N Th 6-19 SEPTEMBER 2019 INTERVIEW | year = UAB) “acon Imelda Downton Staunton SBA RUAN EXCLUSIVE Short Story by Jetiroay renee In the Garden sae jie Chatto ULERY GULL GL does On the Road with NO ONE David Attenborough (RON? 5 > 1 77002: 16196 8 8 SoThank you, Sylvia Sylvia Left a gift in her Will to help rebuild lives The first we knew of Sylvia was when for medicine. Becoming a medical Sylvia's gift has helped fund our work we received notification of the gift ee ee ea eet) she'd left us in her Will. Shortly after, a course of her career, she discovered _research to prevent and treat stroke, eminence Rte hm Ocoee on Re kets Pert ene Cee R ecu cet SER acy Ree eer Se eee ea rad heart and her wish to help others. She were vastly under-funded, andshe _help us rebuild even more lives, for spent part of her adult life caring for _decided to remember the Stroke Nk meer) ae eo Ea eee anes Call 020 7566 1505 email legacy@stroke.org.uk or visit stroke.org.uk/legacy 7 e& Ass 1THE LADY established 1885 » No64284 CONTENTS 6 3 36 2 46 50 Acting royalty Imelda Staunton, tells us what it feels like to be upstairs at Highclere Castle while reallife husband Jim Carter is stuck downstairs Chie Tweed Fashion PLUS Essential Accessories Behind Davi Attenborough’s Lens Photographer Gavin Thurston reveals 30 years of gripping stories gained from working with the natural world’s greatest champion, ‘The Downton ‘Tiaras James Crawford Smith calls into Bentley & Skinner to stare in awe at the peerless antique jewels loaned to the grand dames of Downton Abbey JEFFREY ARCHER SHORT STORY: High Heels, A mysterious fire leaves a trail of intrigue, money and missing stilettos Why Does No One Iron? Crumpled may be cool but Liz Hodkinson is a devotee of the seemingly extinct art of ironing ‘The World of Beth Chatto She changed the way we view plants and gardening forever, explains Hugh St Clair Hidden Treasures of the Bankof England “The Old Lady of Threadneedle Street’ opens thé doors to her hidden treasure trove Downton Abbey Cookbook Irresistible recipes from above and. below stairs 75 Whocan youhelp? 79 Show animals you care 83 A guide to legacies and wills 87 Supporta medical miracle ‘The Lady Loves... A selection of ‘our favourite things Letters and The Lady &I ANovel Idea Jane Green ‘The Diary of Miss Darcy Bustle ur lovable office dog and Social Medea Cartoon strip Her Indoors Mary Killen is minimalon Mall 29 Him Indoors Ivo Dawnay says parties are pointless 45 Horoscopes by Victor Olliver 53. Home Help with Hugh St Clair 3 The Baby Boomers! Cartoon strip 57. Trainee 58 Archive Recipes 59 The Lady Guide to Modern Manners with Thomas Blaikie 63. Fitness & Health Diana Moran 64 Books 67 Film 68 Artand Musical 72 TVandRadio 88 Globetrotter Autumn getaways 114 First Impressions Lady Antonia Fraser 104 The Ladygram Challenge Four fine china abstract mugs from Bluebellgray 107 Bridg 208 Cryptic Ci 109 Quick Crossword 110 Quiz Solutions a4 Sudoku. 412 Spot the Ditferer 443 Lewis Carroll's Syzygies Holiday lets, positions vacant and much more From page 90 Subscribe to The Lady magazine and receive luxury cleansers and balms from Woods of Windsor Page 70Wear th i At down it for me, Tine it foada erie Tdo Atist mi 16 out on ALUFF wi u UL mi eae my Mum Worries About, ae Mean the world ty j Cod help to Hd @ cure, ae @ Thank you, Proebe DiABETES UK KNOW DIABETES. FIGHT DIABETES.é EDITOR'S LETTER 39-40 BEDFORD STREET LONDON WC2E 9ER. ‘Subscriptions al calls charged at local rates:+44 (0) 344-4725248, subscripsonsalady.co.uk Clasied advertising: 020-7379 4717, ‘Main switchboard: 020-7379 4717 Fax 020-7836 3601 ceditorsalady.couk USA Subscriptions: ‘tel USA tol fee: 800-428 3003 Editor Sam Taylor Editor'sPA and Letters Tallulah Rushaya Books editor Juanita Coulson Cartoons editor Richard ngrams Fashion James Crawford Smith Editorial assistant Anna Price, Georgia Tofolo Creative director Lorna Wison ‘With thanks to Jayne Nelson Head of sales Andrea Taylor Classified sales manager Heath Lampkin Head ofadvertising production kath Hanley Advertising| ity Barrett Head of marketing Nicolas Boize Circulation office manager Nadine Rooke ‘Managing director Helen Budworth Publisher and Chief Executive Ben Budworth luction designer Cover: Model Anne St. Marie weating ‘tweed skirt suitby Marquise, 1960 Dear Readers, Iemay seem strange tobe talking about tweed when te weathers till so warm, Butt isa timeless fabric, that comes in all weights and sizes aswell asthe chie, cool, designs chosen by James Crawford Smith for our fashion pages. Perfect for an early autumn party, Ofcourse ideally, we would all be twinning, our timeless tweed with some of the peerless tiaras worn by the cast of Downton Abbey, Forte fictitious Crawley family like most ral aristocratic files the tiara tbe adie wore would have been passed down overcenturies Inordertokeep thenew flmastruetolifeas possible, 14eally, we would the producers wereloanedthree all. be twinning our sensational tiaras which even on our pages sparkle ForBeth Chatto, itwas plants;not__ some of the peerless jevels, that entrancedher and eheve 4: , hergenlustothankforthewywe "iavasfrom Downton now garden, As garden fans will now, Beth was the fistto abandon formalism in favour ofa more natural planting, Eat them, fel them, she urged, Above al get your hands dirty. Personally, I think there are very few tings in lif as enjoyable as settling down toa good book after session bathing with the borders and Jeffrey's Archers latest, promises tobe every bit as thrilingas the last. Asa particular treat, he is written an exclusive short story forus, perfect fora welhearned afternoon with your fet up. Thope you enoy it ‘Until September 20, best wishes timeless tweed with Sinn Togle Sam Taylor, Editor What’s new on lady.co.uk WIN: 250 worth of Meek Boutique clothes WIN: A pair ofcushions from Izzi Rainey “Tweet us @TheLadyMagazine and follow usat Facebook.com/TheLadyMagazine (SEPTENBERDOD THELADY 5Pinkand gold globe, £2450, by Clemence Rosy at Masons du Monde: 0808234 2172, vr malsonsdumond com ‘Waterlily candle holder, £125, by Swarvsi 0203-640 8400, eswaroisk com ff wa no pink dressing table, 350, ‘Olver Boras. 020-8974 010, wewalverbonascom [Agate photo frame, £50 by Amar: 080 587 745, Pure colour envy sculpting lipstick, £27, tee Laucer Vintage artificial silk flower garland, £295 by Houss ‘at Amazon: 0800-279 7234,yrwamazon cok 082810228, veesteleudercouk oy Se ‘Chase rhubarb vodia trues, £15, by harbonnel et Walkerat vwonneselidgescom re Se », Signature cast iron shallow casserole, £210, by leCeuset, 800373702, wnileceusetcouk ges 0800-123 400, a ee Fruit & Floral Tea Explore, £15, 0y ina Tex O) ) O / Jelly Luce and enamel Hoop earings byAlson lout Net Porter; 0330-022 5700, Malani pink hat with bow, £160, by Gina Bacco at Fe (20-7183 213, wenngteacom wnwneeeparercam | 020-3540 6100,wwwluefiecom Bolo pink cushion, £55, by Andrew Marti 0207225 5100, ‘witwandrevemartncou Dotted jug, £55 by Varsha a Dass Artisan 01200-21117, wirwidaseartian com Karel at Made in Desig 020-7692 4001, wwe madeindesign co.uk Origami clock, £5 vs 7, ‘bykalson at Red Candy: (0121227 728, wnvwredcandycouk © THELADY ssEPTEMER 2009ATTN, /HIMINNS, uy) g eee | | | | Pleated satin shirt, £40 by Gann 324 Stes 0800-107 2324, wv 2seurescom ‘Aisfor Angel’ handkerchie, by Jessica Fit Ruse 07748-920528, wiv esscarusclfint.ouk Artisan kitchen mixer, 99, by Kitchenadat Curys: (0344-361 000, wwrwcuryscouk Light ceiling pendant, £5702 (as £102 by Endon at Ocean Lighting: 01642 248066, wa oceanghting couk Pink palms notebook, £1909, bbyHouse of Holand at Papier 20-7770 6477 worpapiercom Rosy embroidered shaw, {605 by Alson Temper 020-733 4756, ‘wuctemperleyondon com Diorskin rosy glow blusher, £35, by Diora Selidges as before f \ Halo 2ct pink sapphire 18ct vermeil drop earings, 102, by Jan Londor: 020-3287 8088, ‘watwnlondoncouk Pink reactive glaze footed plant pt, £15 by Shioh at Habitat: 044-499 4586, wwwhabtatcouk Wild Hibiscus fowersin syrup, £995, at Lakeland 15394-88100, ‘wwaakelandcouk Red roses soap, £16 by 1 alone: 08082810229, rwjomalonescouk [Mini marble board & spreader, £20, by Chipo at Dass Artsa: asbefor ‘Serpent Forever leather ‘shoulder bag, £80, boyBvlgar at Selfeges:as before Deco dining/ Bedroom Chair, £238 by Mason at House of Isbell: 0843-789 1720, wvithouseofisabelcouk (SEPTEMBER 2019 THELADY 7LETTERS oatrappened LETTER OF THE WEEK Hodgkinson’s article must have wondered what = see, on further reading, why used for formal THRILLING inthe Lake District. Utility Clothing that grew to be a Helen Dewar, Quant. No need forme to — Quant dress - and of order was taken by the (a6 August) Iwas he food was limited as reminded of many happy Ivo says, but was always summer holidays in Corfu delicious and served with inthe 1970s, Wevisited —_asmile. Happy days! small tavernas that were Susie Dean, Dorset The Lady publication dates for2019 | mainly family run. One in particular was at the end Dear Readers, Sincewe went ewice monthly, some ofour editions cover longer periods. So here'sa helpful table of future dates to mark on your calendars. Happy reading! SS va Surat os track right by the September _ 06/09/2019 19/09/2019 2weeks | water there were two 20/09/2019 03/10/2019 2 weeks tables. In those days there (October (04/10/2019 17/10/2019 2weeks was a Corfu national 18/10/2019__31/10/2019___2 weeks ‘menu. The taverna then November OVI1/2019 14/11/2019 2weeks hhad to cross out the things that were not on their 15/11/2019 24/1/2019 2weeks thas were mocon thee 29/2019 12/2/AO19__2weeks | Guestion had tomnato salad December 13/12/2019 10/01/2020 Aweeks | asastarter, meatballs for | TM*9"eAt thing about these snacks a that they ebitesize main course and ice 3 THELADy ssePrEMEERaONLETTERS Ifyou have a comment on this week's please do write to Letters, The Lady, 39-40 Bedford Street, London WC2E 9ER or email letters@lady.co.uk sue, would like to share something, or need our help answering a question, HEDGEHOGSTREET © ACHANGEOFDIET —_—_ Cornwall. We had the Asalong time subseriber_ thoroughly enjoyed most wonderful day with Tel a need to write to say Robin Page's accountof the staff and volunteers that whilst [love the his rescue of a Hedgehog of the trust. stories from Robin Page- (2 August) which had got Angela Walker, Cormwall Himonthe Farm,Iwas itself stuck in a drain, horrified at the end of the What a good idea to use a hedgehog rescue he wrote shoe horn. However, Iwas THELADY reserves "Henry poured some milk horrified to read that he the right coed letters as intoabowl which weleft allowed his seven year old necessary. Please provide by the ball of prickles’(2 grandson togive the little your fullname, address and August) as mostanimal animal abowlofmilk. telephone number oremail loving people know that Surely asa countryman, hedgehogs are lactose —_with a knowledge of Nevixtegvenmik’ Pagenouttoowtee —— PT LADY & I Asthese delightful milkshould never be creatures (who visit my given tohedgehogs (orto _ Addy magazine advert in 1975 ed toatripto New York garden herein France eatseithed), asit gives City that led to the formation of lifelong friendships Most evenings during the them diarrhoea, would In 995 [was working asa secretary inthe Norwich area, spring, summer and have been far healthier for where I would buy The Lady magazine. I saw an the hedgehog, and just as advertisement for secretaries to America | applied and a tempting, ifs saucerof__yearlater with my Green Card ete, I landed in New York either cat or dog food had City in March and worked for an agency called Fist Girl been put own instead, At that ime there were around so orso First Girls from the with waterforittodrink UK and Australia working in NYC ang just as many in the ‘Maxine Hopkinson, other majorities. We were in great demand and First Git Hillsborough, Sheffield already had an interview lined up for me, Istarted working for attorneys on sth Avenue within days of arriving. came ‘CELEBRATING QUEEN from Bungay in Suffolk and my only experience of city life VICTORIA ‘was working at the Norwich Union in Norwich so that was autumn) arevery michin Ilove The Lady magazine, certainly a major change. First Girl set us up the decline so we donot and enjoyed Rebecca ina women's residence called the want folldishing out the Wallersteiner’s article Webster Apartments on 3ath Street old fashioned bread and about Queen Victoria (21 where we had our ov rooms, and mil for them, June). My darling dog breakfast and dinner. With the Suggest to Robin Page Bertie and I dressed as other girls we had various thathe looks atwww. Queen Vietoriaand her adventures. ended up working hedgehogstreet.orgbefore dog Dash, celebratingthe atthe United Nations for the he writes about ooth anniversary other Centre for Disarmament before hedgehogs againand birth atthe Royal going off to join my boyfriend - maybe you could issue Cornwall Show in June now husband of 40 years - in a“warning” to others 2019, also helping to raise Bolivia. If it had not been for The about the milk funds forthe National Lady [would never have traveled the Brenda Mayes, Dordogne, Animal Welfare Trust for world and Tam sill in touch with some of France the Hayle branch in our Fist Girls and with the Webster Apartments. still buy ‘The Lady magazine as I simply love it. ‘Marion Ridgley, Poringland, Norwich PSN Names Evie aaa Breed B/W British shorthair Thewriter of urTheLady Chawton, Hampshire. For ‘Ages 3 years old &lwinsa set of beautiful more details, please call (0) Owner Sally notecardsfeaturingJane _ 1420832620or visit www. Likes Herbigsister sleeping on ‘Austen quotesandabook jane-austens-house- the best chalrin the house entitled’ What Would Jane museum.org.uk. Send your ¢ Dislikes The doorbell andthe do?’ from the Jane stories of 350 words, to our vacuum clean Austen's Bedford Street address House Do you havea special pet? Send a picture and theirname, ‘i ies) Lee | museum in ‘2; kes and dtikes along with your name, tothe address or email printed opposite and they could starhee. | =O ‘GSEPTENBERDO@ THELADY 9INTERVIEW Grs GREAT to go to the Oscars when you’re not young and trembling with fea Acting royalty Imelda Staunton talks to Mautreen Paton about joining the upstairs cast at Highclere Castle while real-life husband Jim Carter is stuck downstairs he’s so full of energy that Victoria Wood famously described her as a ‘pocket rocket” A classic case of small yet perfectly formidable whenever the role requires it, the five-foot Imelda Staunton ison wonderfully commanding form as she crosses swords with Dame Maggie Smith in the longrawaited feature film of Downton Abbey, out this month, The two are playing cousins and it’s a delight to witness Imelda’s character Maud Bagshaw, lady-in-waiting to Queen Mary, giving as good as she gets Irom Dame Maggie's Violet Crawley. Ifanyone can match the Dowager Duchess of Grantham in the withering put-down department, Maud can, “The repartee between us is lovely,’ says Imelda, think both women have had to fight their corners over the years and it shows in Julian Fellowes’ dialogue. For despite their bravado, Maud and Violet each have secrets that make them vulnerable -as the film eventually reveals in its most poignant scenes. The actresses have worked together before: firstly on inary Potter andthe Order of ase penis weapon ‘Iplayed everything fromamaid toa queen in my six years of repertory theatre’ the BBC's 1999 dramatisation of David Copperfield, when Maggie played Betsey Trotwood and Imelda Mrs Micawber, and later when Imelda appeared in the Harry Potter film franchise as the sinister Professor Dolores Umbridge, High Inquisitor of Hogwarts, with Dame Maggie as Professor Minerva McGonagall.’ Maggie Smith is one of our greatest actresses and it was an absolute joy to be with her again; she’s wonderful,’ says Imelda, who has also worked before with another Downton regular, Penelope Wilton Asobel Crawley), and felt ‘very at ease as a guest artist on the set as a result Such an imposing real life setas Highclere Castle seems made for the big screen - and cinematographer Ben Smithard has given the film a suitably epic look with some stunning panoramic shots for the story of an eventful royal visit to Downton, set in 1927. ‘Sometimes when a television drama goes onto the big screen, it gets a bit diluted,’ says Imelda, who was a regular viewer of the series, ‘But the look of this is fantastic and the film really did sweep you along; it was very clever’ For Imelda, Downton was quite the family affair, what, with her real-life husband Jim Carter one of the mainstays ‘of the show as the Grantham family’s butler Charles Carson. Theirs was a marriage made in musicals, since they first met in the 1982 National Theatre production of Guys and Dolls when Imelda was the smallest Hat Box Girl and the 6ft ain Jim was the tallest Guy. And she can't resist mocklamenting that they were given no scenes together in Downton. ‘Wedidn'teven get toexchange a look or have him pouring me out a glass of claret, nothing, laughs Imelda, who had worked with Jim and also their actress daughter Bessie on the BBC's Cranford in 2007 t0 2008. ‘It would have been good to get all three ofus into Downton as well - and also our rescue Cairn cross dog Molly! But I'm very happy with what 2 was given; Maud was great to play. Tasker abouta report that she had assumed she would bbe cast as a Downstairs character ~ perhaps because > iO FHELADy osePTouanR 209Ba aC LAAT Ree on but it does need to Ua eag ayn aeco Monday 16 December 7.30pm ese cloacae patamod by te anal oe cept che. . 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Lonon Concer Ochs ‘Monday 30 December 7,30pm Cleghorn ln cones al ie, ras ngpton adsl Superman Pony concer London Concert cesta Tuesday 31 December 7.30pm fom te Sas anya ers le Danie Wat Radetay March Titec rate Paka aces of Sing The Lupin Sng ha De elise o oszeeo on AL Johan Stas Oaeers inglras essime fe pr ‘oho Sree Orchestra ‘Tone igby conic Urale eines apa Wecnesday 1 January 2.30pm ba ac SAL Camp Poa ULE BRITANNAY MESSI DORA Eno a camphentary MEW YEAR DRINK she Antony ngs crcct" London Gone reese, Dav Jr ecto al” Cipan Stele Poks uret Rene erey apne Moat sha rest oa ped costume SS aeeer hee her most famous seteen character, Vera Drake, was very much a working'elass woman. T played everything from ‘a maid to a queen in my six years of repertory theatre after drama,’ she points out “And all the actors in Downton could play up or down, to be honest, Michelle Dockery could be Downstairs as well as Up, and so could Maggie - who has done Cockney accents very well Which is why Imelda, four times an Olivier award-winner for her stage work, rises so convincingly to the occasion in the role of Maud as if to the great house born. As she says, ‘We breed character actors in this country ‘The daughter of a labourer and a hairdresser who ‘emigrated from Ireland to North London, Imelda = named after her parents’ favourite Catholic saint - was sent by her aspirational mother Bridie to the fee-paying La Sainte Union convent school in Whitehall Park where her drama teacher Jackie Stoker, with whom Imelda i still in touch, gave the pupils elocution lessons by teaching them to recite poetry properly. And Imelda’s proud ‘mother Bridie dressed the hair of the whole cast in every school show. ‘Tstill want to be INTERVIEW people who may be having a horrible time a couple of hours of respite. We appear in dramas with issues, of course, but we're also in the entertainment business.” One such drama with issues, also out this month, is ITV's forthcoming A Confession, in which Imelda plays Karen Edwards, the grieving mother of a murdered gitl in a dramatisation of a real-life case. As part of her research, Imelda spent five hours with Katen herself and is full of admiration for her. Task this most versatile of veteran actors whether performing gets easier as she gets older. ‘Everything depends on the part - [still want tobe challenged, where think, “Oh, Idon't know ifTean do that, but PN have a 0,” she admits. For the last couple of years, 've enjoyed having time off and just doing film and telly, not theatre, so that I can have a life - because theatre is so all consuming and I needed a break from it ‘And I won't go away on very long shoots, either, adds Imelda, who recently filmed a new ITV drama, Flesh & Blood, with Francesca Annis and Stephen Rea on location in Eastbourne, ‘I had been there for ten days and then I got a text from Jim saying, “Right, you can come home row!" she says with another laugh, Both passionate gardeners, they love tospend time on their West Hampstead plot; they are members of Greenpeace and also patrons of the Richard House children’s hospice and the Green fingers charity that builds therapeutic hospice gardens for life limited children and their families ‘Idid think at first I would never get the parts on film that I get in the theatre, yet I've managed to get these small ites at interesting parts, such as Maud in Downton, For me, it doesn’t have to be a big part, but it does need to be interesting - if it carries on like that, it'll do me,’ adds Imelda, Famously, she, Jim and Bessie, who was Now 63,the psiefaced Imelda hassince challenged, where I atthe time, took sandwiches with them played everything from a pearly-voiced in the limo to the Oscars ceremony in Dorothy inthe RSC's1987 production of The think, “I don’t know — Hollywood. “They don’t feed you there, you Wizard of Oz 0 the vipertongued Martha inthe 2017 West End revival of Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? a part she was recommended to go for by the great composer Stephen Sondheim after he had seen heras Mrs Lovett in Sweeney Todd. “My mother would have loved to see me playing Maud and also Mama Rose in Gypsy inthe West End, says Imelda, who admits shestilleatchesherselfthinking, "Why isn't Bridie herewith us, watchingher granddaughter Bessie following us into the business? ‘And yet, asa young actress, Imelda was told by one agent that she wouldn't come int her own until she was 40."T thought, ‘What am I supposed to do between now and 40?” says Imelda, who has barely stopped working since, Yetit was not until she was 48 that her profile went sky-high, "The thing that changed things for me was Vera Dra she recalls. She was Oscarnominated for her role as a 10508 backstreet abortionist, trying to help desperate women in those pre-ill ays, in Mike Leigh's sensitive, non judgemental 2004 film, Perhaps because global fame came to her in maturity, she remains resolutely tinassuming, telling me on ourlast encounter in 2014 0 _, thesetof Vietoria Wood's That Day We ang that'l don't E thinkof myselfa astar-that’s showbusiness nonsense’ 2" Aswe chat about Downton she definesherjebas'giving ifIcan do that sit for hours, i's terrible [without food] ~ so made sure we had something to eat on the way, she says, laughing, ‘It’s great to gota ceremony like that when you're not a young thing any more, trembling with fear, I know that these days some people leave drama school and go straight to Hollywood but I wouldn't have handled that very well -Ididn't come ut of drama school fully formed.” Thankfully she never experienced a #MeToo moment with any predatory director or producer. ‘I wasn't that sort of woman, one of the lovely tall, blonde girls who ‘were getting pestered. I wasn‘ in that category, although if Thad been, [think I would have given that fairly short shrift, she adds crisply. ‘But of course things had tochange ~ and I feel alot of things are better now. So quietly confident is she now that when, as she recalls, ‘People were bellowing at me on the Oscars red carpet and asking me, “Is this the most exciting day of yout life? Twas so proud of Mike Leigh’s film that I told them, "To bbe absolutely honest, the most exciting day of my life was the one big day of improvisation we had with Mike~seven hours of it.” ‘Get it into perspective, adds this thorot pocket rocket, ‘All the rest is just noise. '* Downton Abbey is in cinemas from 13 September, A Confession airson ITV at gpm from 2 September bly grounded SEPTEMBER 2019 THELADY 13TO REQUEST YOUR FREE CATALOGUE catt 0800 731 0148 or visit cosyfeet.com 2S SPANO e ee ORR ee ee Ogee eae WHAT MAKES OUR FOOTWEAR SO SPECIAL? > Exceptionally wide, deep & roomy ~ but look like ‘normal shoes > Very adjustable fits range of swelling sauna / > Canale fit buon, problem toes, TV i orthotics & bandaging bere RECOMMENDED BY OVER 1,000 ) 4 HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS doashoerts VAT RELIEF I AVAILABLE FOR ELIGIBLE re INDIVIDUALS - SEE COSYFEET.COM. ROOMIER THAN ANYTHING you'll find on the high streetCOLUMN: Jane Green on how, even after 23 years, an author’s working day can still delight and surprise her do not often write about writing, but now that Thave had my summer fun, lam back in my shared office, in the home stretch of my 21st novel always plan to take summers off, but life always gets in the way, and the past few novels have all been finished in the summer. Toften meet friends for an early breakfast before making my way to the office, where Ist at a shared table overlooking a small waterfall For the past 48 years, [have only written in the mornings. Occasionally, I will disappear on aselfimposed writing retreat Thave spent time in various inns and rented houses in New England, all by myself, where Iwill write from the moment I wake up to the time I go to bed. But when Lam home, there have been children to look after, and Ihave always made sure