Dear Janice - I first encountered her when I was offered the chance to do my 3rd year undergraduate research project alongside her PhD - exploring the efficacy of growing Phacelia at the edges of sweetcorn fields to encourage hoverflies, for the biocontrol of aphid pests within. We did our fieldwork at the Garlic Farm, Isle of Wight, and this meant exciting trips across on the ferry, Janice blagging lifts from the farm staff to get us onto site, as neither of us drove. And resulted in missed ferry crossings home - which was fine, as it allowed for wine-drinking in Cowes pubs, awaiting the next ferry - just what neither of us *really* needed after scorching, drought-throated days on a farm! We clutched our sneakily foraged fresh succulent sweetcorn cobs, asparagus spears and garlic bulbs... Janice introduced me to the possibilities of good food even as an impoverished student!
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'Friendly' is so understating a description - Janice was warm, interested, compassionate, and full of laughter. As distracted and random as some of her conversational threads could become, you knew that yes, she *was* listening to you, your worries, opinions and ideas were totally worthy of her attention. I loved a philosophical meander with her!
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Then of course, I was under her wing. I remained working in the Entomology Department on a couple of long term research projects, so was swept along with the social scene - many parties and meals at her and Dave's home, plus other events in Boldrewood and beyond. I remember moments such as walking back from the department with her to 'lend a hand' for a dinner party...only to discover that when we reached her house, she had yet to actually go shopping for food! "Oh it's ok, you just knock up that [complex and unfamiliar] recipe from my favourite Cranks recipe book, Sue - everyone likes it - whilst I'll go and get the rest of the shopping" aghhh!
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Everyone described Janice as rather an Aunty figure to many in the department - but this is not a frumpy, dismissive description - she was that person you could utterly rely on to make you feel loved, a hug was ready, a laugh... but with genuine concern and personal care underlying her interactions. I absolutely knew that if I dropped by her house, she was unconditionally there for me should I need something. And many people said the same.
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Janice was so game for a themed party. And I loved the opportunity she gave me to plot with her and manufacture, principally from laboratory cardboard boxes, all sorts of ridiculous props and set pieces in her house. A 60s & 70s party involved flower power / psychedelic designs; which she enthusiastically scattered across her otherwise civilised home decor. And a halloween party was especially fun - I built her a cardboard coffin from which she arranged party nibbles, and an array of macabre freshly dug graves with headstones in the garden outside. What did the neighbours think?! I can't remember what Janice dressed up like for these things - a memory picture of her in a blood-spattered sheet, which might have been at a halloween party at our own house; and I also see a vision of her in headband, kaftan and feathers - no doubt she was utterly fabulous, and totally in the spirit of fun!
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I have a naughty memory... at a party of various members of the entomology gang, a certain kind of herbal cigarette was being enjoyed by some. Janice declared she had never tried such a thing, and did a Clintonesque "but I don't think I actually inhaled" puff or two. Her irrepressible giggly nature didn't need more than a glass of wine or two to set her off, but it was very funny to see her panicking that as a mature, responsible adult and parent, people might take an incriminating photo of her indulging in illicit activities!
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I wish I had more photos of the fun she shared with us - we were too busy enjoying it to stop and take snaps, and it was before we were all constantly armed with cameras. I treasure some pictures of her attending our wedding, Matthew and I. A simple event, it was enhanced by having dear friends wanting to witness the moment with us - how glad I am she was there!
**************************************************************
I bumped into Janice a little less frequently in the years after 'Escape from Bolditz', but we still crossed paths from time to time. After playing flute with her father on piano, a couple of times, I saw how she put her parents wellbeing first in her life; and later, I saw how proud and joyful she was to have grandchildren to indulge and encourage. Having my own children meant our lives went off in different live paths of course. But I am SO HAPPY that Janice was such a fun and supportive part of my life, especially in the more formative years when we learn what matters - friends, laughter, thoughtfulness, family, love.
