“I arrived in Basingstoke to work at the hospital as the first play therapist. It was acknowledged that the children’s wellbeing and emotional needs were intrinsic in their physical recovery. The main hospital had just opened. Princess Alexandra came to officially open it and I represented the children’s ward. It was featured on local TV.”

Lizzy used to live behind the railway station.

“It was such a convenient place to live. I’d roll out of bed and catch the train to Chiswick Poly.”

Lizzy left the hospital to start a family, next running her own playgroup and eventually taking a degree in education and drama, leading to working in schools for many years.

She lived on the Harrow Way estate, then spent a year living in Jersey before moving to Kempshott.

When asked how the area had changed Lizzy told us:

“It’s changed massively over the years. A walk down under the railway tunnel led to open land with a bridge down to Woolworth's and the Sports Centre. I used to do my shopping in Sainsbury's where Iceland is now. Every Saturday we’d get fruit and veg from a stall in the new market square”

Lizzy joined Basingstoke Amateur Theatrical Society (BATS) to have a social life and meet new friends. She acted in two shows a year starting in the chorus. She then took on main parts in productions including Aladdin and Fiddler on the Roof. Most of her life she has been associated with the theatre. About 18 years ago she started running youth theatre groups in village halls before running the youth theatre at Proteus.

“I first became involved in Proteus productions in the late eighties when it was based at The Shrubbery and Fairfields Arts centre. I remember painting the Flat above the Arts centre. Later Proteus moved to a portacabin in the grounds of Queen Mary's College. I stayed at the Arts Centre continuing with the adult drama group there. Approximately 20 years ago I started performing in community projects with Proteus again. Subsequently Proteus moved back to Fairfields Arts centre to take on the running of the building renaming it The Creation Space”

More recently you may have seen her as a naughty elf and Mother Christmas in the Proteus/Scratchbuilt shows or Mrs Blunden in the Basingstoke Festival Parade.

What about the events that hold significant meaning?

“I loved the carnivals back in the day - such a buzz. I used to be part of the children’s procession on the float of the playgroup I ran, which meant the whole family was involved, and the adult procession with BATS. The excitement of being on the float and raising money for charity. It was a growing market town coming together to celebrate. The entire route was lined from Eastrop around the one way system to the War Memorial.  I’m so pleased Love Basingstoke has organised festival parades for the past decade enabling the community to become involved in celebrations again”

Lizzy loves going to the theatre, walking in the villages and the parks in town. One of her favourite places is the little haven of the walled garden in Down Grange.

“We are lucky to have beautiful green places to walk and a lively arts scene. I would highly recommend the Anvil and the Haymarket and the smaller venues such as Central Studio and Proteus Creation Space.”

Why does she stay in the area?

“I have good friends here the town has always given me everything I require. Even though it’s grown, it still has a heart.”

January 2025