WHAT I’M CALLED:  Angela Perry.

 

MY AGE: 63.

 

WHAT I DO: I am the Secretary to the Trustees of the Falkland Islands Memorial Chapel at Pangbourne in Berkshire – a wonderful ‘living’ church built to commemorate the lives and sacrifice of the 255 servicemen and three civilians who died in the 100-day Falklands War in 1982. Nineteen years ago I was approached by the trustees to help raise the funds to build this memorial and by 2000 it was finished and opened by The Queen; after that I was fortunate enough to be asked to stay on as administrator which still includes fundraising and is a thoroughly fulfilling job. The chapel provides a vital sanctuary for families and veterans to remember loved ones and comrades and provides comfort and pastoral care through its outreach services. I’ve always loved writing both in my work and for relaxation and have published a couple of children’s books with more to come. I have been deeply involved on a voluntary basis with the Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths (Cot Death charity) for 29 years and recently retired as a trustee.

 

WHERE I LIVE: Near Banbury.

 

WHO I LOVE: My husband Jim and three grown up boys James, Tom and Charlie and my big fluffy husky dog, Alf and Pudding the black and white cat; my extended family of brothers, nieces, step-children and a small band of really good lifelong friends.

 

HAPPIEST YEAR: 1987, when we left London to live in the country.

 

DARKEST MOMENT: Losing our baby daughter, Victoria, to cot death in 1982.

 

PROUDEST BOAST: Being able to manage busy family and working life in a reasonably harmonious way. Having a loving and interesting family and children of whom I am proud. Getting the MBE aged 63.

 

BIGGEST REGRET: Not having a daughter.

 

WORST WEAKNESS: Smoking – but I’ve given up a month ago.

 

LESSON LEARNED: That you reap what you sow in life – if you reach out to people in a kind and caring manner they will (mostly) react similarly. That you should fight for what you believe in and follow your instincts.

 

DULLEST JOB: My first job in a department store after leaving school. I was so lucky to have the drive, ability and opportunity to ‘move on’ – unlike so many young people today.

 

GREATEST SHAME: That being so focused on my work and family and various causes I’ve neglected or lost touch with one or two old friends. That when bereaved in 1982 I failed to understand the emotional needs of our (then) young son James – also bereaved – but because he was young I wrongly assumed he was more resilient. That was selfish and naïve.

 

LIFELONG HERO: Her Majesty The Queen – in spite of all the challenges, upsets and difficulties she has encountered during her reign she has handled herself immaculately and with great dignity; she is a truly extraordinary human being.

 

OLDEST FRIEND: My husband Jim.