Desmond Morris (1928 – 2026) “It was only one thing that drove me on – insatiable curiosity.  Quite simply, I wanted to know everything there was to know about every mammal in the world.” ~ Desmond Morris Desmond Morris may not mean much to younger generations, but he was a household word when I was […]

Categories: Animal Totems · Obituary

Jenni Murray (1950 – 2026) “Throughout her three groundbreaking decades on Woman’s Hour, she created a safe space for her audience thanks to her warmth, intelligence and courage.” ~ Tim Davie Radio broadcasting has lost a warm voice in one of its best-loved presenters, Jenni Murray, who has died at the age of 75. Birth […]

Categories: Icons · Obituary

Neil Sedaka (1939 – 2026) “When we ran out of lyrics we’d use a doo-bee-doo”  ~ Neil Sedaka Singer, Songwriter and Pianist Neil Sedaka died suddenly on Thursday, at the age of 86.  He was a big part of the music scene when I was a young girl, his heyday being between 1957 and 1965.  […]

Categories: Obituary

Jesse Jackson (1941 – 2026) “Jackson’s presence presents the American Republic with questions and choices it has spent all hits history until this hour trying to avoid…And nothing will ever again be what it was before.” ~ James Baldwin, 1984 Civil rights activist Jesse Jackson died this week, at the age of 84.  He was […]

Categories: News · Obituary

Sophie Kinsella and Joanna Trollope Friends, and Sagittarian Storytellers Sophie Kinsella (1969 – 2025) “Every one of Sophie’s 40 million readers knew how funny and smart she was.” ~ Jenny Colgan “Shopaholic” author Sophie Kinsella died this week of glioblastoma, at the tender age of 55.  She will be missed by her many readers, and […]

Categories: Book Review · Obituary

Jane Goodall (1934 – 2025) “…animals are “far more aware and intelligent than we ever imagined and, despite having been bred as domestic slaves, they are individual beings in their own right. As such, they deserve our respect. And our help. Who will plead for them if we are silent?”  ~ Jane Goodall (referring to […]

Categories: Obituary

Michel Odent (1930 – 2025) “One could almost say that the root of all anguish is an unconscious memory of birth and its terrors” ~ Frederick Leboyer We heard this week that Michel Odent died this week, at the age of  95.  Very much of niche interest (but very much of interest to me), Michel […]

Categories: Obituary

Terence Stamp (1938 – 2025) “Master of the brooding silence” ~ The Guardian Heart throb actor Terence Stamp die this week, aged 87.  He was part of a trend towards cockney actors in the 1960s, and was seen in the Swinging Sixties fashionably coupled to actress Julie Christie, and then to model Jean Shrimpton – […]

Categories: Celebrities · Film · Obituary

Stella Rimington (1935 – 2025) “I still thought the essence of the cold war and spies and stuff was fun.  You know, going around listening to people’s telephones and opening their mail.” ~ Stella Rimington Stella Rimington, a former Director of MI5, and prolific crime novelist, died last Sunday, at the age of 90.  The […]

Categories: Book Review · News · Obituary

Ozzy Osbourne (1948 – 2025) “It’s crazy that anyone would think I’d be in league with the devil, because I’m terrified of all sorts of shit.  I’m very superstitious.  I have to try not to be, otherwise I wouldn’t leave the house.” ~ Ozzy Osbourne Ozzy Osbourne, the godfather of heavy metal, frontman of Black […]

Categories: Celebrities · Obituary