Set 446

Where are they now?

Heather
(Jane's photo collection)

Still living in a village just outside of Colchester with Joe (Married, Divorced and now together again) and our children …Tom (23), Iain (21), Dan (17) and Miriam (14)….fantastic people…all still living at home. The older two moved away for Uni/travelling, but they've come back(!).. I'm reliably informed that another move is imminent, but am not holding my breath! We also have 4 cats~ the oldest is 18 and despite looking as if she is about to expire for at least the last two years, continues to rule the roost and keep our latest addition (Bruno-a beautiful black lab cross) in his place.

Had a bit of a change of career a few years back and am now a Forensic Psychologist, working as Head of Department in a young persons Prison in Suffolk~ very challenging, but great fun! I work with lads with a range of difficulties, but mostly concentrate on the vulnerable and or the other end of the spectrum, those who are fighting/bullying etc. We also have a first stage Lifer centre, so receive young lads newly sentenced from court, so I tend to do a lot with this group. Work involves psychological evaluation and risk assessment. I have just started a PhD relating to my work with these Life Sentenced Young people….going well so far I think, but a bit of a slog, fitting it in with work and family etc.

In my spare time I lie to cook big meals for family/friends/extras/children's friends/hangers on, walk the dog in the woods with Joe, do as much as I can for my aged Mum and Dad and lie down and watch telly when there's nothing else to do. We moved house 18 months ago, so still renovating etc as it was very dilapidated. I also do a lot of running (well plodding actually). I ran the Dublin marathon in 2005 which was something of an achievement for me (I'm not built for speed)…it took me a long, long time but I did it, and ran all the way. I try and get out most lunchtimes and do a 3-5 mile trot along the sea wall next to the prison. I may work in a concrete jail but am very lucky to be in the middle of the most beautiful Suffolk countryside, so being there is a pleasure. 

Can't think of anything else to tell you. My life is hard work, but I guess I've chosen all of the things I'm doing.  I've got a lovely family for which I'm really most grateful, I've made some fab friends over the years and am very glad to still have contact with friends from my youth! Met up with Angela (Ball) on her visit from New Zealand last year and keep in touch with emails, have seen Julia (Tideswell) on her annual trips back to the UK and keep in touch with periodic emails, keep in very regular touch with Jane (I think Jane's texting thumb is permanently attached to her mobile!), and keep in touch with Lisa when she/I pick the phone up, kept in touch with Margaret in the early years but then we sadly drifted....life gets in the way I think

Looking forward very much to seeing everyone at the reunion.

Heather is living in Rowhedge, nr Colchester in Essex

Photos of Heather's wedding?
click here