Dear Janice - I first encountered her when I was offered the chance to do my 3rd year undergraduate research project alongside her PhD - exploring the efficacy of growing Phacelia at the edges of sweetcorn fields to encourage hoverflies, for the biocontrol of aphid pests within. We did our fieldwork at the Garlic Farm, Isle of Wight, and this meant exciting trips across on the ferry, Janice blagging lifts from the farm staff to get us onto site, as neither of us drove. And resulted in missed ferry crossings home - which was fine, as it allowed for wine-drinking in Cowes pubs, awaiting the next ferry - just what neither of us *really* needed after scorching, drought-throated days on a farm! We clutched our sneakily foraged fresh succulent sweetcorn cobs, asparagus spears and garlic bulbs... Janice introduced me to the possibilities of good food even as an impoverished student!
************************************************************
'Friendly' is so understating a description - Janice was warm, interested, compassionate, and full of laughter. As distracted and random as some of her conversational threads could become, you knew that yes, she *was* listening to you, your worries, opinions and ideas were totally worthy of her attention. I loved a philosophical meander with her!
***********************************************************
Then of course, I was under her wing. I remained working in the Entomology Department on a couple of long term research projects, so was swept along with the social scene - many parties and meals at her and Dave's home, plus other events in Boldrewood and beyond. I remember moments such as walking back from the department with her to 'lend a hand' for a dinner party...only to discover that when we reached her house, she had yet to actually go shopping for food! "Oh it's ok, you just knock up that [complex and unfamiliar] recipe from my favourite Cranks recipe book, Sue - everyone likes it - whilst I'll go and get the rest of the shopping" aghhh!
************************************************************
Everyone described Janice as rather an Aunty figure to many in the department - but this is not a frumpy, dismissive description - she was that person you could utterly rely on to make you feel loved, a hug was ready, a laugh... but with genuine concern and personal care underlying her interactions. I absolutely knew that if I dropped by her house, she was unconditionally there for me should I need something. And many people said the same.
*************************************************************
Janice was so game for a themed party. And I loved the opportunity she gave me to plot with her and manufacture, principally from laboratory cardboard boxes, all sorts of ridiculous props and set pieces in her house. A 60s & 70s party involved flower power / psychedelic designs; which she enthusiastically scattered across her otherwise civilised home decor. And a halloween party was especially fun - I built her a cardboard coffin from which she arranged party nibbles, and an array of macabre freshly dug graves with headstones in the garden outside. What did the neighbours think?! I can't remember what Janice dressed up like for these things - a memory picture of her in a blood-spattered sheet, which might have been at a halloween party at our own house; and I also see a vision of her in headband, kaftan and feathers - no doubt she was utterly fabulous, and totally in the spirit of fun!
*************************************************************
I have a naughty memory... at a party of various members of the entomology gang, a certain kind of herbal cigarette was being enjoyed by some. Janice declared she had never tried such a thing, and did a Clintonesque "but I don't think I actually inhaled" puff or two. Her irrepressible giggly nature didn't need more than a glass of wine or two to set her off, but it was very funny to see her panicking that as a mature, responsible adult and parent, people might take an incriminating photo of her indulging in illicit activities!
************************************************************
I wish I had more photos of the fun she shared with us - we were too busy enjoying it to stop and take snaps, and it was before we were all constantly armed with cameras. I treasure some pictures of her attending our wedding, Matthew and I. A simple event, it was enhanced by having dear friends wanting to witness the moment with us - how glad I am she was there!
**************************************************************
I bumped into Janice a little less frequently in the years after 'Escape from Bolditz', but we still crossed paths from time to time. After playing flute with her father on piano, a couple of times, I saw how she put her parents wellbeing first in her life; and later, I saw how proud and joyful she was to have grandchildren to indulge and encourage. Having my own children meant our lives went off in different live paths of course. But I am SO HAPPY that Janice was such a fun and supportive part of my life, especially in the more formative years when we learn what matters - friends, laughter, thoughtfulness, family, love.
