A week nearly since Angharad died. The response on the blog has been extraordinary.
Over twelve thousand hits and an outpouring of emotion that has astonished me.
She touched so many hearts with her performance and–for those that met her–with her charm and zest for life.
Her early death at 63 is shocking and promotes a feeling of disbelief–how can this be?
Many people are watching Poldark again on the newly-reissued DVDs or on Netflix in the USA and there she is in her prime–fiery and proud–in full flood, giving as good as she gets and eventually winning through.
It seems impossible that she’s gone.
Karen H in her comment recalled Demelza’s words in the final scene of the series.
“The last sentence Angharad says as Demelza rings so true, “There is no tomorrow. All we have is now.”
Carpe diem–Karen adds.
Life goes on.
Il faut l’accepter.
The hay is in and the sunflowers are beginning to bow to the inevitable.
The tomatoes–better tended than last year–are ripening.
Even the two courgette plants are surviving.
Meredith and Alice collected five kilos of honey from the hive this week in the second harvest. It has a deeper hue this time due to the different plants the bees are working on.
The chicks are no longer chicks and are roaming wider each day on bug patrol.
The garlic is drying in the barns as the Lautrecois, (us locals!), look forward to the annual Fete de L’Ail Rose–held always on the first Friday of August–in a week’s time.
If the weather holds we can expect over 10 thousand people to mill through the narrow streets of the village.
Sawle Feast was a more modest affair back then but surely no less anticipated and prepared for by the Nampara household!
It has touched me deeply to read the many comments and learn how moved people are by Angharad’s passing.
I bought the Poldark series to watch again when I got a bit of a “hankering” about six months ago-I think I have a desire to watch again this weekend.
Gone too soon, R.I.P., the lovely and lively Angharad.
Angharad was lovely and she will never be forgotten. In my previous life as an agent, I represented many Welsh actors so our paths crossed a few times. Delightful lady. Robin, we met at BAFTA a few times too – of course back then I was still suffering from unrequited love for Ross. I was probably the idiot swooning while pretending to hold an intelligent discussion *sigh*. 😉
Now a week following Angharad’s loss, another one. Mary Tamm – 62, from cancer. So sad.
I wrote this poem only last week – I dedicate it to Angharad.
The sound I long to hear
Chris Meredith
The sound I long to hear
When I close my eyes for good
Is your voice, soft and clear
And your words not misunderstood
–
The touch I long to feel
From your hands brushing my face
Will send a shiver so surreal
Along my still body that you embrace
–
The last moment I wish to share
As I rise from my earthly tomb
Is held within the suns bright glare
And in the rainbows coloured plume
Poldark touched so many lives and has given so many people so much enjoyment. Isn’t it incredible that the series is still so popular and still enjoyed by people today. There is something, a magic, about Poldark in the books and then wonderfully captured in the tv series that defies explanation – I really don’t know what it is. Winston Graham was amazingly talented when he created the Poldark’s and then Angharad and yourself brought Ross and Demelza even more to life through the tv series. Life does go on and there is an unstoppable rythm to nature and the seasons, beautifully described in your blog (I bet that honey tastes delicious!). Angharad’s memory will live on through the Poldark series, as you say ‘in her prime- fiery and proud’ and through her work she will continue to give people pleasure. We are off on our holidays to Cornwall on Sunday, a regular holiday destination (in fact our only holiday destination!) and this because of a deep love of Cornwall contributed to by reading and watching Poldark when I was younger. I think this time we won’t look at a secret, hidden beach, a Cornish lane with tall hedges full of wild flowers or a ruin tin mine without thinking of Demelza and a very special and now sadly missed actress.
It is hard to take in and truly believe that she has gone from us. Still, she lives on in our hearts and minds and of course every time we watch Poldark on our Dvds.
I’m so sorry and sad she’s gone! I was totally hooked on the series when it came out, and have watched them since of course, and read the books, always with Angharad in my mind since I read the books after watching the series. I never met her, but one could tell she had so much Light in her.
