As Dame Julie turns 80 on October1, we look at a life that, from
Dame Julie at 80
Triumph in the face of heartache By Valery McConnell
J
ulie Andrews can look back on an amazing career. Child radio phenomenon, broadway musical star, Hollywood heroine and Oscar winner and most recently, successful children’s author. She’s certainly multi-talented – but she has had to be. This very English star, with her beautiful manners and steely sweetness has coped with very personal shock and drama. And it started at a very young age... Andrews isn’t Julie’s birth name. Her mother Barbara left her beloved teacher father, Edward Wells, when she met a Canadian tenor, Ted Andrews. Although it was Ted who first gave her singing lessons and discovered her astonishing voice, Julie missed her real father terribly. Nevertheless, called up one night to sing on stage with Ted, their duet proved such a hit that Julie’s singing career was launched. She became a radio star
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aged 11 and the youngest ever performer at a Royal Command performance – singing to George VI, Queen Elizabeth and the young Princesses. But behind the glamour lay a darker reality... Ted Andrews was an alcoholic who could be violent. Looking back, she has described him as, “A very sad man... who had a tough life himself.” Her compassion for him is all the more remarkable as she recently shockingly revealed that, when drunk, he had also tried to get into bed with her, which forced her to have a lock put on the door. Sadly, she couldn’t turn to her mother Barbara – a charismatic classical pianist – for protection, as she also succumbed to alcoholism. It was young Julie, as she herself admits, who was the glue holding this dysfunctional family together. The calmness she is so famous for, was learnt early as a harsh necessity for survival. While Julie loved her mother she could never, as she later explained, entirely trust her.
Stepping out as Eliza in the stage version of My Fair Lady with Rex Harrison – who thought Julie not up to the role!
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childhood, has taken extraordinary courage to survive
Early days: Julie shares the stage with ventriloquist’s dummy Archie Andrews in1950
Spoonfuls of charm: above, Julie, as Mary Poppins in1964 and left, as the unforgettable Maria in The Sound of Music in1965
Julie’s words of wisdom… Perseverance is failing 19 times and succeeding the twentieth. Family is really what it’s all about. Hopefully I brought people a certain joy. That will be a wonderful legacy.
And with good reason. When Julie was just 14 her mother took her to perform at a house and introduced her to its owner afterwards. At the time, Julie remembers feeling a strange sense of connection. On the way home, her mother revealed that Edward Wells – the man Julie loved and thought of as her father – in fact wasn’t. The man she had just been singing for was. Barbara had had a passionate affair with him. It was another shock that, in order to survive, Julie, “Pushed into a dark corner of my mind.” The man, who she has never named, did try to rekindle a relationship with her, but she remained loyal for the rest of her life to the man who gave her real unconditional love, Edward Wells, “The one who instilled in me any true reality in my life.” Julie never spoke of her mother’s revelation to him, but she movingly discovered from an aunt after his death that he had always known the truth of her parentage. Julie’s other great prop was her amazing voice. She not only had a soaring four-octave range at a young age, but great strength and perfect pitch. Aged 19 she went alone to America to star on Broadway in The Boyfriend. But while her voice may have been amazing, others were less enthusiastic about her acting skills. In fact, Rex Harrison refused to work with her on My Fair Lady, forcing director Moss Hart to spend 48 hours coaching her exclusively. He reported afterwards, “She has that British strength that makes you wonder how they ever lost India”!
