As a Friday treat after a long week of serious spring statements and worrying welfare warnings, Society Diary sat down for a light-hearted chat with Epilepsy Society’s chief executive, Clare Pelham.
Pelham, a seasoned charity leader who also worked for Coca-Cola and the Home Office, discussed her long-held plan to write a murder mystery, locking horns with daytime TV royalty and athletic fundraising challenges.
Read our conversation below.
Clare Pelham, have we caught you at a good time?
It is always a good time for a chat in my book! I have a weakness for a good conversation. It is something that I always enjoy – good for morale, good for creating new plans, good for learning, good for comfort when you are down. In all seriousness, I think if we all spent a little more time talking to each other, and a lot more time listening to each other, the world would be a better place. Especially if there is cake!
After your recent ‘spat’ with Naga Munchetty made headlines, with whom do you hope to quarrel next?
Actually, I am not a very quarrelsome person! I am not at all keen on angry behaviour-whether it is motorists sounding their horns at dawdling pedestrians or diners snapping at busy waitresses. And to cap it all, I thought Naga was actually trying to help me – a far less experienced broadcaster than her – put across a very nuanced message. I didn’t even realise we’d had a spat until I read about it in the newspapers!
You once did a fun run dressed as Santa in high heels – why?
I am always humbled by the amazing sporting challenges that supporters of the Epilepsy Society undertake to raise money. But my repertoire of potential athletic challenges is very unimpressive, swim a short distance, run twice round the block and similar. But I have always had a niche talent for being able to walk longish distances in high heels, including once as a young teenager walking the best part of eight miles home on New Year’s Eve in stilettos. So, I thought I would build on that specialist skill to reach new fundraising heights!
Have you written your murder mystery story yet and what’s the synopsis?
It’s still very much in the in-tray. But as a first step towards my ultimate goal, I have started a book club which gives me an opportunity to consider the opposition! I know that I don’t want mine to be too gruesome as I am a bit squeamish about those close-ups on telly. But equally, cosy crime is a bit too kitsch for me. Ideally, I would rather make the reader smile and then baffle them. But I am beginning to think I may need a co-author to get me to the starting line. There’s too much chat and cake going on, and not enough plotting!
You sometimes post bird photos on social media. Which is the best bird and why?
I am very fond of the song thrush. It may look a little drab, but its song is clear and attractive, and somehow redolent of a country garden. I find unexpected talent very attractive. There is a great deal to be said in my view for a little diffidence. I think we all know people who are absolute superstars within their communities, never too busy to lend a hand when needed, who keep their light well-hidden under a bushel.
Once described as ‘the woman who banned the F word’, what other phrases would you outlaw?
I am not very fond of the phrase “to be honest” which rather implies to me that the rest of the conversation may only have an accidental relationship with the truth!
What is your favourite soft drink besides Coca-Cola?
Is there anything better than chilled tap water when you are thirsty?
Which jacket potato topping do you go for?
Lashings of salty butter has a great deal to commend it!
What’s your least favourite type of weather?
I really am not keen on that type of sleety rain that comes at you horizontally and invariably finds its way down the back of your collar.
What’s the first thing you do when you finish work for the week?
Naturally, I listen to the Archers on Radio 4. Does anyone not do that? Radio 4, and the BBC in general actually, are jewels beyond price in my view.
