The pick-up on the Telegraph interview we recently did for Alzheimer's Research UK, one of the beneficiaries of the Telegraph’s Christmas charity appeal this year, continues and is very positive.
David Yelland, the former Editor of sun-newspaper wrote on ‘X’ /Twitter: “Much love to the brave@AlStewartOBE - so striking that Alastair and the great John Stapleton are suffering at moment...and all we read about is bloody Wallace.”
I was taken out for lunch by two wonderful women from my ITN days, Sarah Vaughan Brown, who ran communications internal, and external, and Lou Hammersley, one of the in-house barristers who, with the Head of Compliance John Battle, made sure we worked as broadcasters within the law, and didn’t libel or convict anyone in error.
We also worked together on a campaign to get TV cameras in courts with Fran Unsworth from the BBC, and Simon Bucks from Sky News. We had some success I am pleased to say, and it was a very amicable team to work with.
We dine in the Savoy Grill, which was run by Marcus Wareing when I was there last. It is now part of the Gordan Ramsay empire. It was a delight in every respect. Lou’s mum, a former nurse, has Alzheimer’s and is committed to the holistic approach and does a lot to re-train and exercise her brain; she has learned French and loves word puzzles - as do I. Lou was full of confidence and had many great ideas to help me get through my dementia as did Sarah.
Alastair Burt, the former Conservative MP and Foreign Office Minister, and an old chum, messaged to send warm regards. I must meet up with him, as I’d love to pick his big brain on South Korea and Georgia - two weird foreign stories. Zac Goldsmith also messaged to say it had been nice to see me at the House of Lords recently and how well I looked, that meant the world to me and was a confidence boost.
Adam Ingram, the former Labour MP and Mo Mowlam’s Minister of State in Northern Ireland sent a wonderful email too.
In fact, it is so lovely I thought I’d share it.
Alastair Stewart describes how his memory is failing him in this week's Living With Dementia
GB NEWSHe said: “It’s a long time since we’ve been in touch. I read the very sympathetic article in yesterday’s Telegraph. I can only guess how all of this must be affecting you. I got in touch with our mutual friend Charles Clarke who tells me he met with you and John Reid last week in the House of Lords. It was Charles who gave me your contact details. The article did however bring back a happy memory for me when I read you were unable to knot your own tie. Many years ago in a bar late at night during a Labour Party conference, I commented on the sloppy knot in your tie. I proceeded to teach you how to tie a Windsor knot - it's slip-free and remains in place.. You were so overwhelmed (I made that up) that you gave me your Aquascutum tie in exchange for my Labour Party tie.
"I still have your tie, although these days I rarely wear a tie. When you were the MC at the memorial event for Mo Mowlam you introduced me, as you called me to speak, as the person who had taught you how to tie a Windsor knot. It probably meant nothing to the audience but I knew both of our ties were properly knotted that memorable night. It’s the best knot ever invented and I hope it jogs your memory. If not, I have the Aquascutum tie to prove it.”
I remember every part of Adam’s wonderful anecdote.
BT and our Security company contacted us to say BT were no longer supplying dedicated lines for burglar and fire alarms, so we had to find an alternative to their ‘Redcare' product. I told BT I was very disappointed to no avail. It is a complicated business for anyone, but with dementia, it is a complex, worrying challenge. Our Security suppliers are very helpful, and we are safe again.
We are going to two charity carol events next week. Reading isn’t a problem for me, but remembering when and where they are is! Saturday is also the annual Home Start charity cake sales, which we both enjoy.
Alas nothing positive in the report on the new duck house, dealing with a business in administration as Homebase is proving a nightmare.
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