Rex was proved wrong and Julie was a huge hit as Eliza. While Julie famously lost out to Audrey Hepburn for the screen version, she soon triumphed as Mary Poppins and went on to star in The Sound of Music, Thoroughly Modern Millie, and Victor Victoria, among others. But disaster struck in 1997. A problem with her singing voice led to a diagnosis of non-cancerous nodules – a condition treatable by surgery. But this time, the surgeons didn’t just treat the nodules, they stole her voice. Until then, whatever was going on in her life, Julie had had her remarkable vocal gift to take her away from it. As she said in an interview in 2000, “To not be able to communicate through my voice, which I’ve done all my life... and give people that kind of joy, I think I would be totally devastated.” Sadly, her voice has never come back. And Julie has candidly admitted that she had grief counselling to help her get over its loss. But also, just as she had done as a child, she eventually picked herself up, dusted herself off – and looked for a new way to give meaning to her life. She would also need it when her beloved second husband, Blake Edwards, died in 2010 after a long illness. With her daughter from her first marriage, Emma Walton Hamilton, Julie wrote a book for children. (She also has two step-children and two adopted children.) Twenty-seven books later, she has a bestselling series on her hands. And her unmistakeable speaking voice has also brought her a new generation of young fans in family films from Shrek to The Princess Diaries. Like her most iconic screen role, Maria Von Trapp, who stated in the film, “When the Lord closes a door, somewhere He opens a window” she has refused to be beaten by life. Dame Julie Andrews we wish you every happiness on your birthday. It couldn’t be more deserved. YOURS
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PICS: GETTY IMAGES, ALAMY
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❙ star chat ❙
Style notes
Dark denim jeans Pussy-bow blouses are really popular this season and the perfect choice to update your favourite jeans. Choose luxurious fabrics with a flattering lower neck line. Kathy wears: Blouse, £16, 10-20, F&F at Tesco, jeans, £15, 10-22, Bhs; belt, £8, Next; pumps, £12, 3-8, George at Asda; bag, Laura Ashley, £37.50.
Makeover your classics Give your wardrobe essentials a stylish new look for autumn By Jo Winch
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STOCKISTS: Bhs 0344 411 6000 www.bhs.co.uk; Debenhams 0844 561 6161 www.debenhams. com; F&F at Tesco 0800 505 555 www.clothingattesco. com; George at Asda 0800 952 0101; Jones Bootmaker 01323 730532 www.jonesbootmaker. com; Laura Ashley 0333 200 8009 www.lauraashley.com; Lotus shoes www.lotusshoes. co.uk; Marisota 0871 984 6000 www.marisota.co.uk; Marks & Spencer 0845 609 0200 www. marksandspencer.com; Next 0844 844 8000 www.next.co.uk; Simply Be 0345 071 9018 www. simplybe.co.uk Details are correct at time of going to press
Jersey dress The blazer Navy and grey are a chic colour combination, and this fab metallic skirt adds glamour. Gill wears: Blazer, £49.50, 8-22, M&S; roll neck, £20, 10-20, Next; skirt, £35, 10-22, M&S; shoes, £65, 3-8, Jones Bootmaker; bag, £37.50, Laura Ashley
UP TO SIZE 32
Add structure and style to a daytime dress with a flattering bouclé jacket. Kathy wears: Jacket, £59, 10-32, Marisota; dress, £36, 10-22, Next; necklace, £18, Jon Richard at Debenhams; shoes, £59.99, 3-8, Lotus Shoes
White shirt
Pencil skirt
Layer a classic shirt under a bright and bold dress, for warmth and style. Kathy wears: Dress, £40, 10-20, Next; blouse, £35, 10-20; necklace, £14.50, shoes, £39.50, 3-8, all M&S
PHOTOGRAPHY RUTH JENKINSON STYLIST: JO WINCH HAIR AND MAKE-UP OLIVER FERRIER
Choose loose, tailored pieces to team with a smart pencil skirt. This duster-style jacket has an elegant yet relaxed feel. Gill wears: Duster coat, £55, 12-32, red blouse, £12.50, 12-32, both Simply Be; pencil skirt, £35, 6-22, shoes, £19.50, 3-8, both M&S
✢ NEXT ISSUE Stylish and affordable winter coats to keep you warm YOURS
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Good to KNOW...
How to...
cut the cost of
cooking
We spill the beans on how to save a packet in the kitchen!
T
here might be no such thing as a free lunch, but there are corners you can cut to reduce how much you fork out for food each week. Being a savvy shopper and knowing how to get the most from your ingredients could save you money without having to compromise on the flavour of your favourite dishes. And what’s more, choosing to go cheaper could actually be the healthier alternative, keeping down both lbs and £££s!
