I was born in London before the second world war where horses were used for everything from delivery of goods to transport, pleasure and hunting. Cars were at a very early stage of development and horses were terrified of them.

My father was a direct descendant of Sir William Beechey, portrait painter to King George IV and most of the large land holders in UK and Ireland at the time,so my brother, sister and myself were brought up to paint, and enjoyed it. I have painted on and off all my life and have always been interested in all aspects of the arts and going to school in London had every opportunity to attend exhibitions, concerts and plays.

Because, from a small child onwards, I was horse “mad” my parents thought if they taught me to ride, with all it's ups and downs, literally, I would lose interest, but it had the opposite effect and I have owned and ridden horses all my life.

It was by chance that I took up sculpture when I was 91, a little late, but a huge change in my life. I became interested in an exhibition of Kim Perrier's here in Bridgetown. I had never actually done any sculpture, but I found his sculptures extremely interesting and asked him if he would teach me, having not the slightest idea how to start. After the first few lessons, I loved it and the first piece of a standing Arabian horse was completed, from a plastercine model to a finished bronze.

Horses are no problem, simply because I have been fortunate enough to know them thoroughly and have now branched out into cattle and donkeys and having the time of my life.

I have so far exhibited in Dunsbourgh, Pemberton, Bunbury and Rockingham and sold my first piece of the rearing horse, recently. I have three more pieces at the foundry in Fremantle waiting to be cast in bronze and with a limited edition of nine on all pieces. I will soon have enough work for a solo exhibition.

One thing I have learned much to my surprise is that, in life, it is never too late to do anything you want to. In the arts I was lucky enough to find a first class and gifted teacher.

Like Freddy Mercury's song, “ There's no stopping me now.”