Ruskin Park: Sylvia, Me and the BBC

by Rory Cellan-Jones

'A captivating family detective story and a poignant social history of Britain' Observer

A compelling, emotive journey of discovery about BBC broadcaster Rory Cellan-Jones' fatherless upbringing

After an isolated childhood of silence and secrets, Rory Cellan-Jones (broadcaster, Parkinson's podcaster and Sophie-the-rescue-dog owner) began a journey of discovery. Although he knew he was the child of a love affair between colleagues at the BBC, it wasn’t until his mother died and left him a file labelled 'For Rory' that he understood the true scandal and sadness of his parents' relationship, and the reasons for his fatherless upbringing.

A compelling, tender and emotive memoir of his difficult but ultimately heroic mother, Ruskin Park is also a tribute to an entire generation of women who were never given the chance to realise their potential.

PRAISE FOR RUSKIN PARK

'Ruskin Park is so much more than a memoir. It is a tribute to an individual woman and a whole generation and class' Justin Webb, Sunday Times

'Ruskin Park is Rory Cellan-Jones's touching tribute to both his parents, but particularly to the mother he came to know more fully from the letters she left behind' Daily Mail

'Almost unbearably moving, but never sentimental. A fascinating, intensely personal story, courageously told with unflinching honesty' Adrian Chiles

'I loved this highly evocative, unpretentious memoir. It’s a small-scale BBC drama in itself... an office love affair... a baby conceived during a stolen weekend... and a childhood of fish fingers prepared by a tired working mother in a south London council flat, it paints a Larkin-esque picture of the arc of one 20th-century woman's life, from passionate, ambitious and hopeful to lonely, depressed, nostalgic and "always a pain at Christmas"' The Times

'Riveting, poignant' TLS

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, Audiobook, Memoir, London

320 pages, Paperback

Published September 10, 2024

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I pre ordered this book because I’ve always enjoyed the author’s technology reports on the BBC, and then of course I followed his adoption of a rescue dog, Sophie, from Romania. I listen to the Movers and Shakers podcast, about a bunch of friends who shared a diagnosis of Parkinson’s. I have relatives with Parkinson’s and this is a great upbeat and optimistic listen.

Well, this book moved me. I’ve just finished it, in tears. The most absorbing and fascinating memoir I’ve read in a long time. Rory Cellan-Jones is an “utterly brilliant person” - I can’t remember who said that, but they were right. He’s the retired tech correspondent from the BBC and the owner of Sophie the rescue dog from Romania, and the husband of the equally brilliant Diane Coyle.

The book draws together the trove of papers and letters left in Rory’s mother’s flat after her death in 1996, I think it was. He trawls through the papers after being asked by a journalist to write something for the Telegraph about ‘things I found while clearing my parent’s house’. This then later, about twenty years later, develops into this book, And what a story. I could not put the book down.

The story of Rory’s mother’s life is a moving and poignant read; it made me angry, and sad. Angry for the way Sylvia got the worst of everything when pregnant and unmarried back in the 50s. It must have been terrifying for her. And sad, because she didn’t deserve to be so scared. She was clearly a talented person who achieved a lot at the BBC.

There are also passages where Rory writes about himself and the way that his birth has been seen by others, like this one:
“Terms such as illegitimacy and 'born out of wedlock’ now seem hopelessly quaint and old-fashioned - except to the person who has inserted into my Wikipedia page the fact that I was 'born out of wedlock'. A friend who is a volunteer editor for the online encyclopedia keeps removing the term on the grounds that it is archaic, but within hours it is back again.” I checked on Wiki and yes, that phrase is there. The prejudice held by some (increasingly few, thank goodness) is still out there.

And this letter, from her solicitor to Sylvia: “ I know that this seems hard from your point of view, but so long as the attitude of the Law continues as at present towards the responsibilities of the fathers of illegitimate children, the mothers will have the worse end of the stick.” All too devastatingly true in the 1950s. And Sylvia does have a terrible struggle.

