Sharon Holland

I act, write, glue & stick & featured as a designer on series 3 of The Great Interior Design Challenge.

[Sharon Holland @actonituk]

@piersmorgan And Starmer isn’t dealing with George Washington

[Sharon Holland @actonituk]

@benshephard @ITV Made my day

[Sharon Holland @actonituk]

@MrNickKnowles It’s absolutely barbaric. Had numerous visits to A&E with my 94 year old father. On one occasion in a great deal of pain for an infection , he spent hours upright on a plastic chair. This resulted in him becoming so distressed he had a stroke. Care? I don’t think so

[Cian McCarthy @arealmofwonder]

Rest in peace, Patricia Routledge 🙏🏻

In memory of her, I encourage everyone to read these words of hers from February last year.

Whether young or old, you're bound to get something out of it.

*****

"I’ll be turning 95 this coming Monday. In my younger years, I was often filled with worry — worry that I wasn’t quite good enough, that no one would cast me again, that I wouldn’t live up to my mother’s hopes. But these days begin in peace, and end in gratitude.

My life didn’t quite take shape until my forties. I had worked steadily — on provincial stages, in radio plays, in West End productions — but I often felt adrift, as though I was searching for a home within myself that I hadn’t quite found.

At 50, I accepted a television role that many would later associate me with — Hyacinth Bucket, of Keeping Up Appearances. I thought it would be a small part in a little series. I never imagined that it would take me into people’s living rooms and hearts around the world. And truthfully, that role taught me to accept my own quirks. It healed something in me.

At 60, I began learning Italian — not for work, but so I could sing opera in its native language. I also learned how to live alone without feeling lonely. I read poetry aloud each evening, not to perfect my diction, but to quiet my soul.

At 70, I returned to the Shakespearean stage — something I once believed I had aged out of. But this time, I had nothing to prove. I stood on those boards with stillness, and audiences felt that. I was no longer performing. I was simply being.

At 80, I took up watercolour painting. I painted flowers from my garden, old hats from my youth, and faces I remembered from the London Underground. Each painting was a quiet memory made visible.

Now, at 95, I write letters by hand. I’m learning to bake rye bread. I still breathe deeply every morning. I still adore laughter — though I no longer try to make anyone laugh. I love the quiet more than ever.

I’m writing this to tell you something simple:

Growing older is not the closing act. It can be the most exquisite chapter — if you let yourself bloom again.

Let these years ahead be your TREASURE YEARS.

You don’t need to be famous. You don’t need to be flawless.

You only need to show up — fully — for the life that is still yours.

With love and gentleness,

Patricia Routledge

*****

Once more, rest in peace. 🤍

[Sharon Holland @actonituk]

@arealmofwonder I felt a sense of peace just reading her wise & gentle words. Thank you for posting, I shall read this often 🥰

[Sharon Holland @actonituk]

@piersmorgan ‘So Mr Trump. Do you not own a black suit?’

[Sharon Holland @actonituk]

.@TommyBanks8 delighted to have just stayed at one of our favourite places after major rebrand at Saltmoore. Surprised to have wine bottle opened before brought to the table. Can you explain your double decanting method for white wine please?

[Sharon Holland @actonituk]

@DTNEtiquette Worse still is ‘I hope you don’t mind me saying’. Well I do already, don’t go any further

[Sharon Holland @actonituk]

@WorksWithWords To be fair it’s a script in itself

[Sharon Holland @actonituk]

@SBarrettBar @BabyBoomerUK ‘Let them eat cake’ obviously 🙄

[Sharon Holland @actonituk]

#OpeningCeremony am I the only one who gets the feeling I’m witnessing a cross between Eurovision, Sewing Bee & It’s a Knockout? 😳

[Sharon Holland @actonituk]

@WorksWithWords I had a nightmare about it. Challenging watch

[Sharon Holland @actonituk]

@jaguarlandrove_ are you going to respond to me trying to resolve an issue or not?

[Sharon Holland @actonituk]

@MarkBurrell4 @jaguarlandrove_ Just not being taken seriously Mark 😳

[Sharon Holland @actonituk]

@jaguarlandrove_ can you please tell me who in a senior position we contact regarding unacceptable service at one of your dealerships? Fault on brand new range rover & getting nowhere

[Sharon Holland @actonituk]

@Wishfullthinki9 My 93 year old parents have booked a cruise 🚢

[Sharon Holland @actonituk]

@ginnymelons How on earth are patient supposed to recover without nutritious meals. Utter disgrace

[Sharon Holland @actonituk]

Doing a bit of research for a friend. Has anyone got a problem with steering at 60 mph+ on a #rangerover sport @LandRover_UK new model? Apparently they are the only one 😳

[Sharon Holland @actonituk]

@MirrorBreaking_ Snow forecast in Scotland? Never heard the likes of it before in January 😳