AofA's Hot To Trot Talking Points

Oct 24, 2025

Oh so many this week. And deliciously eclectic.

Kathy Burke’s memoir is out - A Mind of my Own. Very fitting. Bound to be hilarious, down-to-earth and insightful. We all love Kathy and this is book of the week for us.

Followed closely by Mr Bill Nighy and his perspectives on life. Miranda Sawyer interviewed him for the Observer about his new podcast Ill-Advised where he doles out all sorts of advice. Asked what he’s an expert in, he says -
“I would say rhythm and blues music, the intelligent use of Marmite and bookshops around the world,” he says. “I can tell you about a two-piece lounge suit. I know a bit about football. I’m not good tactically, but I can tell you about football style and … beauty. I know a little bit about art, and I’m not afraid to say that Rothko leaves me more or less unmoved. What else am I good at? Moisturiser. I’m crazy about moisturiser. I was a pioneer of male moisturisation.” Crazy about moisturisation - that’s why we love him. You never know what he’s going to come out with next.

Winner of the AofA Inspirational Personal Story in the Awards 2023, Louise Butcher is behind this annual women’s topless swim in Illfracombe. Brilliant idea and great cold fun was evidently had. ‘More than 200 women went for a topless swim in Ilfracombe on Sunday morning (October 19) to help raise nearly £40,000 for local NHS cancer services.
The ladies-only event at Tunnels Beaches, held by Royal Devon Hospitals Charity (RDHC), also helped to promote body positivity and breast cancer awareness.’

MORE AOFA AWARDS 2025 NEWS. There’s definitely a circus theme going on. Ben Cornish is one of our members and he’s going to juggle for us as inter-awards entertainment. Can’t wait. Thanks Ben.

I didn’t know about Amy and the Caldwells until I switched on Later and Jools Holland. OMG, it’s an all women family affair with mother, Annie at the helm. Gospel and soul - they belt out warmth and beauty. They’re on at Ronnie Scott’s at the end of January, I’m going to get tickets.

We can’t help appreciating the creativity with which Billy Connolly is navigating Parkinson’s. And enjoying painting. He mentioned a Harley tricycle and one of our members immediately looked that up. The future.