Charlotte and I have always been able to say anything to each other without causing offence. She’s that sort of lady. Straight talking, attentive listening, gives as good as she gets. We always talked about going into business together, but couldn’t decide doing what.

She is kind and generous with her time and her house. So many times she would host us all on a Tuesday, making us drinks and showing endless patience with the hordes of children that between us all we have managed to create. Producing a delicious shepherd’s pie, or having all the beautifully chopped ingredients for the children to make their own pizza (although she did burn Polly’s..), hosting Halloween parties, making pancakes, organising day trips and camping trips and drinks for the girls.

My family and I moved to Portishead in 2010. After a difficult first 5 months, not knowing anyone, doing the playgroup circuit ‘speed dating’ other Mums looking for like-minded souls, I met Charlotte at the same Gymtots session as Ruth. Our children already knew each other from Nursery and their rapturous greetings to each other made it plain that we would have to become friends. Two hours of climbing, bouncing and swinging (mostly them), gave us enough time to swap life stories and for me to decide that along with Sarah, I had finally met the women who were going to make Portishead Home.

I said to Charlotte recently how great it is that as friends we were all immediately able to feel comfortable waltzing in and getting the kettle on in each other’s houses. She said actually that was just me, and she had been surprised at the libertyJ.

I was then and still am so impressed and not a little jealous of Charlotte’s drive, passion and amazing artistic talent. She has always known that’s what she wanted to do and she set about making it happen, taking her experiences and inspiration wherever she could lay her hands on them. She never seems to have shied away from anything, this, together with her fierce loyalty, compassionate nature and her sense of fun and the ridiculous makes her a remarkable Mum to Seb and Liv. Her Clown training once proved particularly useful in getting a reticent Jamie to eat his tea, although it totally stopped my two in their tracks as they downed cutlery to enjoy the show!

When we met, George and Liv were only about 9 months old. Now they are best friends and it’s brilliant to see them together. It all looks set for a beautiful marriage….

When I think of Charlotte I think of Kids Tea at each other’s houses. Our children playing, fighting and laughing together – Noah’s Ark, picnics on a sunny day and coffee in the indoor Soft Play on a rainy day. – Sitting by the pool in glorious sunshine after the wettest, windiest camping weekend ever. – Cocktails at Browns followed by drinks at Hyde &Co. – Having a pedicure together

Endless, endless chat about funny stuff, difficult stuff, everyday stuff, important stuff, the children, the nursery, schools, families, art, life drawing, a shared obsession with Rightmove, husbands, the children again…..the list goes on and on.

Seb and Liv. Your Mum is an amazing friend and I love Love LOVE her dearly. X