The school was in beautifully kept grounds with a perfect open-air stage, and as luck would have it the weather was fine and warm. Many of the would-be 'Dame Sybils' were also housewives 'getting away from it all' and we all enjoyed our freedom so much that it was impossible to take our long-haired dedicated producers too seriously.

We all played many parts, from the witches with their ghoulish brew, to Eliza Doolittle with her "Not ...... likely." The more responsible younger students were awarded the serious roles and the Mums generally took the comedy parts. I was discovered as a natural 'Bottom'.

Only subconsciously were the family on my mind - my room-mates told me on the second morning that I'd woken them in the night by sitting bolt upright in the night, fast asleep, saying in a stern voice - "Be quiet up there" and then more gently - "There's good children."

Once before, whilst I was in uniform, I've 'sleep-talked', said the entire Lord's Prayer at 3 a.m., according to more than twenty WAAF's. The bombs must have been extra close that night.

The Amateur Theatre is one of my great loves and I've belonged to many different societies in various parts of England and Wales. I've been both 'slated' and praised by the critics from the local 'Rags', but have enjoyed every minute of it and don't intend to dissuade Gay from her ambition to belong to R.A.D.A.