As we visit the tranquil coastal hamlet of Acciaroli in Southern Italy, we find that the residents have one thing in common – one in ten live to their hundredth birthday, and beyond.
You may say that it is the Mediterranean food or lifestyle, but a rather canny entrepreneur, David Spencer-Percival, looked into the story of Acciaroli, which had been reported by the BBC, The Telegraph and the New York Times, to discover that all of the inhabitants consume the herb Rosemary every day of their life.
In addition to this consumption, they are not at all health-conscious, and indulge in all the pleasures of life that come with a health warning, including wine and tobacco, as well as good food.
It is also a fact that this longevity of life and Rosemary go hand in hand, as we look into surrounding villages and similar coastal regions who do not have Rosemary as part of their staple diet, and as a result do not have such a great life expectancy.
I am gleaning much more from David Spencer-Percival’s discovery as Rosemary holds high esteem even in Greek mythology, the New Testament and Shakespearean drama.
There are even scientific references as a memory-boosting restorative, and it is seen to have antioxidant and antibacterial properties, which would confirm the longevity in the village of Acciaroli, where Rosemary is the central ingredient.
David has pushed the boundaries in his research to provide confirmation of his findings, and is in talks with Professor Moss, from Northumbria University, whose knowledge of the herb is extensive; he has been investigating Rosemary as a memory aid, and is embarking on trials of No 1 Rosemary Water to test its potency as a memory-enhancing product.
When I met David in my Pinewood Studios offices recently, it was a pleasure to spend time with this clever entrepreneur who explained to me the arduous process of discovery he had endured, with months of exploration into ways of extracting the essence of the herb to produce a pure health-giving drink. He has succeeded in achieving this without using additives – containing just water blended with Rosemary in a bottle. He admits it has been a longer process than he originally thought, but his passion for the concept has enabled him to produce the only pure Rosemary Water drink to exist so far.
So is it possible to reverse the ageing process with Rosemary? Whenever we make life changes we can see them reflected inside and out, with our digestive system and then our skin, so this is definitely possible.
It is not rocket science to see that Rosemary, which contains so many healing properties should prolong life, or even reverse the effects of ageing, and so I would like to agree with David and say that this health drink No 1 Rosemary Water, holds the secret it in its waters.
I have recently passed some bottles to celebrity friends and lesser known mortals, who are all feeding back in a positive way. Anthea Turner is already a fan and has referred to it in her monthly blog. All are enjoying what is a tasteful and refreshing drink. It comes in still or sparkling, and I personally like both, whereas one colleague prefers the sparkling variety. Another design-oriented friend commented on the beauty of the bottle, which is in lustrous white – and I have recently placed one on my kitchen dresser as I agree it looks stunning.
It is no surprise therefore that the product No 1 Rosemary Water is in Harrods, Selfridges, Harvey Nichols and other high end outlets to be announced shortly. It is now being seen as a Global Brand, which is power to its founder and the belief in the integrity of his discovery.
Perhaps this is why Rosemary is also regarded to be associated to Love – or in this case, the Love of Life, which is the most powerful symbol of all.
As I glance into the tell-tale car mirror on my way to work, I can clearly see the lines on my face that I fondly call ‘my map of life’ – as the sun streams through the window.
I am a huge fan of heavy rock, which is always a surprise to my friends, as I look like the typical middle-class mum of two teenage kids, but I have studied the exciting life of my favourite rock stars, with their drug and alcohol abuse, from the safety of the suburbs. I have watched their tempestuous lifestyle, followed by rehab and subsequent salvation, or worse, with secret envy.
Deep lines are etched on their faces telling the tale, and I am beginning to look a bit like them – without the back story of course, apart from a few wild nights in my youth. Well I am not going to incriminate myself at this stage.
I am certainly not averse to a nip and a tuck where necessary, or even a boob job or a bit of Botox (although I am yet to venture down that road), but believe it or not, I am embracing the inevitable aging process and beginning to relish the freedom that comes with it.