And then this deeply poignant detail:

“ I am writing this just 24 hours after the birth of our first grandson and I already have on my phone more pictures of him than were taken of me in my childhood.”

I was absolutely gripped by this amazing, moving, and very human story. I cried at the end, but I also laughed. It must have taken so much careful work and editing to pull it all together, and it has come together, beautifully. I’m already thinking of people to buy it for for Christmas. I have a feeling it’s going to be a word of mouth hit.

[Illiterate · Rating 3 out of 5]

My mum’s life echoes Sylvia’s in time, place, relationships, jobs, food, travel, everything really. I miss her.

[Rachel Warner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful Tribute

I started following Rory Cellan-Jones on Twitter when I became obsessed with his story of his family’s adoption of #sophiefromromania. Daily, I still look for updates on how this beautiful dog is learning to trust and love her new family.
But then Rory started posting photos of some of Sylvia’s letters on Twitter, and posted that he was writing a book about her life based on her letters. I was instantly intrigued. Of COURSE I would purchase this book.
If you read this, there is no way to avoid the gut punch of the circumstances around Sylvia and Jim’s affair, and the crisis of the ensuing pregnancy. Lean in and pay attention. And be grateful that while imperfect, conditions are better for women. How extraordinary that Sylvia accomplished all she did!
I saw myself in Rory’s description of dealing with an aging and “annoying” mother. How much we think we know, but don’t fully grasp about the lives of our parents!
Thank you, Rory, for sharing this story. I need to go call my Mom.

[Caroline 'relaxing with my rescue dogs' · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a book club choice which I wouldn't have read otherwise. I do know of the author through the BBC and people talking about the Sophie.
it was well written but also dragged and by the end I was struggling to finish. I had great admiration for the mother in terms of how devoted she was to her career and her family and really wanted the best for them. There were rose tinted glasses re the dad as he could have supported his son like the rest of his family.

[Halina]

Not a book I would have picked up if I hadn't had to read it for work, but I'm glad I did. RCJ is an excellent writer, and he approaches his mother with empathy. She really had an interesting life, and it traces the her personal story against the backdrop of the developing BBC and women's position in society. It's also strange to think about how we know our parents.
I recommend!

[Ainsley Miller · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

I'm so sorry Rory 😭

I just think memoirs aren't for me. There was nothing wrong with the book, it was well written and interesting but I wasn't reaching for the book. The book is interesting but I found it hard to relate to it and I also kept getting mixed up with the characters.

I'll still be purchasing Sophie From Romania as that is more up my street.

[Catullus2 · Rating 5 out of 5]

A bitter sweet memoir highlighting women’s lives in post war Britain.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been following Rory on Twitter/Instagram for a while, like many I started off due to his dogs (the dog-napping of Cabbage first alerted me, and then later Sophie) but in recent months there have been an increasing number of tantalising posts about this book and I've been looking forward to reading it. It did not disappoint.

I was awed by the absolute treasure trove of information that is the source for this book. Sylvia wrote and retained so many letters - everything now is so disposable, emails and texts that will simply be lost for the most part. (When did you last write an actual letter?)

I found it a moving, well-written account throughout, the last chapter in particular did bring a tear to the eye (although as someone who also grew up not knowing their father I think it probably affected me more than it should).

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

A deeply personal book, and yet also a book that is accessible and fascinating to every person as we try to understand our parents from a different, grown up perspective.

Mr. Cellan-Jones is himself an interesting person with an interesting and varied life, but as a son he is the same as us all. How very fortunate that his mother left so much correspondence (I love letter-writers) and that he has been brave enough to share his newfound knowledge with us all.

Do not miss this book, wonderful and sad and all the myriad things that life is. It will pull you in as a story, and it will leave you with much to think about in your own world. So grateful that he wrote this.

