Hello Gentle Reader,
The
qualities of the British are as a stereotypical as their weather. Coincidentally
enough, the weather is not only a meteorological phenomenon, but an intrinsic
component of British culture, national character, and a quality unto itself. Yes,
the British are renowned for their adherence to ques and the act of queuing. They
are regarded for their polite – if albeit distant – exteriors; hence why
weather is a frequent component of conversation, its polite, non-controversial,
and usually disagreeable, perfect to remark and complain about. As manners are
governed by the principles of politeness, it is paramount to note, to be
British is to adhere to the principles of stoicism, fortifying oneself, picking
up the pieces and carrying on. Push through, because what else can you do? Humour,
is perhaps their greatest quality. Their love of situational comedy, endearing
irony, biting wit, and an appreciation for the absurd. British comedy is top
tier; while classic British comedy has proven itself timeless and continually
funny, with likes of “Monty Python,” “Are You Being Served?”, “Last of the
Summer Wine,” “Fawlty Tours,” inevitably paved the way for “Mr. Bean,” “As Time
Goes By,” “Absolutely Fabulous,” “IT Crowd,” and “Miranda.” They are enjoyable
for their own reasons and on their own grounds. “Miranda,” is wonderful for its
slapstick physical comedy; while “As Time Goes By,” and “Last of the Summer Wine,”
and “Are You Being Served,” are clever, cunning, situational, and based on
character and situation. The writing is fresh and witty, delivered by
accomplished actors. Delighting in “As Time Goes By,” now once again anew, has
been a marvelous past time, taking me back to when comedy seemed to based on a
sense of humour and existed in the everyday, the delights and absurdities of
life itself.
Dame Patricia Routledge died peacefully on October 3rd 2025 at the age of 96. For those who are unfamiliar with her, she was a phenomenal actress, capable of moving between comedy, drama, and musical with effortless ease. While an accomplished stage actress, Routledge is best remembered for her famous televised role as the comedic social climbing housewife, Hyacinth Bucket (the running joke is her insistence that its pronounced Bouquet) from the sitcom, “Keeping Up Appearances.” She also played the astute and assured Henrietta ‘Hetty,’ Wainthropp in, “Hetty Wainthropp Investigates.” In addition, she performed two monologues written by Alan Bennett, first in “A Woman of No Importance,” Routledge played Peggy, an indispensable clerical worker, who gradually finds herself remanded to hospitalised solitude. Then again in Bennett’s “Talking Heads,” television series, where Routledge was cast twice. First, as Irene Ruddock, a nosy busybody woman, whose penchant for complaining in correspondence reveals the depths of her isolation and social solitude, and ends with an ironic twist of companionship and new found freedom in incarceration. Second as Miss Fozzard in “Miss Fozzard Finds Her Feet,” where the titular middle-aged department-store clerk falls into a bit of pornography with her new foot fetish chiropodist, and in the process finds purpose and meaning with her life. Dame Patricia Routledge brought depth to her characters, showcasing a profound understanding not only of their motivations but their inherent humanity. I’ve always admired Dame Patricia Routledge, since I first watched her on “Keeping Up Appearances.” I understood then and maintain, she was a consummate performer. An actress who wasn’t just out their reciting and delivering lines on cue, but an empathetic purveyor of the human condition; donning costume and character and revealing the depths of our shared inherent humanity. In addition to her work as an actress, Routledge was Patron of the Beatrix Potter Society, which shows her interests going beyond that of the stage, and those of literary and conservation bent. At the age of 96, there could be no denying that Dame Patricia Routledge lived a long and exceptional life. One I’m sure was complete with numerous lessons and hard-won wisdom. Last year, I stumbled across retrospective Dame Patricia Routledge provided regarding the context of time, and our cultural apprehension – if not apparent fear – regarding old age. In it, from a blog called ‘Jay Speaks,’ Routledge provides assurance and wisdom to the inevitably of aging.
For Dame Patricia Routledge, life didn’t become more settled or take on a more defined shape until she had reached her forties. Her youth was marked by uncertainties and doubting questions. Despite having performed on provincial stages, in radio plays, West End productions, and Broadway, it was all underlined by an unsettled feeling. What might best be described as an existential sense of unease. One I’m sure most youth are familiar with. At age 50, however, life changed when Routledge accepted the now iconic role of Hyacinth Bucket of “Keeping Up Appearances.” The show transported Routledge into the homes and hearts of not only those in the United Kingdom, but also abroad, and is considered yet another golden hallmark of English humour. The success took her by surprise, but gave her career the solid foundation it needed. For the next forty-six years, Dame Patricia Routledge continued to work but more importantly embrace life. At 60 she strived to learn Italian, to sing opera in its native tongue. In her 70’s she would return to Shakespeare not as a junior performer, but as an accomplished actress who with wisdom and grace, could slip into the archetypes of the characters to not perform but embody in full. Her 80’s were occupied with watercolour painting. Then finally in her 90’s she learned to bake rye bread, and enjoyed laughter, but had come to appreciate the quietude’s of life. In her retrospective, Dame Patricia Routledge proves one’s life contains multitudes – if you allow and facilitate it. Life is ripe and always ready for the picking, if you strive for it and achieve it. Though it does require some cultivation and tending to. Dame Routledge testifies that aging is a gift. A privilege. It does not have to be marked or mired by decrepitude and suffering. Age brings clarity and understanding, in addition to a wealth of experiences, and of course the contrarian clarity of the years. The final act does not mean the end, or resigning oneself to one’s fate. Rather old age is a chance to continually blossom anew.
We reawaken in spring. Endure summer. Rest and celebrate in the winter. Autumn, however, seems to be when everything bursts forth with life. Beneath overcast grey skies. Days of retracting light. The trees aflame with their invigorating colours, their leaf’s leaving. Bears on the prowl, looking to eat and shore up for winter. Birds migrating south; the geese honking their goodbyes. The mornings solemn without the bird song. Burrows prepped and stocked up. During this time, I find myself more aware, reflective and attune towards the world, reflecting on my own life, and the passage of time. Autumn is more enjoyable then ever before. In a fashion similar to Dame Patricia Routledge, all the jitters and suspicions of youth have been swept away and aside. There’s a renewed sense of possibility. Old age perhaps brings the harvesters wisdom, and much like all wisdom its always late and behind – blame the postman they say – but the nature of life comes down to action and acceptance. In short, it’s a mere matter of getting on with it, and reinventing it. Mistakes can be fixed and ironed out. Those that can’t can be mitigated. Time moves quickly my dears, best not waste it on nothing. Read poetry, bake bread, travel, have a drink, enjoy good food with great company.
Take Care
And As Always
Stay Well Read
For
Further Reading
Jay Speak Blog: "Growing old ... Ooops up,"
The Independent: "Dame Patricia Routledge’s moving reflection on life resurfaces,"
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