Lam done by lunchtime, then back to being mummy for the rest of the day. Now those children are teenagers and the only two left at home are about to get their driving licences. They no longer need me in quite the same way, and my ‘working day has expanded to a full day at the office, which [ love, [till write the same number of words that I have always written, but now rake twice the amount of time to write them, Ican see the difference in my writing. Ido have an office at home, but there are far too many distractions, not least my husband, who also works from home, He has a tendency to come in to my office and plant himself on the sofa, where he will talk at me about whatever is on his mind, like peace and quiet, but I also like to be around people. Ican think of few professions more isolating than being a novelist. When I was single, I would spend days in pyjamas, running out for coffees ata local café when the loneliness became too much. ike that I now write at a table that I share with other people. Often, we chat. Sometimes, people will sit on the phone, talking animatedly about their new business deal. If Tam in a particularly bad mood, I will seowl at them in a passive aggressive manner before angrily suggesting they move to one of the phone booths. More often, I place giant noise-cancelling headphones on and play Bach very loudly to cancel out the conversation. Accountability is very important tome, If there are peopie sharing iy office space, Iam far less likely to spend my days shopping on the internet, or playing mindless games ‘on my phone, Even if Ihave never spoken to the people in the room, Thave always achieved far more when I know people are watching, ‘The best thing of all about this summer of writing has been how ‘much I am loving this novel. tis completely different to anything Thave ever written, No more suburban housewives for me; this isthe story of the 29-year-old daughter ofa Steve-Jobs-ike tech titan, Iris not drawn from my life, nor the lives of my friends, and hhas involved copious amounts of research. This is the book that has made me fall in love with writing again after 23 years, after a period of wondering whether it might be time to hang up my quill ‘This morning, over breakfast, with a friend, we came up with ‘an idea for the next novel, and. sereenplay. How lucky Iam to be ‘tan age where my job can still feel as fresh and exciting as the day Istarted, ‘And on that note, Iam back to the drawing board to finish the chapter before the day ends. i ‘eJane Green's latest novel, ‘The Sunshine Sisters, is published by Macmillan, priced £14.99 (SEPTENBER209 THELADY 15Ladies classic ‘ape in brown herringbone, £298 by Holand Milby = fee Truly — As the nights draw in and Autumn/ Winter approaches Tweed checked shift . , EB BNES piece of truly terrific tweed eae says James Crawford-Smith now is the time to invest ina Cotton tweed skirt, by Winer London 7, Y Anita green tweed dress, LKBennet suing Comelia ting sackets ys tweed trousers, £1 "I ty PeteHazelwood tweed poncho, £199 by Dubay cen ne Dorey Pern Ridge checked woo! trousers, £18 as £445) Blackthorntweed by Joseph at Matches Fashion ‘oat, £469 ty Dubary stockists Dorothy Perkins 44-584 Anita yellow tweed jacket, £335 by LKBemett vwivnsdubaryboots com Hobbs 020-1095 293, swvwhobbscouk ‘The House of Bruar wwhnlenicom Joules 0345250 76 wajoulescom Net-a-Porter (00-044 5700, swnnet-porercom mass swnwumaksandspencet Matches Fashion Wiscomb tweed jacket, £159 Jules (SEPTEMBER 2019 THELADY 17Westbourne premium Chelsea boots, £1925 (vas E140) by ules Marilyn eather: trimmed otton- tweed baseball Harris Tweed backpack, Edinburgh Woolen Mil Pearl bead embellished tweed ballerinas, £599 vas £229) by Zar Lena high heel shoes, £4.25, ‘yCalectt Avebury tweed saddle ‘cross body bag, 5995, by Joules And to e acceSssorise at CC oer eoe £2095, by House A ‘STOCKISTS evo ede sma re S - 50 by sce Mit poked te comts state Edinburgh Woollen 08-202 0202, Duk The House of ruar (0345-13601, ouseofbruarcom ie \ oul 0345250 7160 weeding, ann Resear, rnjlesfoupcom ee é ur Geiger ri y myeke matches com Bramham 36mm Richardson eee wrath 18) On598 52 wo Bes Noms Recon rmonschardsoncom Ce aka Net-a-Porter 0800-044 pried Shawne pore Cavell tweed cosmetic bag, com £5395 bse Schotet 015727240, eel shoes, sericuntycom Eby tur Geger Ean a Londonathurceger Zameen 0 JB THELADY ssEPTEMER 209CAVALLO MODA GENUINE 100% LEATHER HANDBAG Our ‘Calabria’ handbag is inspired by this beoufful, unique southern lalian region. Practical and stylish in genuine Grade A leather with enough room forall your essen hs Cae finished with highly polished Bas contbhers siainless steel filings. Calabria comes with @ detachable crossbody strap and is in three colours to coordinate with your autumn wardrobe + Genuine Grade A Leather + Stainless steel, highly polished fittings + Hand made by Artisans + Detachable cross-body shoulder strap + Contrasting cotton lining + Zipped external discreet side pocket + Internal pocket + Zipped closure Cavallo Moda design and purchase direcly from the leather workshops for unique value and price To purchase: Go online, give us a call or return the coupon to Cavallo Moda, 7 Fairway Business Centre, Westergate Road, Brighton, E. Sussex, BN2 4)Z. QUOTE LADY919 to claim your discount. enclose a cheque made payable to Cavallo Moda Pease charge €, from my credit/debie card Cand Visa Mstreara/ America Express Macro / Det (aes Vaid rom Espey date Security nimber a you do not wish o recive offers from selected compania, please lick his box Size: W23.5em H19em including handle} D1 Tem ‘Mrs H, Kent ".. a delightful gift item from Cavallo Moda, my favourite brand”. Pease send ‘Colabria Leather Hendbag ‘Celabria Leather Hendbag "Total - with FREE P&P & Money Back Guarantee Nor Address Postcode Tel Email ‘See our privy policy online or eal 1273 437 020. Rey No. 07147094et SANE @) PSP cS eeu ty Brera ter ery Ecce nineGavin Thurston has worked as a photographer with Sir David Attenborough for more than 30 years. Together they have shared a wealth of adventures, he tells Maureen Paton pent surrounded by all kinds ate Sir David Attenborough's Sir David found himself surroun¢ ‘sacred’ black rats in an Indian Hindu temple in Deshnoke for his 2002 series The Life of Mammals, made sure he delivered his piece to camera in just two takes before hightailing it away from thousands of queaking rodents, ‘Telling me more about thee! inthis mem ‘ameraman Gavin Thussi bats) chuckles as he recalls he up the diabolical wheeze of smearing peanut but the legs of the stool Sit David was perching on to the rats to climb higher for a our greatest broadcaster for he’s such a calm chai TEMBER 2019 THELABY 21Fauna & Flora International appeal: help protect the Sunda pangolin Your support is needed now tohelp save the Critically Endanger Sunda pangolin atthe coupon ar goto wa. potectpangolns.org and you coud help keep them toutofthehands a traffickers. found they nave one weapon that could help beat the vatickers~ the Seales, Human fingorprints can bo opted rom a pangol's hors Seales, Tha evidence ean help bud the case against trafficker and can fevenimprove our understanding oF {he cximinal ntwerke Inthe county. Every pleoe of evidence and testimony evita to bald stronger ses to get pangotn vatickare ‘rested and prosecuted. Once these Cffendors face justice there sa kallod, pangolin like the one picture above are being slaughtered ata phenomenal level. Hundreds are boing snatched from the mild every day and unless wo. actnon. this enchanting mammal ‘ould soon be lost forever "Yeu carfthelp but fd pangolins ‘endearing Looking tke a cross and completely tothiess, they ar ‘bout as aggressive thelr wade ‘makes thentfook Thelryoung re, chance thatthe Sunde pangotn can ‘roundon ter mothers backs and be-saved thor mai defence against predators imetonaste fhedanger goes vay Guttnese -wasrouinely trading 25 or more Innocent erestures are now being plucked rom thoi native habitat Shipped around te world by ruthless traffickers and cruel tlle ‘become tie norida most ratficked ‘Atthohighor loves ofthe tetficking networks. rons taking place on an even grater, ‘moet industrial seale “ane thelr ruthlessness knows no bounds: As the Karin Projectin Sumatra, says immoral greedy ian are diving te llegal rade i pangoins. We Lurgan need to get tse offenders behind bare “That why FFLis raising funds which which could help pay for Investigations and evidence ‘gathering that wil help put key they are asking The Lady readers to ‘make an urgent contribution today. ‘mammal and populations are ‘topping dramatically Pangotn meat en asa descacy ora status Symool in arumber of counties. ‘Their scales ae alsa used for madcine, despite the fact they trade nansralpartsisdrving the pangotin to extinction wc wy ‘campaign to save thomas been lounenea Fauna & Flora International FF) v Endangered mammal. you balleve thatthe Sunda pangoline should protected, then the time to ack fenowFFlls determined to step up ‘crucial conservation programme in erin Sebit Nationa Parkin Sumatra, indonesia. employing rangers o patrol deepin the forest vere they can deter egal colecton and earry out intligencee Investigations to stop the taficking By collecting evidence. th “if you value the natural word —if you thnkit shoud be protected or is on sake as well a humanity's = then please support Fauna & Flora nterational,” work wil put kay figures of th Sir David Attenborough jegal wildlife trade behind bars and Fauna & Flora Intemational ip save Sunda pangolins.&xt FF. | wlegepresidont ‘demand! for pangalns is groming at 2 anovergroaterrate Rsteoms wil) EFingeds hulp to.stkeat the wer “workelosaly with te Indonesian eartafthe tacking chain bring poles force to pinpoint key gues Fesponsibie for pangotn vaffckng Pets invasions re gars. evidence and nuléing watertight ‘S2se5fornmnsecuion so thatthe. By taking tho traffickers out of the equation FFcan make sure tht the grsly market for pangetns Is ‘mantle, andtherefsno chance foicehavethecvidencethevnesd for opportunist to make easy profs fopuliheseoffenders behindbars. from tse defenceless animal. Ths Tinian slow moving pangoine ara almost cafencelass and cannot ‘ght back However seontists have isthe ony effective way to stop this, Sead andvve nasty. Fete approach is already Worldwide, over 1 million pangolins have been slaughtered since 2000. We must act now to save the Critically Endangered Sunda pangolin from extinction. ‘Dear readers of he Lady: Fora oalerstonal Fs askew fo your help aco goer evidence and secre onictonsaganstwldifeoffendarsin Sonsea ‘These are some ofthe essential tems curimvestigavon teams need tela Sop tho atfckers. £3,312 couldhoip cverthe cost fread bockstanaipesten the ‘effin uth ovdonce of har cre £1,600 can hep pay fora motorbike, producing some very encouraging thoring evidence, a trader was BSrrested nearly 2018 with 30 dead pngolins end he subsequently Fecelved 2 substantia jal term = Striking fear into other traffickers the more chances the native pangotne ‘wilhave to survive and thrive n Sumatra. Fare working tointercept poachers on the ground and bing, traffickers to ustice nthe courts But ‘wemust cover the ongoing caste of || communities take ation o protect ial equipment suppses and raining. | pangoins ‘There isnotamomentto waste. | Ey20 coudhelp host workshop to st We urgenty need to stop the ipa Sumotra-mie network share onsoloce fling, before therumbers | the nirmation rich can sove more Stpangoins drop so dramatealy that | pangotna thay simply cannot survive. Plaase.cul the counon now. andretumnittoFtl-andyoucould it {280 con helo cover fiervint nahi Inala abe some can prosecute £28 coud hap buy amie phone so currangeracenreaponsauiy an poaching fy canton. ger ak ‘o.ang way towards topping the atfesing othe Sunda pongo Cutthe coupon and return with your gift to Fl, Endangered Sunda pangolin. Alternatively goto ww protectpangains.rg ss Sk the coupon i missing please sond your cheque [payable FFD Froopost RTTH-TXTL-AJRK. Fauna {Flora International, The Davi Attenborough Balding, Pembroke Street, Cambridge, 82 302 by 30 September: Tile Forename Suname ase Postcode Tlercisea cheque to Fauna Flealnternational OR liwishto pay by reed cart ard No: ExpiryDate!_i Ii] securtycode_. a) sve Number Jannen 1 Toshow how your support is helping, we wll keep you informed of the progress on this. | cae paar aotearoa pc | SEeeymenafupnate tage odeanavt ret mtraaten | Sper ohe yon tant pty ot br | Ypres ops oases ea {details at www fauna-fora.org/privacy or call for more information. | Yemen antec 1 att | oreo | nen | Res RTOTATAMK Fa Ratti | Tete top Buln ent St CANBROGE 22902 | etomeeranaanainca seats : athe stgnngct ranma Sige | yao co nemson at eleyonean cn ba 1d you could hep save the Criticallyconnection with nature; he gets genuine pleasure out of it, as I do, Gavin tells me. “And he's a great team-player. In more than 30 years of working with him on 17 ofhis television series, I've only seen David rattled once. It was January 2001, and four of us were crammed with 16.cases in a tiny four berth compartment on an overnight sleeper for a ter-hour journey from Delhi to Bikaner in Rajasthan, with only three or four minutes to get aboard. David was 74 at the time and \was watching his expression, thinking he was just about to lose it. But when the producer who was seeing us off came in with the last few cases and said, My hotel bathrooms bigger than this!” David and the rest of us all burst out laughing instead. “David never makes a fuss: he would never stipulate that he has to have a cabin to himself. And up to his mid: eighties, he was still grabbing his own cease off the baggage carousel while the rest ofus were worried about him doing his back in or breaking a hip” In his book, Gavin describes Sir David as‘a top bloke... the best travel companion and friend you could wish for’ thankin him for his inspiration and encouragement. Andit's clearly a mutual admiration society, since Sir David has writ a foreword for Journeys in the Wild that pays tribute to the lensman as the most knowledgeable and perceptive naturalist (as well as being] a vivid wri ‘Adds Gavin: T heard a nice thing second-hand David had heen singing the praises of my book in meetings ‘In30,years with him, I’ve only seen David rattled once’ EXCLUSIVE its hand at camerawork in Costa Rica; an orphaned orangutan, ‘Nyaru Menteng Orangutan Reintroduction Project, Borneo; ‘and Sumatran tiger snapped head-on by a camera trap with producers and saying he envied me the freedom to write as Ido, I think he's referring to ‘me being able to include a few swear words, Being David Attenborough, maybe he does haveto tone down his language. He's so respected, he's like the Queen - who would never swear in front of anyone in public because of who she is, It’s fair to say that all of us might swear if we'd experienced some of Gavin's more hair raising adventures with elephants, gorillas, snakes = especially in war-torn Sudan ~ and lions, although he has escaped serious injury and disease (apart from a bad case cof dysentery once). There seems nothing that he won't doto get that great shot, secreting himself in a jungle hide for weeks on end andeven dressing up in a gorilla costume to get up close to antelopes. Thrilling encounters are mixed with comic moments, such as Korowai tribeswomen's fascination, with a Gossard bra worn by the crew's researcher Rachel in West Papua in 2009, while shooting Human Planet. Not to mention a Galapagos trip in 2997 when. Sir David laughed so much while listening to Gavin's Monty Python Sings CD tharhe felloffa bench. Attenborough was the very man who, as head of BBC Two back in 1969, had first brought the Pythons to ourscreens. But being a corporate desk-wallah was ultimately not for him. And like Sir David, Thurston also heard the call of the wild that tempted him away from a cosy and of working lucrative life of filming commercials (although he still > ‘SEPTEMBER 2019 THELADY 23EXCLUSIVE does few, including fashion shoots for Giorgio Armani). Whetherit filming grey whale mating orgies or capturing the first-ever video shots of a Sumatran tiger in the wild, he's still as hooked as he was at nine when he taoka life changing snap of Cuddles the orca at Dudley Zoo in 1972. Self styled ‘scruffy bugger’ Gavin meets me in the roof-garden café of his London publisher with its view of The Shard, the Walkie-Talkie skyscraper and St Paul's, where he was christened 57 years ago. ‘I’s an amazing cityscape ~ and we should cover al these roofs with solar panels,’ says this dedicated conservationist."When itcomes to carbon footprints, 'm ‘more guilty than most because I'm a frequent flyer ~ 12 international flights a year, using all that fossil fuel and, taking a quarter-onne of camera kit with me. But I have solar panels on my roof at home in Bristol and Idrive an, electric car ~a no-brainer in my opinion, “The biggest worry is that once we have lost that biodiversity it would take millions of years to build it back, but 'm optimistic. We caused the problems but we also have the solutions with renewables, rewilding and, replanting. We just need to implement the technology.” ‘And of course his flights are all in the best possible cause; to alert us to the riches of the natural world. He's ‘as modest as Sir David about his achievements, even though Gavin, an experienced diver, won a Royal Humane Society Bravery Award for swimming out to try to revive [African elephants filling up at a waterhole, Namibia. Below: sitatunga antelope in the Congo, 2008 a hang-glider pilot caught under the bow of a yacht off the Dorset coast in 1983. Yet the most stressful experience of his life - which made him lose most of his hair within a month ~ was when he nearly lost his house after a gap between freelance assignments. ‘have no pension and still have a mortgage,’ admits Gavin, whose camera equipment can cost many thousands of pounds, “The worst thing about this obi that i'sat the expense of spending time with family. My wife Maggie has had to hold the fort when T'm away and it’s bloody tough as a single mother, doing it all on your own, I feel guilty about that, since my mother did the same with me and iy sister after my parents divorced when I was two. His own family all rally round to keep things going «while he's away. Maggie and their older son Thomas, 30, run a rental-equipment business, Moving Picture Hire, from home while their younger son Harry, 29 and an accomplished poet, helped Gavin with the writing of his book. And now that he’s in his late fifties, Gavin limits himself to six-week trips, especially since each expedition involves seven-day weeks. I've done this for 36 years and it's starting to take its toll now, but Lean keep up with the youth if T have to ~ such as if we're being charged by an elephant. Noway am I going tobeas fSitand healthy as Iwas in my twenties, but I've become much more sensible, he says. He also praises Sir David's punishing work schedule as the frontman. ‘Once we have filmed the animal behaviour, David will get flown in for three to four days to do a piece to camera - but he's never anywhere long ‘enough to get over the jetlag like me. For Life on Earth and Living Planet, he was on the go all the time, but at least I'm slightly settled for six weeks. feel very lucky to do what I do, filming charismatic animals, he says of a job that juggles extreme patience with extreme speed. Ifthe lion chases the zebra and you don't get it in focus, that'sit, Lions don't do retakes except maybe five days or even weeks later! m Journeys in the Wild: The Secret Life of a Cameraman by Gavin Thurston is published by Seven Dials (£16.99 in hardback; £8.99 as an ebook) 24 THELADY 6SEPTEMBER 209A great time is on the cards Wina £250 Peer ecce ra iad ATR a a) names iy eet stele Friendship Month is a lac mR OM LRT) anions FREEPHONE Membe! : 0808 302 6807 eee Cec To find out what's on near you, or to receive a free information pack, call us or visit friendshipmonth.com ODDFELLOWS FRIENDSHIP MONTH 1-30 SEPTEMBER “Terms and conditions apply to prize draw and to voucher offer — Pees eee et ee Celebrating 10 yearsPts er au gic) lla ecuur Wee UnCey tac us This year we expect to treat aroufid 470,000 pets, and gifts in Wills will cover the Corp eae oe ce ease ur eds Pee (eae Cees are mea pets and their owners will share more priceless time together, and you'll have eee ese NR areata seat us that it’s better to give than receive, so please let your generosity shine on For Neca e To find out more about leaving a gift in your Will to PDSA, role. pd ojo 1°) Rae a ee mL CyThe Luar Miss Darey stories about how doggies should switch to being vegetarian. This will help save the planet, Well, Idon't personally have any problem with vegetables, Ionce ate a whole plate of cucumber sandwiches at a cricket tea and they didn’t do me any harm. Ie didn't make me madly popular but I have to say they are delicious. And when [was Ihave spent the weekend, “Glamping’ in Cornwall. I slept at the foot of a really lovely bunk in a small wooden ‘pod! that came equipped with a kettle, a mini stove and aweleome on crate rest for pack of little my back Late artisan | tots of veg to biscuits. The label didn’ exactly say they were for me, but Late them anyway. Justin case. I didn’t want to appear ungrateful. I hadn't been “Glamping’ before, but what joy. Everything is so much lower to the ground with tents that I can just stroll in and have a sniffaround = not everyone likes that I discovered. I'm already booking for next year. Teele The newspapers are full of SOCIAL MEDEA ‘regular’ as the vet said. Some of my doggy friends are very resistant to change however and still want to lay around knawing on a bone but what about a frozen carrot? What about it I hear them waill Bustle The Lady’s lovable office dog tells all WLreelbey Lyttleton Barle has discovered the secret of eternal youth and so far she isn't telling. How cean one dog look so incredible at 16 years of age? T-could be her drinking habit. She has been known, tomakea dent in an unattended pint - one of her favourites is Jennings Cumberland Ale, as Louis Bare, our esteemed radio columnist will attest. She is also very small which helps look at Audrey Hepburn, Lyttleton is a cross between, a Jack Russell and a King Charles Spaniel, Iam also very small and I am worried that [am getting a white beard already. Perhaps I need to get down the pub Ther econ) co COLUMN: awful but next Thursday a new TV series starts called } The Dog House which is aakind of match making agency BE ior dogs and humans According 10 the specialist behind the show. moet people know wvithin two minutes although some are more cattious Big tal, brown, white, sera, preened to perfection, there tssomeone for everyone ott there, Yu just have to take a chance. We doggies are very 008 to repaying in love tinbounded and who doesn't svant that when they come through the door Ty An incredible new test has been invented which can test doggy DNA. Any one of us could be related to royalty, or even better, be a long lost end of the line of a small kingdom. OMG as the young people say. ‘¢ See you on 20 September! Instagram@missdareybustle KaLanis SUCH A BEAUTIFUL WARM EVENING! WHAT COULD BE A GENTLE SCR NICER THAN... S oe ‘O6SEPTEMBERIO® THELADY 27ADVERTORIAL GO GREEN! Tips to Make Your Travels More Sustainable idyouknowthatthesmallest changes you makeare often the most important? That's right - unplugging your laptop charger and re-using your towels ‘may just change the world, Don't believe us? We believe in the power of positive change, and encouraging our travel ‘companions tobecome more eco-friendly with us, Here are some travel tips for ‘going green on your next guided tour: ‘Turneverything off at home: First things first: before leaving the house, make sure that you've not only turned off all lights, but unplugged electronics and appliances. (If not, they ‘will actually continue to use power while you're away) Geta reusable water bottle: Did you know that, across the world, people consume one million plastic bottled beverages every minute? That's a lot of wasted packaging, but you can help the cause by packing a reusable ‘water bottle, Some varieties even include a steri-pen or filter in case you are travellingto. location where the drinking ‘water may not be ideal. Use mobile tickets: The night before your trip, check into your flight and download your mobile ticket. Showing the barcode on your cell phone at the airport check-in will be much faster and easier than printing a paper copy of your ticket Get outside and explore: You've finally made itto your destination! It may be tempting to erawl in bed and tur on the TV, but it's even better to get outside and try something new. Ask your guide about popular recreational activities with a low carbon footprint Whether it’s hiking through the Costa Rican rainforest or witnessing the beauty of Iceland's Northern Lights ~ getting outside is the best part of travel. Eatlocal: Craving something fresh to enjoy aftera Jong flight? Enjoy dishes made from locally grown produce. Support local farmers’ markets by eating their delicious fruits and vegetables. Unsure if what you'r eating is the real deal? Many chefs and restaurant owners are more than happy to discuss the source and sustainability of their ingredients. ‘Take public transportation: Public transportation methods like buses, trains and shuttles have a reduced environmental impact and are usually the safest