OLIVE SOULSBY

I was born at Leigh-on-Sea Essex where I had a carefree child hood but on the day I started at the Westcliff High School for Girls, war was declared. Nine months later our area became a ghost town and I was evacuated with my school to Chapel-on-le Frith in Derbyshire where I spent two and a half years before the school was able to return home.
A few years later! met and married my husband who was also born at Leigh. We had two children but prospects were poor and money was tight so we moved to Stanmore where later we ran our own Estate Agency business for twenty three years. Our son joined us when he became qualified as a chartered surveyor.

When my husband had a nasty car accident we decided the time had come to retire. Having been born by the sea we felt that we would like to get out of the London area and go back to a coastal town. For a few years we considered lots of places, eventually deciding that the Poole area had the most to offer with its beautiful coast line and countryside yet all we needed close by.

We found 37 Kingcup Close just as the development was starting in May 1991. Having lived here since then I have seen the houses occupied as they were built, and then being the road warden have had the opportunity of meeting the owners and I have found it to be a friendly neighbourhood in which to live.

My life after retirement has been very fulfilling as I have the time to do as I like. My first objective was to continue our family history back in time that my father started when he retired. I was therefore able to spend many days in London at the various record centres including the Society of Genealogists. From this research I have made contact and formed friendships with others who are family members however distant they may be.

In 1993 Poole University of the Third Age was formed and I became a founder member. U.3.A. has grown to about 1,000 members now and we have about 64 classes all taken by voluntary tutors. I have attended a number over the years such as Birds and Wild Flowers, Art, Yoga, Making the most of your Money, Speaking with Confidence, Garden Club and Computers for Beginners Club. The choice is large, something for everybody.

Our French groups are twinned with Cherbourg University of Inter-Age (U.I.A.) and we have made pen friends. Mine have become good friends with my Husband and me and we have spent good holidays with them in France and they with us in England our latest is to the Scilly Isles in May.

We also enjoy our visits to the Theatre, mainly at the Mayflower in Southampton but we have also been to The Globe in London. There are also regular Days Out and Holidays, Coffee mornings with Talks. Pub Walks and Country Walks. So many Opportunities to make good friends.

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