June Spencer (Peggy) at 92
|22:26 PM, Thursday, 29 March 2012
I recently had the great pleasure of talking to June Spencer, who plays Peggy Woolley, for an exclusive video interview (below).
June is 92 but has the vitality of a woman 20 or even 30 years younger. She was in the very first episode of The Archers in 1951 and is still doing wonderful work on air.
With a sense of humour that Peggy is sadly lacking, June remembers those early years and some highlights of her Archers career, including Jennifer's illegitimate pregnancy and Jack and Peggy's wedding.
And in real life, she talks about meeting the Queen, the truth about receiving the Freedom of the City of London, and failing to be kissed by Christopher Timothy.
She also relates the touching tale of her courtship by a dashing young Army officer, and the tragic blighting of their final married years by Alzheimer's. Of course she re-lived this time as an actor, when her radio husband Jack contracted the disease.
I can only hope I'm half as lively if I ever get to her great age.
In order to see this content you need to have both Javascript enabled and Flash installed. Visit BBC Webwise for full instructions
Keri Davies is an Archers (and Ambridge Extra) scriptwriter and web producer.
- Learn more about Peggy Woolley in our Who's Who section
- Read more about June Spencer
- Listen to June Spencer's Desert Island Discs
- Images show the video shoot at June's house, with camera operator Greg Smith, and June in the 1950s
Comment number 1.
At 19:14 27th Mar 2012, Maher Al-Badri wrote:Peggy, The Archers won't be The Archers I adore without you. Wish you more success and long life.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 1)
Comment number 2.
At 20:16 27th Mar 2012, Keera wrote:Lovely interview. What a delightful woman.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 2)
Comment number 3.
At 20:31 27th Mar 2012, Vicky S wrote:Lovely - but it sounds to me as though she has lots more stories to tell. Hope there will be a part 2.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 3)
Comment number 4.
At 09:53 28th Mar 2012, Nemo399 wrote:What a lovely blog; June Spencer's achievement is certainly something for Archers listeners to celebrate. I've always liked the redoubtable Peggy too. (And Baaaa---bara the sheep is brilliant!)
Complain about this comment (Comment number 4)
Comment number 5.
At 11:18 28th Mar 2012, JoLean wrote:What a woman & what a great piece. She's absolutely marvellous.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 5)
Comment number 6.
At 11:24 28th Mar 2012, Jon Peake wrote:She's lovely. I did an 'at home' feature with her way back in 1996. She was so hospitable. It was snowing outside and she gave us coffee with a tot of whisky in it and made a lovely spaghette bolognese for lunch. A trooper even then. She's some woman.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 6)
Comment number 7.
At 12:45 28th Mar 2012, Steve wrote:Thanks for the video interview June. Your a true star and so is Peggy
Complain about this comment (Comment number 7)
Comment number 8.
At 16:45 28th Mar 2012, witchneedles wrote:How lovely to see and hear June talking about her life and her time in The Archers. What a lady and still working. To hear her gorgeous voice is like listening to an old friend, which I suppose is the case since I've listened to The Archers since the start.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 8)
Comment number 9.
At 19:11 28th Mar 2012, BVFL33 wrote:What a wonderful interview and a joy to watch and listen to . June (Peggy) you are an inspiration. Truly this is one interview I can watch again and again .Beautiful simply beautiful . Many thanks
Complain about this comment (Comment number 9)
Comment number 10.
At 22:27 28th Mar 2012, Florence Nadot wrote:What a delightful lady ! A true story-teller, I could listen to June Spencer for hours on end. Thank you, and may she remain Peggy for a long time to come.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 10)
Comment number 11.
At 05:13 29th Mar 2012, Oldarcherhand wrote:Peggy and I have been with the Archers from the beginning. June really is wonderful and I just LOVE Baa-bra the sheep. I'm glad I had my hankie ready though as she talked about her darling Roger enjoying such a lovely meal in the garden. Precious memories indeed.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 11)
Comment number 12.
At 23:52 31st Mar 2012, mousenmerlin wrote:What an truely touching and fascinating blog. Thank-you for this. It made me laugh and brought tears to my eyes. An honourable lady.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 12)