The whirlwind world of Dick and Angel Strawbridge never slows down, as the beloved duo recently revealed in a candid catch-up. Fresh from wrapping their latest television series, “Make Do And Mend,” and sending their second book to print, the pair have navigated a rollercoaster of creative deadlines, an idyllic family holiday, and an unexpected hospital dash—all while keeping their signature charm firmly intact.
The primary focus of their recent efforts was the Channel 4 series “Make Do And Mend,” which Angel describes as a “gorgeous, gentle show” that served as an escape while offering practical tips. The couple expressed deep affection for their contributors, people like Kerrie, Linda and Andrew, and Paul and Mandy in the Shetlands, with whom they built genuine relationships. They shared a hilarious mishap where contributor Paul accidentally put five holes in a water pipe during a DIY task, leading to a frantic two-hour phone call for emergency advice. The emotional weight of the series was significant, with stories like Kerrie’s “box of memories” bringing real sentiment to the screen.
Behind the scenes, the production was a marathon. Compared to their self-filmed first series, this run involved a crew including Jonathan, Chloe, Miles, and Olga, which was a different challenge entirely. The edit was a complex process, waiting for contributors to finish their projects in their own time before Dick and Angel could record voiceovers, creating a “bow wave” of work. One project they were particularly passionate about was Esther’s doll’s house, a miniature masterpiece filled with intricate details like parquet flooring and Roman blinds that, much to their frustration, couldn’t all be shown in the final program due to time constraints.
Simultaneously, they were racing to finish their second book, a follow-up to their first memoir. Writing together in a shared document, they found the process joyful, though they joked about their “Essex” English needing correction from their editor, Vicky. The final push ended at 3 a.m. just a few weeks ago, and by 4:30 a.m., they were packing the kids, Arthur and Dorothy, into the car for a well-earned holiday in the French Alps. Their destination was Chamonix, a place of stunning beauty where they rode cable cars up mountains like the Aiguille du Midi at 3,842 meters, visited the Parc de Merlet animal park to see ibex, and created precious family firsts.
Arthur enjoyed his first espresso with Dick, while Dorothy and Angel indulged in a mother-daughter massage. However, the return to reality was abrupt. The day after coming home, Angel was rushed to hospital and had her appendix removed. Characteristically resilient, she was back working on her computer soon after being discharged. Now, with the kids on school holidays, they are filming for their ongoing series and weaving in precious seaside family time, embracing a rare summer without weddings at their home. They signed off with a toast to their viewers, firmly in a “really good and happy place” despite the manic schedule.
