I was engaged all the time I was at the Poly and when my
fiancé came to the Degree show he ‘dumped’ me when he left. Bitter? Me?
Yes, I was! 3 years when I could have been free and enjoying
myself.
I did various jobs while trying to find a graphics role, working
in a local pub in Orpington, then a job applying ‘Go Faster’ Stripes and trims
to new and used cars around the South East. One car salesman said, ‘you’re
no Bo Derick but you’ve got nice eyebrows’ and in another used car outlet the
salesman thought it was an odd trade for a girl and said he could put me into movies.’ I hasten to add that I did not take him up on the offer!!!!!
I applied for Graphics jobs and got as far as being
shortlisted. Always the bridesmaid, never the bride. My sister
worked for FRISK and she heard that one of the companies she supplied was
looking for a manager for their new shop. That shop was GELIOT
WHITMAN! So I ended up working for Geliots in Forest Hill selling graphic
materials and their famous Depth Scale. Some years later I married the
son, Simon Geliot. Geliots bought a London supplier Wheatsheaf and
took over their property in Baker Street and changed the company name to Geliot
Whitman Wheatsheaf, (Rolls of the tongue? And I had to say that every time I
answered the phone!). I designed the carrier bags! At last!
In my early 30s I took up Judo and achieved my Black
belt. I also went back to horse riding, joining a riding group that
performed battle re-enactment shows all over the UK and Europe. I was
known as Bob. I was also the first female rider to do ‘Skill at Arms’
which entails jumping whilst using a sword, firing pistols, lance and tent
pegging.
Marriage didn’t work out and after 12 years we
divorced. I have since married again to Hamish MacLeod who was the Horse
Master of the riding team. He was also involved with TV documentaries
which we were often riding in. I’ve done doubles for some male actors
that couldn’t ride, having cushions shoved up inside their costumes to make me
look bigger! He set up his own company History in the Making Ltd where I am now
the head of Costume. I’ve produced loads of Graphic images for our
business as set dress and props that have been seen on tv. Knew it would
come in handy eventually! We haven’t retired yet, still working on film
sets and supplying to theatres and arena displays for the likes of Bovington
Tank Museum.
