FIRST IMPRESSIONS: CELIA BIRTWELL
What are you working on?
Sorting out a new home. We’ve downsized but what do you part with and what do you not? It’s very, very difficult.
When are you at your happiest?
When I’m gardening. I’m a bit mad about roses at the moment. And being with the grandchildren.
What is your greatest fear?
I hate flying, but I have to do that. Also, if anything happened to one of my family.
What is your earliest memory?
I come from Manchester and I remember being taken for a picnic in Lyme Park. I must have passed out but I rolled down a hill and landed at the end in a brook. When I became conscious, I saw these little black catfi sh circling around in this pool, and my mother must have picked me up.
What do you dislike about yourself?
Andy says ‘You’re obsessed with roses’, so I think possibly I should stop buying more.
Who has been your greatest influence?
My lovely parents, and then there’s Ossie Clark, obviously, David Hockney, and Andrew Palmer – I call him Andy – who’s my partner.
What is your most treasured possession?
Grandchildren.
What trait do you deplore in others?
I hate to see people treat children badly. And I don’t like liars.
What do you dislike about your appearance?
My hair is thin – I’d love to have beautiful shiny, long, thick hair. When I see people with beautiful hair I think how lucky they are. But it wouldn’t happen because I come from a family of rather thin hair.
What is your favourite book?
Buttercup Fairy by Barbara Mary Campbell. Buttercup Fairy was very, very fat because she laughed too much. It’s such a sweet story.
What is your favourite film?
Great Expectations and The Gang’s All Here, with Carmen Miranda.
And your favourite song?
If I’m listening to classical it probably would be Puccini, Chopin or Debussy. And I love pop music and modern pop music; I like any pop music that really makes me want to dance.
What is your favourite meal?
I like breakfast. I always think breakfast is an easy one and always rather satisfying. I like bacon, eggs and tomatoes. And I love sushi.
Who would you most like to come to dinner?
My family and friends. That would be the nicest dinner. You can mention people like Picasso or whatever but they’re imaginary and they’re not going to happen, but this does happen and I’m very happy with that.
What is the nastiest thing that anyone has ever said to you?
Someone in the retail sector recently said, ‘At your age, people only buy dresses for weddings and funerals.’ That was very rude.
What is your secret vice?
I do smoke a bit. I don’t smoke that much and I wish I didn’t, but I really enjoy them!
Do you write thank-you notes?
Yes, I do.
Which phrase do you most overuse?
I can’t think of one, I think I use so many different phrases for different things.
What single thing would improve the quality of your life?
Eternal youth.
Can you tell us one thing people might not know about you?
I’m actually rather shy.
What would you like your epitaph to read?
‘She helped people to look their best’.
Celia has designed two pin badges for Macmillan Cancer Support: World’s Biggest Coffee Morning, which takes place on 26 September. The badges will be on sale in M&S stores nationwide. To hold a coffee morning, go to www.macmillan.org.uk/coffee
Sorting out a new home. We’ve downsized but what do you part with and what do you not? It’s very, very difficult.
When are you at your happiest?
When I’m gardening. I’m a bit mad about roses at the moment. And being with the grandchildren.
What is your greatest fear?
I hate flying, but I have to do that. Also, if anything happened to one of my family.
What is your earliest memory?
I come from Manchester and I remember being taken for a picnic in Lyme Park. I must have passed out but I rolled down a hill and landed at the end in a brook. When I became conscious, I saw these little black catfi sh circling around in this pool, and my mother must have picked me up.
What do you dislike about yourself?
Andy says ‘You’re obsessed with roses’, so I think possibly I should stop buying more.
Who has been your greatest influence?
My lovely parents, and then there’s Ossie Clark, obviously, David Hockney, and Andrew Palmer – I call him Andy – who’s my partner.
What is your most treasured possession?
Grandchildren.
What trait do you deplore in others?
I hate to see people treat children badly. And I don’t like liars.
What do you dislike about your appearance?
My hair is thin – I’d love to have beautiful shiny, long, thick hair. When I see people with beautiful hair I think how lucky they are. But it wouldn’t happen because I come from a family of rather thin hair.
What is your favourite book?
Buttercup Fairy by Barbara Mary Campbell. Buttercup Fairy was very, very fat because she laughed too much. It’s such a sweet story.
What is your favourite film?
Great Expectations and The Gang’s All Here, with Carmen Miranda.
And your favourite song?
If I’m listening to classical it probably would be Puccini, Chopin or Debussy. And I love pop music and modern pop music; I like any pop music that really makes me want to dance.
What is your favourite meal?
I like breakfast. I always think breakfast is an easy one and always rather satisfying. I like bacon, eggs and tomatoes. And I love sushi.
Who would you most like to come to dinner?
My family and friends. That would be the nicest dinner. You can mention people like Picasso or whatever but they’re imaginary and they’re not going to happen, but this does happen and I’m very happy with that.
What is the nastiest thing that anyone has ever said to you?
Someone in the retail sector recently said, ‘At your age, people only buy dresses for weddings and funerals.’ That was very rude.
What is your secret vice?
I do smoke a bit. I don’t smoke that much and I wish I didn’t, but I really enjoy them!
Do you write thank-you notes?
Yes, I do.
Which phrase do you most overuse?
I can’t think of one, I think I use so many different phrases for different things.
What single thing would improve the quality of your life?
Eternal youth.
Can you tell us one thing people might not know about you?
I’m actually rather shy.
What would you like your epitaph to read?
‘She helped people to look their best’.
Celia has designed two pin badges for Macmillan Cancer Support: World’s Biggest Coffee Morning, which takes place on 26 September. The badges will be on sale in M&S stores nationwide. To hold a coffee morning, go to www.macmillan.org.uk/coffee