Ellen Terry lingered in absent-minded old age, appearing occasionally in guest engagements. As my great aunt she was to me the perfect fairy godmother, and I shall always be proud of having seen her on the stage as well as acting to her both in my parents' house and at her delightful farmhouse at Smallhythe where she is so charmingly perpetuated. She somehow managed to preserve the impulsive, humorous timelessness which made her so famously endearing to audiences and family alike.

Sir John Gielgud by David Remfry, 1984 a NPG. Dame Alice Ellen Terry by George Frederic Watts, c1864 a NPG. To accompany the Art & Life series, the National Portrait Gallery has produced a pack of 25 pull-out post cards offering such delights as Virginia Woolf on George Eliot and Terry Pratchett on Tolkien. On sale at pounds 5 in the NPG shop later this month, or by mail order (0171 306 0055, x280/ fax 0171 306 0092). Add pounds 1 p&p for up to two packs, pounds 1.50 thereafter.