Life does go on. It’s wonderful that Angharad will live on through her lovely, vivacious and talented performance.
For Poldark fans Angharad, of course, holds a special place in our hearts. We know she was not Demelza but we secretly hoped that the characteristics that made us love her so much were shared by Angharad in her real life. I suspect that they were. I was an impressionable teen when the show was broadcast and I had the biggest crush on Ross (who didn’t?) but I also had a bit of a crush on Demelza too! She was just so pretty and vivacious and loyal. I hope she knew that she still held a special place in so many hearts.
On a separate note – are you living the life or what Robin?!
I first came across the books at my local library 30 years ago and by sheer fluke Ross Poldark was the only one they had on the shelf. I was hooked instantly.
At the same time I found the VHS recordings of the show and since then Angharad, yourself and the rest of the cast are always in my mind when I re-read the series.
It has now become a ritual of mine to read all of the books every few years. The next time is due soon and it will be the most poignant revisit of all now she has gone.
I’m crying again. Such a beautiful picture of that beautiful woman. Thanks for the comforting photos of your farm. It’s true that life goes on. But it does seem a little darker without Demelza…
Angharad was talented, and beautiful, and even at her “dirtiest” (in character) she projected intelligence and sensitivity to the feelings of others. In no way taking away from her unique gifts and the many other accomplishments in her post-Poldark life, the popularity of her role as Demelza and the grief for Angharad’s passing, is also attibutable to the whole of “Poldark’s” writing and production, and to the skill and chemistry among its actors. Even Cornwall played its important part.
You and Angharad, together and individually, seemed perfect for your roles, with never a false note, and while mourning her, we who did not know her personally, can at least be grateful that we can still watch and enjoy the results of that charismatic combination. Bravo, Robin. Brava, thank you, and adieu, Angharad.
Although I never knew Ms. Rees, I was extraordinarily sad. She really touched me with her performance.
My husband suddenly died at the age of 51 in 2004. To go on was nearly impossible, but somehow you do. I have learned to find joy in a beautiful day, for music, for those who make me laugh, and for my family. I like your photos. They epitomize how I look at life now. It’s such a simple thing, looking at life with love.
It is truly painful to think Angharad is gone. her memory will always be present to us. Thank you Robin for keeping us up to date on such events. Ralph Bates died from the same complaint.
A week later and I am still dealing with the sadness…… HUgs, Jill
Angharad WAS Demelza………..she brought the character to life, I did not know she’d died, and so early. She was a beautiful spirit – it shone right through. I never knew or met her, I watched the series and was captivated, by the story; the scenery; the characters and by her especially.
I can’t imagine PBS without Masterpiece Theater, Masterpiece Theater without Poldark, and Poldark without Angharad Rees and Robin Ellis.
She brought Demelza to life and gave one of those performances that always stay in a viewer’s mind.
Glad to see the dialogue from the end of both series was running through more than my head. It’s true–we are only given today, so live it. We have our memories, but we live in the present. Thanks for the lessons.
I, too am shocked at the news of Angharad’s death. Myself and my late husband used to dash back from church on a sunday evening to watch Poldark. My youngest son is named Ross, as I loved the name. I had the 2 series on video then on dvd, which I have recently watched. I also have the books in an entire matching series. We were holidaying in Cornwall in the late 70’s so I was on the trail of everything Poldark !!! My thoughts are with Angharad’s family. xx
You, Angharad, and the others — along with Winston Graham — created a story that lives on in my mind. Thank you for that legacy.
BTW, I downloaded your “Delicious Dishes for Diabetics’ on to my Kindle. …good stuff and very straightforward, too. Friends are staying over with us next week, and I will use some of these recipes. This has also inspired me to start writing down some of my own recipes.
