Happy

Vida Grant

I first came to England on the 14th March, 1960. I had heard about how England is always cold so before I came off the ship I wrapped myself with newspaper. When I got off the ship it was such a warm day! I thought I was going to faint!

Then my friend came to see me and pick me up and then the next day my friend took me out. A fly got into my eye and oh, I was crying! And then she take me to this fish and chip shop - she didn't believe that I didn't eat the fish, but I didn't like it! I was throwing the chips underneath the table!

From then on I was fine - didn't have no problem, no prejudice, everything was fine for me. 44 years, and I've had 2 children - one is a nurse, she started as a voluntary nurse when she was 15, and one, he went to Manchester University to do computers.

I bring up those children on my own, the father went away and left them - I bring them up on £5 a week, and we were happy. We went and joined the Salvation Army in Kilburn. The children were confirmed at St Augustine's church.

I worked at the old people's home for 18 years. I've seen a lot of changes in that time, plenty, but I've always made sure I'm happy, had a laugh. After I left the old people's home I worked with children - they call it something different now, but then we called it handicapped, and that was very interesting - they give so much love, it was lovely.

I think you've just got to stay happy - if things go wrong, there's nothing you can do so you just accept it and stay happy. All you need is nice friends around you and children, I'm 74 now and I've always had a laugh.