Growing Up

Gill's baby picture

I am one of the early baby boomers, born in 1949 of parents who met during the war. When I was two years old we moved to a detached brick house in a country area south of Birmingham - Solihull. I was educated at an all girls Convent School - Chris insist that all the stories about convent girls are correct - but I have no idea what he means. Dad had a manufacturing business and Mum stayed home to look after first me, then my brother John two years later. When I was 12 my father's wish for a third child was granted - Georgina arrived.

When I was 13 I asked for a huge increase in my allowance so that I would buy my own clothes, pay my own transportation to school and pay for my own school lunches. I believe that my business skills date from this time. When I needed money I would cycle to school rather than pay a bus fare, and I would take sandwiches rather than pay for the school lunch - my hatred of sandwiches also dates from this time!

Find Gill in Kindergarten
(move your mouse over picture for the answer)

Gill and Teddy

In that same year my French teacher asked me if I was planning to apply to go to University - she felt that my skills in French were so poor that it would be difficult for me to pass the "O" level exams required for entry to University. I asked my parents if I should apply and Dad said "Girls don't go to University." The next day I told my French teacher that I planned to attend.

My father was very happy when I graduated with a BSc with Honours in Biology but he was less pleased when Chris and I married and headed off to Canada within a few months. As you can see, I embraced the mini-skirt as a fashion item!