I am very sad about Victoria Wood`s death. Such brilliant writing and observation, and I loved her songs and ebullient piano playing. She was always down to earth and warm hearted as well as being hilariously funny. I was interested to read in the Guardian obit that she attended Quaker Meeting, (along with my other heroine, Judy Dench) There was a wonderful tribute to her on telly last night, which included her speaking movingly about her life and work.
Another long programme followed which was all about the Queen on her ninetieth birthday. I get a bit fed up with all the oft repeated pictures of her waving regally from gilded coaches and walking stiffly about wearing those absurd hats, so it was nice to see new pics of her looking motherly and happy with her children. I so admire the way she still walks around wearing high heeled shoes, springing nimbly up and down steps without a stick and even walks backwards when laying wreaths, as well as being interminably on her feet shaking hands. I can`t do any of those things and I am four years younger. I do wish everyone would stop referring to her as Majesty, even her son for Goodness Sake, it seems such a silly word.
I have been having car problems. It goes along perfectly well and then just stops in inappropriate places like Ditchling High Street in the rush hour or on top of Ditchling Beacon on a bend in the road. It starts up again after about five minutes. The garage obviously think I am a barmy, incompetent driver. It is going in for it`s MOT and service today and I dread them saying that there is nothing wrong and I will get stuck again. Or equally nasty will be if they say it is going to cost squillions of pounds to repair it. I so rely on having a car here in Ditchling as there are so few buses and none that can get me to Brighton.
I am one of the judges for a yearly writing award in memory of daughter Julia. I have to make a short list of four from a long list of thirty two. I am so impressed by the high standard of all of them. It is not a piece of writing as such, it is giving the reasons for needing the money to travel for the purpose of their work. Reading the applications make you want to give the money to all of them. But there are three other judges, all better qualified than I am to choose, so together we must make a decision.There will be a performance of Julia`s poetry and maybe a play at the prize giving at Live theatre in Newcastle on June 5th.