Love your freezer
PICS: ALAMY; GETTY IMAGES; ISTOCKPHOTO. *PRICES MAY VARY
As a country we throw away 1.5 million tonnes of food every month. Fresh fruit and veg make up a big chunk of the waste that goes straight from fridge to bin. “Buy frozen fruit and veg instead,” says nutritionist Christine Bailey. “Contrary to what you might think, they’re still full of goodness and you can just use what you need.”
By Katharine Wootton
And even if you do buy fresh, freeze any spare ingredients you have leftover. “If you buy fresh herbs, chop up and freeze in ice-cube trays so you can defrost and have them to hand whenever you need them. Don’t forget doubling up your recipe and freezing the second portion is a great way to cut down on waste.”
Do your own thing “Always tailor a recipe to suit what you already have in the cupboard rather than buying extras,” says Christine. “Instead of buying more herbs and spices, swap what the recipe suggests for something you already have, such as oregano in place of basil. Pick your The only time you need own and to follow the recipe save! to the letter is when you’re baking.”
The bargain way to buy five-a-day Whe it comes to finding the best deal, supermarkets aren’t
Meet our expert
Christine Bailey is a nutritionist, chef and food writer (www. christinebailey.co.uk)
always the best place to find them. “Supermarkets often offer ‘buy-oneget-one free’ offers on fresh items which are only useful if you’re going to use everything in one go or can freeze them. Instead, try your local market, especially at the end of the day when they sell things off,” says Christine. “Even if some of the fruit is very ripe you can use it for smoothies, ice-cream or even for a homemade banana cake, if you like.” ‘Pick your own’ farms are also great for getting cheap fresh produce. Take time to experiment with the seasonal veg you find to save money and improve the variety of your diet. Find a farm at
SUPER-SAVING CUPBOARD ESSENTIALS These hardworking ingredients go with so many different dishes, they’re well worth a place in your larder to save you money in the long-run. YOURS
Tins of tomatoes and tomato purée save on jars of sauces and add flavour instantly
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Beans and lentils are cheap to buy so bulk out your meals with these
Apple cider vinegar is great for dressings and good for your digestive system
Use coconut milk to make soups, stews, desserts such as rice pudding, and ice-cream
Turmeric cheaply spices up everything from omlettes to chilli, as does soy sauce
Nut butters taste great on toast or as a dip. Add to creamy soups, desserts or smoothies
Canned fish keeps for ages. Mackerel and sardines are full of Vitamin D and omega-3
SPEND VS SAVE
www.pickyourownfarms.org.uk “Try having a meat-free day at least one day a week,” says Christine. “Not only will it save money, it’ll also get more vegetables into your diet. Get protein from eggs made into an omelette or frittata – it makes for a good cheap meal on a no-meat day.” Or if you really can’t give up meat, just try using a little less. So when you eat mince, use half the amount you usually would and substitute the rest with beans, pulses and more vegetables.
Swaps for Sunday lunch Meat is one of the priciest foodstuffs we buy, but being more adventurous in the types of meats you eat could save you a fortune. “Liver and other offal are not only packed with vitamins, they could also
We pitted bargain supermarket brands* against their pricier competitors to see where to spend and where to save on five kitchen staples. Here are the results of our blind taste test!
BISCUITS
BARGAIN: Tesco’s Everyday Value Digestive Biscuits 400g • 31p (8p/100g) BRANDED: McVitie’s Digestives 500g • £1.09 (22p/100g) RESULT: Very difficult to tell any difference but the Tesco biscuits were slightly richer and more buttery
CHEESE
BARGAIN: ASDA Chosen by You British Mature Cheddar 250g • £1.74 (£6.96/kg) BRANDED: Davidstow Extra Mature Cheddar 350g • £4 (£12.50/kg) RESULT: Davidstow was the favourite with a much stronger flavour
HAM
BARGAIN: Tesco Wafer Thin Cooked Ham 125g • £1 (80p/100g) BRANDED: Morrisons Carvery DryCured Smoked Ham Slices 5 Pack 120g • £1.59 (£1.33/100g) RESULT: It’s worth paying more for the quality and taste of the Morrisons’ ham
TEA
BARGAIN: Lidl’s Knightsbridge English Breakfast 50 bags • 99p BRANDED: Twinings English Afternoon 50 bags • £2 RESULT: Lidl was the hands-down winner on flavour!