option when exploringa foreign country. Another bonus is that public transportation is much easier on the wallet than taxi rides, meaning you can splurge ona few scoops of gelato orsome artisan-crafted souventrsto bringhome! Choose reusable containers: Reusable shampoo bottles and soap containers are often cheaper than “travel size” goods, reduce plastic waste, and reduce the chance of spills and leaks in your luggage Purchase sustainable accessories: Ifyou really want to gothe extra mile in your “green efforts,” consider purchasing ‘sustainable travel accessories made from recycled goods. The shopper's guilt is totally non-existent here. There are so many companies that truly care about the environment and provide ‘employment and education opportunities to those in need. Feel great about your purchases of sunglasses, backpacks, ‘water bottles, wallets, tote bags, and more. You can look great and save the planet at the same time. When we try to take on positive and healthy habits (ike going green), we're creating positive lifestyle changes. And, when we all make the same lifestyle ‘changes, ithas a greater impact than you could ever imagine. Don't ever doubt that the sacrifices you make aren't changing the world for the better. Did we miss any helpful travel tips for saving energy and keeping the planet ‘beautiful? Connect with us on Facebook and Instagram today, and let us know what you think! am ‘¢ With the offer code THELADY, The Lady readers are also entitled to £:00pp offail oursin addition toany specific tour afers. Don't forget to mention you're reader of The Lady and use the code THELADY wher. you book! “terms and conditions apply For bookings, call Collette on 0800 804 8725 28 THELADY ssEPTEMBER 2009OPINION Operseend summer tidy was a stayeation in the British Isles. Our friend Alicia had booked a large house on the island of Mull and for Alicia and me it would be the peak experience of our year. Mull is probably our favourite place in the world We like sun and sand and shops in other holiday spots, but i's what it doesn't have that makes Mull so special. ‘You don’t have FOMO (fear of missing out), a the young all it,on Mull. You have JOMO: the joy of missing out. It’s restorative tobe immersed in nature with only a handful of other people competing for the same massive space. Reduced choice of activities - you can either swim or walk~ and rediuced choice of men makes life so simple. Also reduced possessions. The reason we had quite so few possessions was a classic consequence of the sort of| cock-ups that are starting to occur on a regular basis now we've reached late middle age ~ I now call it ate ‘muddle’ age. Alicia thought she'd booked the house for 18 August. Icturned out she'd booked it for the 11th. She found this out on the soth, ‘Some of her guests simply couldn't clear their diaries for the revised date, but ten were able to be mentally and HER INDOORS by Mary Killen Mary's trip to the Isle of Mull meant a lot of mulling over what to take professionally flexible enough to reschedule within less than 24 hours. But there were problems on the beautiful scenie rilline between Glasgow and Oban: more freak weather. However, for only £40 more than ten train fates, we ‘could get a taxi minivan. The nly drawback was no passenger could have more than a cabin-sized piece of luggage or there wouldn't be room for us all So I dressed for the journey in my walking boots and voluminous raincoat and had room in my case for one pair of ‘evening shoes, onejumper, a 9sos swimsuit ‘with skirt (Tdon’t understand the popularity of unflatteringcostumes without skirts-no fernale body suits them) and by the time T'd packed three magazines, a Kindle, an iPad and phone- chargingequipment there was room for only two things 10 ‘wear in the evening and two changes for the day, ‘Things I wish I hadn't forgotten when packing in a hurry: torch, rock shoes, waterproof trousers, lip salve, hone-charger lead, passport (what if [have to fly back?) and hot water bottle, But the worst omission was tweezers, and the nearest chemist was 40 minutes away. Sorry to be graphic, but when you reach late muddle age, tweezers are utterly essential. HIM INDOORS by Ivo Dawnay Ivo wonders which is more pointless: watching sport or attending soirées? FI could add up all the hours I have spent watching, sport, how many extra months = or maybe years = ‘would that add to my life, and would it be worth it? Tonly ask as the 2nd Ashes Test match looks like drawing to a close with a draw. Four days (the first was rained off) of time with no result, and I have watched almost every minute of it. ‘A few days ago I spent a couple of hours watching a not very good football match which was such a yawn that, could not even be bothered to stay in the pub to watch the penalty shoot-out finale, Still it passes the time, The truth is, as I have got older and less ft, I have enjoyed watching sport more than I ever enjoyed playing It. Maybe itis something to do with being able to slob out fon the sofa while a lot of hyperactive young men are ‘busting their guts somewhere else for my entertainment. No doubt I will continue to waste more hours in the future in the hope of those rare occasions when sport actually thrills ‘Theother bigtime-waster in my life is going to parties. The truth is Idon't goto half as many as I used to these days, partly through choiceand partly because I tend to be invited to most, humiliatingly, in the role of "plus one’ the eternal fate of someone married to someone more important. Parties, I have decided, are really fa female entertainment for the dissemination of gossip. You arrive, someone gives you adrink (that you would never choose for yourself) and you must head off like a lonely mastodon on the savannah in search of someone you might vaguely know toaskthem {questions to which the answers have no interest to anyone, “Oh, hello Charlie, how are you?" you flounder. ‘Been on holiday yet?” Atdinner this is even worse, asthe nice-looking woman ‘you have been put next to was clearly pining to be seated. next to the fashionable young poet at the other end. Still, ‘out of politeness, she tries: ‘Now tell me about you,’ she says, determination to do her best glinting like steel in her eyes. ‘Do you have children?” ‘This is the signal that you are going to have to list the litte or notso-little brats, their schools, their universities, their tentative first steps into adulthood and yes, their ages, which of course you can't remember. A friend of mine - acricket fanatic describes such well-meaning ladies as ‘unplayable’, rather like a furious Australian fast bowler. Yes, compared to parties, sport watching is a breeze, as I was only saying only the other day to another ‘plus one’ lurking miserably atthe bar ata nice Lady's birthday party in South Kensington, It was David Cameron, Ml pee Ctr rts: (SEPTEMBER 2019 THELADY 29eC cURL CeCe rte Ree Oeics OR cg Se euRea Ur US tee mac eCnn cc un acres en asec Reu Ce Ca Create Re CR UCT Cte Having mental capacity means you are able to understand and retain information and make decisions Pes nara u ecu uk ur ee Cec COU Mae ea ecu eT un ct eg nicest CUM enc Rec et Ua aco en RAE ed cea cece et Cu mon cuac re tl eG any changes to their Will are required, this needs to be done as quickly as possible, as without Perce eM cert Tour Sek Ur Ria TE ee rea en eo Cece Roe EUR Ct ue tare ec cee eur Ema Rac cut oe Cre RNR reT SOC Bean hts cura Most people believe they won't need a Power of Attorney until they're elderly, however, unforeseen eer cee UCM el ee Oe Ree Cec RUC ORL Ge STSCI ea SCCM Tice nce cl Cece tec partner or next of kin does not automatically have the right to make decisions on your behalf without PreCtur RU unr tadme Alzheimer’s Research UK Is it time you made or updated your Will? Worried about inheritance tax or paying for care? Order your FREE guide to making or changing your Will from Alzheimer’s Research UK today. Web: www.alzheimersresearchuk.org/gifts-in-wills-guide PTTL Ee ARAL xe PARTUM SEKI eT ee le) BC) eileen wracmste lool} Registered charity numbers SUR Ele eeLPLa ee eT ete ty @ FUNDRAISING elit Nel)FEATURE Victorian diamond foliatetiara, circa 11880, worn by Dame ‘Maggie Smith asthe sf Dowager Countess The Downton DIADEMS Ahead of the release of Downton Abbey’s first feature film James Crawford-Smith calls into Bentley & Skinner, the jewellers who loaned three very sparkling stars to the silver screen hen the Earl ofGrantham announces at breakfast in the opening scenes of the highly anticipated Downton Abbey feature film that ‘The King ‘and Queen arecomingt Downton’ sthe weight of the impeding splendour can be feltby both protagonists and audience members alike. As the stalwart housekeeper Mrs Hughes orders ‘every surface to gleam and sparkle’ - this missive seems also to extend to the ladies of the Abbey and their co-stars. For although, as always, the sumptuous setting of Downton Abbey is the silent third character there is an even more glittering scene stealer on the silver screen, in the form of a mass of mesmerising tiaras, From bandeaus to fenderlike fringes, the tiara is the ultimate on-screen accessory and as I learned when Icalled into Bentley & Skinner, exclusive London jewellers and traders in antique diadems, the tiara is making a grand comeback. “Westill make tiarasin our workshop and we have had quite a few orders in the past few years,’ Ilias Kapsalis, ‘An Edwardian diamond tiara, circa 1900, ‘worn by Elizabeth McGovern as Lady Cora Alate Victorian diamond tiara, circa 1890, | Worn by Laura Carmichael as Lady Edith jewellery expert of Bentley & Skinner tells me in the eye watering splendour oftheir Piccadilly store, just a stone's throw from the famous Ritz Hotel. “They are coming back into popularity. There are more and more white-tieevents, slobally to attend and a lady has to wear a tiara to that sort of event.” Bentley & Skinner are known for their jaw-dropping ‘window display which glitters with diamonds, emeralds and assorted precious stones enough to neatly blind cab rivers as they speed up St James's Street. The jewellers have loaned three antique tiaras from their impressive stock to appear in the upcoming Downton picture, being ‘worn by three of the lead characters. An impressive Vietorian diamond foliate tiara dating from 1880 is worn by Dame Maggie Smith as Violet, Dowager Countess of Grantham, a delicate Edwardian diamond tiara featuring Georgian style swags and floral motifs from 1900 is worn by Elizabeth McGovern as the American-born Cora, ‘Countess of Grantham anda late Victorian diamond tiara comprising of nine diamond-setfleurde-ys with old brilliant-eut diamond tops cirea 1890 adorns Laura D 32 THELADY ssEPTEMBER 2009‘In Downton Abbey the tiara is used to CAT ART CHATAN YALL CUB RYROTOL CaCl ora AN ATTA eR eae RO RE OLR eT CLEA AYA figures throughout the past 400 years”FEATURE Carmichael as she plays Edith, Marchioness of Hexham. These along with a muitude of costume diamond head adornments throughout the film create quite a glittering display. think that films like Downton Abbey are a very good thing not only for the jewellery industry but also for jewellery history as a whole, lias tells me. Nowadays sou can often see tiaras in a window display ‘rina box but with these films: them worn, what they would have looked like paired with other pieces and with the period dress.” ‘We have become too used to seeing beautiful pieces of les catalogues, Bond Street windows and hard to imagine the overall impression tiaras would have made on their viewers when combined with a towering bouffant, layered diamond necklaces, earrings, brooches and stomachers. The only time today that we get a hint of this impression is on tate visits or the annual diplomatic dinnerat Buckingham Palace where HM The Queen appeats inal the regaliashe ‘can muster, putting Britain’s best (most bejewelled) foot forward, The Queen has the largest private tiara collection in the world and has more experience in wearing them than any other person living. As HRH Princess Margaret ‘once said “The Queen is the only person who can put on a tiara with one hand while walking down stairs, In Downton Abbey the tiara is used to denote the status of the aristocratic Crawley family, as was the case when jewellery in boxes, so much so that iti the past goo yeats. But the tara has over the centuries. ‘The tiara changed very litle from the 8th century until around the 18608 with the discovery ofthe African diamond mines, Ilias ells me, ‘Before this lime diamonds were being mined in Brazil and in India et. When the African mines began producing stones, this is so ther ‘tas many large diamonds on the ma The cast of Downton and, inset Elizabeth McGovern as Lady Cora ing the Edwardian diamond tiara when more white diamonds became available and were utilised The overall style of tiaras changed very little until the 19208,’ he continues, ‘It is important to remember thatthe last 30 years of the x9th century in Europe was very stable meaning very little had to change, and this, applied to court dress and jewellery. As the tiaras worn by Lady Edith and Lady Mary throughout the Downton film show, the fashion for the bandeau style which aw diamond bands worn on the forehead became very popular with the young of the time - HM Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother was a follower ofthis fashion when she became Duchess of York n 192. As I ask Ilias which of the Downton tiaras is his favourite (remembering that the famous floral tiara worn throughout the television series was also loaned by Bentley & Skinner), he points to the delicate Edwardian diadem. ‘he piece worn by Cora, The Countess of Grantham is turn of the: uld have been a plece given to her or commissioned at the time of her ntury and this means i wedding. I's very delicate and very elegant. It was made llers started to work in platinum which wasa very new material and the tools todo it with hhadjust been invented. Asa result, you havea very delicate design almost like lace which contrasts with the heavier Vietorian designs, After my visit othe Crawley family jewellers and their dragon's hoard of sparkling tiaras, am comforted by lines spoken in the Downton Abbey television series, Downton Abbey still stands and the Crawleys are still in i!" Lean rest assured after this visit and a trip to the nema that this statement still holds true, and that the family are suitably bejewelled for their royal visit. ml Downton Abbey ici # Bentley 020-7629 0651, 34 THELADY GePTENBER 209ADVERTORIAL, 35 Glorious Years of Les Senteurs, the original perfume pioneers 12019 wesee the 3sth anniversary of LES SENTEURS, the UK's oldest independent specialist perfumery, located in London's Belgravia. 35 years since husband and wife Michael and Betty Hawksley founded the uniquely influential family institution to cater for perfume cognoscenti from all over the world, Chris Hawksley, Owner and Director of LES SENTEURS recalls ‘Backin 1984 our mother Betty had the revolutionary idea to open a perfumery that stocked none of the big-name brands but was emtirely devoted to the creations of small independent perfume houses. At the time, there was nowhere in the UK to cater for fragrance fans who felt "uninspired by the narrow scent selections of the department store and Duty Free. The Hawksley remit was to curate a collection ofitle-known but intrinsically significant and innovative fragrances from all over the world. Today, the purpose and approach of the family ‘owned store remains the same, to offer the very best fine fragrances and scented goods, combined with expert advice and exceptional service, Dedicated to celebrating the art of perfumery, LES SENTEURS has lined its shelves with over 350 fragrances created by the best noses inthe business. Legendary brands such as Creed and Editions de Parfums Frederic Malle are justsome of the dazzling, influential and inventive brands to have made their original UK debut at LES SENTEURS ‘and blossomed into the more widely sold brands they are today. More recently, Serge Lutens, Mizensir and Mona di Orio have all chosen to join the iconic store's portfolio of scents. Those partial toa classic from the past will swoon over favourites from Houbigant - supplier to Queen Marie Antoinette; Caron - a lodestar in haute parfumerie since 904; E. Coudray; and Grossmith, the English family firm which created legendary Phul Nana-the exotic scent which in the 1920's outsold every other perfume in Britain, While visitors looking forsomething more contemporary may delight in cult favourites such ‘Maison Francis Kurkdjian and Altaia, or undiscovered gems like Dusita and Les Indemodables. As resident Fragrance Archivist, James Craven attests ‘A trip to LES SENTEURS is always a voyage of disco Ina recently refurbished gleaming boutique setting LES SENTEURS now keeps open house for all those who love sent. Iisa space of pure indulgence for the senses, a place in which to be transported into the evocative world of perfume and enjoy a relaxed browsi experience, or savour one of LES SENTEURS renowned fragrance consultations and discover a signature scent guided by honest, uncompromising advice. Finding ‘the one’ should never be rushed and the unbiased staff at LES SENTEURS are experts in navigating the treasure trove of fragrances behind their doors, The team focus on helping customers find the right fragrance for themas an individual and fully advocate adventure and surprise along the way. ‘As founder Michael Hawksley famously used to say: ‘Come to LES SENTEURS and discover the perfume you never knew you loved!” m LES SENTEURS' exceptional selection of fragrances can also be found at wwwlessenteurs.com and to celebrate the perfumery’s anniversary, LES SENTEURS are proud to offer The Lady readers an exclusive 10% off online with the code LADYVIP®. “Offer limited tothe frst 30 customers and applies to ful size products only Les Senteurs, 71 Elizabeth Street, Belgravia, London, SW1W SP) Tel +44 (0) 207730 2322 ‘GSEPTEMBER 2019 THELADY 3SHIGH HEELS A mysterious fire leaves a trail of intrigue, money and missing stilettos EXCLUSIVE SHORT STORY By Jeffrey Archer ‘was at Lord’s for the first day of the Second Test against Australia when Alan Penfold sat down beside me and introduced himself. ‘How many people tell you they've got astory in them? he asked, I gave him a closer look before I replied. He must have been around fifty years old, slim and tanned. He looked fit, the kind of man who goes ‘on playing his chosen sport long after he's past his peak, and as I write this story, [tecall that his handshake was remarkably firm, Two, sometimes three a week,’ I told him. ‘And how many of those stories ‘make It into one of your books?" If I'm lucky, one in twenty, but ‘more likely one in thirty.” as he didn’t want to put the light on. ‘And where do you think you're going at this time in the morning?” she demanded. “Romford,’ he replied Anne tried to focus on the digital clock on her side of the bed. ‘At ten past eight ona Sunday morning?’ she said with a groan, Alan leaned over and kissed her onthe forehead, ‘Gobackto sleep, I'll tell you all about it over lunch.’ He quickly left the room before she could question him any further. Even though it was a Sunday ‘morning, he calculated that it would take him about an hour to get to Romford. At least he could use the time to think about the phone conversation he'd just had with the duty reports officer. ‘A plume of black smoke was hovering above what was left of the hundred-year-old company’ ‘Well, let's see if I can beat the ‘odds,’ said Penfold as the players left the field for tea. ‘In my profession, he began, ‘you never forget your first ooo ‘Alan Penfold put the phone gently bback on the hook, hoping he hadn't woken his wile, She stirred when he slipped stealthily out of bed and began todress in yesterday’sclothes, Alan had joined Redfern & Ticehurst as a trainee actuary soon after he'd qualified asa loss adjuster. Although he'd been with the firm for over two years, the partners were such fa conservative bunch that this was the first time they'd allowed him to cover a case without his supervisor, Colin Crofts Colin had taught him a lot during the past two years, and it was one of his comments, oft repeated, that sprang to Alan's mind as he headed along the Ai2 towards Romford: ‘You never forget your first case.” Allthe reports officer had told him over the phone were the basic facts Awarehouse in Romford had caught fire during the night and by the time the local brigade had arrived, there wasn'ca lot that could be done other than to dampen down the embers. (Old buildings like that often go up like a tinderbox, the reports officer said matter oF fact. The policy holders, Lomax Shoes (Import and Export) Lid, had two insurance policies, one for the building, and the other for its contents, each of them for approximately two million pounds. ‘The reports officer didn't consider it to be a complicated assignment, which was probably why he allowed Alan to cover the case without his supervisor. Even before he reached Romford, Alan could see where the site must be. A plume of black smoke was hovering above what was left of the hundred-yearold company. He parked ina side street, exchanged his shoes for a pair of Wellington boots and headed towards the smouldering remains of Lomax Shoes (Import and Export) Ltd. The smoke was beginning to disperse, the wind blowingiit inthe direction of the east coast. Alan walked slowly, because Colin had taught him that it was importanttotake in first impressions. When he reached the site, there was no sign of any activity other than a fire crew who were packing up and preparing to return to brigade headquarters. Alan tried to avoid the puddles of sooty water as he made his way across to the engine. He Introduced himself to the duty officer. ‘So where's Colin?’ the man asked. ‘He's on holiday, Alan replied “That figures. I can't remember when I last saw him on a Sunday morning. And he usually waits for my report before he visits the site." ‘Tknow,’said Alan. “But this is my first case, and I was hoping to have it ‘wrapped up before Colin cames back from his holiday. "You never forget your first ease,” said the fire officer as he climbed up into the cab. ‘Mind you, this one’s unlikely co make any headlines, other than in the Romford Recorder. I certainly won't be recommending a police inquiry.” "So there's no suggestion of arson?" said Alan, > 36. THELADY ssEPTEMAER 2009EXCLUSIVE SHORT STORY ener a i coon ee a SS 4 (SEPTEMBER 2019 THELADY 37‘No, none ofthe usual telltale signs to indicate that, said the office. ‘'m betting the cause of the fire will turn ‘out to be faulty wiring. Frankly, the whole electrical system should have been replaced years ago.’ He paused ‘and looked back at what remained of the site. ‘Te was just fortunate for us that it was an isolated building and the fire broke out in the middle of the night. "Was there anyone on the premises atthe time?” "No, Lomax sacked the night watchman about a year ago, Just another vietim ofthe recession. It will all be in my report. “Thanks,” said Alan. ‘I don’t suppose you've seen any sign of the rep from the insurance company?” he asked as the fire chief slammed his door closed. “IF [know Bill Hadman, he'll be setting up his office in the nearest pub, Try the King’s Arms on Napier Road Alan spent the next hour walking around the waterlogged site searching, for any clue that might prove the fire “Mr Lomax,” said Alan, “can I say how sorry Iam that we have to meet in such distressing circumstances?” chief wrong, He wasn't able to find anything, but he couldn't help feeling, that something wasn’t right. To start with, where was Mr Lomax, the ‘owner, whose business had just gone up in smoke? And why wasn’t the insurance agent anywhere tobe seen, ‘when he was going to have to pay out four million pounds of his company’s money? Whenever things didn't add up, Colin always used tosay, I’soften not what you do see that matters, but what you don’t see.’ After another half-hour of not being able to work out what it was he couldn't see, Alan decided to take the fire chief's advice and headed for the nearest pub, ‘When he walked into the King’s ‘Arms just before eleven, there were ‘only two customers seated at the bar, and one of them was clearly holding court ‘Good morning, young man,’ said Bill Hadman, ‘Come and join us. By the way, thisis Des Lomax. I'm trying to help him drown his sorrows.” “Ive a bit early for me, said Alan after shaking hands with both men, “putas didn’t have any breakfast this morning, I'llsette for an orange juice. “Ive unusual to see someone from your office on site this early” “Colin’s on holiday and it’s my first case. "You never forget your first case, sighed Hadman, ‘but I fear this one won't be something to excite your grandchildren with. My company has insured the Lomax family from the day they first opened shop in 1892, and the few claims they've made over the years have never raised an eyebrow at head office, which is more than I can say for some of my other clients.) "Mr Lomax,’ said Alan, ‘can I say how sorry Iam that we have to meet in such distressing circumstances? ‘That was always Colin’s opening line, and Alan added, ‘It must be heartbreaking to lose your family business after so many years.’ He watched Lomax carefully to see how he would react. "Til just have to learn to live with it, won't I?’ said Lomax, who didn’t Took at all heartbroken. In fact, he appeared remarkably relaxed for someone who'd just lost his livelihood but had still found the time to shave that morning, "No need for you to hang around, old fellow, said Hadman. T'll have my report on your desk by Wednesday, Thursday at the latest, and then the bargaining can begin.’ “Can't see why there should beany need for bargaining,’ snapped Lomax. ‘My policy is fully paid up, and as the world can see, I've lost everything.” “Except for the tiny matter of insurance policies totalling around four million pounds,’ said Alan after he'd drained his orange uice. Neither Lomax nor Hadman commented as he placed his empty glass on the bar. He shook hands with them both again and left without another word, ‘Something isn't right, Alan said out loud as he walked slowly back tothe site. What made it worse was that he had a feeling Colin would have spotted it by now. He brielly considered paying 1 visit to the local police station, but ifthe fire officer and ‘the insurance representative weren't showing any concern, there wasn't much chance of the police openingan inquiry. Alan could hear thechief inspector saying, ‘Tye got enough real crimes to solve without having to follow up one of your “something doesn't feel right” hunches.” AsAlanclimbed behind the wheel of his car, he repeated, ‘Something isn't right" ooo Alan arrived back in Fulham just in time for lunch. Anne didn’t seem particularly interested in how he'd spent his Sunday morning, until he mentioned the word shoes. She then began to ask him lots of questions, one of which gave him an idea, At nine o'clock the following morning, Alan was standing outside the claim manager's office. ‘No, I haven't read your teport,'Roy Kerslake said, even before Alan had sat down. “That might be because I haven't written it ye, said Alan with a grin. ‘But then, I'm not expecting to get a copy ofthe fire report or the insurance evaluation beforetheendof the week.” “Then why are you wasting my time?” asked Kerslake, not looking up from behind a foot high pile of files. ‘Tm not convinced the Lomax case is quiteasstraightforward as everyone on the ground seems to think itis.” “Have you got anything more substantial to goon other than a gut feeling?" “Don't let's forget_my vast experience,’ said Alan. "So what do you expect me to do about i?” asked Kerslake, ignoringthe “There isn’t a great deal I can do before the written reports land on my desk, but I was thinking of carrying outa little research of my own, “Ismell a request for expenses,’ sald Kerslake, looking up forthe first time "You'll need to justify them before I'll consider parting with a penny’ ‘Alan told him in great detail what hehad in mind, which resulted in the claims manager putting his pen down, “Twill not advance you a penny until you come up with something more than a gut feeling by the next time I see you. Now go away and let me get on with my job... By the way” he said as Alan opened the door, ‘iI remember correctly, this is your first time flying solo?" “That's right, said Alan, but he'd 38 THELADY ssuPTEMAER 2009closed the door before he could hear Kerslake’s response. "Well, that explains everything.” aoe Alan drove back to Romford later that morning, hoping that a second visit to the site might lift the scales from his eyes, but still all he could see were the charred remains of a once-proud. company. He walked slowly across the deserted site, searching for the slightest clue, and was pleased to find nothing, ‘At one o'clock he returned to the King’s Arms, hopingthat Des Lomax and Bill Hadman wouldn't be propping up the bar as he wanted to chat to one or two locals in the hope of picking up any gossip that was doing the rounds. He plonked himself down on a stool in the middle of the bar and. ordered a pint and a ploughman’s lunch. It didn't take him long to work ‘out who were the regulars and who, like him, were passing trade. He noticed that one of the regulars was reading about the fire in the local paper. "That must have been quitea sight, said Alan, pointing to the photograph ‘ofa warehouse in flames which took up most of the front page of the Romford Recorder. "Twouldn’t know,’ said the man after draining his glass. Twas tucked up in bed at the time, minding my own business. “Sad, though,’ said Alan, ‘an old family company like that going up in flames.’ “Not so sad for Des Lomax,’ said. the man, glancing at his empty glass. ‘He pockets a cool four million and then swans off on holiday with his latest girlfriend, Bet wenever see him, around these parts again, “Tm sure you're right, said Alan ‘and, tapping his glass, he said to the barman, ‘Another pint, please.’ He turned to the regular and asked, "Would you care to join me?" “That's very civil of you,’ said the rman, smiling for the first time. ‘An hour later, Alan left the King’s Arms with nota great deal more to go, fon, despite a second pint for his new- found friend and one for the barman, Lomax, it seemed, had flown offto Corfu with his new Ukrainian girlfriend, leaving his wife behind in Romford. Alan had nodoubt that Mrs Lomax would be able tell him much more than the stranger at the bar, but he knew he'd never get away with it, Ifthe company were to find out that he'd been to visit the policy-holder's wife, it would be his last job as well as his first. He dismissed the idea, although it worried him that Lomax. could be found in a pub on the morning after the fireand then fly off, to Corfu with his girlfriend while the embers were still smouldering. When Alan arrived back at the office he decided to give Bill Hadman, acalland see ifhe had anything that, might be worth following up. “Tribunal Insurance,’ announced a switchboard voice. ‘Ie Alan Penfold from Redfern and. ‘Ticehurst. Could you put me through, to Mr Hadman, please? ‘Mr Hadman’s on holiday. We're expecting him back next Monday. ‘Somewhere nice, I hope,” said Alan, flying a kite. ‘Tthink he said he was going to Corfu. ooo Alan leaned across and stroked his wife's back, wondering if she was awake, “If you're hoping for sex, you can forget it,’ Anne said without turning EXCLUSIVE SHORT STORY "No, I was hoping to talk to you about shoes.” ‘Anne turned over. ‘Shoes?" she mumbled. “Yes, I want you to tell me everything you know about Manolo Blahnik, Prada and Roger Vivier. ‘Anne sat up, suddenly wide awake. "Why do you want to know?" she asked hopefully ‘What size are you, fora start? “Thirty-eight Ts that inches, centimetres or~ “Don't be silly, Alan, It's the recognised European measurement, universally accepted by all the major shoe companies” “But is there anything distinctive about... Alan went on toask his wife a series of questions, all of which she seemed to know the answers to. aoe Alan spent the following morning strolling around the first floor of Harrods, a store he usually only visited during the sales. He tried to remember everything Anne had told him, and spent considerable amount of time studyingthe vast department devoted to shoes, or to be more accurate, to women. He checked through all the brand names that had been on Lomax’s manifest, and by the end of the morning he had narrowed down his, search to Manolo Blahnikand Roger Vivier. Alan left the store a couple of hours later with nothing more than some brochures, aware that he couldn't progress his theory without asking Kerslake for money. When Alan returned to the office that afternoon, he took his time double-checking Lomax’ stock list. Among the shoes lost in the fire were two thousand three hundred pairs of Manolo Blahnik and over four thousand pairs of Roger Vivier. “How much do you want?" asked Roy Kerslake, two stacks of files now piled up in front of him. “A thousand,’ said Alan, placing yet another file on the desk ‘TiLlet you know my decision once Tve read your report,’ Kerslake said. “How do I get my report to the top of the pile?" asked Alan, > (SEPTEMBER 2019 THELADY 39EXCLUSIVE SHORT STORY. “You have to prove to me that the company will benefit from any further expenditure. “Would saving aclient two million pounds be considered a benefit?” asked Alan innocently Kerslake pulled the file back out from the bottom of the pile, opened itand began to read. Tl let you know ‘my decision within the hour’ ooo Alan returned to Harrods the next day, after he'd had another nocturnal chat with his wife. He took the escalator to the first floor and didn't stop walking until he reached the Roger Vivier display. He selected a pairof shoes, took them to the counter and asked the sales assistant how much they were. She studied the coded label “They're part of a limited edition, sir, and this is the last pair. ‘And the price?’ said Alan. “Two hundred and twenty pounds.” Alan tried not to look horrified. At that ptice, he realised he wouldn't be able to buy enough pairs to carry out his experiment. “Do you have any seconds?" he asked hopefully. “Roger Vivier doesn't deal in seconds, sir’ the assistant replied with a sweet smile, “Well, if that's the case, what's the cheapest pair of shoes you have?" "We have some pairs of ballerinas at one hundred and twenty pounds, anda few penny loafers at ninety’ ‘Tltake them, said Alan. “What size?" ‘edoesn’t matter’ said Alan, It was the assistant’s turn to look surprised. She leaned across the counter and whispered, ‘We have five pairs of size thirty-eight in store, Which I could let you have at a reduced price, but I'm afraid they're last ‘Tm not interested in the season,’ said Alan, and happily paid for five pairs of Roger Vivier shoes, size thirty-eight, before ‘moving across the aisle 10 Manolo Blahnik, ‘The first question he asked the sales assistant was, "Do you have any of ast season's, size thirty-eight?” “Tiljust check, sir” said the girl, and headed off in the direction ofthe stockroom. No, sit, we've sold out of all the thirty-eights,’ she said when she returned. ‘The only two pairs leftover from last year are a thirty-seven and athirty-five. ‘How much would you charge me if Take both pairs?’ "Without even looking at them?" ‘All T care about is that they're Manolo Blahnik,’ said Alan, to another surprised assistant. Alan left Harrods carrying wo bulky green carrier bags containing seven pairs of shoes. Once he was back in the office, he handed the receipts to Roy Kerslake, who looked up from behind his pile of files when he saw how much lan had spent. "Thope your wife's nota size thirty: ‘ight, he said with a grin. The thought hadn't even crossed Alan's mind, ooo While Anne was out shopping on Saturday morning, Alan builtasmall, bonfire at the bottom of the garden, He then disappeared into the garage and removed the two carrier bags of shoes and the spare petrol can from the boot of his car. He had completed his little Arms? "No, I'd prefer to see him on site” aoe Alan woke early on Wednesday morning and dressed without waking, his wife, She'd already supplied him ‘with all the information he required. He set off for Romford soon after breakfast, allowing far more time for the journey than was necessary. He made one stop on the way, dropping into his local garage to refillthe spare petrol can, When Alan drove into Romford he ‘went straight to the site and parked on the only available meter. He decided that an hour would be more than enough. He opened the boot, took out the Harrods bag and thecan cof petrol, and walked on tothe middle (of site where he waited patiently for thechairman of LomaxShoes (Import and Export) Ltd to appear. Des Lomax drove up twenty minutes later and parked his brand: new red Mercedes E-Class Saloon on double yellow line. When he stepped cout ofthe car, Alan’s first impression ‘was that he looked remarkably pale ‘He opened the boot, took out the Harrods bag and the can of petrol, and walked on to the middle of the site’ experimentlongbefore Anne returned. from her shopping trip. He decided not to tell her that Manolo Blahnik had been eliminated from his findings, because, although he had a spare pair left over, sadly they were not her size, He locked the boot of his car, just in case she discovered the four remaining pairs of Roger Vivier, size thirty-eight. ooo ‘On Monday morning, Alan rang Des, Lomax’ secretary to arrange an appointment with him once he'd returned from his holiday. ‘just want ‘to wrap things up,’ he explained. “Of course, Mr Penfold, said the secretary. ‘We're expecting him back in the office on Wednesday. Whattime would suit you?" "Would eleven o'clock be convenient? “Tm sure that will be just fine,’ she replied. ‘Shall we say the King’s for someone who'd just spentten days in Corfu Lomax walked slowly across to join him, and didn't apologise for being late, Alan refused his outstretched hand and simply said, ‘Good morning, ‘MrLomax. [think the time has come for us to discuss your claim.” There's nothing to discuss’ said Lomax. ‘My policy was for four million, and as I've never missed a payment, I'm looking forward to my claim being paid in full, and sharpish.’ ‘Subject to my recommendation.” T don’t give a damn about your recommendation, sunshine,” said Lomax, lighting a cigarette. ‘Four million is what I'm entitled to, and four million is what I'm going to get. And if you don’t pay up pretty damn quick, you can look forward to our next meeting being in court, which might not be a good career move, remembering that this is your first "You may well prove tobe tight, Mr Lomax,’ said Alan, ‘But I shall be recommending to your insurance broker that they settle for two million.” 0. THELADY ssEPTENBER 2009“Two million?” said Lomax. ‘And when did you come up with that Mickey Mouse figure? “When I discovered that you hadn't spent the last ten days in Corfu, "You'd better be able to prove that, sunshine, snapped Lomax, because T've got hotel receipts, plane tickets, even the hire car agreement. So I wouldn't go down that road if I were you, unless you want to add a writ for libel to the one you'll be getting for non-payment of a legally binding “Actually, Iadmitthat Idon’t have any proof you weren't in Corfu,’ said Alan, But I'd still advise you to settle for two million. "Ifyou don’t have any proof’ said Lomax, his voice rising, ‘what's your ‘game? “What we're discussing, MrLomax, is your game, not mine,’ said Alan calmly. I may not be able to prove you've spent the last ten days disposing of over six thousand pairs of shoes, but what Ican prove is that those shoes weren'tin your warehouse ‘when you set fire to it ‘Don't threaten me, sunshine. You have absolutely no idea who you're dealing with.” ‘T know only too well who I'm dealing with, said Alan as he bent down and removed fourboxes of Roger Vivier shoes from the Harrods bag and lined them up at Lomax’ feet. Lomax stared down at the neat little row of boxes. ‘Been out buying presents, have we?" ‘No. Gathering proof of your nocturnal habits.” Lomax clenched his fist. ‘Are you tying to get yourself thumped?" “Lwouldn't go down that road, if were you, said Alan, ‘unless you want to add a charge of assault to the one you'll be getting for arson.’ Lomax unclenched his fist, and ‘Alan unscrewed the cap on the petrol ‘can and poured the contents over the boxes. ‘You've already had the fire officer's report, which confirms there was no suggestion of arson,’ said Lomax, ‘so whatdo you think this litle fireworks display is going to prove?” "You're about to find out,’said Alan, suddenly cursing himself for having forgotten to bring a box of matches. ‘Might! add,’said Lomax, defiantly tossing his cigarette stub on to the boxes, ‘that the insurance company has already accepted the fie chiel’s opinion ‘Yes, I'm well aware of that, said Alan. ‘T've read both reports.” ‘Just as I thought,’ said Lomax, ‘you're bluffing” ‘Alan said nothing as flamesbegan toleap into the air, causing both men totakea pace back, Within minutes, the tissue paper, the cardboard boxes ‘Within minutes, the tissue paper, the cardboard box provingit” “You may well be right, Mr Lomax,’ said Alan, ‘But then, I reckon you've stillonly gota fifty-fifty chance of not being paid a penny in compensation and, even worse, ending up behind bars fora very longtime. Soas Isaid, eS and finally the shoes had been burnt to.a cinder’ and finally the shoes had been burnt toa cinder, leaving a small cloud of black smoke spiralling into the air. When it had cleared, the two men stared down at all that was eft of the funeral pyre - eight large metal buckles. ‘Iv often not what you do see, but what you don't see, said Alan without explanation. He looked up at Lomax, twas my wife, continued Alan, ‘who told methat Catherine Deneuve made Roger Vivier buckles famous when she played a courtesan in the film Belle de Jour. That was when I first realised you'd set fire to your own warehouse, Mr Lomax, because ifyou hadn't, according to your manifest, there should have been several thousand buckles seattered all over the site. Lomax remained silent for some time before he said, ‘I reckon you've still only got a fifty-fifty chance of will be recommending that my client settles for two million, but then it will, beuptoyoutomake the final decision, sunshine.’ ooo ‘So what do you think?” asked Penfold as a bell sounded and the players began to stroll back out on tothe field. “You've undoubtedly beaten the odds,’ I replied, even if wasexpecting aslightly different ending” “So how would you have ended the story?" he asked, “Twould have held on to one pair of Roger Vivier shoes, I told hirn. “What for?’ “To give to my wife, Afterall, twas her first case as well.'m © Jfrey Archer's new book, Notking Ventured, is out now in hardback, published by Pan Macmillan and priced £20, SEPTEMBER 2019 THELADY 41* LAS i Wy DOES NO ONE IRON? Crumpled may be cool, but Liz Hodgkinson is a fan of the nearly extinct pastime of ironing day Thave a pressing engagement. Yes, I have a huge heap of crumpled laundry to iron and Iean’t waitto see it tamed into a neat pile of beautifully folded sheets, duvet covers and pillow cases which will then go into the airing cupboard, ‘You may ask: am I mad? Who in theirright minds ever does any ironing these days? And with today’seasy-care fabrics and tumble driers, is it even necessary? Doesn't laundry come out of the drier ready ironed, as it were? Ironing is associated in many people's minds with drudgery and according to a report in The Washington Post earlier this year, millennials have now just about ‘Killed’ the task, It would not even ‘occur to most young people to iron anything and they will happily sleep inunironed sheets and wear creased shirts and screwed-up jeans, The crumpled look is even considered cool and things have got so bad on the ironing front thatif ever ‘crime writer introduces a character who wears ironed jeans, you know at once that he is a wrang ‘un, ‘When my middle-aged sons come to visit they always turn up in wrinkled shirts for that laid-back bohemian look, as they see it. Even when they were teenagers, if ever 1 offered to izon any of their clothes they backed away in horror. ‘And yet i's sad in my view, because ironing can be one of the most satisfying of household jobs. You get instant results and leven find itquite acalming, meditative activity. often getsomecf my best ideas while doing this mindless task and reckon I must be one of the last people in the world who bothers to iron Tshirts, In the past, ironing was so crucial to most people's lives, especially women’s, that a whole ritual surrounded it, Slightly damp cotton, orlinen would be sprayed with Robin starch to make it crisp and smooth and it was a matter of pride for every housewife to send her family out in freshly ironed clothes. My ‘grandmother would set asidea whole day for ironing and my mother did her ironing on Tuesday afternoons, on her half-day off from work. She would have been mortified to send me to school in an unironed blouse or dress, and most other mothers of the era were the same. Ironing was so much a part of life in those days that in John Osborne's 1956 play Look Back in Anger, the tothe quality ofife has also inspired {great poetry. In Keats’ poem The Eve of St Agnes, his heroine Madeline is lying in blanched linen, smooth and lavender'd” when surprised by her lover Porphyto. And in the song The Raggle Taggle Gypsy, the new- wedded lord cannot understand why his bride, a fine lady used toa ‘goose: feathered bed with the sheet turned down so bravely-o' has forsaken all this to sleep in a cold open field with the gypsies. ‘And then the young swain in the nursery thyme has his heart stolen away by the sight of his lady love dashing away with the smoothing iron, One cannot imagine today’s ‘In my young married days I would lovingly iron aweek’s supply of shirts for my husband’ ironing board plays a starring role. ‘The play open with Alison, upper class wife of the anti-hero Jimmy Porter doing the ironingin their attic home on a Sunday afternoon while hhe fumes and rages. The centrality of the ironing board tothe plot prompted the comment from the Daily Mail's then theatre critic Cecil Wilson that “judging by the time she spends Ironing she seems to have taken on the nation's laundry. ‘But no audience of the time would have considered itatall odd that the lady of the house spent her Sunday afternoons ironing while the men read the papers. My late mother in law even did ironing on Christmas Day as she reckoned it was preferable to watching television. In my young mattied days I would lovingly iron a week's supply of shirts for my husband. Now, of course if'a man wants his shirts ironed, he has to do it himself, ‘The former importance of ironing poets eulogising over ironing. They ‘would only mention itifitwasto make fun, Comic poet Pam Ayres once said she used her Ironing board as a writing desk, rather than for actual Ironing, as it made an ideal flat surface across her knee. In some houses of the past, the ‘2 THELADY sSEPTENBER 209Jroning board was always out, ready togiveaquickonce-over toa creased garment and brides were often given an ironing board as a wedding present, Today, not only would a new bride turn her nose up at such a gift, she would have nowhere to put it in her home. Nor, perhaps, would she know what to do with i, New build homes rarely have anywhere to putan ironingboard and it simply doesn't feature in modern households, Although ironing boards and irons ~ some very complicated land expensive ~ are still being sold, they are hardly coveted items, Maybe looking after clothes and bedlinen is going out of fashion but tome there is nothing to beat sliding between crisp, sweetly-smelling, FEATURE “To me there is nothing to beat sliding between crisp, nicely ironed bedlinen’ nicely ironed bedlinen. In his poem ‘The Great Lover, Rupert Brooke wrote about ‘the cool kindliness of sheets, that soon smooth away trouble, Nobody, to my mind, has ever written an ode in praise of erumpled sheets and even if ironing is a chore, the results give enormous pleasure. So let's try to persuade millennials to rediscover it. SEPTEMBER 2019 THELADY 43at) Style Sustain 8 y Discover the route to effortless style. : FEEL AMAZING, LOOK FABULOUS, DO GOOD, FOR PEOPLE & PLANET. Join me at www.myaskay.com Chantry Court Retirement Village, Westbury, Wiltshire Tailored retirement options | wT Taking the worry out of an uncertain future Apartments available + to purchase + shared ownership - to rent Located in the town of Westbury, just a matter of minutes From the Famous Westbury White Horse, lies Chantry Court - a charming and intimate retirement village for people who love life, at the heart of a vibrant and like-minded community. = Call 0800 014 7552 Cre Coon are cela www.chantrycourt.com The village enjoys its own restaurant and bar, brary, cinema room and laundry service. With an on-site domiciliary care service, tailored care is a, eure always available, providing complete peace of mind. hantry ur A beautiful placeto retire with care [4 THELADY 6SEPTENBER 209YOUR STARS “HOROSCOPES ° iirc” fim - NV viRGO muddle overpaperworkorwith source ofjoy and loveis 24 August asibling (Fany) wildampen definitely in thea 023 September your determination to mix Theimportantthingisto busines with pleasure ‘TAURUS stay practical, realistic and factual as you'e Alternatively, a property matter 24 Aprilto21 May, moves in your favour. Taking aleap of faith is often confronted by about taking an independent confused signals from Avy aquarius line when you finally realise you a partner, close friend 24 January know best. This is not arrogance, lor agent of any kin, tosgFebruary it's self-knowledge. A project You'e the one with Wsnotthat close toyour heart has been the feet onthe youre messy _bedevilled with problems but ground while others or now youseea way forward. It ace carried away by disorganised as may go against convention or delusional or wishful arule, but ‘expectation, but chart indicators thinking. fyou stick to sometimesyou favour tis approach. what you know, no one: leavethe can stop you from sorting outof "T]T GEMINI completing a project. lifes details 22 May to21 June toothers.I's The limbo you may feel overa LIBRA just that domestic issue has been partly = 24 September you'drather caused by something lacking in to.23 October _ avoidtedium. —overallfe direction affecting Atlast some progress can bemadeto improvea family problem before ruler Butnowlife sense of purpose. I's as ifyoure Fequiresyou waiting for something to tobeeractingin happen. Fora change, thsis the erus moves br and dealngwithatanchl” —ightopprosch Focus onthe Suddenly lightens }\ mmater-tobealmost—smalthins youcan manage considera our lol |) Perecionsesome | suchasrepatsor chuck outs - de vivre returns, the next season's lookis adopted figuresdon'taddupand _ leave the big questions for later. is downto youto sortit and people you ‘out. You can. =p CANCER haven't seen in ages 22June to23 July ‘tum up from PISCES If you're dealing with people nowhere. With 20 February ‘overseas ora university or court, charisma at t020 March bbe wary of a misunderstanding ‘maximum, use this Exciting tends favour business The only certain way to avoid ‘ime to win over ' and promotions, you workfor confusion isto speak simply and Peoplewhohave someone else, then workis well plainly Even though this could shown resistance, favoured - and you should be preoccupying,youllfind time receive good news on a totake are-lookat your home SCORPIO career or duty.Now’sthe timeto promotion orany deal-making. décor and decide that ether you 24 October win people over who stil However, you must keep your or the wallpaper must go, to to22 November harbour doubts about the head clearon objectives asruler paraphrase Oscar Wilde. Isityouorlsit‘them? Who's wisdom of your actions. Neptune heightens your losing the plot? Neither, actually. Sagittarius on acharm offensive sensitivities. Youtl find LEO Theproblemis:youdon'tfeel _isasighttobehold -andyour colleagues’ perspectives will 24 July to 23 August youteon agroup’swavelength _chartisurging you on to help keep you on thestraight Changes are afoot at work or in While certain peoplewithinthis schmoozeandallayfears.No and natrow. the place you volunteer or act as organisation orbusinessregard need to exaggerate your an official. Notall these roles will yous hopelessly impractical on expectations. Stay real, ARIES bbe appropriate fora financial a specific topic. Best to sit down, 21Marchto20 April return, yet somehow a benefit and negotiate to reach a fruitful CAPRICORN Adesiretotakea breakand go accruesto youand you'elefta compromise. You need to learn ‘22 December somewhere crazy’ could get the _ litle better off. The Leo charts from each other. to20 January better of you, such is your now fullof dogged Asociety event,amajorlocal exhaustion with day-to-day __—_determination, purpose and SAGITTARIUS jamboree or other celebration is workandlife.Of course, you _ practicality and this wll help if 23November thehighlightofthis period-a _havearighttoaholiday but you te up against resistance. to21 December chancefor youto play social mind that you attend to all work Inasenseyou'vedone the spade peacock. Not that you ever requirements fist. Activites with « wwwvictoroliver co.uk workin a matter regarding knowingly show off. Noteven a partner lover orfriend will bea # Twitter: aVictorOliver ‘GSEPTEMBER 2019 THELADY 43THE WORLD OF BETH CHATTO Hugh St Clair on the life of gardening legend Beth Chatto, the subject of a fascinating new biography hen her friend and fellow gardener Cedrie Morris told Beth Chatto in the 1950s that she would never make a serious garden where she lived in Essex, instead of being despondent, she knew he was right. She and her husband Andrew had to move. He suggested Wales, where they had honeymooned. However, they knew that was impractical because he owned a fruit farm near Colchester; he needed to be nearby to give instructions to his workers, so they ‘would have to think again, Beth didn't relish the idea of taking over the fruitfarm business, which, by the early 1960s, was not as profitable as previously. She could not run the place and make changes, because from past experience as the Guv'nor's wife, she felt she would not be respected. Beth, however, felt there could bea garden on the farm ona patch of wasteland of sand and gravel that was too dry in fonearea and too damp in other to grow fruit successfully. She persuaded her reluctant husband she would like to rise to the challenge - make something of this inhospitable ground and create a garden of variety for all seasons, The absence of a houseto live in didn’t faze her. ‘In our marriage it was said that I was the engine and Andrew the brake. I do need a brake sometimes,’ she adds. ‘If something needed doing, 1 was the one to do it though.’ Andrew's contribution was scholarly: although he seldom ‘wielded a spade, he knew much about gardening. This great passion was the origins of plants and where they would gro even learning Russian to learn ‘about the country’s native flora, In response to her new surroundings, Beth sought out plants that would tolerate the conditions and her discoveries led to a series of books that she became internationally famous for. The Dry Garden, The Damp Garden, Drought Resistant Planting and Gravel Garden reall stil in print. They ate very readable and accessible; Above: gardens. Centre: The gravel garden inits early days, famous for never having been watered since twas planted. Below left: Anearly success: Kniphofia ‘Little Maid’. Below right: Discoveredin the gardens: Pulmonaela rubra David Ward’ her style is engaging and her explanations of how to makea garden to suit a particular environment very easy to follow: "Right plant, right place’ was her motto, Her gardening ‘methods suit present times, when environmentally friendly ‘methods, such as saving water and notusing chemicals, must be considered, Beth Chatto died last year at the age of 94, and she commissioned a biography to be published after her death which illuminates her life. The author Catherine Horwood was given complete access to herdiaries and notebooks, some of which have been given tothe Garden Museum in London for future study. The biography reveals she was no hothouse flower but a determined and tenacious character. She came from @ different background to her husband, who had inherited > 6 THELADY 6SEPTEMER 209GARDENING Pe or erry TEMBER 09 THELADY 47GARDENING Clockwise from eft: thand Cedric stand was visited by the Queen andether ‘members ofthe royal E> | family several times Hig | over the years. 2 Throughoutthe Fd | 1970s Beth keptupa rigorous programme offlower arranging | demonstrations | | topromotethe garden and nursery wealth from _ the publishing house Chatto & Windus, She was brought up the daughter of a policeman whose father was an_ illiterate agricultural worker. Beth was part of the post war ‘make do and mend’ Her future husband was an air raid warden during the war. Andrew Chatto would visit the family police house in Elmstead Market, near Colchester Despite him being 14 years older, he and the teenage Beth both loved talking about plants. Andrew began to fall in lovewith her and when she was20, ater some deliberation, she at last agreed to marry him. They moved in with his mother and at once she changed the garden from beds of astersand delphiniums to something wilder in structure, with grey artemisias, ballotas and santolinas. Butbefore she had become a famous garden designer, hertalent for original flowers and natural flower displays using seed heads, cones and leaves from the garden, and simple posies of violas, pinks and white roses was noticed when she joined a local flowerarranging society. ‘Ihave never seen anything like it, clever in the extreme said cone judge of a competition she entered. Such was her reputation locally that in 1952 she was asked to appear fon daytime television. It would be 24 years, though, before she took her first, stand at th Chelsea Flower Show ~ and what a splash she made. Inst showing off het .dof seried ranks of pots at various levels -eous perennials by colour, Beth ‘Tdidn’t learn just by listening. The only way to learn is to actually touch a plant’ ‘One of Beth's Gold Medal winning stands at Chelsea: ‘did not aim for ashowy display of unseasonal plantsin flower but tended to concentrate on the effect of contrasting shapes, sizes and designs of leaves.’ Left: Alan sketched ‘out by Beth with ideas for her frst stand at Chelsea in 1976. grouped her plants according to thelr habitat. Journalist Anne Scott-James marvelled at the variety of contrast, and shape. Over the next few years she won ten gold medals at Chelsea and George Harrison asked her ifshe would come and transform his garden, but she declined, She was not keen on designing and she never designed ‘ther people's gardens, Beth was still the head gardener into her nineties and, although increasingly infirm, she still largely directed 2 operations. In an interview with Louise Brodie in the ‘early 20008, she gave her view on being a good gardener. [didn’t learn just by listening {to other gardeners] but only way to learn is to actually touch [a plan | smell eat it even. If you handle your plants you learn their names, you make them your own.’ i Catherine Horwood, Pimpernel Press (£30) 3B THELADY GsEPTENBER 2009eat eaceful oe CuGeO UC c s £réés or woodland. This special place will be a lasting memorial and a home for wildlife you ean visit any time: the perfect way to relive Peete WOODLAND cae Re eee eee oe eee eeeTHE TREASURES oftheBank of England “The Old Lady of Threadneedle Street’ finally opens up the doors to her hidden treasure trove. Anna Price is mesmerised he Bank of England's location in central London is prominent and domineering, The Bath-stone facade elongates into the sky while the pillared decoration mirrors that of the Royal Exchange, opposite. Upon emerging from Bank Station, the buildings loom and businessmen and ‘women purposefully walk around you: the atmosphere of intent and professionalism is palpable, and certainly timeless. ‘Through the Victorian era and into modern history, this area of London is renowned for bankers, jurors and economists bustling between the Magistrate's Court, the Royal Exchange and the Bank of England. ‘Threadneedle Street is inimitably magazine. Above: Hand scales for linked to the Bankof England, as the ing and testing coins from 1749 ‘One forged banknote was confiscated twice after the featuring items that depict, illuminate . oe |, and reveal aspects from the three original ‘forged’ stamp mark had somehow been erased’ centuries of the Bank of England's existence. The exhibit maps the building has been based there since It was James Gillray’s cartoon, progress of handling money from 1734, and the institution has been published in 3797, that spurred the hand scales and wooden tally sticks known as ‘The Old Lady of nickname of “The Old Lady’. It through to modern day's tools for ‘Threadneedle Street since the endof portrayed the contemporaneous contactless payments, notto mention the 18th century. The two are Prime Minister, Wiliam Pitt, to be artefacts from the employees of the inseparable, and the Bank of ‘wooing’ an old lady, personifyingthe Bank of England and an array of England's image of austerity, Bank of England, in order to gain counterfeitand fraudulent bank notes importance and prudence isnot only access to the Bank’s Gold Reserves. from throughout the centuries. One mirrored in the architecture but also ‘Another representation of The Old forged banknote from 1858 was forever caricatured in cartoons Lady appearsinthe Victorian weekly, confiscated twice, after the original spanning centuries. Fun, in 1866, where The Old Lady ‘forged’ stamp mark had somehow admonishes and bails out several been erased by an enterprising banks after the collapse of Overend, individual, Gurney & Co. Here, The Old Lady As well as revealing the story of appears larger than thebankers,and the Bankof England, the exhibition holds a stocking filled with her‘little places the Bank throughout history savings accompanied with the pun and tells its story in the context of "Bank Stock(ingY- socio-historic events. For example, a This particular cartoonis currently photograph of severe bomb damage on display in the Bank of England’s in Threadneedle Street from 3941 exhibition: 325 Years, 325 Objects, _ shows the Bankof England standing, strong physically and metaphorically Left:18505-905,abanknoteforgery inthe background, luckily having D> 50 THELADy ssEPTEMAER 2019FEATURE erry Cece) ‘Above: The Court Room, the original design is by Sir Robert Taylor and dates from 1774. Below: gold n the vaults at the Bank of England appleple Right:banknoteforéaO(equlvalentto ta Sromifin, , f' eBearr roughly £9200 todny saved te laabeth Heo, eA, LS Ne ann 1702, Below ight SEPTEMBER 209 THELADY SIFEATURE escaped any major damage. Al the objects in this exhibition are taken from collections stored beneath Threadneedle Street; the archives and object collections are expansive - a true treasure trove of not only the history ofthe bank, but also representations of a changing and evolving society. Physical treasure is also predominant, as the vaults of the bank itself hold approximately 400,000 bars of solid gold, worth more than £100 billion, This 325 Years, 325 Objects exhibit quite literally digs into the past and brings to life the stories of the people associated with the bank, humanising this mass figure of an institution. Interestingly, the exhibit also reveals stories of women working in and associated with this industry predominantly dominated by men. ‘On show is a bank note for £40 (approximately £9,200 today) that was issued to Elizabeth Head, an carly investor in the bank, From 1702, mundane tasks. Another object on display is Janet Hogarth's memoir Recollected in Tranquillity in which she describes her experience as the first superintendent of women clerks as monotonous and ‘soul-destroying’ This rather disheartening association ‘of women in the early years of the Bank of England is rthered by the story of he Bank Nun, Sarah Whitehead, whose brother ‘was tried and executed for forgery in 1812. Sarah was not able toaccepthis death and returned day after day to the bank to look for her brother. This desolate story is immortalised in a print which is on display at the exhibition by an unknown artist, depicting a woman ‘In the late 1900s women were employed as clerks. They were at this point, however, separated from male clerks’ this is one of the oldest banknotes in the Bank's collection and it is the earliest note that names a woman as, a payee - certainly an extraordinary ‘case not least due to the sum of money involved, While the Bank of England may have had early women investors, it ‘was not until the late 19008 that women were employed as clerks. They ‘were at this point, however, separated from maleclerks and undertook more draped head-to-toe in black clothing walking along the pale-stoned ‘Threadneedle Steeet. Working at the Bank of England was not all miserable as time went ‘on, however, as a cricket bat trophy from the 940s anda Barbara Hudson ‘Trophy for Dancing reveals. The trophy was allocated for an interstaff cricket league, namedthe'Intersection Ashes’, while the Barbara Hudson ‘Trophy was awarded to members of the Bank of England Operatic and Dramatic Society. Both these trophies would suggest the apparent creation of recreation and team camaraderie formed within the Bank cof England workers. This is furthered by the display of printing block for a poster of The Old Lady, a staff magazine which was published between 1921 and 2007, This magazine included articles, book reviews, drawings and lettets, not to mention news of staff societies, staff sports teams, dramatic productions and concerts, The Bank of England employees werea microcosm society within themselves, The Bank's workforce grew exponentially duringthe First World War, when thousands of staff were employed to help manage the administrative effort in financingthe war. Once the war ended, between 1925 and 1939, the building was rebuilt to accommodate the ever-growing workforce. During the renovations, archaeologists discovered more than 400 Roman and medieval artefacts In the foundations of the building, Including an ornate jug from the 1300s, perfectly intact. This revelation indicates the palimpsestic nature of this site on ‘Threadneedle Street: the Bank of England’s building having been built ‘and rebuilt on Roman ground, while ls vaults and archive deposits running deep underground ereate a trove of riches, historically, culturally and financially. 19325 Years, 325 Objects unsat the Bank of England Museum wntil2g May 2020. Adonission is free. 52 THELADY ssEPTEMBER 209HOUSE BHOME HELP Dog beds, antique silhouettes and finding a perfect tablecloth. Qf amnota doggy persnindeed, Sherpa blanket rom Bow Wow London Ihavespentmostofmyworing, might be what you ae ooking fo At Metaveling soleepingapethas been aScmby 60cm would certainly be big around 50. An 1th-entury French rather mpactial Ihave now etredand enough anditosts £3299, silhouette, which were often hand dithough don't think! wilgeta dog not + 020874 1978 wuncheteadogscom coloured in anorignalfame wth mats Yetonyaay-my new ends celebrating +020-400818,wirxbounowlondonorg markcouldbe upwards of £300, American her 7th bithdayandismoving house a silhouettes ae the most valuable, with the sme time, She has everything she Ihavebeentetacollectonof wellknown at suchas Willa needs but when Ivisted er afew weeks sthoueteporatsandivas Chamberlain who decorated the mounts 2gotnoticedthatthebed leptin byher wondering what they are wort? ofthe shouetes fetching a premium, beoutflgolenetreverlooksaitthe AB, Kent Lockatthe following websites to ee the ‘worse for wear. | would like to replace it forherasa surprise, utlooking in my local pet shop, the selection isa bit limited ‘and not very smart. Can you suggest where to find smartdog beds? variety of sthouettes, ‘¢ wurwrichardmole co.uk, 01262-488530 ‘¢ www-pegaymcclard com, 001-7138 802572 Lam giving adit party formy sranddaughterndmy white nen Tlonden tablelth might bea bit too formal and thnk the shop Chelsea Dogs stuffy forthe younger generation. thave mighthavewhatyouarelooking Sthouettescanbeverycollctable _gfeensazed pottery plates bought inthe for. thaveseena smart gld-and-black the 1970s and needa cloth to go with them pattemin memory foam: Duvet Dog Bed Bg rc rescrmensteretesne Viera bby Danish Design that comes in two sizes small meeting around 22cm by enchenenodssitarcteer he | 2Smanddepctascevew taheed” BN on peste ae prceis £2850, Chele8 Dogs sate-gey and shouders-afthough fl length fetionable atthe moment and cradle bed looks big enough for your portraits and figures in landscapes were Chandni Chowk importa selection in frends petanaitcanbe ak0made Thisides ofporrature cotton inthe follwing sizes and prices: personalised. The pie Wwasstaredby tennede Oc 220m: £5,275: £55 is £6299.0r Sihouetteinthe 18th _225cm x 275cm: £65. maybe the century, butitreally _ ¢ wivw.chandhichowkco.k, 01363-83893 more discreet became popular in the 19th and early 20th Send your queries to the usual Adogbed for centuries in the USAand UK. Bedford Street address or email lucky pooch |AVictorian head would be worth homehelpelady.co.uk SOMETIMES IT FEELS Uke We RE YOUNG AGAIN... ‘SEPTEMBER 2019 THELADY 53Step into Mrs ofthe upstairs dining room, centred Patmore's shoes woalems wid sochel lowes sokih end Snap eon how and what the downstairs kitchen, hub Downton Abbey Cookbook by Annie Gray food, mak good pork pie or a properly wobbly jelly. These are historic recipes, be intrinsically woven into ¥ the show. o main faod-focused areas at Downton are the focus, with the exception of 54 THELADY GSEPTENBER 2009Chocolate and vanilla Striped blancmange. ‘Opposite: Sardine salad = Serves 4asasside salad oF2asamain 1 Zheads Belgian endive, stem end trimmed and sliced crosswise 190g watercress, roughly chopped ‘#11 tbsp fresh fatleat parsley leaves, finely chopped #1 tbsp capers ‘#1 can sardines (about 909, drained weight) ‘¢thad-bolled egg yolk ‘#1 tsp Dijon mustard ‘¢setsp cayenne pepper ‘*Pinch of salt ‘Black pepper ‘#1 tbsp olive ol 191 thsp fresh lemon juice Combine the endive, watercress, parsley and capers ina salad bowl Drain the sardines and break them up with the back of a fork. Add tothe salad greens. To make the dressing, put the 9g yolk, mustard, cayenne, sal, and alitle black pepper intoa smalljarand mash together with a fork. Add the oil and lemon juice, put the id on and shake FOOD the jar to combine the Ingredients well Drizzle the dressing over the salad toss welland serve. Sardines were one ofthe frst foods to be successfully canned, inthe 1830s n France. By the time Downton Abbey opens in 1912, cookery book authors D> (SEPTEMBER 2019 THELADY 5Swere advising discerning sardine eaters tolook for pilchards instead, for sardines were so popular that unscrupulous merchants were canning any old fish and labeling them as the finest sardines. Pichards are the same ish, but slightly bigger. Serves 6-8 #1.21milk + Yecup plus 2 tablespoons (80g) comstarch 259 sugar #Yetspsalt ($1 tbsp pute vanilla extract + 2tbsp Dutch-process cocoa powder ‘¢ Marmalade, for serving (optional) Whisk together 1 cup (240m of the milk, cornstarch, sugar and saltina smal bowl until the dry ingredients are dissolved, Warm the remaining milkin a small saucepan over medium-low heat; do not allow to boll Whisk the milk-comstarch mixture into the warm milkand cook, whisking almost constantly and not allowing the mixture to boil until the raw cornstarch Navour disappears and the mixture thickens: about 15 minutes, Remove from the heat and let oo for 20 minutes, whisking ‘occasionally to speed cooling and to preventa skin from as forming. (You should have about S cups/1.21) Stirin the vanilla, For the chocolate portion pour half ofthe bowl, Scoop out» ‘cup (120m) fromthe bowl intoa ‘cup, add the cocoa powder and stiruntil dissolved, then return the chocolate mixture to the bowl and mix well Let cool, just until thickened, Fillalarge bowl two-thirds fullwith crushedice, make a hollow in the centre, and place 2 5-cup (1.20 glass or ceramic mould in the hollow (f you don't havea mould, a bowlis fine Fil ‘the mould with the vanila and chocolate mixtures, pouring in firstone colour and then the ‘other and whisking the remaining custard until smooth before each new addition to make a total of 4-6 layers in ‘alternating colours. Smooth ‘each ayer with the back of a spoon or arubber spatula and pause for a minute or two for the ‘custard to cool and thicken after ‘applying each layer, but not much longer or the layers will slide apart when you unmould the blancmange. Smooth the top layer, cover the mould, and refrigerate unt set, atleast ‘hours or upto 1 day. Place a serving plate over the mould, then invert the mould Seo and plate together. Give the ‘mould good shake, and yout heara damp thud that indicates the blancmange has come loose. Liftoff the mould, spoon into bowls, and serve with marmalade, if desired, Fora plainer version, more suited tothe servants’ hall than upstairs, leave out the vaillaand chocolate, don't divide the ‘mixture, and put in les sugar. This blancmange is bland ands designed to be eaten with jam, ‘marmalade or fruit compote. Serves 8-10 ‘© 240m! milk #1159 flour + ¥eteaspoon salt #2eg9s + Butter, lard or pan drippings, for preparing the pie dish ‘lb bulk sausage meat or chopped raw sausages ‘Onion or meat gravy, to serve Tomake the batter, whisk together the milk, flour saltand eggs in a bow until thoroughly mixed. Set aside for 15-30 minutes. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C), Butter a 9in (23cm) pie dish Scatter the sausage over the bottom ofthe prepared dish Putte dish into the oven for ‘0 minutes to render some of the fatand brown the sausage lightly. Remove from the oven, pour the batter over the sausage, and return to the oven. Bake tnt the sausage is cooked through and the batter has puffed up and browned, about 45 minutes. Serve hot with gravy. Batter puddings lke these can be used with any filing, inctuding fruit for a sweet version. Toads were frequently recommended for eking out small amounts of leftover meat ‘and vegetables, Duting the food shortages ofthe First World War, cone author suggested adding chopped tomatoes and onions tobulkout the ‘minced meat of anykind: you ae using leftover cooked sausage or small ‘meatballs for this recipe, there is noneed to brown them before adding the batter. 