This Much is True

by Miriam Margolyes

Mummy’s burgeoning property empire in Oxford, my parents bought a small house by the sea in east Kent, in Kingsgate, a suburb of Cliftonville, which is itself a suburb of Margate. My first holiday, that is to say my first seaside holiday, was to set the pattern for all my most enjoyable childhood excursions.

Clearly a lady of great taste.

I’ve accepted that there are enemies, but I’ve always known that my friends are my fortress, and for that I’m grateful.

Love this sentiment ~ your friends are your fortress

Love this sentiment. Friends are your fortress.

The engineers and studio managers also taught me the skills of the medium; explaining that I shouldn’t talk straight into the microphone, but speak slightly across it. That way, the voice is still present, but not threatening the mike – you won’t ‘pop’ and distort the sound. I discovered for myself that a smile is helpful for warming the tone of the voice. I don’t know why, but the lift at the corners of the mouth gives a ‘shine’ to your sound; there is an energy of some kind, a warmth and pleasure, which communicates across the microphone.

Worth the price of entry on its own! Sage advice.

People ask, ‘What is the secret of your relationship?’ I reply it is love and trust, and telling the truth. Never let the sun set on a quarrel. And communication – that is paramount: you must talk to your partner.

Beautiful advice.

We are all scared. We are all secretly shaking with fright inside, uncertain of what we should be doing, saying and thinking; anxious about what our lives are going to be. I believe that if you can allay those fears, if you can soothe people, and hug them, and make them feel it’s going to be all right, you’re doing a public service.

A lovely sentiment.