the sort of place you go for a proper swim and then get out for a much needed Aperol. Avlaki beach This is just a 10 minute walk from the port and is located down a long set of steps. It's a very small beach with crystal clear blue water. It's a spot for a morning swim, where it's pretty much deserted, and then heading back for breakfast. There are no toilets or facilities, just two ledges to rest on. However there is a very nice restaurant, Téchne, at the top, which is open for lunch and dinner. Kamini If you're looking for a beach to spend the whole day on then I'd head to Kamini. It's about a 20 to 25 minute walk from the port, or you can get a water taxi. You can either lay a towel out on the beach for free or there are a few rows of sun beds and umbrellas you can rent for the day. They're part of the Castillo restaurant, which is truly stunning,and you can either eat in the restaurant, or order to your sunbed. We ended up taking sandwiches with us and ordering rosé while playing Uno all afternoon. Honestly, it doesn't get better than that. Mandraki Located to the right side of the port, this is either a five minute water taxi or 20 minute walk. There are two beaches, one that belongs to the Mandraki Hotel where prices for the sunbed a day are pretty spenny, or there's the public beach which has sun beds at a more affordable rate, restaurants, toilets and a beach bar. There's a number of yachts docked around this beach which makes for some great people watching. To note: apart from the beach at the Mandraki Hotel, the rest of the beaches on the island are made up of stones and not sand, so while not essential, next time I'd definitely bring a pair of water shoes. While you can get a water taxi to one place, there are also plenty of boat tours that will arrange to take you to many of the best beaches on the island in one day. Ideal if you're only there for a long weekend and want to pack as much in as possible. If you need a bit more activity in your day, then start the morning off with a horse ride. Harriet's Hydra Horses company leads group riding treks across hydra, visiting monasteries and beaches dotted across the island. She keeps the groups small and every trek is personalised to that group. Hydra is a small island with a small main town, but it's still packed with plenty to keep you entertained. As well as the shops lining the main port, there's also a number of galleries, the Hydra museum, and Leonard Cohen's house (you can't go into his old house but you can walk past and take pictures) to keep you busy. A classic no frills Greek taverna which easily had some of the best food we ate on the island. It's all about the salads, fresh fish and peppers stuffed with feta, and it's located in the most gorgeous square with live music playing. In the same square is Kafeneio, which is a more modern and elevated take on classic Greek dishes. It kind of felt like if you picked up an east London restaurant and dropped it onto a Greek island. This seafood restaurant elevated above the port is the best place to go for good food and unmatched views in the evening. While they specialise in seafood (order the king prawn linguine - you won't be disappointed), they also do plenty of Greek classics. You can't really leave Greece without having gyros, and this was our favourite place on the island to get them. The gyros are super fresh, have a variety of toppings available and the come in very large portions. There are plenty of places to drink along the main port, however our favourite place for cocktails was at Amalour. It's set in a lively square and looks out on a number of bustling restaurants. They do an unreal margarita and from around 11, you can start dancing until the early hours. Hydra isn't the island to come to if you want to go out partying every night - Amalour and Red Club are the only two venues to play late nice music. Amalour is perfect if you just want to let you hair down for one night while you're there. For more low key and intimate evening drinks head to the L'Americano. It's just down the road from the Miranda Hotel and does an incredible cocktail menu. With relaxed jazz music playing you could easily spend a few hours here. Oh and be sure to try the spicy white negroni. The best (and basically only) way to get to Hydra is to fly into Athens and from there take an hour and a half ferry from the port, which you should book ahead. Lydia Venn is Cosmopolitan UK's Senior Entertainment and Lifestyle Writer. She covers everything from TV and film, to the latest celebrity news. She also writes across our work/life section regularly creating quizzes, covering exciting new food releases and sharing the latest interior must-haves. In her role she's interviewed everyone from Margot Robbie to Niall Horan, and her work has appeared on an episode of The Kardashians. After completing a degree in English at the University of Exeter, Lydia moved into fashion journalism, writing for the Daily Express, before working as Features Editor at The Tab, where she spoke on BBC Radio 4's Woman's Hour and Talk Radio. She has an encyclopedic knowledge of Gilmore Girls and 00s teen movies, and in her free time can be found with a margarita in hand watching the Real Housewives on repeat. Find her on LinkedIn.
The Independent
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Megan McKenna shares heartbreaking tribute to beloved family member: ‘I will miss you forever'
Megan McKenna has shared the loss of a family member with her fans, saying that she will 'miss them forever'. The TV personality revealed on Instagram that she has been 'hit hard' by the death of Daisy, her dog, who died aged 17. McKenna shared a reel of touching moments shared between the pair, including them cuddling and out on walks, to her three million followers on Sunday (25 May). The montage is set to the song 'Crazy' by Patsy Cline, which the star said she would often sing to her pooch but replace 'crazy' with 'Daisy.' 'Daisy, thank you for being by my side through every tear, laugh and milestone', McKenna said in another post.
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Megan McKenna 'hit hard' by death of family member - 'I'll miss you forever'
Former TOWIE star, Megan McKenna, who now lives in Germany with her footballer fiancé, Oliver Burke, has lost her beloved pet dog, Daisy, who has died aged 17 Megan McKenna has admitted she's been "hit hard" after losing a beloved family member. The former TOWIE star, 32, who now lives in Germany after giving birth to her son, Landon, told her followers on Instagram that she'd lost her precious pooch Daisy, who has sadly died, aged 17. Explaining that Daisy had been with the reality star for all the major milestones in her life, Megan shared a selection of snaps of her pet, including one of her dog resting on the Celebrity X Factor star's baby bump. Captioning the emotional montage, Megan explained that Daisy died in her arms, sharing: "I've been putting this post off for a few weeks because it becomes real when I do. But I lost my first baby Daisy and it hit me so hard. 'She passed away with me holding her in my arms. My sister and mum next to me. I sang her to sleep like I always did when she needed comforting.' 'It breaks my heart even typing this out. Daisy, Thankyou for being by my side through every tear, every laugh and every milestone from my teenage years into my 20's and even 30's. '17 years old and you still jumped and run around like a little lamb. I can't explain how much I will miss my little baby. You got me through so many hard times growing up. I couldn't have stayed on my own in my house without your little fluffy self next to me.' 'You gave it a right go my little bubs. I know you're playing in heaven with Nanny & Granddad now,' Megan added. Thanking Daisy for helping her to be a 'good mum' to son, Landon, she concluded: "Thankyou for teaching me how to be a mummy. I'm a pro with Landon because of you, your little dinners, bath time, walkies and cuddles. 'You were the best Daisy. You were my baby. You will always be in my heart. I will miss you forever.' Responding to her sad news, Megan's famous followers told her they were thinking of her as they sent their condolences. Married At First Sight star, Ella Morgan, replied: 'I'm so sorry Meg. Sending you all my love, thoughts and hugs in what I can only imagine is an incredibly emotionally tough time for you all." Meanwhile, the reality star's fiancé, Oliver Burke replied with two love heart emojis. Megan and Oliver welcomed their baby Landon via IVF and Megan said that while the process was a "rollercoaster", she definitely do it again. Speaking about the couple's plans to have more children, she told The Sun: 'I have always wanted kids. Since I was young, I wanted to have a family and get married. I'm very family-oriented. 'It's a real rollercoaster going through the stages of IVF, but it's the best thing we've ever done, and we've got another embryo on ice ready to go."
