Yvonne Mary Saunders

My Story

“Some people go through life trying to fi nd out what the world holds for them, only to fi nd out too late that it’s what they bring to the world that really counts.

OR It’s not what the world holds for you it’s what you bring to it”.

I hope my life has made a positive difference to those I touch.Anne Of Green Gables

Yvonne Mary Saunders

Yvonne Mary Saunders

19th May 1956St David’s Hospital — Cardiff

Mum - Mary Constance CheesemanDad - Lenard Saunders

Sister - Christine Margret Saunders

Noel John Saunders &Stephen Mark Saunders

BORN:

PARENTS:

SIBLING:

CHILDREN:

My Family

Image Top Right: From left to right - Mum back row, Ben in the middle with 1st wife, Gran on the end, Gramps on the end and Dad the other side.

Mary, Bill & Gran on their wedding day

Len & Mary on their wedding dayLen & Mary, Ely Cardiff

Alice and Arthur Cheeseman Fanny and Arthur Saunders

Mum, Dad and Me

Constance Mary Saunders (born Cheeseman)

7th August 1928

Alice Maud DaviesArthur William Cheeseman

Bill, Glenys, Dorothy

Yvonne & Christine

Noel, Stephen, Craig, Neil & Lewes

Alicia, Simone, Aleya & Sophia

NAME:

BORN:

PARENTS:

BROTHERS & SISTERS:

CHILDREN:

GRAND CHILDREN:

GREAT GRAND CHILDREN:

Mum

I have a lot to thank my mother for, mainly her community spirit, determination, fi nancial awareness, hard working attitude to life and helping me become the person I am today.

Days I remember are the ones where she would let her hair down and take me to Cardiff to the cinema. She so loved fi lms and started me off with Saturday fi lm club as soon as I could go to Penarth on a bus on my own.

She has nursed me through some big operations and comforted me through many trips to the dentist and most of all she helped me with two handfuls of bouncing, energetic boys. She is also the only person I know who has been by my side at my three weddings and is still by my side today.

DadLen Saunders

Born 2nd July 1930 in Cardiff

Fanny Maud (maiden name Griffi ths)Arthur Saunders

Ben and Mary

Yvonne & Christine

NAME:

BORN:

PARENTS:

SIBLINGS:

CHILDREN:

Met Mum at the end of the 40s and married 10th September 1951 in Cardiff.

Dad spent much of his early life in a hospital an isolation unit in Ely Hospital, Cardiff.

His family were given a new home in Ely due to his illness and he was never expected to live, I’m glad he did.

Dad was my rock, proud of me when I was right and when I was wrong, he would have given his life for me and my sister. God bless him and may he rest in peace...

Len aged 6

Len in his teens Len in Ireland not knowing he was to be a Dad in 1955

Len and Ben

Proud Dad in 1956

As a child I would love to sing and dance. I loved Christmas and dressing up, which I still do. Mum always bought me coordinating outfi ts and I felt like a princess, well, nothing changes there!

I was named “Yvonne” after the actress “Yvonne de Carlo”, well, it was better than “Maud” or “Fanny” after my Gran s.

I gained the nick name Bonny as I had two dimples and always smiled and won the judges hearts in the mother and baby contests.

I hated school, they made me write with my right hand (I’m left handed) and put me in the corner for poor writing, spelling and asking questions all the time. I didn’t fi nd out until much later I was dyslexic.

This is when I stopped being happy as a child...

I am proud to be Welsh

Dad would take me to work with him in the holidays selling tickets for deck chairs at Penarth beach, I always had the tips and bought the ice creams, I loved those days.

We moved from the Cottage in Cosmeston to Llandough and a new house with an inside toilet and hot running water. Dad and I had “buckshee” trips into Cardiff for “Sarsaparilla” and a clock work tin toy — brilliant days. We spent summer holidays at “Butlins” and came back with arm loads of fi rst prize certifi cates.

We had a TV when I was 8 years old the same day I had a new sister (1964) and the “Beatles” were my heroes.

I still hated school (Cogan) but I had new interests, the brownies (1st Llandough) and sang in my church choir (St. Dochdwy’s) and I had friends who liked me, even though I couldn’t spell, result! Best friend’s Kim followed by Diana and Jackie.

One of my strongest memories from this period was the time that I got lost in Cardiff Market when I wandered off from Mum, I felt totally alone and really frightened for the fi rst time in my life.

The big kids destroyed my black mama doll and I was bullied in school for being different.

But I kept trying to be good...

St Dochdwy 1st Llandough Cardiff Market Cogan Junior

I was always experimenting and getting into trouble, running discos, staying out late, wild parties, I am sure my sister will be shocked to fi nd out that I was no angel.

We lived in Cogan and I hated every moment, sorry Mum but not a good move. My Dad took me to every religious event he could fi nd, to make me aware and open my eyes to ecclesiastical perils. Dad was brought up in a very strict Salvation Army environment and believed the more aware you were the better your choice, he was right but, I was still confi rmed in 1970 and attended my confi rmation in a mini skirt.

I loved travel, still do and my fi rst trips abroad were to St Paul de leon, France to visit my pen pal, which is why France will always be special to me.

I loved Thursdays I watched “Top of the Pops” and swapped “Jackie” magazine with “Musical Express” .

Dad made me stay up and watch the “men” land on the moon and took me to see the “moon rock” on display at Cardiff Museum.

I also discovered boys!

Who would be a teenager again!

Bonny lost in France St Paul de Leon Mum and me at the Queens Jubilee street party

My sister is an amazing women. She’s brought up three fi ne boys and was so proud to be a Grand mother before me, well done.