[Siân Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this. Compassionate, loving and insightful, Sylvia, Stephen and Rory's history told through Sylvia's letters and Rory's memories. I admired Sylvia's courage, her idiosyncratic belief in marriage and the way she persevered to make a career for herself in the place that she loved, despite the entrenched mysoginy of the times. Beautifully written, as might be expected by someone trained at Cambridge and by the BBC, but tender and kind too. Thank you, Rory for sharing your mother with us.

[Ruth Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

I chose this book because of a family connection with the author; I finished it (unexpectedly) profoundly moved. Ruskin Park is a deeply personal memorial to a complex mother. But it’s also a glimpse into a changing nation and the societal dysfunctions which provoked her. Life writing with real heart - well worth a read.

[Sara Eames · Rating 4 out of 5]

A moving memoir about Rory Cellan-Jones's mother. Very readable and relatable and Cellan-Jones makes a good narrator.

[Jackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

It made a change for me to delve into an autobiography, and especially one where I knew nothing about the people!
At times, I found this quite a lengthy read with too much detail at times, but I guess there is always a lot to say about family. Family life from Rory's point of view was really interesting, and again, this was quite an eye opener into how single mothers were treated and regarded in the not so distant past. Sylvia comes across as having had such a strong sense of character in raising 2 children very much on her own, and perhaps being quite stoic and determined in her nature. Her lifestyle makes ones wonder if she felt isolated, and in dealing with this perhaps this is a reason for all of her correspondences, but maybe this was a norm of the time? My nan used to write in a diary every day without fail, I have no idea what happened to them. Sylvia obviously also loved her time for herself in the way of holidays, which was then very hard for her to have, having become a single mother. Was she perhaps trying to live two lifestyles, and could this have impacted in her own well-being?
I felt the book was a touching tribute to his mum, who I felt really did everything within her means to get the best for both of her children, from helping Rory through his schooling, constantly trying to make needs meet. I also found the relationship with his dad and half siblings such a genuine and warming one, albeit arriving later in Rory's life. His sadness came though when touching upon the illness of his father, along with the emotion on his father's side, too.
Overall, not a gripping read, but I was glad to have read it, and I came away with a deep sense of family ties and legacies. It made me wonder what we might all come across with the passing of our parents, and that perhaps this is the time for many when secrets and long ago stories become unearthed. A reminder to ask them and listen before we're no longer able to do so. ❤

[Shirley Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Certainly a very well-written and engaging read but a few aspects dimished the narrative for me here and there. I am the same age as the author and in parallel went into journalism. It is interesting that at no point does he mention the National Council for the Training of Journalists or seem to contemplate the indentures programme - the only r0ute I was told about as a school leaver in 1977. I found myself congratulating Sylvia for her determination to give her second son an expensive education with a double barrelled surname and let the old boys network do its stuff. Sylvia was clearly facing discrimination in her career and this biography made me see more clearly the same had happened to me and my peers. The author seems rather blinkered in many aspects - it can not escape any reader how Cellan-Jones has elected to be pragmatic, to let his very weak and cowardly father off the hook. Even after his death in 2019 he still places him on a pedestal of sorts and admits to never having challenged him over paternal affairs. Heavens, the man gave as little financially as he could get away with! It took one of his children, a half brother to Rory, to broker visits to the family home and give Rory a taste of what might have been.
Three cheers for the wonderful and eccentric Sylvia - the live TV with elephant was enough to warrant promotion! A very good read but unsatisfying. How "Jim" can be viewed as anything other than shallow and pathetic is beyond me. At least Huw Weldon had the good grace to commend Sylvia's service to the BBC at her forced retirement aged 60 but they lost a diamond; a dedicated, loyal and talented servant to the Corporation. How galling.

