Everand Logo

Welcome to Everand!

  • The Oldie

    Virginia McKenna, the African queen

    Jun 02, 2021 5 minutes
    By Roderick Gilchrist

    Virginia McKenna celebrates her 90th birthday on 7th June.

    The Great and the Good – including Joanna Lumley, explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes and Carrie Symonds, the Prime Minister’s fiancée – are lobbying for her to be made a dame in recognition of her inspirational work for animal conservation.

    ‘Goodness,’ says a surprised Virginia. ‘I have no desire for personal honours.

    ‘I have been privileged to help wonderful animals and gained immense happiness when we’ve given them back their dignity and space in their natural environment. That’s my reward.’

    It’s 37 years since Virginia, her husband Bill Travers and their eldest son, Will, founded Zoo Check which became the animal charity Born Free. It took the name from her 1966 Oscar-winning film about (1960).

    You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

    More from The Oldie

    The Oldie3 min read
    The American Way Of Death Arrives
    One of our department came into the office at break. As she switched on the kettle, she idly said, ‘There’s a school in lockdown in Wales.’ Another trend has crossed the Atlantic and entrenched itself on this side of the herring pond. We found it har
    The Oldie2 min read
    Ticking Bomb In My Downing Street Bin
    I worked at 10 Downing Street from 1966 to 1973, first under Harold Wilson and then Ted Heath, as a ‘garden girl’ – one of a dozen or so Civil Service secretaries. We were so called because our large office, situated below the Cabinet Room, overlooke
    The Oldie3 min read
    Theatre
    Shakespeare’s Globe, London, until 24th August Hip hip hooray! After seeing so many Shakespearean productions in modern costume – often daft or dreary – I found it a nice change to see one played as it should be played, in traditional Elizabethan dre

    Related Books & Audiobooks