Living in inverted commas

    Just a quick word about the Timewatch programme Debutantes, made around ten years ago and screened again last night, which is available on iPlayer (click on the title) until the 4th. of February. It recalls the last season before the war, and its contributors include many delightful ladies, getting on in years at the time of making, of course, who were debs in 1939 - there are also one or two 'debs' delights'. My post title comes from a remark made near the end describing that period in the girls' lives just before everything was to change.

    I mention the programme because one of those who took part - look out for Lady Bowman - is, I am pretty sure, the former Christian Grant who as Christian Miller wrote one of my top favourite memoirs, the wonderful A Childhood in Scotland about life at Monymusk House (the book was the subject of a very early Cornflower post). Also there, in a brilliant double act with her late husband, is Deborah Devonshire, someone whose name and books have often graced these pages - there's a choice bit from around the 24 minute mark in which they discuss charisma and style, and which couldn't have been any funnier if it had been scripted.

    By the way, if the subject as a whole interests you then I can recommend 1939: The Last Season by Anne de Courcy.

Comments

[Margaret Powling]

We happened on this quite by chance last night, having decided that there was nothing on worth watching. Saturday nights on TV have always been a waste of space, so I was delighted to see this programme from 2001. And yes, what a wonderful double act the (late) Duke & Duichess of Devonshire were! They reminded me of the cat and dog on the sofa (a very up-market cat and dog, mind!) in those old Creature Comfort annimation films! I wonder how many of those filmed are still 'with us'? Yes, the Anne de Courcy book is a super book about that period (as are her other books.)

[Elizabeth]

What a great blog....love the content.

I am stopping by from the Top Writing Blog competition.

Just wanted to say hello. This is a great way to find new blogs and visit ones you haven't visited in a while. :)

Elizabeth - Silver's Reviews

http://silversolara.blogspot.com

[Freda]

Another hello, and I agree that this is a great place to find new blogs and also, on your sister blog, to find good suggestions for places to see and things to do in Edinburgh (Peter's Yard - thanks for that!)

I've sent for Growing Up In Scotland...

[Freda]

Oops 'A Childhood In Scotland' !

[B R Wombat]

Thanks for mentioning this programme as I hadn't seen it and it was a joy. I must say I hadn't realised that Harold Macmillan was beautiful until it was pointed out.

[Juxtabook]

Thanks so much for flagging this up - Christian Miller's book is so wonderful and I would have missed seeing her had you not mentioned the program.

[Cornflower]

Yes, I've enjoyed several of Anne de Courcy's books - she knows her 'field' very well.

[Cornflower]

Thankyou, Elizabeth, and welcome!

[Cornflower]

I hope you'll enjoy it, Freda.

[Cornflower]

That exchange was a hoot, wasn't it?

[Cornflower]

It was lovely to put a face to her at last, having enjoyed her book so much.