Short address in the event of being given the GENEROSITY award
at St Mellion, Friday 29th of October 2004
I am humbled and I thank you with words that I hope are far removed from Hollywood.
We are more the creatures of our upbringing than our genes I think - more of nurture than nature.
My Mum had a very soft heart and she loved babies and the natural world as do I. She said "share and share alike" to the four of us. I was the eldest of four in those lean war and post war years.
My Dad had a rudimentary education and a frustrated intellect. He said things like "you can only do your best" and "stand up for yourself". The latter certainly spurred independence of thought but sometimes sounded hard to a sensitive youngster.