FIRST IMPRESSIONS: Loyd Grossman
What are you working on at the moment?
I’ve been doing a lot to do with my new book, which has just been released both here and in the States. It’s called Benjamin West And The Struggle To Be Modern. Also, with the upcoming government Comprehensive Spending Review, I’ve been writing and speaking to reiterate the value of heritage.
When are you at your happiest?
I’ve got a cousin called Ram Dass who’s a big spiritual guru and in the 1970s he wrote this book called Be Here Now, which is sometimes referred to as the hippy bible – taking a cue from him I would say here and now.
What is your greatest fear?
Inactivity. Fortunately I love learning and have a constant curiosity so I never get bored.
What is your earliest memory?
Something to do with the sea because I grew up by the seaside. Probably things like the smell of salt water, seaweed on the beach and the sound of gulls.
What do you dislike about yourself?
I can be somewhat impatient.
Who has been your greatest influence?
My father because he gave me a great love of history and art, both of which have given me a lifetime’s worth of pleasure, fascination and joy. And my two daughters because it’s wonderful to once again see the world through young eyes.
What is your most treasured possession?
I’m not that much of a possessions person so I would say my sense of enthusiasm.
What traits do you most deplore in others?
Self-importance and selfishness.
What do you dislike about your appearance?
I wouldn’t mind being four inches taller.
What is your favourite book?
Diary Of A Nobody, by George and Weedon Grossmith – the funniest book in the English language.
What is your favourite film?
La Grande Illusion by Jean Renoir.
Clockwise from left: Loyd enjoys ice cream, Jean Renoir’s anti-war film La Grande Illusion, English comic classics andThe Kinks (pictured in 1964)
And your favourite record?
You Really Got Me by The Kinks.
What is your favourite meal?
It tends to be whatever I’ve got on a plate in front of me, but if I were really pushed I’d say it’s hard to beat a boiled lobster with a very large side order of chips and loads of ice cream – I’m addicted to ice cream.
Who would you like to come to dinner?
George Eliot, Jimi Hendrix, Voltaire and Rachel Carson.
What is the nastiest thing someone has said to you?
I remember vividly a viewer writing to Yorkshire TV about me and saying in their letter ‘for god’s sake get rid of him’.
Do you believe in aliens?
I haven’t spent a lot of time thinking about it.
What is your secret vice?
Listening to country and western music.
Do you write thank-you notes?
Yes. I like getting them and I like writing them.
Which phrase do you overuse?
‘Actually’, ‘shocking’ and ‘splendid’ are my three most used words.
What would improve the quality of your life?
Being able to walk on the beach every day.
Can you tell us one thing that people might not know about you?
I’ve played in bands since the age of 14. I’ve been playing with my current band, The New Forbidden, for eight years and we’ve appeared at Glastonbury five times. I spend a lot of time fiddling with electric guitars.
What would you like your epitaph to read?
Onward and upwards.
Loyd Grossman is Chairman of The Churches Conservation Trust, the national charity protecting more than 340 historic churches at risk. For more information, visit www.visitchurches.org.uk
I’ve been doing a lot to do with my new book, which has just been released both here and in the States. It’s called Benjamin West And The Struggle To Be Modern. Also, with the upcoming government Comprehensive Spending Review, I’ve been writing and speaking to reiterate the value of heritage.
When are you at your happiest?
I’ve got a cousin called Ram Dass who’s a big spiritual guru and in the 1970s he wrote this book called Be Here Now, which is sometimes referred to as the hippy bible – taking a cue from him I would say here and now.
What is your greatest fear?
Inactivity. Fortunately I love learning and have a constant curiosity so I never get bored.
What is your earliest memory?
Something to do with the sea because I grew up by the seaside. Probably things like the smell of salt water, seaweed on the beach and the sound of gulls.
What do you dislike about yourself?
I can be somewhat impatient.
Who has been your greatest influence?
My father because he gave me a great love of history and art, both of which have given me a lifetime’s worth of pleasure, fascination and joy. And my two daughters because it’s wonderful to once again see the world through young eyes.
What is your most treasured possession?
I’m not that much of a possessions person so I would say my sense of enthusiasm.
What traits do you most deplore in others?
Self-importance and selfishness.
What do you dislike about your appearance?
I wouldn’t mind being four inches taller.
What is your favourite book?
Diary Of A Nobody, by George and Weedon Grossmith – the funniest book in the English language.
What is your favourite film?
La Grande Illusion by Jean Renoir.
Clockwise from left: Loyd enjoys ice cream, Jean Renoir’s anti-war film La Grande Illusion, English comic classics andThe Kinks (pictured in 1964) And your favourite record?
You Really Got Me by The Kinks.
What is your favourite meal?
It tends to be whatever I’ve got on a plate in front of me, but if I were really pushed I’d say it’s hard to beat a boiled lobster with a very large side order of chips and loads of ice cream – I’m addicted to ice cream.
Who would you like to come to dinner?
George Eliot, Jimi Hendrix, Voltaire and Rachel Carson.
What is the nastiest thing someone has said to you?
I remember vividly a viewer writing to Yorkshire TV about me and saying in their letter ‘for god’s sake get rid of him’.
Do you believe in aliens?
I haven’t spent a lot of time thinking about it.
What is your secret vice?
Listening to country and western music.
Do you write thank-you notes?
Yes. I like getting them and I like writing them.
Which phrase do you overuse?
‘Actually’, ‘shocking’ and ‘splendid’ are my three most used words.
What would improve the quality of your life?
Being able to walk on the beach every day.
Can you tell us one thing that people might not know about you?
I’ve played in bands since the age of 14. I’ve been playing with my current band, The New Forbidden, for eight years and we’ve appeared at Glastonbury five times. I spend a lot of time fiddling with electric guitars.
What would you like your epitaph to read?
Onward and upwards.
Loyd Grossman is Chairman of The Churches Conservation Trust, the national charity protecting more than 340 historic churches at risk. For more information, visit www.visitchurches.org.uk