What does music mean to you?

Music has always been my compass in life. Even now, when I walk into a room, I’ll walk straight past all the art exhibition people with their pictures hanging on the wall, doing nothing, and make my way to the piano. I can’t help it - it’s just who I am. My mum was different; she wouldn’t even notice the piano. Isn’t that strange? But that’s what happens when something’s in your blood - you gravitate towards it, and different people gravitate towards different things.

These days, I still play regularly at the community centre in Hampton Street. Every Wednesday, I get driven down there in style by the carers. They help me in and out of the car, and I take my music stool with me so I can sit at the piano properly.

They spoil me rotten down there - it’s really nice. I always sit with Colin because he’s my number one fan. He’s only 67, if you can believe it. Everybody’s so young these days, and here’s your mum being so bloody old! But as they say, you’re only as young as you feel, and playing music always brings a smile to the dial.

They host a Chatty Cafe, free for all residents of Hampton and the surrounds, which I think is quite lovely. They’ve set it up mainly for people like me - oldies who live on their own - so we can go and have a chat. They have all sorts of activities going on every day - yoga lessons and dance lessons and things like that. But for me, it’s all about the piano and the people.