John and I were both posted to B watch at LATCC . John to the north bank and me to the south bank including TMA’s. I also worked as a DSS and it’s hard to believe that we actually punched out cards and placed them in a card reader to alter the programme !!

We had a lot of fun on this watch with amongst others ,Punk days, Boiler suit and ballgown days and of course the gambling den. We did lots of flying and even went up in a KC135 to fly the boom when refuelling A10s

After 14 years on B watch we were both posted to Boscombe Down. I stayed for 2 years and John for 6 years after which he was he took up a posting at CAA House in the ATC planning department.

Pivotal moments were medical related. I had a funny turn at LATCC but tests were inconclusive and I was put on the wings for a while. However after 2 years at Boscombe I had another funny turn and this time it was confirmed as a mini stroke which ended my ATC involvement. Since then I have worked in the crown courts as a witness service volunteer and as a  London Ambassador.

While John was at LATCC he underwent an endoscopy but unfortunately the camera perforated his oesophagus. He had major surgery and eventually returned to work. However the scar tissue in his throat kept growing and closing it and so every few years he had to have his throat cauterised. While working at CAA  House, the only option left was to remove his oesophagus and stitch his stomach to the lining of his chest ands his ATC days were also over.

My daughter lives south of Calgary in Canada so it’s nice to visit but I now live in Newcastle-upon Tyne near to my son and his family and thoroughly enjoy being the fun grandma !