“I was a pub landlord with my husband, Malcolm, during my early adult years mainly around the Black Country, living as tenants above the pubs and bringing up my three lovely children. My favourite pub was The Thorns in Merry Hill.
My husband died at a young age and I had to find somewhere else to live and a new job. This was a really difficult time for me.
I went back to college to refresh my skills and started work as an office administrator, moving to ADT where I managed a team of sales administrators until I retired.
When my husband first started to get ill we had to move out of the pub and started renting with Birmingham City Council. When he died I needed to find somewhere else to live.
So in 1996 I moved to a Bournville Village Trust (BVT) house and I’ve never looked back. It was a life-saver for me at a very difficult stage of my life. I needed somewhere where I could feel safe and secure that I could call home.
All three of my children are grown up adults now and they have all done really well for themselves. They often ask why I don’t buy my own home but I couldn’t be happier than where I am now. This is my home. Even if I won the lottery I think I would still stay here. I have put down my roots and I love this house.
Nowadays, I get involved with my community. After I retired I got bored, as I loved my work and I wanted to give something back. I saw an advert about the Bournville Village Council looking for members so I contacted the chair and came along to one of their meetings. Now I am on the Committee and I help out with all the office admin and paperwork that helps to run Dame Elizabeth Hall, as well as helping out at their Festivals and events.”
Know a tenant who deserves to be recognised and has a great story to share? Please contact Jess Allan by emailing jessicaallan@bvt.org.uk or call 0300 333 6540 (Birmingham) or Fleur Hemmings by emailing fleurhemmings@bvt.org.uk or call 01952 567417 (Telford).