56 THELADY GSEPTENBER 2009COLUMN: Gingerbread cake Serves8-10 (225g butter at room ‘temperature, plus more for the pan 450g flour plus more for the pan + Superfine sugar forthe pan + 2tsbp plus 2tsp ground singer +1 tsp baking soda ‘Pinch of salt + 2259 firmly packed dark brown sugar + 2eg9s lightly whisked ¢ tb black treacle or Vs cups blackstrap molasses 120m milk Preheat the oven to 325°F (165°C), Butter the bottom and sides of a9in (23cm) round springform pan. Line the bottom with parchment paper and ‘generously butter the paper. Dust the bottom/sides with equal parts of flour and superfine sugar, tapping out the excess Ina medium bowl, combine the flour, ginger, baking soda and salt. Whisk gently to blend, Put the butter intoa large bowl and beat until pale and creamy. Add the brown sugar and beat until light and fut. |Add the eggs and continue tomix vigorously until Incorporated. Add the treacle gradually and carefully (asitis ree rather messy) and beat until Incorporated, Add the flour ‘mixture in three batches alternately with the milk in two batches, beginning and ending with the flour mixture and ‘mixing wel after each addition, Spoon the batter into the prepared pan, Bake until a skewer inserted Into the center comes out clean, é-T2hours. if the edges of the cake begin to darken before the centre of the cake is cooked, cover the pan loosely wth parchment paper) Remove from the oven and let coo! completely in the pan on awire rack. Loosen the edges ofthe cake from the pan sides witha blunt knife and unclasp the pan sides. Carefully side the cake ‘onto a serving plate peeling away the paper and serve. Recipe note This cake can also bbe baked ina rectangular pan. The round cake would be cated to the table whole and sliced into wedges for serving. The rectangular cake can be cut Into small squares and the top of leach square decorated witha little icing and a glacéed cherry ‘ra piece of crystallised ginger, asshown above. The batter can also be baked ina mutfin pan and decorated with piped ‘ream of frosting. mt TRAINEE WINO Ivo Dawnay In which Ivo challenges himself to a taste test - and is surprised by unexpected results Versions ending iscotamn. No realy Thave a deeply shameful episode to report, which, once read, will save you all of three minutes reading time, twice a month, as you will no longer feel obliged to keep up with the ramblings ofa very much trainee wine who clearly needs {At the centre ofthis story is our local, everopen corner shop, run by a family offiendly Turks. The Ottoman stores has much improved recently, not least by now carrying lots of fresh fruit and veg Tewas atthe stores thatthe notion struck me that I would soon be chased for another Wino column and Thad nothing at home that would merita teport. Might, I asked myself, the Turks be able to solve my problem? Like most corner shops, the wines on show looked unappetising; lots of those oaky New World labels ~ brands rather ~that cost little and taste like gloppy, sour Fruit juice. Then I had the idea. For there, amongst the dross was the handsome label of Louis Jadot on a bottle of Chablis, priced ata noticeably extravagant £19.99. I grabbed it. Now, I ecided, I would juxtapose this with one ofthe better also-rans crowding the shelves, Then, I would open both and challenge myself and my raining to distinguish the proud Frenchman from the Chilean pretender ~in this case a Casilleo del Diablo, from the huge wine machine, Concha y Toro, twas £799, ‘That night, alone at home, I opened both bottles, filled identical glasses, and attempted to find a way of confusing myself as to which was which, Peculiatly, they both tasted rather the same. The Chilean, I calculated should be rather topical fruity, abit of apricot and pineapple, that sort of thing, My contrast Chablis, could only assume would be the stark, flinty stones of those dry as dust north Burgundian terrors, The colour though was curiously similar ~a pale lemon, And I assumed the Latin American would be a telltal yellow plum colour, Annoyingly it was not ‘When I tasted, i was not immediately obvious which was which, The glasses being thoroughly mixed up now, it was impossible o tell them apart. So the next day, l asked our lovely daily, Aida to conduct the experiment fagain, She did so, and again my immature palate was thrown into confusion. We did it twice, and twice ~ yes two whole times ~I got it wrong. “Are you quite sure, Aida?’ I pleaded, imy short life in wine ashing before my eyes like a drowning man, [Perhaps out of Latina solidarity with Chile she was deliberately ‘bigging up’ the pretender) She stepped over and took the glass. ‘There underneath was a telltale serap of kitchen paper her indicator. My letter of resignation will be on the Editor's desk when she returns from her holidays, ba ‘SEPTEMBER 2019 THELADY STCOLLECTOR'S SERIES rom one of our earliest recipes for soup in 3885 to unique concoctions for savouries and sweets, for 134 years The Lady has been inspiring cooks, No other magazine has an archive as rich, varied and reliable, which is why we are often asked for tasty reminders from our past, So now we have decided to reproduce a recipe every week from The Lady Archive Recipes. This one is from 1967. Try it and. send us a snap to the usual Bedford Street address or Twitter @TheLadyMagazine using #LadyArchiveRecipes Until next time, a &, cheese soup GRATED CHEESE, fried bread, fried onion rings and a golden cheesy crust make this a heartening and nourishing soup for tired home-comers. Those who like a mild- flavoured cheese which blends well with the flavour of onion should try Swiss Emmental, a rich cheese with a high fat content. FOR EACH SERVING of soup take a large onion, 2 tablespoonsful of butter, a season- ing of pepper, salt and nutmeg, a large cupful of good meat stock or the equivalent made from a bouillon cube, 2 oz. of thinly sliced cheese, half a slice of white bread cut half an inch ‘thick, half an ounce of finely grated cheese for the topping. for supper CUT the onion (onions) into rings and fry lightly in a tablespoonful of butter. Pour on the stock, add the seasoning and nutmeg and leave to simmer for about ten minutes, until the onion rings are very soft. Mean- while cut the crusts off the bread, cut the crumb into small cubes and fry these in the rest of the hot butter. Place alternate layers of thinly sliced cheese and cubes of fried bread in individual firebroof bowls, or alternatively into one large crock which jthstand top heat. Pour in the soup sd or unstrained, according to prefer- ence), cover evenly with finely grated cheese, and place under a very hot grill to brown quickly before serving. 58 THELADY ssuPTEMAER 2009OPINION Thomas Blaikie on the etiquette of being a good houseguest - how A much do you help out your host? Dear Thomas ‘What to bring? Howto share out the tasks? We're going to stay with some friends at their house in France. My husband wantsto sgifttwo huge patés he’s going to make himself. t's too much, Isay. They'llbe overwhelmed. Plus he's offering to cook two of the dinners. But our hostessisa very ‘good cook. She might resent the offer. What do you think we should do? Lis Flower, Monmouth Dear Lis Mary of you willbe enjoying a spell ata friend's house abroad this month or even renting your own foreign establishment fora group holiday. There's always the risk of some terrible falling out. The worst, is in my experience, where the hosts make a great performance of paying for absolutely everything, won't accept any contribution, but then ittuens out there's a price to pay: suddenly one’s ordered tolay ‘table, dress fr dinner or leave a 200-euro tip forthe maid. Not all, lavish hosts re lke this, though, On the whole, such holidays are usualy a group effort, even if yyou'e staying at friend's property ‘hich they actually own. The hosts just can't manage todo everything for six seven people fora week. They need help. Guests should expect to muck in. On holiday it’s rot the same as at home when you invited to dinner or lunch, Then, the understanding s that youte being entertained, it’s inevitable though, that some willdo more than others There'snothing worse than alot cofrules andallocation of asks tobe carried outat set times. Everybody has their own talents or none at al. With my fiend, Alastair Hendy, it's more or less condition of his attendance ‘on holiday that he does all the cooking, He just cant bear not to be dling it. Wel, m not complaining But others might. Will yourhostess bbeamenable to your husband cooking two dinners? You'll have to read the signals Re: iftsand financial contributions - beware neurotic over gifting, Maybe two patésis too much, unlessa large partys expected forlunch or dinner one of the days. Sometimes presents are on such a scale that they draw attention tothe giver. Orthey are simply what that person wants to have Presents canbe so extravagant they are really quite mean, because the underlying intentions to repay in kind the ‘generosity shown, ‘On the other hand, offers to pay should not automaticaly be refused, On holiday recently, John IMcEntee of the Mail offered to pay for the ingredients ofadinner to bbe cooked by lan Willams of Usk (well-known to readers of The Lady) At first Mr Wiliams was inclined to refuse. Then he thought: many people do actually lke to contribute, solet them. Please write to Thomas at the usual Bedford Street address or email manners@lady.co.uk WHAT TO DO ABOUT... BEING AFRAID People often say, usually after some trauma in along intimacy:“Oh, but you see Iwas always afraid of him/her.'Oi as a result of psychotherapy of some kind, a person confronts an old friend with the same accusation: Twas always afraid of you." The person inducing fear i's all their fault, of course. Itis true that some people set out to be Frightening, which isn’t nice, although abitsad. These ones should be resisted, which is easier said than done because ‘Will your hostess be amenable toyour husband cooking two dinners? You'll have to read the signals’ we all want to avoid confrontation. I's so exhausting. But if you don't stand, up to them there will be no end ta it. In other cases, saying you're afraid cofsomeone might mean somethingelse Itmight mean you dont fee! able to tell jokes, change the subject at random, sigh and gasp menacingly because you cant find the coffee jar, ‘moan about the plumber without limit, lose your temper and start raving about how nobody likes you and all your friends’ are schemingbehind your back. ‘This person is formidable and doesn't put up with bad behaviour. Often this is what "being afraid’ means. ‘GSEPTENBERDO@ THELADY 59OPINION HIM ON THE FARM by Robin Page Aces rshing towards us at great speed. The birds have already eaten neatly all the rowan berries in the garden, the hips and haws are changing colour, the soapwort is flowering and several clumps of cyclamen are flowering in different parts of the garden. The cyclamen -whata beautiful flower. A few "We get family eet er ay neers Again we had no successful nests on the farm this year. Down at friend Graham's - ahouse with stable that just two years ago had 14 successful nests this year he had just one nest and that was predated with young in the nest; an owl, sparrowhawk, rat or ‘what was responsible? Nature has no feelings. Its so sad, We get family parties of swallows ‘moving through the farm at this time of year asthey head south, but in farsmaller years ago Lulu and I saw masses of it ji numbers these days. And once they growing wild in Greeceand Turkey now parties of approach Alia, what will happen? Along itis wild in our garden and spreading i that northern coast, miles of Nylon Fortunately iherabbitsdontscemtolie | SWMUOWS MOVING Fer crected:ocaich our migrating it~and I dont like the rabbits. birds, including thousands, even millions isa beaut time ofthe yea, but (AMMAR tyson pou To male worse forme, this year isa very sadtime. The | fegdingsouth? theeatingis not for subsistence - herbs swifts have already left, two successful nests in boxes under the eaves of my sister's house next door. I wish we could get them nesting fon our house. Can swift boxes be placed under over- hanging thatch? I will have to try and make some enquiries ~ it would be good to get them here. My sister's birds left a month ago. Swifts are one of the last birds to arrive in the spring, and one of the first to leave at the tend of summer. A wise strategy, oso it seems to me- they appear to be doing a lot better than the swallows and the house martins. Westill have one or two swallows hanging about, when 1 few years ago they would be well into double-figures. areadded to add valueand taste, Irneeds government action; one to the Chinese asking them to stop selling cheap Nylon monofilament netting to people who use them irresponsibility, and then Egypt and Libya should be asked to take the miles of netting down - even if we have to pay them compensation, Why Michael Gove failed to do this when he was Secretary of State at Defra I will never know. Theresa Villiers is now the Secretary of State and the excellent Zac Goldsmith is now one of her junior ministers. By the time you read this article both will have received a letter from me asking them todo something for our swallows, so that we can see them back again next spring, i 60 THELADY ssEPTEMER 209& RIGHMOND Sane Cotas Pe MAKE YOUR MOVE ree MT ETc} ‘ement Property AMER INCENTIVES NOW L NCHED HOME BUYING SERVICE PROPERTY OWNERSHIP NOW LAUNCHED & RENTAL SUITE Move quickly and easily with OPPORTUNITIES part exchange Choose what's best for you EXPERIENCE A NEW LIFESTYLE SUPPORT EVERY STEP Take advantage of our OF THE WAY try before you buy’ stays Friendly advisers on hand to guide you through the process LIFESTYLE PACKAGES Monthly payment takes care of bills, Please visit our website meals, housekeeping and laundry for more information www.richmond-villages.com Making your dream move has never been so easyShower & bathe —=— fa in comfort & safety again LEED Ser Dees rn tune ur Ter Negara cutee hacia Just look at the benefits... = Easy in...€asy out = Comfortable seats Low wide & safe enty Grab als. and sp-resstant flooring a = No fuss, No mess* ® Easy clean wall panels Can be fitted in a day Notiling required e = Walk-in showers = Best pri jest price guarantee Solerees stale From tena acer mt is 1 = Complete makeovers" Lowrate finance Eras Fon desgn ohatton eoosie For your free brochure call MOBILITY plus =p ¥ 25% 0808 115 3918 re ~ . . Ref MP90909 www.mobility-plus.co.ukADVICE COLUMN FITNESS & WELLBEING with Diana Moran It's easy to forget that our feet do a lot of work every day - so be nice to them! he average, moderately active person walks around 7.500 steps How to have happy feet a day. Ifthey maintain that average Exercises to keep those heels and toes going strong and live until 8o they will have walked about 216,262,500 steps in their lifetime. That’s roughly 110,000 miles, soit stands to reason that feet sometimes develop lumps and bumps as a result of al that activity! love to dress up and for special occasions pop on high heels. But those heels mean our feet are constantly at an angle, which results in a shortening of the ealf muscles, ‘causing our legs to feel stiff. They also put pressure on the balls of our foot and weaken our ankles, But are flat shoes any better? Many have thin soles and offer our feet and ankles no support, and may change the way we walk, encouraging arches to drop and put more strain on ourknees and back. Badly fitting shoes ‘can exacerbate many common foot complaints Up to 50 per cent of women have bunions, which are ‘caused when the bone under the fist toe becomes displaced, ‘The bigtoe tends to shift towards the smaller toes, resulting, in a bunion on one side and over time two toes become crossed, When i's warm, the bunion can swell, become red, and tender and this can impact the way we walk, Don't wear high heels, pointed toes or restrictive winter boots and shoes which keep bunions enclosed, adding to the pain. Wear ‘well fitting shoes or sandals or try padding, Proper nail care is a must, as that bunion can cause an ingrowing toenail. Often it’s the result of cutting the nail too short and not cutting straight across. Redness, swelling and pain can indicate an infection. edema, a build-up of fluid and puffiness of the skin, is ‘common in the eet and ankles, when fluid accumulates under the skin, often caused by immobility and standing for long periods. Many of us have swollen ankles at the end of a hot day, particularly if we've been sitting or standing for a long, time. Oedema often clears up by itself, or you can help by lying down, placing your legs up on pillows to raise them above your heart. Taking exercise, even brisk walking, helps ump fluid from your legs back to your heart, and watching ‘what you eat, following a low-salt diet may reduce fluid build, up. Iffeet and ankles stay swollen see your GP. PULLUPS Tohelp whilstkeeping yourheelson _yourankle and crclefootina__ strengthen feet and toes Sit strengthen ankles and. thefloor.Now loweryourtoes clockwise direction ten times, with barefeet and place ten improve heel/toe walking downtothefloorandwitha _andrelaxyourfoot down. Lift marbles on thefloor, plus an action. Sitwith your back Continuousrolling actionlift _rightfoot again andrepeat_ empty dish by the sde of them. supported. Liftuprightknee. yourheels.Repeatpullingup circling ten times, utnow in With ightfoot use your toes to Keeplegoutand pointyour and lowering down in arock anticlockwise direction. __ pickup a marble and the floor toes forwards, then pullthem andvoll movement 20times!| Put foot down and relax.Now _andand drop it into the dish, bbacktowardsyou hard. Dothis Feelthecalfmusclesinthe __liftupyourleftfoot and repeat Continue picking up and tentimes. Repeat withleftleg. back ofyourlegs working. Circling action ten times dropping down all marbles into clockwise, and then ten times dish. Now place the marbles ROCK AND ROLL To help, ANKLECIRCLINGTokeep anti-clockwise. Relax. back onto the floor and repeat to increase dculation. With ankles strong and to action with your left foot. Try both feet fiat on thefloor pull maintain mobility ftyourright | MARBLES Youwillneed picking up the marbles twice Lup your toes and forefoot foot up offthe ground. Rotate abagofmarbles.Tohelp with each foot. Ifyou have a problem and would like Diana's advice, please email healthalady.co.uk or write to Diana Moran at the usual Bedford Street address. Unfortunately, Diana cannot enter into personal correspondence. (SEPTEMBER 2019 THELADY 63OUTNOW eventually sucked ANHONESTMAN ——intoabidden world of tyBenFergusson | splesand.deost and itteBrown, 18.99) ecomes.pavn ina oto dangerous game. Rove nor aha sie wocpuiling fearcturansetting readreracklog with Tnatwonderfatly "tenon unease and Mmocphershtaorcal saeipaon alot novehuetinWest hicks soy Borihina9dy theyear likes gathering Gainey Abia | Back on the chase Sapa sea ae IS THERE STILLSEX IN THE CITYTby Relsthesoyer | THEREUNION Candace Bushnel Little Brown, £16.99) Tbycarol, srwberry byGullaume Musso | FansotSexand the Chyslenoy Canace fred Rel whohas,” (Weldenfeld Burnet typlealy can sem heionelsed, hustle schools Mielsonssi499) tnerdoterch memolr Fllowinga groupof enjoying a final, dette: fifty-somethings, including Bushnell herself, Srefteesweltcing! Ts sasupensefal | who Andthemelves single aga she looks a Suinmerwihhis = andutterycensuming | theroption inde gm: men ae uneltle Tends Golden days nove Almost joyears | and narcufeucs dating younger men bicyle dnivby tiledwitgoVincaRockecll” | boys mens obsessed neds Lyra Taugherand fing, dseppesred romher | "Things have changed nthe inervening yp sting campusontheFrench | decaden suring tletorshp between the Magate | swimming, and ‘nature — Riviera, She was not sexes. Younger girlfriends complain: ‘Since ‘geile | SSmpla German thing, alore,tutaccompanied | #MeToo guyeate oo sare toeven look at you Alderson} fectobecontusedwth byherschostescher, | inabar-and ther’ very nercton @ | miviens Meanwhile’ whom shehad | tallie’ Adate igh const of meting ast © cittresponstiity “” Gmbarkedons collecting his nundry. Bushnell thinks back Sepuy | isons birnattenains ‘eandacstoveataiz | Sosaigalyroatimé when dating was ACT, | SSiviustoGalaWar Jumping ahead Stull fu inolingremane nner Bee | Sattcconthecther, — precentday.wemect | helicopter rider, champegne’ and gondelas ae of Betn Minas thie bee invent: Her stand ony Tinder date a Tergussonries frends whehave ot | ryearold muscan;isKindandattactive, beauulie'The”apoken ordecaden,’ | ustandsherp on thelr second date aera Berlinsteccamps Whenvaninwtation | drugh overdone lands fim in A&E, She Bnally Reckedwthdeat — comesthroughfora | setesforcompentonship witha Insect andtiedby feunon-they now | sepruageerlan bytiend and he Wo thelewesofaceda” they mustgatherone | standard poodles, Peper and Prancer tteesledthecarwith — lestime, They must ‘Atthough Busnes neuot self session Simorange glow’ alsocometotermawith | canbe inating enjoyed her surprisingly ‘ArinForgewons —aterrblecrimethey. | fevealing memoir, which beng ara eto 8 lastnovelsTheOther commitedwhenay | ‘Teres Funny wity and bterowecs says Holtman Sterthings sshool Untortanately | moreabout mie age female endship, enotgulewhat they forthem theevidence | loncliness, dlaappeiement andthe presse Scemonvariousiewls, cftheircrimelsabout | onwomentoloskyoung than about dating WiyteRalfeusually” tocometoiightw the |_ Bebe Walentlner Imaculae English constuction ofa new prychologi mother shoolbullding andthe Rckingtushedand Semalionefsvald."—Thenarrathela sone deta goesto Ginherdiedinthe, wall Theveasionwilcleveyatrucuredsthe waste, took eile Sttemoons? Ater Ralf itheruncarththe —fitingbstween past" while warm tothe mecieanenignatie anewersthethree_-andpreventday sect throcealn characters Tnlcresply bandsome fendsnecd orwill —protyefloress Musso burence more Sage On Se aM ct ie MM ar Sesrato Ver erolinca yaaa G4 THELADY ssEPTEMEERIONBOOKS FILM THEATRE RADIO ART TELEVISION MUSIC help but get immersed in their journey ~ possibly in one sitting. Highly addictive! Helena Gumiey-Mason PAPERBACKS SECRET KEEPING FOR BEGINNERS by Maggie Alderson (HarperCollins, £8.99) tek This stylish and engaging novel follows the lives of three sisters and their quirky, yora teacher mother, It is a close-knit family, but not without its secrets. Each woman is incredibly glamorous in her own way, and each has something to hide. High-end interiors PR Rachel is recently divorced and juggling motherhood, work and precarious finances, Tessa is an artist and salvage yard owner, whose husband's overnight celebrity status brings challenges totheir marriage and shared business, Natasha, with her pixie-cut and tattoos, top make-up artist, dashing between the fashion capitals of the world, Alderson’s characters are attractive and polished, but just flawed enough to be relatable. The settings, the food and the clothes, are delicious - and deliciously described More chie-lit than chickit, reading this is rather like pouring yourself a glass of pink fizz: an elegant treat. Jc WOMEN TALKING by Miriam Toews (Faber £8.99) took YVES SAINT LAURENT CATWALK: The Complete Haute Couture Collections 1962-2002 by Andrew Bolton, Suzy Menkes and Musée ‘Yves Saint Laurent Paris (Thames & Hudson, £48) 98% Only 25 years old when he presented his first haute couture collection in 3962, Ywes Saint Laurent stunned Parisian society with his imaginative designs. Opening with a navy blue pea coat paired with white trousers ‘and mules, a look inspired by sailors’ work clothes and feminised using gold buttons, the collection was bold and exciting, This hefty book pays homage to the French master couturier and his immense creativity and talent on the catwalk, Produced with an outstanding eye for detail, these pages are proof of Laurent's artistry on a grand scale. Fashion, art, colour and concept vividly meld together producing an encyclopaedic volume on Laurent’s work: 40 years of haute couture designs transfix the reader. Ravishing. Elizabeth Fitzherbert Guide to the Supernatural inGreece and Rome by Philip Matyszak (Thames & Hudson, £14.95) the Have you ever wondered how tomixalove potion, divine the future or corpse? The collected spells of the ancient Greeks and Romans needed to accomplish all these and moreare here. Don’t try them at home, they : SPRING/SUMMER 1993 Haute Couture; SPRING/SUMMER 1962 Haute Couture; AUTUMN/WINTER 1990-1991 Haute Couture This extraordinary and brilliant novel is based ona harrowing true story: the repeated drugging and raping ofa community of lived alongside them. Toews, who was herself born a ‘Mennonite, has taken the outline of this, terrible episode and reaction through fiction to those true-ife events, and an act of female Imagination’. And itis like nothing you will have read before -a Bolivian Mennonite produced what she Greek tragedy with might not women bythe men who describes as‘botha __shades of The work-or Handmaid's Taleand worse, they even, improbably, migi Stephen Coulson ‘Tristram Shandy. Over the course of ‘two days, the preyed: upon women diseu: whether to leave the colony or stay and fight. They reflect on faith and forgiveness, smoke and swear, argue es comin! Look Bus! E— 3 vietously and laugh - Z y and laug CS EY Joe = uncontrollably. pen eT pie Tisaquite a unforgettable journey Stephanie Cross ‘GSEPTENBERDO@ THELADY 65BOOKS FILM THEATRE RADIO ART TELEVISION MUSIC rr ns From plant-based to ayurvedi not a chore. By Juanita Coulson Pea ‘THE BEATRIX POTTER ‘THE YOGICKITCHEN by COLLECTION Jody Vassallo (HQ, £16.99) byBeatrix The Indian practice of ayurveda Potter, (science of life?) is the sister narratedby philosophy of yoga: it aims to restore Andrew Scott balance and harmony to body and (Audible, ‘mind, and sees food as medicine. Itis £11.09) based on body types, or doshas, with Andrew Scott, different foods recommended for each aka irresistible type. While it may sound complicated, priestin yoga teacher, seasoned cook and Fleabagand ayurvedic practitioner Jody currently Vassallo distills the basics in dazzlingin an accessible way, making a Present persuasive case for a mindful Laughteron way of cooking and eating, Her stage, has recipes draw on traditional Indian nowgivena cuisine but take in global flavours, spellbinding trendy ingredients and comforting, readingof treats, Kichari, adelicious stew of Potter's classic tales. We have officially fallen Tents, ginger, vegetables, rice and spices, has become my cure-all for when I feel under the weather. THE LADY’S RECIPE READS , good for you’ food that is a pleasure, GREEN: Veggie and Vegan Meals for No-fuss Weeks and Relaxed ‘Weekends by Elly Pear (Ebury Press, £22) ‘There is no getting away from the fact that we should all be eating less meat, for our health and the planet's. you are new to meatfree eating, you might feel stuck for ideas (if Thad a pound for every person who asks me, You're vegetarian... so what do you eat?’ ‘This book is a great source of inspiration. Weekday recipes offer speedier options, while the weekend dishes allow for something more elaborate: kimehi fried grains with crispy fried egg and noris a superquick aubergine, tomato and chickpea traybake. A rainbow of ingredients and world influences will whet your appetite and keep things interesting - virtue-signalling has never been this tasty ‘xtawe ic ‘wet usyour recipe reads @TheLadyMagezine wing sledyrecipreads Inthis series, notable " writers tell E vrieseetl Anna Ellory theirreading The nurse-turned-novelist on powerful poems and reading on the school run habs Ts there someone Tart(wootmy Bookshelves, but many youwould iookeaten fu ear os tiene , Iesacrime mystery, dont actualy own - featured? 2 coming-of-age saga, 1am an avid user of the Weterous tlectiomale loca brary with your =s friendship. Its format What’son your reading onnpeaiee, iSimetestingand — lstforautamm want ‘Tell us about what you are reading right now... ‘Tracy K Smith's Eternity, a collection ‘of poems which Tam loving. She incorporates so many voices within her poems; they breathe like a chorus, powerfully ‘human. I was recently recommended Monika Fagerholm's The American Giel (translated from Swedish by Katarina, A Tucker), asa cross between Eimear ‘MeBride and Denna tostart Ali Smith's Seasonal Quartet. ‘Autumn is the first so really looking forward tothat. Also Anakana ‘Schofield’s Bina and unusual. Lam only partway through, but the narrative has a pulse, which makes it addictive and slightly hypnotic reading Favouritereading ——Malarky. spot... trytocarve Which books or ime into mydayto authors have read, so waiting for my influenced you most? Iread Anne Bronté’s ‘The Tenant of Wildfell Hall about six years ago, and knew as soon, as Thad finished that Thad to pick up a pen, '¢ The Rabbit Girlsky Anna Ellory s published by Lake Union (£19.99) boy on the school run, whilst cooking tea and in the evening, once everyone is asleep. Asa hhuge fan of audiobooks, Talways have one on when driving, Kindle or heaving bookshelves.. 66 THELADY ssEPTEMBER 2009£ wrongly RADIO ART BOOKS VENICE 2019 Women were feeling angry at the 76th Venice Film Festival Last year, only one film directed by a woman was in the Competition ~ this year, there were two. Up 50 per cent remarked Festival Director Alberto Barbera, Was he having a laugh? Feminists didn't get the joke, Not only that, but rather than select another film by a woman, Barbera had put the latest film by Roman Polanski in the running for the Golden Lion, Jury President Lucrecia Martel, the feminist Argentinian film maker and head of a charity for female victims of abuse, certainly wasn't pleased. Polanski, 86-year-old fugitive being feted and promoted ata film festival is exactly what’s supposed not to happen in the post Weinstein world. So without even showing up, Roman Polanski dominated. Of course, if he had appeared, he might have been extradited to the US to face the charges he fled in 1977. That would have been more exciting than any of the movies. The supreme irony is that his film couse (An Officer and a Spy) is. about the Dreyfus Affair, the infamous 1895 case that had France split in uproar, of a Jewish army officer y accused and imprisoned on Devil's Island for passing information tothe Germans. A tense political thriller with Jean Dujardin, excellent in the lead role of Colonel Piequart, even if he does look a bit like Clouseau Sul, thete's only one female role, E Piequart’s mistress, played by Polanski’s wife Emmanuelle Seigner. And it’s nota very good part Towever, elsewhere, I was struck by a number of very powerful female roles and performances, albeit ones often = directed by men, Catherine Denewv: was at her peerlessly imperious best in festival opener The Truth. She plays a diva a memoirs, much to the anger of her scriptwriter daughter, played by Juliette Binoche, who comes to Paris for a showdown, Deneuve smokes her way through ital with a withering insouciance, Nobody smokes like Deneuve, I chatted to her at the opening night dinner and remarked at the elegantly full ashtray beside her, a pile of thin white butts adorned with the fine red lipstick traces, She took itas a compliment Venice has a knack for generating carly Oscar buzz. - Birdman, Spotlight Gravity, La La Land -all debuted on the Lido recently - and strongest in this regard was Noah Baumbach’s bittersweet divorce comedy, Marriage Story, a Netflix production, featuring career-best performances from Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver. They play a couple - he's Charlie, an avantgarde theatre director on the Brooklyn fringe, she’s Nicole, his e actress and a former Hollywood teen ress who's just written her sade ‘Mind outwit you say to Dave grammatical enor hehates Eee eo ee ee suffocating her. She moves back to LA and gets in a lawyer (a superb Laura Dern) and the process slowly wrecks them all, emotionally and financially Baumbach somehow maintains a comic tone, even while the ratchet up the rancour. Dri ‘magnificent as Charlie, quickly becoming the finest, most unpredictably watchable actor of his generation, And Scarlett is wonderful, her most mature performance yet, capturing a real sense of a young woman gaining new freedom. Oscar nominations ahoy. But the most significant female voice came from Saudi Arabia's first-ever female director, Haifaa Al Mansour. Following up her 2012 Venice debut Wadja (about an 11-year old girl wanting a bicycle) with another story of female determination, The Perfect Candidate is about a woman doctor (Mila Alzahrani) who, campaigning to get the road to her clinic built, ends up running for nt allowed to directly (Iwasn't sure from the film - can women even vote?), and can't travel without authorisation from a male guardian, she battles tradition and the law with calm resolve. The film makes its points bluntly - how else are you going to get through to these people? ~ and itis literally eye-opening as it lifts the veil cn life in the rarely-filmed Kingdom, The very fact ofits existence is probably what’s most remarkable about this film, and could win it awards - meaning the 76th Venice, the world’s oldest film festival, will tend up on the right side of history after all. (SEPTEMBER 2019 THELADY 67BOOKS FILM THEATRE RADIO Art AGOOD BREW The surprising history of one of the world’s most popular drinks Roderick Conway Morris ATEAJOURNEY spite its countless varieties, achieved by a host of different ‘ways of processing it, all te derives from exactly the same type of evergreen bush with small fragrant flowers, a member ‘of the camellia family. Curiously enough, this was not understood outside China where it was first cultivated and where its secrets were jealously guarded - until the 19th century, by which time large parts of the ‘world had become hopelessly addicted to it, making it now the most widely drunk liquid after water The quest for tea and the ever widening global trade in it a major stimulus for imperial expansion and the introduction of this bitter drink into Europe was driving force in the demand for sugar, and the consequent cultivation of sugar cane and development of the Atlantic slave trade. Both the upsides and downsides of the history of this ‘most international of beverages are skilfully illustrated in AT Journey: From the Mountain: the Table, curated by Antonia Harrison, in the elegant setting ‘of Compton Verney, which is surrounded by a splendid park laid out by Capability Brown, Buddhist monks, who used itto keep awake during long hours of meditation, are often credited with the spread of te in the East. It oon became a more widely consumed sociable drink among scholars and by a beautiful s8th-century jectuals, as is illustrated ees Pre mined cooiae) lapanese scroll of the famous Wuyi tea-growing district in China. Catherine de Braganza, wife of Charles II, was reputedly responsible for introducing tea-drinking from Portugal to these shores, The cost at that time was astronomical: £6 a pound, the equivalent of around £850 today, but in the 19th sentury the cultivation of tea in India and elsewhere within the borders of the Empire brought it within reach of even the poorest. Indeed, English Breakfast Tea symbolic of this imperial phenomenon, traditionally being a blend of leaves from Assam, Ceylon and East Afric Tea-drinking entailed the use of a range of paraphernalia, from bowls and cups to caddies and. teapots, which at first were imported into the West and, as tea-drinking caught on, were designed and manu locally. A pair of Meissen porcelain cups and their deep saucers (c.1735) nicely bear witness to the practice in earlier times of pouring the tea into the saucer before drinking it probably 10 cool it. The custom ill widespread in India and ‘memorialised in the Southern Welsh term for a‘cuppa’, dishgled (asauc how et) Also interesting aurn, which once graced s8th-century upper-class tables, survived in polite society as the samovar in Russia, but was downgraded to the workplace and sports pavilion in Britain. ‘¢ Until 22 September at Compton Verney, Warw 01926-645, 500, wwew.comptonverney.orgauk BOOK AHEAD aaa THE TCHAE KOVSKY PROJECT, Semyn Bychkov and. the Czech Philharmonic, Amazon, £35 ‘The ‘Tehaikovsky Project began inzo15, when Semyon Bychkov started exploring ‘Tehaikovsky's ‘music, This seven-dise volume is the project's culmination, Highlights include the Romeo and Juliet plano coneerto and the Manfred ‘Symphony. ‘The study and research into the bodies of whole impacts the recor: Anna Price HEDDA TESMAN Haydn Gwynne will feature in this thoughtprovoking take on Ibsen’s play, performed at Chichester and then The Lowry. 319 October, Quays Theatre, ford: 0343-208 6000, www.thelowry.com MARY POPPINS This clas returns to London after an | tour. 23 October ~ 29 March, Prince Edward Theatre, WsD: 0844-482 5138, www.delfontmackintosh.co.uk ‘MIKE BERNARD ART SHOW An award-winning member of the Royal Institute of Painters showeases new paintings exploring Devon. 21 September-4 October, Marine House at Beer Devon: 01297-625257, WwW. marinehouseatbeer.co.uk oer etry eae 6B THELADY GsEPTENRERIOD(Coretennricc centre) at Malory Towers AND LAST CHANCE PLACIDODOMINGO. SCREENING The tenor performs at the Arena di Verona Amphitheatre in Italy and the event will be recorded and then screened across, 8 cinemas in the UK for a one-night-only spectacular. 1 October, cinemas across UK: (020-7100 3333; www.cinemalive.com LIZ EARLE MBE, AND EVE POLLARD OBE CHAMPAGNE LUNCH A three course fundraising janch for the Charity of Wellbeing will be held at Holkham Hall There will be a Diamond Raffle with stems donated by jewellery designer Monica Vinader, plus talks from Liz and Eve, Lunch with talks are priced at £100. 24 September, Holkham Hall Norfolk: 020-3697 wellbeingofwomen. org BOOKS ART TELEVISION MUSIC Musical BACK TO SCHOOL Jolly japes ahead in this upbeat production wS > MALORY TOWERS, TOURING Above one door is the word “Headteacher above the other ‘Welfare Assistant. Having grown up on Malory Tow the Hogwarts for my generation ~ my heart sank. The girls, le the offices have adapted their uniforms to reflec their style. One is wearing headphones, another is glued to her mobile. A‘specky' nervy one has her nose in an Enid Blyton book and says she has ‘anxiety’ ‘Oh dear! Was this going to be thoroughly modern Malory Towers where anything goes and problems are solved by a school counsellor? I wanted old-school Malory Towers, presided over by the strict but gentle Miss Grayling, I wanted pillow fights, clifftop drama, jolly japes, at least one spoilt brat and a teacher's pet. But then the nervy girl is mocked for reading Enid Blyton by a Mean Giel who sends her crashing to the floor. As she lies concussed, she dreams of the plucky Malory Tower whose schooldays taught them tobe kind and supportive and to become ‘good sound women the world can lean on’, in the words ‘of the school song. Charming animated drawings whisk us to Paddington Station in the 19508, where a gaggle of gitls in gymslips and blazers are lugging cases and brandishing. hhockey-sticks, eager to jump aboard the train to take them totheir first term at boarding school in Cornwall, All except Gwendoline Lacey, who is wailing and wishing she could ec Cran 0 0 finishing school in Switzerland instead, So begins adapter and director Emma Rice's hugely wholesome, enjoyable and cheering nost lea trip to Malory Towers. ‘This is Malory Towers given a musical reboot in characteristically playful Rice-style, to the tunes of Mr Sandman (bring mea dream’) and Sing, Sing, Sing and more songs old and new. A refreshingly diverse cast of multi-talented performers, on banjo, harp and piano, all with terrific spring in their dance steps, fabulous voices and crack comic timing, bring to vigorous life my old friends Alicia the joker, painfully shy Mary Lou, daring if dangerously hot headed Darrell responsible Sally, horse-mad. breeches-wearing tomboy Bill (No one calls me Wilhelmina’), artistic and acrobatic Irene and, of course, vain and vile Gwen, Called from some six Malory Towers books, this is essentially the story of timid Mary-Lou who is bullied by beastly Gwen which causes all sorts of fallings-out anda cliff-top crisis but ultimately gets sorted thanks to the guts, girl power and goodness of the gang. Itis all wrapped up with the girls’ delightfully ramshackle end-of term production of A Midsummer Night's Dream which feels a bit tacked on but is, neverthe great fun, Rice's Malory Towers is filled, as all the best schools should be, with valuable lessons, vividly told, Full marks all round. # Theatre Ro al York, 10 September, 1904-623 568, then Exeter, Manchester and Oxford ‘GSEPTENBERDO@ THELADY 69SUBSCRIPTIONS SUBSCRIBE NOW TO THE LADY. NEW TWICE-MONTHLY MAGAZINE. SAVE UP TO £68! Claire Louise l cotton apron We've teamed up with artist and designer Claire Louise to offer youa {ree Quacking Boots Cotton Apron, Worth £1899, this kitchen essential will protect you from splashes and pil, featuring an ‘adjustable neck te, handy front pocket and vibrant design. See wwwclaire- louise.couk for more from Claire's + SAVE up to 49% on the shop price (£68 on an annual subscription) + RECEIVE exclusive subscriber offers and discounts ENJOY The Lady delivered direct to your door +FREE access to digital edition worth #55 + SPECIAL DISCOUNT on advertising space in The Lady ey Pee Post to: The Lady Subscriptions, Unit 4, Pullman Business Park, Pullman Way, Ringwood, Hampshire BH24 1HD_ Please send me The Lady postage ree for 1 ping [Ref CLAD] [Instruction your Sank orBullding eres ‘me SAVE £68 on the annual cover price of £138. Society to pay by Direct Debit L)ex7500 quater direct Debit [e704 yearby Diet Debit _Tsayear by Cheque send.achequ fr 7510 The Lady tite) tin the form ands Lay Subscriptions Unit Pullman Busines Park, Pullman Wy, ingwood amie BR HD. Ts year by Debire Cr fin card eta below) Name and fulladees of your Banko Building Society ies urls Conds Goabount Crd cls tunes boemteat nc taantang ssn bance ane peta ‘YOURDETANS Frothe Manager om BankulsingSocey eee adres: Postcode: Ten Postcode: al pleat provide for FRE gta access: eect el pace ats [MAGAZINE GIFT RECIPIENT (applicable) fame sence YorRGInanbe sates foeebo Cooooooo iat ercnon Number toscode Taine alas tral gene poe er FEE gh ces serene ing Si nn eae tetra ee epee wih pay _—_ by reiviebitcard Mastercard] visa 1 Maestro Swich) C1 Heaedekbox Reference number for The Lady magazine vse ony) ede OOOOOO00ooo0000o0oo M@emoooooooAooAqogNA Expiry date Maestro issue no) Signatures Signature: bat fraeara seu cruing looney enuc ec ctan yu a rte Dayne orange sence ner Racy eye oc pees Rts ans CONDITIONS isos Shims Soo adept onl oc Da itinerant Uns Patan sae Parana hc amphi Ee A aro auber hal eal sre salen 70 THELADY 6SEPTEMBER 209BOOKS FILM Musical WHAT A CIRCUS, WHAT A SHOW An open-air production of classic Evita has a fresh new feel ‘ > Fae Richard Barber EVITA Does God have shares in this new production of Evita? I ask because rho sooner had the actors taken theft final bow than the rain which had been threatening all evening was suddenly unleashed on to the uncovered heads of the audience at Regent's Park's Open Air Theatre, If so, that would make the Almighty wait for it - an angel He'd have invested well. This production, the the history of this theatre, is certainly ‘one for the new millennium, paying little heed to the sumptuous settings and costumes of the West End original back in 1978 and the subsequent film with Madonna in 1996. Today’s Eva Perén is something of a rock chick in white slip and trainers, every bit as hard-boiled and predatory as Elaine Paige's prototype but edgier somehow. In Samantha Pauly’s riveting performance, our anti-heroine Se Ee aed Crary THEATRE RADIO ART TELEVISION MUSIC ee ese eee at ts eee eae provils the bare wooden steps of designer Soutra Gilmour's set, an unapologetic social climber of Alpine proportions. She's shadowed throughout by shagay-haired Trent Saunders equally impressive and well-sung Che Guevara, their ping-pong relationship neatly underscored by \who's in possession of the hand-held microphone at any point. Che, as he never stops reminding Eva, may say she’s from the people, their interests uppermost in her mind, bur those Swiss bank account swollen by public donations to her eponymous foundation tell a different story. The cynicism in Tim Rice's peerless lyrics has never been more apparent, Ektor Rivera as Juan Perén struck 100 young at the outset but he matures as the evening unfolds, a good-looking man with about as much depth as the average puddle: in many ways, then, a perfect ‘me as too slight, ‘match for Evita. His predecessor in what pass for her affections, a paunchy nightclub singer well past his sellby date, is given just the right amount of sleaze and pathos by Adam Pearce. But the music's the thing and this is pethaps Andrew Lloyd Webber's best re under Alan Williams’ supervision of the on-stage band, I's sung-through piece, one song segueing into the next but, occasionally, the audience ins intervening with a round of applause, when Frances Mayli MeCann delivers a heart wrenching rendition of Anothe: Suitcase in Another Hall Choreographer Fabian Alois disregards the tiered set, obliging his to risk life and limb in a suecession of athletic dance routines. Director Jamie Lloyd is equally focused n his unforgiving account of a bright, brittle star who burnt out, felled by cancer at just 33. As we have already established, the Almighty moves in a mysterious way «Evita runs atthe Open Air TI Regent's Park until 23 September: 0333-40035 62, wwwopenairtheatre.com ‘SEPTEMBER 2089 FHELADY 71BOOKS FILM THEATRE ART Television ITS STRICTLY BACK ON! From our favourite dance show to the A State of the Nation andthe Proms | Pe curia among the on rene ns eet eg ben contestants, uniform, two thousands miles on a who also Couldyou —_fingerlicking odyssey along, Felsenburg ——ficlude A iascveweeks on the famous road, starting of Anneka Rice ‘adesertislandin in Chicago before checking From Derren Litten, the and Olympian the Pacific with in on the Amish community creator of Benidorm, James Cracknell, while after £100,000 at stake? That's BBC Proms (Friday 13, anew sitcom with a the departure of Darcey the premise behind BBC2, 7.30pm) features the setting, Scarborough Bussell, Motsi Mabuse takes TreasureIsland WithBear Symphonie Fantastique in a (Friday 6,BBC:,930pm). —_upthevacantseatonthe Grylls (Sunday 8,Channel theatrical staging performed With former Coronation judge's panel 4,9pm) asthe adventurer by the Aurora Orchestra Street star Catherine Equestrian: Burghley and presenter deposits a_——_along with Mathew Baynton ‘Tyldesley and comedian Horse Trials (Sunday 8 dozen hopefuls ina mini: (star of Ghosts and Horrible Jason Manford as the BBC2, 2.30pm) sees some of wilderness with nothing but Histories), together creating. central sparring couple, i’s the world’s finest riders aday’s water and a few a production which promise ‘coarse and occasionally using breathtaking skill as simple tools tokeep them —_ecstasy, passion and chucklesome. Look out for they put their mounts alive. obsession. the formidable Stephanie through their elegant paces. Small but perfectly Once television’s Cole adding fine support. at the renowned annual formed: State Of The Union _unlikeliest hit, Gogglebox QU Friday 6, BEC: competition (Sunday 8, BBC2, 10pm) isa (Friday 33, Channel 4, opm) 10pm) sees brainbox Sandi Fiona Bruce presentsa__newseries of comic vignettes _ is now a firmly established ‘Toksvig back in the hot seat special edition of Antiques starring Chris O'Dowd and institution as it begins asthe comedy quizshow Roadshow Sunday 8, BBCx, Rosamund Pike asa season 14. But will we ever returns, and ifthere are any Spm) from Dover Castle husband and wife goingto _see the stars pass a verdict dedicated Manford fans who marking the Soth therapy as they struggle to on themselves from the sofa? haven't quite been sated anniversary of the keep their marriage together. from earlier on BBCi there's beginning of theSecond Scripted by Nick Hornby afurtherdose ofthe bigman World War. Among the and directed by Stephen asone of the guests. historical items on view isa Frears (Dangerous Liaisons) As Kylie Minogue photo album featuring the first two episodes presents the launch show for pictures of Neville together lasting less than this year's Strictly Come Chamberlain's meeting with _halfan hour are a delightful Dancing Saturday7,BBC:, Adolf Hitler, and Bruce has bedtime treat. 7aopm), there's another a memorable meeting with In Hairy Bikers: Route instance of cunning ‘osyear-old Ray Palmer, who 66 (Thursday 12, BBC scheduling with recalls frst being an evacuee Spm), duo David Myers and giueriera) Scarborough’s Tyldesley before he went on toservein Simon King are motoring : AWKWARD VOICES Radio It's sometimes hard to tell the real thing from the impersonators... Pictures (R4, Wednesdays, 12pm). The topic was NHS_on strike if he wasn't sacked, 6.30pm) gaveusaweleome food. One caller was a because he wanted to make reminder, Even without ied hospital cook, proper gravy rather than a Louis Wilmot, i'san agreeable Budgetshad been cut and _bizarre watery simulacrum Barfe show, with Alistair the food was rubbish. Vine from Oxo and tomato MeGawan and Ronni cut in. Chickens with funny — Cup-a-Soup. ‘I's industrial Wedon'tseeorhear enough Ancona reading movie foreign writing on them? catering. I's meant tobe of Gary Wilmot these days. dialogue in the wrong voices This s a show broadcast on rubbish,’ he was told. Inthe 1980s, this talented (such as Michael Gove and numerous frequencies, one Tam literally unable to chap was everywhere Danny Dyer doing Jaws). audible only to dog speak, Vine said, speaking ‘Thankfully, last week's Less agreeable was Another hospital cook with his voice. Or was it edition of Gaby’s Talking JeremyVine’s show (Ra, _said hiscolleagues would go Alistair McGowan? 