Jemma Simpson 12th March 2024

All of my happiest childhood memories include you, living opposite you for so many years was a blessing and so much fun. We spent hours in our own world of make believe, playing in your amazing garden making up stories and games. Our shared frustration at being the youngest of older sisters, not being allowed onto the top level of the tree house, or allowed to watch the movies they were watching. I remember hiding at the back of the playroom to get a look at 'Tremors' once! Watching lightning storms at night I could always count on you appearing in the window waving at me across the road. I had so many childhood firsts with you, seeing a family of hedgehogs that came to your garden for the dog food Joan used to leave down for them. Playing with the frogspawn in the pond, then trying to catch the frogs! My first nosebleed after you HAD to show me your practiced front kick, resulting in your shoe flying off directly into my face. Playing The Giana Sisters on your Commodore 64, Sky TV and the plethora of choice available, our favourites being Xena Worrier Princess, Relic Hunter and then Buffy The Vampire Slayer! Ill never forget the look on Joan's face when she came into the lounge confronted by us crying our eyes out, thinking something really bad had happened only to be told it was because Buffy had just died. Riding our bikes around the estate and up on to the golf course to the make-shift dirt jumps, coming home late and filthy. When I passed my driving test we spent endless nights up at King Standing star gazing or just driving around revelling in our new found freedom. Helping you get ready for your year 11 prom, doing your make up and helping you choose jewellery. I will treasure all of these memories and so many.