I WAS greatly saddened to read of the death of Celia Gourley OBE. She was a special woman who loved theatre, horse racing, rugby, travel and buying shoes. All this despite being a double amputee when an IRA bomb exploded under her car and robbed her of her legs.
A case of ‘mistaken identity’ which condemned her to become dependent on a wheelchair. Yet she never gave up on life and it was always a joy to meet her.
I remember some years ago visiting her in Lisburn – “You’ll know the house, there’s a big Labrador in the window,” and so there was, not real but a huge toy dog keeping watch.
What do I remember of that day? When she took me into her bedroom, there were her two prosthetic legs propped up against the end of the bed. Both were sporting black fishnet stockings. That was Celia; every day was too important to allow herself to get morbid or sad although there were times when that was difficult.
The last time we met was a few months ago in Marks & Spencer in Belfast. She was searching through rails of blouses and she looked a million dollars; always well dressed, she was coming from the hairdressers where she'd had colour put into her creamy white hair – and she chose pink. This was her style.
Indeed on one occasion when she was in London a waiter at breakfast couldn’t help admiring her. “I just love your hair,” he said and the compliment was well received.
When she was international marketing executive with the Industrial Development Board she spent time travelling the world promoting investment in Northern Ireland and organising trade missions so local businesses could promote their wares.
However, after the bomb 30 years ago life changed drastically. But this resilient woman didn’t give up or sink into self-pity. Instead she got involved in charities, sponsoring music bursaries for young people, raising awareness for wheelchair users...
On her many travels she would write a polite letter to the hotel management when doors were too narrow for a chair to pass through, bathroom unsuitable or shelves too high. On more than one occasion she received a reply and assurance that, although they had never thought of someone in her position, they would make changes.
She went on continental holidays and not so long ago was in New York – she had friends who loved going with her and enjoying the fun and laughter of travelling with Celia. She had a legion of admirers.
Celia Gourley was a beautiful woman inside and out. A campaigner, a supporter of young people and a valued friend to so many.
On Thursday her funeral was attended by her closest friends but many many more were thinking about her and remembering her inspiring life story.
:: Hand-me- down pancakes
Tomorrow is Shrove Tuesday or pancake day, to most of us. It’s traditionally a day of self-examination, examining failures during the year and preparing for Ash Wednesday and a new chance of self discipline.
So Tuesday is the day to use up your eggs and sugar and start Wednesday with a clean plate.
Last year I gave up one of my most important practices – Coronation Street. I broke the habit of watching every episode and for the past year not one jot or tittle has passed my eyes and do you know, I don’t miss it one bit and I have a lot more time to get on with life.
When I was growing up all the neighbours were ‘aunts’ and ‘uncles’. It was only at my wedding reception that I realise the Valentine cards I’d been getting all my school life were actually from Uncle Jimmie.
Boyfriends came and went but the one card signed ‘ME’ kept arriving until I was 24. He did my morale so much good and I loved him for that and his generosity.
Then when I got married his wife Auntie Betty, who was the best baker ever, presented me with a book into which she had written all her recipes including everything from steamed pudding to shah biscuits and pancakes, very popular with grandsons, cooked on demand in minutes and cooked very often these days. It might be difficult to buy ready-mades at the moment so try Auntie Betty’s recipe.
I will be passing these recipes onto Auntie Betty’s grandson for his family to enjoy this unique book and it’s inscription: "May you not have many failures, happy cooking, love Auntie Betty. June 1966."
I’m off to try the spicy shah biscuits now and bring back childhood memories when I was allowed to dent the plump middle with my thumb – they are not genuine unless there is a dent in the middle!
Growing up all those years ago was such fun. How I wish it could be like that for children today – they have very difficult times to endure and we must keep giving them hope and a lot of understanding, teenagers especially. Maybe making pancakes tomorrow would give them some fun and a sense of achievement.
So what to give up for lent? We’ve given up so much recently I can’t think… maybe pancakes!
AUNTIE BETTY’S PANCAKES
Ingredients:
Six tablespoons of self-raising flour (gives them plumpness and contains baking powder)
three tablespoons sugar
one egg
milk (semi-skimmed)
Method:
Put the flour in a bowl, add sugar, whiz the egg with a little milk and fold it in, adding more milk a little at a time until you have a creamy mixture.
Pour little by little onto a hot frying pan with melted butter to stop sticking, turn over when little bubbles begin to break the surface of your pancake and then transfer to a warm plate with butter and lots of brown sugar between each pancake.
Serve hot with plenty of napkins or kitchen roll on hand. You can add golden syrup, honey or lemon juice for extra luxury.
