FIRST IMPRESSIONS: Amanda Burton
What are you working on at the moment?
I’ve just completed a small film that was written by my younger daughter and produced by my eldest daughter so it was a family film. It was a lovely experience of being immersed with my family for a week. It’s called The Dog With The Woman.
When are you at your happiest?
I’m very happy right now.
What is your greatest fear?
Losing my zest for life.
What is your earliest memory?
Being in my pushchair on the beach in Donegal looking out towards the sea. We were always at the coast and Donegal has a huge, huge place in my heart. It’s a very powerful memory for me.
What do you dislike about yourself?
I worry too much. I kind of love it as well though because it shows I care about people a lot.
Who has been your greatest influence?
Mother Nature. I’m a complete lover of nature, I love the countryside. For me it’s the most powerful thing in the world, nature. It’s the answer to everything and we ignore it at our peril. I find a complete sense of wellbeing and the answers to so much in Mother Nature – it’s my religion.
What is your most treasured possession?
My family photographs. What trait do you deplore in others? Bragging.
What do you dislike about your appearance?
I don’t lurk in front of the mirror very much and I enjoy my life by candlelight.
What is your favourite book?
Moby-Dick by Herman Melville. It’s my passion about the sea and it encompasses everything, the power and the fear.
Your favourite film?
I’m a complete film buff. I watched The Deer Hunter again recently and thought it was a fantastic film.
Nature-lover Amanda is passionate about Moby-Dick and Richard Hawley’s The Ocean. Other favourite things include The Deer Hunter and Smarties.
Your favourite record or piece of music?
Richard Hawley’s The Ocean.
Your favourite meal?
White-truffle pasta.
Who would you like to come to dinner?
Matthias Schoenaerts. What is the nastiest thing someone has said to you? I really don’t hold onto the horrid things. You can’t dwell on things like that.
Do you believe in aliens?
I keep a very open mind. I have a great love of being under the stars and I’m sure that there must be some other forms of life out there. It would be very arrogant of us to think that we are the only life-forms.
What is your secret vice?
Smarties.
Do you write thank-you notes?
I do as much as I possibly can, but I have a horrible feeling they are in decline. Nothing beats when the letter falls on the doormat and you recognise someone’s handwriting.
Which phrase do you overuse?
It’s probably ‘if you’re going upstairs could you bring down…’
What would improve the quality of your life?
Longer legs.
Tell us something people don’t know about you.
I used to be a bit of a petrolhead.
What would you like your epitaph to say?
A dear mama.
Amanda Burton is appearing in the Christmas Concert at Cadogan Hall, London SW1, on 7 December. www.thechildrenstrust.org. uk/christmasconcert
I’ve just completed a small film that was written by my younger daughter and produced by my eldest daughter so it was a family film. It was a lovely experience of being immersed with my family for a week. It’s called The Dog With The Woman.
When are you at your happiest?
I’m very happy right now.
What is your greatest fear?
Losing my zest for life.
What is your earliest memory?
Being in my pushchair on the beach in Donegal looking out towards the sea. We were always at the coast and Donegal has a huge, huge place in my heart. It’s a very powerful memory for me.
What do you dislike about yourself?
I worry too much. I kind of love it as well though because it shows I care about people a lot.
Who has been your greatest influence?
Mother Nature. I’m a complete lover of nature, I love the countryside. For me it’s the most powerful thing in the world, nature. It’s the answer to everything and we ignore it at our peril. I find a complete sense of wellbeing and the answers to so much in Mother Nature – it’s my religion.
What is your most treasured possession?
My family photographs. What trait do you deplore in others? Bragging.
What do you dislike about your appearance?
I don’t lurk in front of the mirror very much and I enjoy my life by candlelight.
What is your favourite book?
Moby-Dick by Herman Melville. It’s my passion about the sea and it encompasses everything, the power and the fear.
Your favourite film?
I’m a complete film buff. I watched The Deer Hunter again recently and thought it was a fantastic film.
Nature-lover Amanda is passionate about Moby-Dick and Richard Hawley’s The Ocean. Other favourite things include The Deer Hunter and Smarties.Your favourite record or piece of music?
Richard Hawley’s The Ocean.
Your favourite meal?
White-truffle pasta.
Who would you like to come to dinner?
Matthias Schoenaerts. What is the nastiest thing someone has said to you? I really don’t hold onto the horrid things. You can’t dwell on things like that.
Do you believe in aliens?
I keep a very open mind. I have a great love of being under the stars and I’m sure that there must be some other forms of life out there. It would be very arrogant of us to think that we are the only life-forms.
What is your secret vice?
Smarties.
Do you write thank-you notes?
I do as much as I possibly can, but I have a horrible feeling they are in decline. Nothing beats when the letter falls on the doormat and you recognise someone’s handwriting.
Which phrase do you overuse?
It’s probably ‘if you’re going upstairs could you bring down…’
What would improve the quality of your life?
Longer legs.
Tell us something people don’t know about you.
I used to be a bit of a petrolhead.
What would you like your epitaph to say?
A dear mama.
Amanda Burton is appearing in the Christmas Concert at Cadogan Hall, London SW1, on 7 December. www.thechildrenstrust.org. uk/christmasconcert