2024

Mostly a happy upbeat year. Shall I tell the downbeat first. My deep ongoing worry over the situation in Israel where many of my loved ones live. My deep fear over the future of my glorious Capability Brown designed view from my window. A group of us are fighting the evil plan of the Wimbledon Tennis, the AELTC, to chop down hundreds of healthy, mature trees, dig up the turf and build using polluting materials 38 unnecessary tennis courts and an 8000 seat show-court. They are so wealthy and powerful they already have some approvals but we continue to fight. And the death of my close friend and singing teacher Penni Harvey-Piper.

In February I enjoyed an exciting event at Grosvenor House Hotel. I was invited by my friend Gyles Brandreth to a party to celebrate the King and Shakespeare. The King had to cancel due to his cancer diagnosis, but Queen Camilla was there plus many famous actors, Including my friends Judi Dench and Maureen Lipman.

I had a lovely celebration for my 99th birthday in March. Masses of cards, emails, phone calls, flowers—overwhelming. At the Corinthia Hotel in central London, surrounded by friends Helen, Brian, Joycie and Janie we had champagne and a very special tea. In the evening joined by Michael, Yasmin, Ania and Adam we continued to party. I wrote in my diary that I was swamped with love.

In May I had a truly beautiful experience. I was invited to the Buckingham Palace garden party and went with my dear friend Adam Spreadbury-Maher, The garden is vast and as we walked in the brass band was playing one of my songs. People there from all over the country in their best outfits. Adam brought me tea and cake from the buffet—note the crown on the cake, The King and Queen came out and walked around, right past us, and I stood near to Princess Ann and Edward and Sophie. The sun shone and I will never forget the happiness and excitement of the day

In early July I donned full evening dress for the British Film Awards at Porchester Hall. I was very happy to see the delightful actors I had known when making the film BACK TO BLACK which is the story of the singer Amy Winehouse To our surprise and delight, we won 2 awards I went up onto the stage with the rest of our group. A new experience.

Much as I despise and fear the evil plans of the Wimbledon Tennis bosses to desecrate the landscape, I love watching tennis and in July Helen and I had a glorious day watching the tournament . I took a course in Architecture. I had five auditions for a major film starring Tom Cruise which, to my relief , I did not get. I went to monthly lectures and a 75th anniversary celebration at my synagogue, and several fascinating interviews and a celebration ,organised by the WOMEN OF THE YEAR I was honoured by them a few years ago Plus many other happy outings and visits with friends, so I can look back on a very good and, thank goodness, healthy year.