Jayne Ferst / Amanda Carter

Sail on, silver girl... 🌱

[Jayne Ferst / Amanda Carter @jayneferst]

I used to go to A LOT of London clubs back in the day, and found a stack of flyers I collected. Come back in time with me to the 90s... - thread

[Jayne Ferst / Amanda Carter @jayneferst]

@thewhitespike I’m so sorry to hear this George. Losing a sibling is so hard. Sending you and your family lots of love x

[Jayne Ferst / Amanda Carter @jayneferst]

Is there a song about recycling centres in the rain as I feel there’s a depth of misery that needs to be explored.

[Jayne Ferst / Amanda Carter @jayneferst]

@TheMickyDolenz1 hello, hope all is well! Re the tour next year, will 12 Sept in LA be announced soon, do you think? I’m refreshing the page daily!

[Jayne Ferst / Amanda Carter @jayneferst]

@AndrewMackeyUK I obviously haven’t listened to enough music via Spotify to qualify, but I reckon my listening age would be late 70s 😅

[Jayne Ferst / Amanda Carter @jayneferst]

‘Your parcel will be with you between 7am and 10pm…’ since when is it ok to deliver during antisocial hours? No way to specify a time… you order online and are at the mercy of the parcel gods. May they be merciful and not scare the household banging on the door at 10pm.

[Jayne Ferst / Amanda Carter @jayneferst]

@AndrewMackeyUK I know… feels like another lifetime!

[Jayne Ferst / Amanda Carter @jayneferst]

I used to go to A LOT of London clubs back in the day, and found a stack of flyers I collected. Come back in time with me to the 90s... - thread

[Jayne Ferst / Amanda Carter @jayneferst]

@AndrewMackeyUK Love this! Such a nice idea.

[Jayne Ferst / Amanda Carter @jayneferst]

@AndrewMackeyUK Same. I want to meet an adult who uses an alarm clock to ask them what’s their secret!

[Jayne Ferst / Amanda Carter @jayneferst]

@AndrewMackeyUK Happy birthday! 🎉🥳

[Jayne Ferst / Amanda Carter @jayneferst]

Why are banks branches? It’s not usual to say you’re going to a branch of Tesco, is it? 🤔

[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. 🤍

[Jayne Ferst / Amanda Carter @jayneferst]

@AndrewMackeyUK I'm sorry to hear the care home is not very good. Your mum has a lovely smile, and hopefully the shambles do not affect her.

[Jayne Ferst / Amanda Carter @jayneferst]

@OTHERUK hi - I sent back an item for a refund in August. Got an acknowledgement email, and since then nothing - no money returned, no customer care follow up. Are you a scam store? Such a shame if so. 😢

[Jayne Ferst / Amanda Carter @jayneferst]

@AndrewMackeyUK I hope your mum is doing as well as she can. Lovely photo of your Nan there x

[Jayne Ferst / Amanda Carter @jayneferst]

@EH_Stonehenge Thank you. Yes, I have been in touch with them. Hopefully it'll turn up. ✨

[Jayne Ferst / Amanda Carter @jayneferst]

A drawing has commenced… guess the London hotel (if you can!)

[Jayne Ferst / Amanda Carter @jayneferst]

@AndrewMackeyUK They look so artistic!

[Jayne Ferst / Amanda Carter @jayneferst]

I might have been standing in Highgate but @djotime and band sounded great tonight at @O2ForumKTown ! 👏

[Michelle Cowbourne @Glastomichelle]

Grey and green today. I took this about an hour before sunrise here in Glastonbury, the wind causing ripples in the grass.