Best,
Chris
Thank you so much for this post Robin, the continued circle that is life must and should go on and run its course. I am sure that Angharad would be the first to acknowledge this.and Demelza.will live on in our hearts.That honey looks lovely all those sun flowers – did you ever find out who was eating them? and those fluffy sweeties have grown quite a bit since we last saw them.
For all us Poldark fans her passing over has been terrible, but for you & those who knew her it must have been far worse. To loose a friend at any age IS horrendous. But to loose someone so young seems unforgivable. To have your possitive life to keep you going must be a help at such terrible moments . It reminds us to hold dear those who we love & always remembr the happier times. Bless you & Meredith & keep healthy & strong with your beautiful life you live. Please be happy. xx bobo
I too am saddened when someone passes too soon. Angharad made Demelza truly come alive, feisty, pouty and “Oh, Ross!”I plan on many more viewings of Poldark, it is unique, as was she.
Of all the women in the Poldark series, my favorite was Demelza.
Her strength and her heart of pure love and compassion was a force to be reckoned with. Her “presence” in Poldark has always stayed with me. The character was so strong in fact, that I even named the the big Clipper ship in my first novel “The Angharad” after her.
I never met Angharad Rees but this wonderful person that portrayed Demelza Poldark by everything I have read about her, tells the wonderful story of her own strength of character and of her love and compassion for others.
That kind of beauty and grace is a gift in this life and when someone like that graces our lives, it is a gift we will always carry in our hearts.
… and probably just few people know that 63 is the same age Holy Virgin Mary ended her earthly life to go to Heaven. May the Holy Virgin accompany Angharad’s soul to let her enjoy the view of God for ever!
I had the great prvilege of meeting Angharad at a charity event. Like me, she was Welsh through and through which is why her characterisation of a Cornish lass was so surreal. Similar traits.
Thank you Robin for dedicating a proportion of your site to remember her.
‘Cwsg yn dawel, Angharad fach. Sleep peacefully, sweet Angharad’.
loved demelza (anharid was a great actres we will miss her from are lives but her memorey linger on in watching poldark again thank you for the memoreys thank you robin to
Losing this “celebrity” was like losing a dear old friend. I’m American but I grew up watching Poldark. I dearly loved it and I really liked seeing her in a lot of things. As You Like It is a favorite too. She was by all accounts a lovely person. I can’t even imagine the loss to people that actually knew her. That pic was perfect Mr Ellis and you just made me cry with your post. My sincerest condolences to everyone, her friends, colleagues, her family. 😦
A few weeks ago my mum was clearing out and was getting rid of her Poldark videos. I said I would take them, as I wanted to watch them again.
Even after all this years I loved it, what wonderful acting from you all. The love story was so believable!
I am so sorry that Angharad was taken to soon, sincere condolences to all.
Thanks Robin! Angharad miss me too much…
The news of Angharad’s death came as a sad shock. I watch the re-runs of Poldark whenever they are on satellite, so you are all stillvery familiar to me. I was prompted to read the books a couple of years ago too, all because of the series. The public took the cast, characters and story into their hearts way back in the seventies and you are still there. Condolences to you all at this time.
As we are just reviewing the DVD of Poldark and I was browsing on the internet to find out how the actors are getting on nowadays I was shocked to find out Angharad has just passed away very recently… I can not believe it, she was a beautiful woman in sight as well as in character and her character of Demelza is so much like my own. With love and great respect for this actress who will forever be in our minds.. from a fan in Holland
Beautiful post.
The power of being such a good actor.
She made Demelza so real, such a force for doing the right thing, and so loving. Although Demelza was only a character, Angharad made her reality to us, creating all the beauty, heart, sole, and overall magic which will last through time. I did not know Angharad, but I did know Demelza, and know that Angharad was all that and more.
Unable are the Loved to die
For Love is Immortality,
Nay, it is Deity —
Unable they that love — to die
For Love reforms Vitality
Into Divinity.
E.Dickinson