Bio of Barbara. "Mother Hen".

I was born the 3^rd October 1941 at Clatterbridge Hospital on the Wirral, 8^th child (of 10), and 7^th daughter of Hilda Evans (nee Cawley) and David Alfred Evans. 

Mother, Nancy, Marjorie and me in Blackpool.

and Nancy, me, Trevor and Marjorie in bathing suits.

As you have probably realised from the maiden name, my father was of Welsh descent, and my Great Grandfather came from the valleys of South Wales to Middlewich to run the “Robin Hood” pub which was on the corner of Wyche House Lane, near to the canal. My mothers family has recently been traced, by a distant relative, to one Lord Cawley, in Ireland, (no need to curtsey !!!).

With my brother Trevor (Trevor is 2 and I am 3 years and a week!) then again, but this time with Marjorie too.

 My father was a British Waterways “Lengthsman” i.e. he was responsible for the total upkeep of a length of the Trent and Mersey canal. My mother and father, as a consequence of his job, lived for most, if not all of their lives, at “Rumps Lock”.

At school aged 8 in October 1949. 

and at "Poppity John's" with Marjorie.

At the age of 6 years, as well as attending the local Church of England school, I joined the “Georgie Platt” dance troupe, which I attended every Monday and Friday evenings for lessons. Every year a concert was held, in the old “Town Hall”, next to the main Church, which ran for one week. All of the pupils in the show were allowed every afternoon off school during this week, for a little “nap” as the concert went on until 10pm. I passed the top dancing exams each year (for which I have only several tatty, yellow paper certificates and two painful knees to show).

At the age of eleven I went to Winsford Verdin Grammar School (now the Comprehensive on High Street). At thirteen I joined a local concert party called “The Starlights”. We did charitable variety shows for the less fortunate and under privileged people in the mainly local area and some times further a field. Here below is a photo of myself, and my dance partner, Alice Hickson, in full regalia.

and a show at the vicarage (2nd left, back row)

It was during this time, whilst still at school, that I met Cliff. It just so happened that he worked in Winsford as an apprentice not too far from my school. Grandmother (Ma) Astles lived close by and we would both go to her house for our dinners, and scrumptious they were too. They cost us 10 shillings per week, for both of us. This equates to some 50 pence in to-days money. 

I left the Grammar school aged 16 and started to work at Lilly Works in Middlewich, makers of baby clothes.

With thanks to our Sponsor - www.amita.uk.net