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Lady Williams of Elvel, Professor John Goodenough, Christine Baker, Lord Palmer

Matthew Bannister on secretary Lady Williams of Elvel, materials chemist Professor John Goodenough, publisher Christine Baker and aristocrat Lord Palmer.

Matthew Bannister on

Lady Williams of Elvel, who, as Jane Portal, was personal secretary to Winston Churchill and the mother of the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby.

Professor John Goodenough, the American materials chemist who won the Nobel prize for his work on developing the rechargeable lithium battery.

Christine Baker, the publisher who specialised in making British children’s books available in France. Sir Michael Morpurgo pays tribute.

Lord Palmer, the aristocrat who worked in the family biscuit making firm Huntley and Palmer before inheriting the 109 room Manderston House and estate in the Scottish borders.

Interviewee: Allen Packwood OBE
Interviewee: Marnie Chesterton
Interviewee: Sir Michael Morpurgo
Interviewee: Robin Baker
Interviewee: Hugo Palmer

Producer: Gareth Nelson-Davies

Archive used:

Interviews with Lady Williams, all courtesy of the Churchill Archives Centre; An Interview with Lady Williams, HTB at ±«Óătv, HTB.org, YouTube uploaded 18/04/2021; Winston Churchill speech, The Commonwealth Mourns Its King, ±«Óătv Radio, 14/04/1952; Warhorse (2011) Trailer, YouTube uploaded 04/10/2011; Huntley and Palmers Factory, Reading in the 1930s, Wessex Film and Sound Archive YouTube channel, uploaded 25/08/2011; Lord Palmer Interview, Front Row, ±«Óătv 13/02/2004; Lord Palmer interview, ±«Óătv Antiques Roadshow Series 28 Manderston, ±«Óătv One, 30/10/2005; Lord Palmer Interview, Posh people: Inside Tatler, ±«Óătv Two, 18/12/2014; Lord Palmer speech in House of Lords, Today at Parliament, ±«Óătv Radio 4, 24/03/2021;

Available now

28 minutes

Lady Williams of Elvel

A personal secretary to Winston Churchill and the mother of the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby

Last Word spoke to Allen Packwood OBE.

Born 11 December 1929, died 15 July 2023, aged 93. 

Professor John B. Goodenough

The American materials chemist who won the Nobel prize for his work on developing the rechargeable lithium battery

Last Word spoke to ±«Óătv Science presenter Marnie Chesterton.

Born 25 July 1922; died 25 June 2023, died aged 100.

Christine Baker

The publisher who specialised in making British children’s books available in France.

Last Word spoke to Sir Michael Morpurgo and Christine’s husband Robin Baker.

Died aged 71. 

Lord Palmer

The 4th Baron Palmer who worked in the family biscuit making firm Huntley and Palmer before inheriting the 109 room Manderston House and estate in the Scottish borders.

Last Word spoke to his son Hugo Palmer.  

Born 8 October 1951, died 10 July 2023, died age 71.

Broadcasts

  • Fri 21 Jul 2023 16:00
  • Sun 23 Jul 2023 20:30

Podcast