CHOCOLATE
BARGAIN: ALDI Dairy Fine Milk Chocolate 200g • 85p (42.5p per 100g) BRANDED: Cadbury Dairy Milk Chocolate 200g • £2 (£1/100g) RESULT: Aldi’s would be fine for home baking but Cadbury’s tasted better when enjoyed by itself
feed a whole family for less then £2,” says Christine. “If you’re doing a stew or casserole, choose stewing steak or a brisket, skirt or shin of beef to keep down the cost and up the flavour. For pork, try spare ribs or belly, and go for the shoulder, scrag or middle neck of lamb. And for a roast chicken, use the whole bird including the bones for stock, which can be frozen.”
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Holidays for…
Downton Abbey fans You too can enjoy a taste of the high life with Crawley family-inspired ideas By Lizzy Dening
As seen on TV
✢ Of course there can be no mention of Downton destinations without a nod to Highclere Castle near Newbury. The iconic building (seen at the beginning of each episode from behind a Labrador’s bottom!) is owned by the Carnarvon family and is open for various days throughout the year, including two weeks at Easter, both May Bank Holidays, two months in the summer and a handful of days in December. Call or visit the website for dates. You can enjoy exploring the rooms and cellars, where guides will tell you more about the location. Next year sees the launch of a Capability Brown-themed tour of the castle and grounds.
the series. Now run by the National Trust, there’s a daily tour from 11.30am where you can learn all about the filming process. ✢ 01491 672382, www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ basildon-park
✢ 01635 253210, www.highclerecastle.co.uk
✢ While the village of Downton is, of course, fictional, it was filmed in Bampton, Oxfordshire. This pretty market town is home to the hospital in the show (which is actually the old grammar school building), St Michael and All Angels church (really St Mary’s) and Isobel Crawley’s home (Churchgate House).
✢ Pop down the road to Reading and you can also make a stop at Basildon Park, a Georgian mansion that featured twice in
✢ For more information, or to find a tour, visit www.oxfordshire cotswolds.org/plan-your-visit/ towns-and-villages/downton-abbeyfilm-locations
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✢ For a taste of homelife at the turn of the century (or a glimpse of history from 1630 until 1998) visit the Geffrye Museum, on Kingsland Road, London. The house is set up to demonstrate different eras in different rooms; Downton fans will enjoy the period drawing room (right). There are also award-winning gardens and frequent exhibitions and events. Admission is free. ✢ 0207 739 9893, www.geffrye-museum.org.uk
✢ Another Oxfordshire spot to visit is Cogges farm, the fictional home of Mr Drewe and his family, who took in Lady Edith’s baby Marigold. This pretty stone building is a hive of activity, with animals to meet, a well-stocked farm shop and traditional cookery in the manor house on weekends. Day tickets cost £6
Live like a lady
If you’re planning a big family get-together, consider hiring the stunning Scudamore manor house, Wiltshire. This impressive Grade II-listed pile can accommodate up to 12 guests, with four double and two twin rooms. Wander beneath the garden’s rosecovered archways to the pond and summerhouse, or play in the games room and read in the conservatory if the weather lets you down. If you really want to blow the budget you can add all sorts of extras, from fresh picnics to in-house catering. Prices start from £2,405 for a three-night break based on 12 people sharing. ✢ 01637 881183, www.uniquehomestays.com
adults, £4.50 children. ✢ 01993 772602, www.cogges.org.uk
✢ Visit ‘Brancaster Castle’ (actually Alnwick Castle, Northumberland), featured in a festive episode. There’s a special exhibition about the filming, too. Tickets cost £14.75 adults, £7.20 children 5-16, but discounts are available from the website. ✢ 01665 511100, www.alnwickcastle.com
Take afternoon tea at Weston Park (above) or a garden stroll at Eastwell Manor
✢ 01952 852100, www.weston-park.com
✢ Our rule is, ‘If it’s good enough for royalty, it’s good enough for us!’ Eastwell Manor, an elegant country house in Kent, was home to Queen Victoria’s son Prince Alfred for 20 years. Now it’s a lovely spot for a break. Enjoy a stroll in the rose gardens to build an appetite for afternoon tea. Rooms start from £140 per night (based on two sharing), including breakfast.