I was always amazed by the sheer outrageous behaviour of my late mother, as she told people off in the street, used the odd swear word (which was most unusual for her younger self) and generally upset people, especially her neighbours.
So, with the exception of throwing the television out of the bedroom window (à la Keith Moon), I am planning all sorts of revelries in a few years’ time, along with some equally daring and dangerous safari expeditions, which are bound to upset a few people!
Having said that, I am already divorced, so don’t have a partner to shock, although my ex already believes I am a loose cannon, and so nothing to disprove there.
My kids are smart and I feel I have done them proud as they are heading to university; and my sister already knows my capabilities, so no worries there.
I need to take the plunge and head off on my own Rock n Roll adventure, which will probably involve a few bottles of wine (nothing stronger as I want to remember it all) and some brave decisions, for a safe middle-class female; after all, the world is our oyster the older we become, and the less we need to justify our actions.
So rather than plan your innocuous retirement, look upon the inevitable as a chance to explore other options, and live your dream. You definitely won’t regret it, and you will get respect rather than criticism as you embark on your voyage of discovery.
After all, why always take the tried and tested route? If you haven’t done so before, throw caution to the wind for the first time in your life – which is so very rock n roll!!
As Stephen Lawrence’s father Neville takes part in a new documentary about his son’s untimely death 25 years ago, he states that he forgives the murderers of his son – he has campaigned for justice since his death and urges to keep the investigation alive but to scale it down.
Similarly Stephen’s mother, Baroness Lawrence, also urges the nation to scale down the investigation into her son’s death, as after so many years of acute suffering, she feels it is time to move on.
As we see a surge in knife and gun crime across the capital, with the increasing power of gang warfare, we also look beyond the troubled ghettos to observe the escalation of racially motivated offences – and at how we can combat the formidable forces that are gripping our streets, and indeed our nation.
We can blame the withdrawal of funding for young people, or as rappers consistently glorify gangster culture we can lay the blame at their door. But as we are searching for a solution, let us look at the parents of the offenders, by not collaborating against them, but by giving support and empathy to those who have lost control of their offspring through no fault of their own, and for the inevitable tragedy that lands at their feet.
Perhaps the help should be focused on these parents of the muggers and victims, many of whom are operating alone, with very little financial support or back-up, due to the breakdown of the extended family.
Imagine the agony of the struggling parent who has already lost their child to street crime, through no fault of their own, against the harsh reality of a losing battle in their own back yard.
So is the answer to take away the weapons, and disarm the offenders, in a fruitless attempt to lessen the murders that take place, or is it more fundamental in that getting to the core of the issue should be the starting point?
A parent’s love for their child will always remain unchallenged in any situation, and forgiveness will reign with their true ‘blood’ – and I don’t mean the ‘gangsta’ version. The sleepless nights of the parent when the child is away from home is evident in all domains, but especially when there is potential danger.
What has happened in our communities that we have buried our heads in the sand, not giving help to vulnerable friends and neighbours? If you look closely, perhaps in your own street or neighbourhood, or even your work place, there will be someone who could benefit from just a few minutes of your time.
What would it mean for the close relative of the offender, or the victim, if the agony could be prevented? We may not be able to wipe out street crime forever, but by lending a sympathetic ear to a parent in need, we could save a life in ways too numerous to imagine.
Perhaps the lyrics of this song could help you to feel the pain of a parent who is about to lose their child through street crime and gangster culture, but no matter what, will love them unconditionally – whichever side of the track they reside.
September 29, 2026 1899 Sir Billy Butlin 1913 Stanley Kramer 1916 Trevor Howard 1931 Anita Ekberg 1935 Jerry Lee Lewis 1942 Ian McShane 1943 Lech Walensa 1946 Patricia Hodge 1956 Lord (Sebastian) Coe 1968 Luke Goss 1968 Matt Goss 1970 Emily Lloyd
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