Pamela Baguely grew up in a little Yorkshire village, with quite a few of her extended family living close by. Her family loved music and her earliest and happiest memories are of sing songs around the piano…

Pamela (far right) with her cousins Gillian & Jeni

Music and singing have always played an important part in Pamela's family life, and though she doesn't think of herself as much of a singer she has always enjoyed the singing of other family members. She says it's given them 'closeness, security, a sense of belonging and happiness'.

As a child, Pamela lived above her grandparents corner shop. Her earliest memory is at the age of 3, sitting on her grandparents' knees with her mother beside her as they sang 'Run rabbit'.

Pamela's grandparents corner shop

After Pam's granddad died, her grandmother moved into a smaller house a short distance away, and Pam's youngest auntie took over their shop. Pam's grandmother had a small rosewood Challen piano in the front room which the aunts and uncles would come round to play.

Over the years, and particularly on special occasions, the whole family would congregate and they would all have a sing-song. One of the aunts or uncles would play the piano from sheet music from the 40s, 50s or early 60s. The children joined in and loved it. In time Pam and her cousin Gillian learnt the piano too, mostly classical pieces and a few popular songs.

Pamela now

Though Pamela only went to a small local secondary school she was fortunate to have had a fantastic music teacher who was very enthusiastic and continued to foster her love of music and singing. One year the Music Man was showing at the Grand Theatre in Leeds and she took two classes of children to an evening performance. Beforehand she taught them all the songs from the show so that on the night they knew every word.

Pamela now has two children of her own and the family still has family singalongs. Her eldest daughter Julianne plays the piano, and the youngest Felicity plays violin, recorder, flute, piano and guitar.