I was 8 years old when we moved to Bloxham from the Wirral. The journey was long but I remember coming into Banbury and seeing the “Fine Lady” statue and Banbury Cross before turning towards the village that would become our home.

School was a different experience to the previous one, in a large modern building. The Old School was really old with several buildings, some of them empty and “haunted“. The toilets were in a Separate building, it was a really old-fashioned place, but I loved it! I wasn’t there for long but I remember having to do a project on Native Americans (or Red Indians as we used to call them). I can picture now the finished booklet I made with paint of different colours in wavy lines on the cover. That research triggered an interest and a passion in me that I still have today, a deep respect for them and everything they went through, but also for their lifestyle and beliefs.

I only spent a short time at the Old School before moving to the new Primary School on the other side of the village, and to be honest it didn’t make as big an impression on me! I Do remember two playgrounds, one for the older kids and another by the infant classrooms for the younger ones that included a sandpit! There were Terrapins (temporary classrooms) and a big field where they used to hold the school fete and sports day. Fridays were always spelling test day, and the school day always ended with putting our chairs on the table and a prayer.

When I was 12, I started at the brand spanking new Warriner School. Those early days were new and exciting, with different subjects to learn. Each subject had its own department, so every lesson meant packing up our bags and making our way to the next lesson in its own unique place.

The Warriner was where I met Bern. I was 12 years old and he was 2 years older. He was the oldest of 5 children, in a family that was full of fun, laughter and chaos. There was only me and my brother at home, and I had always wanted a family like “The Waltons”” so this family was the answer to all my fantasies. I spent most of my free time there, with him, listening to music and hanging out with his family. I was completely hooked!!

We became inseparable, spending all our time together. He introduced me to some new bands I had never heard before; Boston and Asia, and it was about this time that I discovered Whitesnake, Deep Purple and a whole host of others. At 16 we got engaged. I was still at school and he had only just started work, so he bought me a cheap ring but it was so pretty: a blue stone surrounded by diamond look-a-likes. I loved it!!

We were in love. My parents thought it was just a phase; “puppy love” they called it, but we knew it was more than that. My Dad had very set ideas on what my life should be like: I would become a secretary and date suitable boys, not get married until I was at leat 25. The trouble is, I had other ideas!!