[Marianna Mullarkey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the Wikipedia page entry. Still using born out of wedlock as an outdated reference. Rory Cellan-Jones was born in London in 1958. His father James Cellan Jones was a BBC TV director and film director,[5] and his mother was Sylvia Rich, a BBC secretary.[6][7] His half-brother Simon Cellan Jones is a film director.[5] Rory was born out of wedlock[8][5] and was unacquainted with his father and Cellan Jones half-siblings until adulthood.[9][10] Rory uses a hyphen in his surname as his paternal grandparents did; his father had dropped the hyphen.[5]
Rory also had a half-brother from his mother's marriage, Stephen Rich, who was 16 years his senior and who died in 1994.[10] Rory's mother Sylvia had separated from her husband in 1947,[11] and thereafter raised Stephen, and then also Rory, as a single mother.[10][12] Shortly before Rory's birth, his mother obtained a divorce from her estranged husband[13] and changed her surname by deed poll to Cellan-Jones,[14][12] although she personally still went by Sylvia Rich except when dealing with Rory's school.
Rory goes too easy on his father who did the minimum amount as far as support financially and none physically or emotionally. A poignant memoir to a brave woman, his mother, Sylvia.

[Dora · Rating 5 out of 5]

Few books get 5* from me in recent years, but this one does! I bought it after reading Sophie from Romania and the little snippets in there about Sylvia intrigued me.

I am so glad that Rory kept all the letters left to him by his Mum and even though they sat unread for many years, he decided they deserved to be read by him.

I think I would have got on great with Sylvia - I love people who have stories to tell and who have had a colourful past. Sylvia did her very best to raise two sons, of very different ages on her own whilst having to work to support them. She was super bright and even though she left school aged 14 she had an interesting and responsible working life at the BBC.

Just as she charmed me, she charmed so many others over the years and corresponded with authors, poets and artists for decades so she must have been an endearing lady.

Rory writes very well and I was drawn to his descriptions of great holidays with the Grigsons, his Cockney childminder and his holidays with his Mum. I would love to know if he kept in touch with the childminder because she sounds like another real character.

Great memoir Rory! RIP Sylvia

[Nigel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not a fan of rating this type of book as they are essentially very personal. This is Rory's story of his and his mother's lives loosely from the 1950s to the present day. When she died Rory found she had left rather a lot of correspondence behind. Initially he put it to one side. However various circumstances led him to take another look at the letters and documents and he found himself fascinated by her story (and the impacts on his life). Rory's birth was as a result of his mother's "fling" with a younger man while they were working at the BBC. It was many years before Rory got an inkling into the story and his knowledge was only filled in when he read all the paperwork his moth left.

It show an England of a different time and type. The biases may appear small but the impacts can be large. I really enjoyed reading this. I'm not that different in age to Rory so I've lived through the times involved and have some understanding of the issues. Maybe not riveting but a fascinating read and historical insight into these times.

[Jackie Keefe · Rating 3 out of 5]

The beauty of belonging to a book club, where we actually meet to review and discuss the books we read, is that one is introduced to books outside one's usual preference. This was one of those books. I found it very interesting, especially since I once was interviewed for a job at the BBC (I flunked out!) and had a small understanding of how rarified its culture is (was?). Basically a biography, with elements of auto-biography from the writer, the setting and period was very familiar to me which made it easier to read. I'm glad I read it but I doubt I'll be tempted to reread it.

Note: I made the connection between the Glastonbury festival and Sylvia Cellan-Jones' relationship with the organisers, which led to the BBC's influence on the success of the event over the years, referenced just this week through the news that Neil Young was asked to perform in 2025, but has declined because he was unhappy with the 'conditions' specified by the BBC!

[Holly Katz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book thirty-two of 2024 was just as good as I expected.
I - like many others - discovered former BBC journalist Rory Cellan-Jones through his reports about his shy and traumatised rescue dog Sophie and realised soon that Sophie was by no means the only interesting subject in his life.
I finally got my hands on a copy of ‘Ruskin Park’, the story of his mother’s remarkable life (and also of his own, as the affair that led to his birth is quite central). The book is a portrait of a woman who was ahead of her times - only partly by choice - and someone who I find very inspiring. It made me think, it made me laugh and at the end, I had to hide some tears, as I read the last few dozen pages while getting my hair cut which probably wasn’t the best decision.
Highly recommended - and of course I can’t wait to read the book about the youngest, four-legged Cellan-Jones family member.

