'Passion's Plaything' - A Guide To Julia Pargetter
Andrew Smith
Assistant Producer, The Archers
Tagged with:
Elizabeth (Alison Dowling) and Julia (Mary Wimbush)
"Julia loved it here..."
"Who?" you might ask. Elizabeth is of course referring to Julia Pargetter - mother of dear departed Nigel and mother-in-law to Elizabeth who has remained at Lower Loxley.
Julia’s Past:
On 29th September 1994, Nigel married Elizabeth Archer. At the reception, Julia’s estranged sister Ellen decided to tell the truth about Julia’s background:
Her name was not Julia but Joan. Their father was a greengrocer who had a market stall originally but went on to get his own shop. He had wanted both of his daughters to do secretarial training, but Joan saved up every penny and took dancing lessons. Joan had the looks and intelligence. Ellen always envied Joan her legs - they used to call her Lewisham's answer to Betty Grable.
Julia was playing in Bridlington in the early 40s when Gerald Pargetter was stationed near with his regiment. He went to see the show and fell madly in love. Before Gerald there had been a string of admirers. Ellen was very proud of her sister.
Julia and Nelson Gabriel:
In 1994 their friendship blossomed. They understood each other and went to the theatre together. There were occasions when Julia was being particularly vitriolic about Elizabeth, that Nelson was the only one who could handle her. However when Ellen came to visit the two sisters set a rivalry for his affections.
There was one time when Julia had been so upset by Nigel and Elizabeth that she walked from Lower Loxley to Ambridge. Worn out, she announced that Nelson was her only friend and moved into Honeysuckle Cottage. However she found it impossible to sleep in his spare room and had to have her own bed transported from Lower Loxley. When the bed didn’t fit through the cottage, it had to be lifted up to the first floor window.
Julia’s book:
In 1998 Julia decided to write her autobiography, so she went to Underwoods and spent £150 on a pen. The autobiography was to be titled “Without Bitterness: From Lemons to Lower Loxley” - Lemons because her father had been a greengrocer. However the autobiography turned out to be too problematic so she abandoned it in favour of a novel which was to be entitled “Passion’s Plaything”. (ooh er!)
Julia employed Susan Carter as her typist. The book was full of sex but sex doesn’t sell everything and Julia had problems finding a publisher. After one very carefully worded rejection letter Julia put the book into her bottom drawer. Could it be there still?
Julia and Lewis Carmichael:
From 1999 onwards Julia turned more and more for support from her friend and confidant Lewis Carmichael.
Then one Christmas Julia’s biggest fan, Douglas Prendergast, sent her a Christmas gift of a silk scarf with a card which said that the scarf was "Cornflower blue to match her eyes”. As his fan letters had become more than a little intense, Julia began to find his attentions disturbing. Worse was to come - on the anniversary of the first time he had seen her on stage, Douglas sent a large bouquet of flowers and a letter requesting a meeting. Julia decided to share her worries with her old friend Lewis. Lewis reassured Julia that she had nothing to worry about but asked her if he could take the letter.
Lewis phoned Douglas and arranged a meeting the following week. Lewis found Douglas to be an amiable chap: a widower who was utterly devoted to Julia, but entirely harmless. Douglas was pleased to meet Lewis, assuming that he too must be a fan. However Lewis went on to explain that he was in fact Julia’s husband and, as such, asked Douglas to stop sending Julia letters. Douglas was mortified, and agreed to cease contact immediately.
A few days later Julia received the last letter from Douglas apologising for bothering her: he didn’t realise that she was married.
Julia asked Lewis if he knew what Douglas had meant. Lewis was forced to tell her the truth. Julia was charmed that Lewis went to such lengths to protect her. She became coy when Lewis explained that he had had to say that they were married.
On St Valentines Day Lewis took Julia out to Stratford to see a play and on for a meal. They had a lovely time and at dinner Lewis proposed. Surprised but very happy, Julia accepted.
Julia and Lewis were married on 26th May 2005.
Julia Mary Pargetter Carmichael died in November 2005. Nigel and Lewis shared the readings at her funeral service.
