The very beginning of my story. Visit our family home and the warm chaos within. Meet my Mum, Dad, brother and sisters. A glimpse into life in the 1960's.

Toe in the Water - episode two

Jul 9th, 2018 5m 6s

My first ballet classes as a six year old. How my mother saved the day.

Stage School - episode three

Jul 6th, 2018 5m 43s

Things start to scale up when I go to Corona Stage School. I find a dance mentor and Dad becomes a grumpy hero.

Breakfast - episode 11

Jul 1st, 2018 2m 39s

The one where my Dad delivers coffee and Marmite in catering size jars!

The Audition - episode four

Jun 30th, 2018 8m 35s

My Dad organises my secret audition for a professional Ballet School in East Grinstead. I then meet another influential lady in my life whilst I Polka in the biggest studio I have ever seen.

Evenings - episode 12

Jun 30th, 2018 8m 56s

Evenings at a girls Ballet School for borders. Midnight games, kissing practise 'girl on girl', crushes, making cheese from yoghurts and eventually sleep. . . .

Uniform - episode five

Jun 29th, 2018 4m 5s

My Italian family think I have been kidnapped, my Dad tells them where to go whilst I get turned down for a grant.

Vitae Honestas, Weekends & Dancing in the Lunch Queue - episode 13

Jun 29th, 2018 7m 30s

Strange latin phrases, weekend visits to my family and cuddling my sister. Dancing on the staircase.

Aprons and National Skirts - episode 14

Jun 28th, 2018 5m 32s

Being at a Ballet School involves many rituals. You also have to know your place in the hierarchy. This is where Aprons came in. Your apron and National Skirts were part of you. Life evolved around the seamstress who inhabited a cramped and

Arriving - episode six

Jun 27th, 2018 11m 14s

A rather tense car ride to my new Ballet School. My little sister playing 'rag doll' with me, my brother giving me a whole Ten Shilling note and my mother sobbing and smoking like she would use every cigarette in Surrey. Meeting 'Nursey' and fi

Ballet Classes - episode 15

Jun 27th, 2018 5m 52s

It seems young ballet dancers need to learn about washing tights with fabric softener and how to put clothes on in a hurry.

The Contents of my Trunk - episode seven

Jun 26th, 2018 3m 53s

How I yearned for winceyette pyjamas and boring old fashioned slippers.

School Work, Elocution and My Tuck Box - episode 16

Jun 26th, 2018 6m 20s

My 'Pygmalion' moment when I learn to 'speak posh', learn how to read & write at last and secret moments with my parents and baby sister Gaynor in the Tuck Box room.

The First Night - episode eight

Jun 25th, 2018 2m 56s

Crisp and formal bedding, lights out and growing home sickness with an unusual approach to bed time.

Fire Drills & Blue Peter recording at the School - episode 17

Jun 25th, 2018 5m 26s

We loved Fire Drills which were always so exciting and after lights out. Nothing however prepared us for performing tap dance routines with John Noakes and Roy Castle on our own theatre.

Initiation - episode 9

Jun 24th, 2018 4m 25s

Girls behaving 'sort of badly' at night. Strange rituals involving absent Nursey and Glito . . . . .

The Lady of the Blue Pond & Levitation - episode 18

Jun 24th, 2018 3m 44s

This is the one about the incredibly ethereal lady who inhabited our Blue Pond and school corridors at night. Also the strange powers of levitation at our fingertips.

Rising Bell - episode 10

Jun 23rd, 2018 2m 22s

My first morning with a ridiculously early start, cold linoleum and myriad shoes.

The Pull of Home - episode 19

Jun 23rd, 2018 5m 5s

My first year at Ballet School was tough and my homesickness was extreme.

Pointe Shoes - episode 20

Jun 21st, 2018 5m 21s

I discover the agony and ecstasy of dancing in pointe shoes. These were of course so much more than shoes. Every pair of every girls pointe shoes was individual to them.

Major Exams - episode 21

Jun 20th, 2018 8m 45s

Exams are a constant in life when training to be a Ballet Dancer. Major Exams are something else though and were treated with reverence. They involved more expemditure by my parents and a trip to London!

Best Friends - episode 22

Jun 19th, 2018 5m 15s

Friendships formed in boarding school can last for ever, such is the bond you have after growing up together.

Miss Marsh - episode 23

Jun 18th, 2018 7m 14s

Miss Marsh was the 'Queen' of the Ballet School. A total character with make-up, hair and clothes creating a terrifying vision that we worshipped and curtseyed every time she passed by.