✢ Take afternoon tea (add a glass of Champagne if you’re celebrating!) before croquet on the lawn, swimming in an outdoor heated pool, or popping to a Polo match from the oh-so civilised The Manor, Oxfordshire. There’s even a resident dog to take for walkies – Lord Grantham would approve! Prices from £175 for two, including breakfast.
✢ 01233 213000, www.eastwellmanor.co.uk
✢ 01869 350621, www.themanorweston.com
✢ For an active break that Lady Mary would choose, visit Stapleford Park in Leicestershire. Here you can learn the ancient art of falconry with the hotel’s resident owls Bernard and Boo! Other countryside pursuits include archery, clay pigeon shooting and horse riding. Rooms start from £180 per night (based on two sharing) including breakfast, use of the spa facilities and a morning paper. ✢ 01572 787000, www.staplefordpark.com
PICS: SHUTTERSTOCK; ALAMY; ITV, GEFFRYE MUSEUM OF THE HOME/CHRIS RIDLEY
DREAM BREAK
✢ Learn how to forage for wild ingredients in the grounds of a stately home, with a visit to Weston Park in Shropshire. This two-night break includes afternoon tea, a five-course dinner in surroundings full of antique furniture, a fireside nightcap, an overnight stay, breakfast, a morning of foraging, and a cookery masterclass on Sunday that Mrs Patmore would be proud of. Held over November 7 and 8, the package costs £350 per couple.
✢ NEXT ISSUE Festive markets home and abroad
To find out which Downton character you are, take our fun quiz at www.yours.co.uk
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y crochet y
Crochet a cosy
This colourful tea cosy would brighten up any kitchen and make a great gift! SIZE
One size: 26cm (10in) diameter x 18cm (7in) tall
MATERIALS:
Yarn: Cygnet, Seriously Chunky (super chunky weight; 100 per cent acrylic): 1x100g ball in shade 4884 Barley (A) 1x100g ball in shade 350 Russet (C) 1x100g ball in shade 1206 Bright Red (E)
1x100g ball in shade 5410 Magenta (F) 1x100g ball in shade 708 Cornflower (G) Wool and the Gang, Crazy Sexy Wool, (super chunky weight; 100 per cent Peruvian wool): 1x200g ball in shade Fireball Orange (B) 1x200g ball in shade Candy Red (D) DMC, Groovy (super chunky; 55 per cent wool, 45 per cent microfibre): 1x100g ball in shade 07 Blue (H) DMC, Nordic Spirit Ottowa (super chunky; 50 per cent wool, 50 per cent acrylic):
foR CRoCHET fANS wITH ExpERIENCE
★★★
1x50g ball 29m /32yds per ball) in shade 082 Green (I) DMC, Nordic Spirit Aurora (super chunky; 50 per cent wool, 50 per cent acrylic): 1x50g ball in shade 1310 Carnival (J) Optional aran weight yarn for creating the pompoms 25mm crochet hook Large-eyed tapestry needle Pompom maker or cardboard
STRANDS
Work with two strands held together (one from each end of the ball).
Yarn quantities are based on average requirements when specified tension and yarn is used. Different wool may be used but ensure tension of replacement yarn matches that stated in the pattern for best results. If necessary change the needle size to give the correct tension.