I first met Jayne way back in September 1973 at Portsmouth College of Education ;we were  on the same floor,in the same accommodation block.From the first moment ,we knew we'd be forever friends. We had similar family backgrounds(both of us had 3 brothers and one sister),the same zest for life,and the same  sense of humour & fun.The only real difference was that she was a proud Midlands girl,and I was from the West country.

There followed adventures a-plenty...first teaching practice on the Isle of Wight,racing down the Harbour station platform in our platform shoes to get the last ferry back after Dining In.....missing practically the whole of Summer term 1974 to be extras in the film 'Tommy' .....11 of us on our Marrakech express adventure to Morocco in the College minibus, in 1975 .

Jayne and Owen were the trailblazers...Owen had a car !...they were the first ones to move into a rented flat (Sunday evenings watching Poldark ,all gathered round the small TV.)the first ones to get married.

After we graduated,our lives followed different paths.However,those 4 years were the bedrock for the next 40+ .

Too many memories, but here are some. .shared times with our babies,Hannah &Sophie...the wonderful visits to Berlin , Jayne s love of The Lizard , open arm welcomes to The Coach House.

Sharing chutney recipes &knitting patterns took the place of late night parties. Jayne s sparkle and her vivacious love of live never faded.

I will miss her whatsapp messages,signed off with 'big hugs'.Her understanding,kindness,generosity ,mischief & energy will never be forgotten.How lucky am I to have had such a friend.

I read somewhere that grief is the price we pay for love.Well ,my devastating grief must be the price for the everlasting love I will always have for Jayne.

My dearest friend, thank you for everything xx