CAROLE BARRAN WAS 60 IN JUNE

"I got my first ever Sindy I think around 5 or 6. I can’t remember one particular Sindy, but my love of dolls even back then was definitely established at a very young age. I even pushed my dolly pram to church one Saturday. The only trouble with that was that I was only 3, and of course church was closed. With an early love of clothes and dressing up, owning a Sindy was going to be a high priorityinmylife.

An early childhood memory was makingasofaformySindyintheshed with my dad. He loved pottering around and making and fixing things. So whilst I appeared very girlie and maternal, building things and being with my dad were the best times. I can even remember that I used a brownfabricforhertositon!

Having just been re-introduced to the world of Sindy's as I approached my 60s seemed a serendipitous moment! My memories of owning Sindys and the love I had for them initially left me hankering to be back to those times Everything was so simple then: me Sindy and sometimes Tiny Tears, and of course my dad! It would be remiss of me not to mention by mum as she was the one who would go shopping and come back with bags of dolls clothes.

I still remember the joy those treats brought. I must have been only around 9 when I was bought a Singer treadle sewing machine, as I clearly loved dressing the dolls, so naturally, making them outfits was the next step. Perhaps this is why I am now in my happiest owning a childrenswear brand inspired bythebirthofmyfirstgrandchild.

Clearly it was all written down for me, but not until my 60th year was it going to come into fruition. I am therefore very proudtobe sharingthe stage with Sindy as I like to think I’m a little bit like her - definitely because we clearly share a love of clothes!! That will never change!!"