72 THELADY 6SEPTEMBER 2009WoolOvers.com 0345 073 1040y to Writing or updating a wil is a sure way to make certain the people you love are looked after when you die. And Macmillan’s new free will service means today is the perfect day to get yours started. If your wil is straightforward, it won't cost you a penny and i's really easy to do. Everything's double checked by legal experts for your peace of mind too. Wills are also a lovely way to remember a cause close to your heart If you'd like to leave a gift to Macmillan, your kindness will help us be right there for people with cancer in the years ahead, You can use our free will service no matter who you decide to help. So why not get started right now? Today's the perfect day. 10 048 1607 CG) rR) FUNDRAISING (8) REGULATOR GIFTS IN Wiis RIGHT THERE WITH YOULEGACIES cit Pee Pd Find the perfect cause to leave your legacy to, says Rosalind Firth Remembering a favourite museum or art gallery in your will can help them not only stay afloat but also expand and improve in multiple ways, especially considering the heritage industry Is quite under-funded. Often, museums and galleries need to undertake expensive renovations or conservation projects to ensure the preservation of their collections and architecture. Gifts from legacies can help fund these projects, as well as allowing the museum or art gallery to improve their displays or to host exhibitions with loaned items. With extra donations, both museums and art galleries can also reach out to Jocal communities to gain a larger interest in what can sometimes be SO ars ees considered niche themes. Leaving alegacy toa military charity helps support the soldiersofficers who are deployed, those who have returned as well as the friends and families lft behind. Being a part ofthe army is very different to civilian life, not to ‘mention the overseas experiences in \wartorn countries. Military charities help by funding recreational facilities rendering therapists accessible and providing the right people to give advice on everything from loneliness toliving options. There are a number of armed forces charities that range from providing support for those who have been to war, the families who have been lft behind as well as more specific charities for the different sectors of the ‘Army, Navy, RAF and the subsections within them. ‘The number of homeless people on our streets is steadily increasing, while D> (SEPTEMBER 2019 THELADY 75LEGACIES Many like to help with ees destituteness in poverty'stricken areas is also on the rise. There are charities that help those sleeping rough by finding beds for them, establishing food banks and even washing facilities and hairdressing on the go. Homelessness is particularly dangerous in extreme weather, as frostbite becomes a major issue in ‘winter, and dehydration in the summer. These charities also help homeless people find jobs, prepare them for the interviews so that thi can become not only financially secure but also safe and healthy. Environmental and nature charities As natural crises endure, environmental and nature charities continue to need our help in executing the task of preserving and conserving ‘our planet, These charities work to promote knowledge and appreciation of our natural world, working towards environmental conservation and prot ion, from large-scale area: f oa pees ey natural beauty, to parks and nature Leaving a legacy in your will to your local nature reserve or flower garden can enstre that future generations will continue to appreciate these much: loved places, as well as creating a pot of money to fund events for the whole family to enjoy. This not only encourages younger participation but also local community engagement creating a lively and supportive environment. Furthermore, donating, in your will toa charity that is working, to prevent climate change is a guaranteed way to know that you have helped the world beyond your time on earth. Animal charities From wildlife conservation organisations, to 200s and aquariums, pet and animal welfare organizations and hunting and fishing conservation groups - there are a plethora of organizations whose quest itis to protect the welfare of animals. Leaving ‘oan animal charity ensures that their protection and. -ampaigns for animal welfare can continue, Universities and schools Ifyou loved your time at school, and truly value the education you gained from your institution, individuals ean leave sums of money towards certain departments of a school or university the performing arts section, for example, or the refurbishment of sportsgrounds or the development of extra-curricular activities. Normally itis only possible to leave a legacy to fee-paying, independent schools, However, if you would like to leave a legacy to help disadvantaged tudents attending a state school, there are education charities that work in this exact area, Many education charities support disadvantaged children and teenagers in providing them with opportunities to gain skills and confidence that they can turn into success in school and later life. Mental health charities These work to provide support, and advocate for, those suffering from ‘mental health issues. Having a mental health issue can be overwhelming and ostracising; these charities work to reduce the stigma, ope: to encourage people to talk about their issues and to seek help. Mental health ‘encompasses everything from depression and anxiety to PTSD bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, Mental health charities provide information and advice on how to cope with the varying issues for the person suffering as well as friends and family who wish to help. m 76 THELADY 6sEPTEMER 209Celebrate art, design and performance with a gift in your Will The V&A holds over 2.3 million works of art which delight and inspire Visitors, students and designers from all over the world. Work never stops to conserve, store and exhibit the collection safely for all to enjoy. Please help us to protect these treasures by leaving a donation to the V&A in your Will. . To find out how your legacy All donations of any size make a difference and everyone that supports could help: the V&A with a legacy is invited to join the V&A’'s Henry Cole Circle. +44(0)207 942 2898 legacy@vam.ac.uk rratthaprtasnumttngere ete se rin at ra. 5. et Ce eek NeesCOULD YOULEAVEA | A iN AC ) | ~LEGACIES Love animals? Lookafter them in yourwill Make a difference to the animals you love, says Rosalind Firth The demand on animal shelters and sanctuaries to tend to and care for last or unwanted animals is incredibly high. By leaving a legacy you can ease the financial burden and know that your show you care being put to good use. There are man national and international sanctuaries providing care and protection to the ‘world’s most valued animals. From husky sanctuaries in Norway, rhino sanctuaries in Indonesia and elephant sanctuaries in Thailand, there are plenty of places that could do with your support These sanctuaries vary in purpose ~ some take in injured animals in order to return them to the wild, while others ‘occupy an expansive space and act as Endangered species Eonar eens a reserve to protect the animals from unnatural death, Cats and dogs make up the biggest proportion of animals, who are abandoned or mistreated. Dog charities work with the same aims of cat charities to rescue, rehabilitate and rehome abused and abandoned clogs. Like most, many of these charities rely solely on public donations of money to keep the operations side of their organisations running. What better way to pay homage to the dogs we have loved in life, than to ensure that some others ‘may survive with a legacy in our wills? The main aim of charities looking after the welfare of cats is to rescue, spay or neuter, treat and rehome as ‘many needy felines as is physically possible, Statistics show that one lunneutered female cat can be responsible for up to 20,000 descendants over a five-year period and so spaying and neutering cats is ‘many charities’ main priority. This procedure is very expensive and so the charities desperately need donations through wills and legacies. to talk you onation can help. Many will be hapy through how yout Leav acy to an organisation that works k specifically for and with endangered > ‘SEPTEMBER 2019 THELADY 79LEGACIES species is a sure-fire way to know you've helped change the world. (Often, organisations that work to preserve endangered animals also ‘work to preserve their natural habitat, fighting against deforestation as well as climate change. Ocean inhabitants Our seas are full to the brim with wild and wonderful species ranging from fish to dolphins and turtles. There are many charities ‘and organisations that specifically care for marine life and focus on how to preserve our ocean conditions. ‘Huge amounts of money are spent ‘on monitoring and data-gathering, results which are then used on a national and international level, analysing the changing sea conditions that affect global economies and fishing. Charities are also set up to care for harmed marine life, to rescue and rehabilitate mammals like seals and also rare sea birds, Working animals Help improve the welfare and treatment of working animals in poorer communities by leaving a legacy to an organisation that treats and cares for such animals. Currently, around 200 million animals ‘worldwide transport goods, supplies and people, but their standard of care is diminishing. Help these animals gain veterinary care not only in order to clongate their lives but to improve the ‘quality oftheir lives. Birds and poultry We have seen an enormous decline in the UK songbird population in recent history. The tree sparrow population, for example, has fallen by more than 93 per cent, and the willow tit by 91 per cent. Various charities are working to find the causes for this threat to Britain’s birdlife and how we can help to restore bird numbers. We all know the plight of the battery hen and many charities and private individuals are working, hard to rehabilitate and rehome chickens that have been removed from inhumane battery environments. Hedgehogs and other wildlife The hedgehog is one of Britain's best-loved inhabitants, However, sightings of this prickly character have lessened as their ‘numbers in the countryside and in our towns have plummeted by hall. This can be blamed on the loss of hedgerows and some native species of insect in the countryside, and restricted space to roam in areas inhabitated by humans with our fenced-off gardens. Most hedgehog charities offer important advice to people who may find a hedgehog in need in their garden, (or who just want to help out with their preservation, ‘We live with more than 88,000 species of flora and fauna in the British, Isles, and various wildlife charities are charged with helping to protect them, Hedgehogs are becoming arare sight HOW YOU CANHELP Ifyou love animals, are passionate about their welfare and are committed to helping them, then leaving a legacy ‘could be for you, Remembering animals in your will allows you to ‘continue to help and support animals even after you're gone, Gifts left in the form of legacies fund almost half of the work animal shelters and charities undertake. They are a vital source of income, and many places would be crippled without the ‘generous donations left from legacies. Legacies provide the funds for charities, sanctuaries and shelters to undertake their work o the quality standard that is necessary, and expected, when dealing with animals. Charities often ask that if you do, very kindly, decide to leave them legacy, not to specify what the money should go towards. This is sothat the charity can use your gift Ina way that really helps the charity, after evaluating the finances and understanding exactly where more funds are needed. Ifyou already have a will, but would now like to include an animal charity, ‘you simply have to fill outa codicil form. Normally, you just need the charity name, address and registration number and know the percentage of ‘your estate you would like to leave. You don’t even have to tell the charity you're remembering them in your will, but many would like to know sothat they can offer thelr thanks and update you on the work they conduct for as long as possible. Most animal charities even have a team specifically ‘concerning legacies and wills so that {you can contaet if you have more ‘questions. m 30 THELADY ssEPTEMBER 2009We promise we’ll never put down a healthy dog. be Please promise to help us with a gift in your Will. Every year, Dogs Trust cares for over 15,000 dogs in our 20 rehoming centres across the UK. We never put down a healthy dog. By leaving a gift in your Will, your love of dogs can live on and help us make the world a better place for them. For more information call: 020 7837 0006 or email: infopack@dogstrust.org.uk Please quote "334248" or complete this coupon: > Please send me my legacy info Pack cis sauinsios apiain pewsngen a casa MuinsMise/MssOther IW YOUR WILL. Help the work lve on. Adress ~ <2 DogsTrustSTs gifts are Pn forgotten. LEAVING A GIFT IN YOURWILLto the National Churches Trust isn’t just a gift it's an investment. Many of the UK's historic churches, chapels and. meeting houses are fighting a battle against the ravages of time. Leaving a gift in your Will helps us keep these precious buildings alive for future generations. b | Yours will last for generations. For people who love church buildings WOOD GREEN ‘he Animals Carty |At Wood Green, The Animals Chari, we've been caring fr sik, injured and homeless pets since 1924 ~ and theyll need us for ‘many more years to come. {gift in your Wil could help to transform the lives of thousands of pes in need. GBs in Wits make up over half of our Income, so we ely on them to provide the very best of care. These special acts. of kindness fund vital faites such as One act of kindness from you. Thousands of second chances for them. ur surgery, Kennel and catteries - ond give ‘animals the second chance at life they deserve Could you let your love for animals live ‘on inthis special way? Go online to watch our moving short fir, ‘Search Wood Green Legacy and see the dfeence you could make. If you'd lke to find ‘out more about gis in Wills, please request ‘ur free guide by completing and returning this form, Yes, I'm interested in giving pets in need a second chance at life Pease send me my hae Wil ue Adress Postcode To find out more Call: 0300 303 9333 Search: Wood Green Legacy ease tum your completed oma repost RR XI BEC, Weed Green The Ans Chery, London Rad, Gadmanchast, Huntingdon P29 NH \Welovetozand you ups cn how your donatons make a aarence We clo ha end yOu news event etl and po care frets ond naling rmessope we dae of how acon continue a ep hanes pelsn nee. Couey ontoc me by eephone Yeu may centr moby ama \Wedlove be abot yn ouch ith you, bu you can change your conte prefrenaas or op ot of ue comune by conten "Re Supporter Relators tam on 0:00 2059876 Osan 3 seen on ema supporter losons@woodgreen or. Bis 82 THELADY GEPTENBER 20Guide to, Legacies named cause, Find out all you need to ‘know about writing your will and creating legacies below. All you need to know about handling your will, by Rosalind Firth his year Is the 10th anniversary of Remember a Charity in Your Will Week. This event unites charities in encouraging ‘more people to consider leaving a giftin their will, after having taken care oftheir loved ones. Remembering a charity in your will soften materialised in leaving a legacy, when you set aside a certain amount of your estate dedicated to a WILLS What? A will is a legal document that sets out how you would like your estate for assets will be distributed amongst your family, loved ones and friends. If you have children under the age of 18 it should also detail how you wish them to be looked after, and by whom, Ifyou do not leave a will you can risk the ones you love not being looked after LEGACIES Drawing up your willneedn't be and Wills in the way you would have wished. Writing a will is something that people can and do put off, but itis something that should be done because estates do not automatically pass to family ~athird of people will die intestate (with no will) and have their property shared out according to the rules of intestacy, as opposed to their own wishes. When? There is no specific time set for when you should write your will, and it often differs from person to person. Generally, people write their wills ‘A third of people will die intestate (with no will) and have their property shared out opposed to their wishes’ when they became financially independent, at a change of lifestyle (marriage, children, pets). If these life changes occur once you've already written a will, you are of course able to amend this pre-existing document. Where? Writing a will can be done independently at home with DIY kit, (SEPTEMBER 2019 THELADY 83PROTECT YOUR FAMILY’S FUTURE FOR FREE Keeping an up-to-date Will is the only way to take care of your family if you're no longer there. It is The Royal British Legion's pleasure to help members of the Armed Forces community do this by offering a FREE Will Writing service. You do not have to include the Legion in your Will to use this service. jowever, if you do decide to leave a gift to the Legion, your legacy could help us support serving and ex-serving personnel and their families, for the of their live fen a small portion of your Estate could help us provide everything from home adaptations for an injured veteran like Mark Stonelake to specialist dementia care in one of our award-winning Legion Care Homes, Once “It’s a huge you have provided for your loved ones, please consider helping us tobe comfort to know there for members of the Armed Forces family who need us. the Legion's support Find out more or request a copy of our Will Guide at will never stop.” Mark Stonelake, who lost his left le P fallowing an Improvised Explosive Contact the Legion's legacy manager at Device (IED) explosion in Afe or call LIVE ON& Registered Chatty No.218;LEGACIES Elite your estateis Teftto those you love ~~ be but you will always need awitnesstosign the will o validate it. Some charities even offer free online will-writing services but often, people hire professional solicitors to ensure the wording and detailing of the will is valid and accurate, especially if you have a complex estate or wishes. ny? There's no law saying you have to hhave a will, but having one will give you peace of mind, knowing that your estate will formally be divided according to your wishes. If you die without having a will, tunder the laws of intestacy, assets will be distributed in accordance with the law by an administrator appointed by a probate court, If your estate amounts to more than. the cost of your debts and funeral costs, the first £250,000 and your personal assets will be given to your registered legal partner then half of what remains will be with any children you may have once they reach 18, If you are unmarried and have no children, under the intestacy rules your estate will go back to your parents. Ifyou die unmarried, without children and have no relatives your estate will automatically pass to the government, 7 A legacy is a charitable donation left in your will a cause or organisation close to your heart. Most charities are funded by legacies and they are an essential part of their management and day-to-day upkeep. Legacies are ‘exempt from Inheritance Tax and estates that leave more than ten per cent to charitable causes qualify for their Inheritance Tax percentage to drop from 40 per cent (on estates worth above £325,000) to 36 per cent, Help tofund medical research hy? Leaving alegacy isa definitive way toensure that you know you'vedone your part helpinga favourite cause - whether thisbe for thecareof animals, a medical charity close to your heart or acharity in theartsand culture sector that you have appreciated for years, Leaving a legacy isa vital part to every charity's funding and itensures that you have thoroughly contributed to a cause you care about, ow? Leaving a charitable donation in your will is easy, simply state the amount you want to give (either a set amount or a percentage of your estate) and include their full address and registration number. If you would like the money to go toa specific area then leave a note of that, too, although note that some charities prefer not to have this defined, Ifyou already have a will in place but now wantto include a legacy, don't worry. You can change or amenda pre-existing will using codicil, or simply writea new one altogether. codicil is adocument that will detail any changes you wish to make and then will be attached to your current will. It will need tobe witnessed and signed like will, and are best for just small changes or amendments, ‘¢ Remember A Charity Week runs from 9:45 September: for more information got wwwwrememberacharity.org.ike SEPTEMBER 2019 THELADY 8SGREAT . ae ‘ORMOND q by STREET HOSPITAL can, CHARITY aU Cina Update your Will for free and rewrite a child's future A gift in your Will could give seriously ill children at Great Ormond Street Hospital a chance at life. ~ st Great Ormond Street Hospital a chance at life. ee We've teamed up with two Willavrting services that are simple 1 completely fee to use until 30 November 2019. Choose the service that works best for you, then let a specialist help you ‘You can find al the information online at goth.org/freewi With either service theres no obligation to leave a giftin your WilL But after considering family and friends we hope youl be y * Inspired to leave a legacy donation ~ no matter how large or small - to help the children at our hospital ‘To claim your free Wil, please quote: Lady To register for a free appointment with a solicitor or trained counsellor: Sr . . ONLINE: goshorg/freewill PHONE: 020 3841 3268 aie ‘ EMAIL: legacy@goshorg ’ Supporting the maritime community seafarersv«~ Your Will For Free Book an appointment today with Seafarers UK's partners, McClure Solicitors, and help to provide a safety net for seafarers en Scene www.seafarers.uk/free-will-offer Va Ee SS oe rat Ra Re cts Reece a eel een Oe eRe eit Se ee gee eee ea en ete Tae ee een ioe cede ae eee ny Inpartnership with McClure inLEGACIES Support medical miracles Support those helping people in medical need... by Rosalind Firth What do medical charities do? Ifyou or a loved one falls ill with a critical or life-long condition, chances are a medical charity will play a big part in your life. There are multiple different types of medical charities, but they often are centred on a certain illness, or a certain element of care. While they also differ in purpose, most ‘medical charities will fund research into a certain illness, provide support and care for those going through the illness as well as services (such as bereavement counselling) for loved cones. Along with these key purposes, ‘medical charities will often run fundraisers to raise awareness and. ‘money, as well as coffee mornings, group meet-ups and social events for those dealing with an illness to make sufferers feel as least alone as possible. ‘Often, the work that medical charities undertake is invaluable to lives of those suffering from an illness or disease, as they provide advice and support as well as wellness groups, Furthermore, in funding research, ‘medical charities are essential in finding up-to-date treatments and even cures that will change many, ‘many lives. ‘Types of medical charities ‘Medical charities’ is an umbrella term for various diferent stems, such as disease and disorder charities, medical services and treatment, medical research charities, patient and family support charities. Many larger medical charities will encompass two or more ofthese stems however, as they do Interlink inthe dayto-day running of an organisation. ‘Well-known causes included the various types of cancer, dementia and Alzheimer’, hospitals and ambulance services, terminal illness care and support as well as heart and kidney health organisations. Some lesser known causes that people do struggle with on a daily basis, including pulmonary fibrosis, eystc fibrosis, epilepsy, fibromyalgia, motor neurone disease and Huntington's disease, amongst many others. All these causes are represented by charities who fund, y support and advise people who have these diseases. Helpand support your favourite cause What can youdo? Amongst organising coffee mornings, fundraisers and attending fun runs, Jeaving.a legacy in your willis probably the most beneficial way to help a medical charity. A lump sum like this, can help the charity run ona daily basis, aswell as fund their larger projects, be that in medical research or more customer facing activities. If you are closely connected toa medical charity, it may be that you want to leave a legacy fora certain cause, as you know where the funds are lacking. For example, maybe they need a particular piece of a equipment for research, or would like to set up a weekly event for children. If you know exactly what a charity needs, you can be specific in where you want the ‘money to go. If you are unsure, however, best to leave it to the charity to decide where your money is most needed. Either way, leaving a legacy in your willis certainly making a ‘medical miracle. @ A GUIDE TO USEFUL CONTACTS - ‘ Alzheimer’s Research UK, ‘¢ Great Ormand Street ‘© POSA, 0800 591248, pdsa.org & 01223 896606, www. Hospital, 020 3847 3841, kits ‘lzheimersesearchukorg/ wwwzgashorg ‘The Royal British Legion, its o-wil-quide ‘¢ Macmillan, 0800 048 1607, (203 207 253, wwvw.borg ‘¢Diabetes UK, 0207424 1853, macmillanorguk/pressfreewill _uk/reewls diabetes.org.uk/phoebe ‘¢Mayhew Animal Hospital, Stroke Association, 0300330 3300, www.woodlandtust. ‘#Dog's Trust, 2078370006, 0208206 5870, www. (0740, www stroke.org.uk ‘org.uk wordogstrustorguk themayheworg(itsinwils _ ¢ Wood Green, 03003039333, © V&A Museum, 02079422898, ‘¢Fauna &Floralnternational, National Churches, 0207222 www.woodgreen orgulhow: —_ wwrwsvam.acuk/legacles 01223571000, wwwwfouna- 060, nationalchurchestrust. _to-hep/legacy/ouide + Seafarers UK, 0207932 0000, Moraorg org/legacy ‘Woodland Trust, 0330333 wweseatarers.uk (SEPTEMBER 2019 THELADY 87TRAVEL Artfully crafted days out. Martin Randall Travel’s London Days offer fresh perspective and deeper insight, whether you are a Londoner or a visitor. Spend the day getting to know a different side of the city, exploring its artistic and historical riches in the company of experts. Artsand Crafts The Genius of Titian | Nat aw. ‘Ancient Egypt at the British Museum | Golden Age of British Painting | Hozarth to the Pre-Raphaelite Contact us MARTIN #44 (020 8742 3355 RANDALL ‘martinrandalcom/london-days F TRAVEL 30 Years of cutural tour | She cannot find the Words Ui Tor over 60 years AISPA has been the voice of hove who do not have 8 voice. Thanks to your support we can help animal welfare projects in Italy to rescue, lovingly look after and find a new home for thousands ‘fanimals: Please help our projects to do more and todo itbetter. Please check out our website www.alspa-org.uk. Email us at {nfo@aispa.org.uk orl out he form below and return to us by post, ‘YES, [WANT TO SUPPORT AISPA Tepclote a donation of... (Chaque/PO/CAF made payable to: AIS) [D Posae Git Aimy donation AISPA will send you Gif A information| Name Address Pos Code ‘307 34 New Bridge Stet, Lands, ECAV 8) Ue riser charity no 208590 THE GLOBETROTTER ‘The cliffs of Lyme Regis AUTUMN getaways Beat the rush of the summer season and head for a cosy getaway this autumn, says Anna Price s the hazy days of summer begin to come toa cose, there'sa chillin the breeze and crispness in the ait. Autumn still benefits from longer hours in the daylight, but witha fresher feels leaves turn to orange, hot chocolates become the go-to refreshments and jumpers find their way out ofthe back ofthe wardrobe. Heading away in autumn means peace and serenity, as schools will be back In session and you can explore toyourhear’s content. Lyme Regis ‘On the SouthCoast in Dorset, tyme Regis is popular