This Woman's Work - Fanny Cradocks' Code for Happiness

When I was young I remember that my Mum always had an issue of Woman Magazine floating around the house. And every house we ever visited. They did the rounds between friends and family, swapped with other magazines, in a sliding scale from Woman's Own to the People Friend. Woman Magazine was the most coveted though, after all it was the 'Worlds Greatest Weekly for Women'. In 1973 the magazine showcased Fanny as a role model for readers, and not for the first time. Fanny was delighted to pass on her instructions to help those who may be less successful, and therefore less happy than her naturally, to have something at least to aspire to. Yes, Fanny was the cover star of her day, in name only - no picture, with Johnnie by her side of course. The Brad and Angelina of the 1970's? It seems bizarre looking back, but then again the seventies were, weren't they?

Fanny gets straight to it, telling the interviewer that the thing that makes her 'hoping mad' is women who have no purpose in life. They mostly annoy Fanny because when they are invited round for tea or supper they have nothing to talk about, and she loves talking. The interviewer notes that Fanny 'talks incessantly', that she 'rattles on', that her speech is 'rapid' and 'with hardly a break for breath' which must've been quite exhausting. Fanny urges these poor women who 'have nothing in their lives' to 'do something, even if it's charity work' and apply some self discipline to their lives. I wonder if my Mum was inspired?

Fanny herself is keen to point out that she had four careers, and not 'just the cookery' that she was most well known for. Add television personality, writer and strangely interior decorator to the list. I assume that's just at her own home, I really can't imagine Fanny being called upon to design other people's houses, but maybe she was the Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen of her day? She puts her unrivalled success down to her self discipline, her 'work hard' mentality. She learnt her skills, despite privileged upbringing, with stints as a washer-upper in a Roman Catholic canteen and selling vacuum cleaners door to door. You see, she really is just an ordinary person. Can you imagine answering a knock at the door to hear Fanny rattling on and on... I'm sure you'd buy a cleaner from her just to get her to stop talking!

Fanny was quite the entrepreneur really, and media savvy. She takes the opportunity of the magazine feature to completely whitewash over her life and true personality. And why not? She claims that her 'family always comes first' and tried to paint a picture of an idyllic life where her husband, home and children are her linch pins. She tells tales of daily 'staff' lunches on the lawns to say thanks to all the hard working gardeners, secretaries and cookery students she works so hard to support. They laugh and joke together... It's quite a different picture to the glimpses of interaction we see on TV. Fanny says 'I always work from home, it stops me from becoming a tough, hard career woman type, something I'd be really terrified to become.' The fact that she wasn't even legally married to Johnnie, her children despised her and the assistants terrified of her, seem unimportant to the story.

It wasn't just in career that Fanny was hailed as an inspiration though, the article claims she 'looked terrific' in her super trouser suit, mod cork platform shoes and little jaunty cap sitting on top of her light brown hair. Fashion icon Fanny? The rest of the fashion in the magazine take a different style, but then they were more than likely behind Fanny. Who could keep up? Fanny recalls the days when she was 'fat' and had to employ her self discipline to regain the weight and size of her eighteen year old self. She worries about lonely women when their children flee the nest - and they fly towards the biscuit barrel as a substitute. Fannys advice? 'Diet - get thin and get a romance!' Oh, and do charity work. She ends by reflecting that 'being a woman is divine, you really can have your cake and eat it can't you?' which leads nicely into a selection of Fannys favourite recipes. Presumably she no longer eats them herself. Far too self disciplined, but for those less fortunate...

A Woman's Touch - Fanny and Johnnie Cradock at Home

It's hard to imagine now, but in 1970, years before Hello! magazine had a parade of celebrities showing off their lifestyles, Woman magazine featured a splash with Fanny and Johnnie showing readers around their new home. Fanny and Johnnie had moved into their dream home less than a year before Edith Blair and Rith Morgan called round, and were presumably very keen to show off their place. Of course it provided Fanny an opportunity to now only introduce some recipes to share, but pass on her hints and tips for interior decoration and kitchen planning too. Johnnie just seemed to be there.

Fanny and Johnnie take Edith and Ruth on a tour room by room, but start with the outside and the history of the home. Despite only just moving in, Fanny and Johnnie explain that they have given the garden a lived in look by faking it - or 'gardening up' as Fanny calls it. This seems to involve planting thousands of bulbs over all the seasons. It was apparently Fannys dream to hear running water from her kitchen window, and at last that dream is fulfilled - Fanny adds to the perfect illusion by saying they catch crayfish and trout in the surrounding waters. It may just be me, but I don't see the photos of Fanny in waders... And Johnnies apricot outfit just wouldn't do.

Fanny gives readers a peek into the Cradock bedroom, and delights in sharing her secret for creating a restful space - using Peacock as a colour. It's depth of colour is warm and luxurious. It's a little disturbing to see the Cradock bed. The guest bedrooms look out over the stream and have an olive green carpet. Presumably this is restful too. The lounge has a TV which is draped I a. Green cloth when not in use, but apparently Fanny and Johnnie watch it a lot. I can't help but wonder if Edith and Ruth mention that Fanny has a whole make-up room that is lined with wardrobes as a tongue in cheek note, although Fanny would claim it essential I am sure. 

Fanny has set up the dining room for a splendid diner party full of very special treasured items. After all, what better event to show off at that a dinner party. Fanny keeps a menu book which lists all that was served on any particular evening with a list of who attended - this way she can be sure never to repeat dishes when guests return. What a super tip Fanny. Fanny poses in a relaxed fashion in her dream kitchen, proudly showing off her units and islands - she was sick of staring at the walls when cooking so designed cookers at the perfect height so she did not strain, in the centre. These are also handy for the steady stream of poor assistants I imagine, regardless of their height.

Every inch of the kitchen has been designed with labour saving in mind, and also motion saving - everything is in easy reach and can also be cleaned easily without a scrubbing brush. Fanny gives the illusion that the kitchen magically cleans itself. Again, no mention of the poor assistants who are no doubt never invited to the ball. So, once Fanny has inspired readers to have aspirations of a dream home lie, she has achieved, it's time to prepare some elaborate Petits Fours for dinner using the Fanny easy know how. The theme seems to be that it's easy if you are Fanny and even easier if you live in a dream home that you have expertly designed and created yourself. Aspirational as ever, and Fanny assures you are left knowing that you will never quite achieve this for yourself, but you are very lucky to at least see how Fanny and Johnnie live.