[Kate Voyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story of a remarkable woman and her incredibly forgiving son. The account of Rory CJs mother told with the aid of a series of letters and documents deliberately left for him to find after her death so that he would understand some of the insurmountable obstacles an intelligent, ambitious Mother without a husband faced throughout her life. If only she had been born 20 years later she would have had her rightful opportunities to reach her career potential. The BBC missed out on an incredible talent. The strength of character that Rory demonstrated in reaching out to his deserted Father is a lesson to us all and proved to be very rewarding for both parties. Very sad but also thoughtful read.

[Kathryn K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow - such a personal, compelling story, captivatingly read by the author. Threads of love run through the book which reveals layers of our parents' lives we don't realise at the time. Tales of hardship, of a working mother in post-war Britain and of complicated family relationships are gripping, and there is a lovely overall momentum of the book. I was in tears for the last two chapters.

Highly recommended. Rory - what a wonderful tribute to your mother and family, and thank you for sharing the story with us.

[Barb · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a lovely person Rory Cellan-Jones is. I already knew it being one of his Twitter followers (his adopted dog, sophiefromromania). This was a wonderful tribute to his mother, whose tenacity and sacrifices were inspirational. This book was a peek into the civility and restraint of British culture at the time, along with what seemed like an unfair class system (cost of education being one point). One of my favorite type of books to read are memoirs like this.

[Nigella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. A piece of social history told with open hearted honesty and bravery. Nothing is held back. When you follow the author on social media you understand this is how he operates: almost without filter and, in the book as well as on social media, sometimes you can’t quite believe how much access you have to a life but, with regard to this book, it’s such a generous gift to the world. Highly recommend.

[Bernadette · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a simply told tale of an extraordinary and talented woman battling to pursue her career whilst raising her two boys. It gives an insight into the world of work for women and the challenges they faced as well as the social impact of being a single mother. Whilst there is much underlying sadness for all involved in the way Sylvia’s story unfolds, there is also much warmth from love that exists in the different relationships. Thank you Rory for sharing.

[Danuta Zalega · Rating 4 out of 5]

An ode to unsung secretaries the world over and praise for the strength it took to be a serial single mother in the 50s. Liked it so much more than I thought I would.
I just wondered if Rory thought his mother had a happy life. It had to be from a son’s perspective but I wish there’d been other views of her or perhaps hers about her life. That is simply to help my narrative wants as I feel Rory did an excellent job of what her clutter left him.

[Sally Parker · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Ruskin Park Rory Cellan-Jones gives a moving account of the life of his mother Sylvia. Determined to make a career for herself in the male dominated world of the BBC, Sylvia coped with single parenthood at a time when this was far from easy. Rory's childhood was full of secrets, and he was an adult before he was able to get to know his father and his half siblings. He tells what must have been an emotionally challenging story with great sensitivity and affection.

[Wendy Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful family memoir

Initially I intended to give this 4 stars until I found myself unable to read the end because of the tears in my eyes. The author has done a remarkable job of bringing his mother to life and giving her the respect that she and so many other women deserved but didn’t always get during their lives. Part social history but also a very moving human story.

[Becky Burwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting read! I really enjoyed learning about Rory's upbringing including all about his amazing mother. It was fascinating to learn about life in England in the 40s, 50s and 60s. I highly recommend this book.

[Anne Foley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very moving account of an extraordinary woman
The detailed correspondence she kept yielded a very life story that shows this woman was not going to silenced but she was treated very badly in both her work and personal life

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this! The mix of social history (re women in the workplace, single parenting and lack of maternity care / cover etc) and Rory's personal family story is fascinating. Lots of insights into life within the BBC family as well. Highly recommended!