A little break from my film photography this week, but I have again been digging through old albums and photo’s that I boxed up when Mum died, and I came across one that she started just after I was born, through to when I was 10 years old. It was cool to look through my early years, most of which I don’t remember and mortifying to see the dreadful haircuts I had to endure. So I thought I’d give you all a laugh (we need that at this time of plague I think!) and share some of what I came across. 🙂

Mum and me in 1959, I was 3 months old here. Obviously a stunningly gorgeous baby. 🤣

August 1960 I was 1 yr old and we went on holiday to Southport. This elegant pose which I am performing, is one of many very similar ones throughout my younger years. My Mum looks suitably impressed.

Still 1960. Mum and I lived with my Grandparents, and this is me on Grandma’s knee having a story. She died a year later so there are not many pictures of me with her.

In 1961 I seem to have reached the cute toddler stage.

1962 ~ a bit blurry but this is the only one in the album for that year. That was a Silver Cross toy pram, and I had a Tiny Tears to put in it at one point.

1963 and on holiday at the seaside, I think possibly at St.Annes, Blackpool. Do they still do donkey rides I wonder? This is the last of the cuteness phase, it’s all downhill from here!

My lovely Grandad was with us, he was a surrogate Dad to me until he died when I was 6yrs old. In those days gentlemen wore a suit and tie on the beach!

1964, Mum had a thing for circular photo’s to fit more into the album.

1965 and I’m not sure what the hell I’m doing here. It doesn’t look like health and safety were involved!

1966 and a family gathering. From left to right, My Grandad, Frank, Uncle Bill, (he wasn’t related- back then if Mum had a boyfriend they were ‘Uncles”), my cousin Jeanette (real Aunty Irene’s girl) Aunty Irene, Mum’s older sister, Mum and then me holding a recorder. Three blind mice I can still do! This is where the dodgy pudding bowl haircuts begin. 🙄

also in 1966 I rode a horse! I have no memory of this at all . That’s Uncle Bill with me again, so Mum must be taking the photo. I look very serious. Smile girl!

Still looking serious in 1967, on holiday at Treaddur Bay in Wales in a caravan. We took my friend Mandy with us. Both of us had poodles, mine was called Candy and was a pedigree pooch with a proper full name – Princess Candy of Snowlea and a certificate.

1968 and THE worst haircut. But at least I’m smiling!

In 1969 Aunty Irene came to stay with us as a few months as she had a new baby, Jamie. She’d had an affair and Jamie was the result. Her husband was divorcing her and eventually she went to live with the new chap, I don’t remember his name. I know Mum was relieved when she went, it hadn’t been easy having the bossy older sister living with her, and I also remember Mum upset as Irene took Grandads war medals with her without asking. Never got them back. We visited a couple of times, but when Jamie was 4 or 5 Aunty Irene had a massive stroke one night and died. After the funeral her husband and Jamie disappeared, moved house and never got in touch, so I don’t know what became of him. I look a bit worried here.

Also in the 1969 section a colour picture of me seemingly in a river somewhere on a lilo. The dodgy haircut was here to stay.

And so to the last page in Mum’s album, 1970, I’m 10 years old here and Mum had me taking dance classes to try and girlify me. It didn’t work 😀

Finally me in our back garden on Lamb Hall Rd in Huddersfield. You can see top left My grandad’s old potting shed, and there I am with Candy.

Isn’t it strange how much we change in our formative years? Anyway hope you all had a giggle at my haircuts, and get inspired to dig out your own early days photo’s. Something fun to do while we’re all stuck indoors!