With such a big age gap it was diffi cult to be sisters as children but, as adults we know life has brought us the same sorrows and extraordinary joys.

I love her just the way she is...

My Sister

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“When sisters stand shoulder to shoulder, who stands a chance against us?”

-- Pam Brown

Hard timesMy Granny Fanny, comes to live with us after her stroke, but soon after had another and died. Her death affected me badly having never lost someone I knew before, I grew older that day.

Growing upBoys are now a big part of my life along with examinations. Still in a mini skirt and long hair and a fi gure that was a magnet for older boys.

My Dad had his hands full and when I brought home “ Miguel Felicia ” he nearly had a fi t. That however came later when Miguel drove him from Cogan to Barry Dock s in 10 minutes, really!

School lifeNow at St Cyres School, Penarth I was told I was a “Dyslexic” it didn’t help the

way I felt about myself but, the bullying stopped. I now attracted the top boys, it seemed I had a major advantage over the rest of the girls and it didn’t involve spelling!

First jobI started work with “Ozzy” selling fruit and veg from the back of the van and progressed to being top sales person for Penarth fruit and veg market with my best friend Kim.

And, let me tell you that even a dyslexic can pass exams and I passed my O levels and A levels with a place at Cardiff University—So don’t ever tell me its not worth the effort. Trying is what counts not who gets there fi rst.

Life is what you make it and I was just about to make mine!

1963-1973Gran exercising after stroke

By the time I was 15 years old I had met Bill while on holiday with Kim in St Ives, Cornwall.

First proper wage packetBill moved from London and worked for JB Volkswagen and I worked with Barclays Trust Co. in Cardiff - I remember my fi rst wage packet, I had never had so much money!

However, bank life was not for me, conforming to rules, was never me so I

moved to the charity “Help the Aged “. I raised more funds for Mid Glamorgan than had ever been achieved before. I had a company car and an expense account and yes, I was very happy.

Bill and I moved from living with Mum and Dad to living together. Our fi rst home was in St Anne’s Drive, Llantwit Fadre, I think I broke my Dads heart that day.

Bill and I were engaged on 18th Sep 1976 and marry in Barry Methodist church.

1974-1976Barclays Bank Me and Bill Bev, Angela and Christine

This was an extremely lucky time of my life!

I passed my driving test and Bill bought me my fi rst car a “Ford Anglia” 105e(Reg E417 NNY - its not just my sons who can remember!)

I was free to go any where and the fi rst to drive in my family. I loved that car.

It was time to move jobsI had itchy feet and Bill suggested the “Echo” little did he know it would be the best suggestion ever.

Sometimes the choices you make in life you know are right, these are the best

choices when you wake up the next morning with no regrets. Life at the South Wales Echo was amazing.

I was almost sacked in the early days fornot disclosing I was dyslexic, but they gave me a second chance and I didn’t let them down.

This is when I also meet a new circle of friends, Hilary, Kathy, Mary and Sue.

And a new chapter of my life begins...

1977-1980

“I’ve always worked very, very hard, and the harder I worked, the luckier I got.”Alan Bond

It was time for me to grow up!I had resisted having children after my miscarriage years before.

But the body clock was ticking and Bill and I had realised that living in a massive Farm House with just us and the dog roaming about was just not enough for us.

Becoming a mumOn the 26th April 1981 in the middle of the biggest snow storm to hit Wales, Noel John Saunders became the our fi rst born and fi rst grandson for Mum and Dad.

We never wanted Noel to be the only child and on the 15th January 1983,

Stephen Mark Saunders was delivered making us a family.

Going back to workMaking ends meet was not easy in those days and my dream to be a full time Mum was not to be.

It was very hard for me to go back to work, I missed the boys so very much but, I had to think of the family now and my good friend Stella took over my roll. Stellas husband, Billy, has now sadly died but the two of them looked after the boys as if they were their own, a really special couple.

Life was never the same after going back to work and I always felt I had let the boys down.

1981-1985

My life’s work!

Noel has given me a life time of worry and laughter, a really bright guy with the worries of the world on his shoulders.

He will never know how much I missed him when he left home, but I think I now know how my Dad felt, all those years ago when I did.

I know he is proud of me and all that I achieve but I don’t think he realises I have always been proud of him and always will.

I love the things he makes me and they follow me wherever I live.

Noel John Saunders

I have seen Stephen fulfi l his dreams and try his hardest to succeed against very diffi cult odds.

He is the type of friend you need when your losing your head and blaming it on others.

He has been with me in my darkesthours and we have watched eachother grow.

I am never quite sure who’s mentoring who!

A real people person, just like his Mum.

Stephen MarkSaunders

As I tried to settle down as a working Mum I planned our move from the farmhouse in Penycoedcae to a new home where we could try to be a family once more, however, the tug of war I faced with working life and being a Mum was never easy.

It was a hard job at the paper with many late nights and although I met loads of famous people including Max Boyce, Jimmy Savile and Russell Grant it never made up for the time I lost with the boys. My marriage suffered and I blame no one for that but felt empty and drifted.

Then at a time when I needed it, I met “Graham Pitman” the new Deputy MD at the paper, he gave me focus and with it my motivation returned. Graham gave me a choice, one I took with both hands and my business life never looked back, he didn’t care if I was dyslexic just that I could do the job - and I did with the help from my good friends.

At the “Echo”

My newspaper career fl ourished and I was in big demand. As they say in the movies “I was made an offer I just couldn’t refuse”.

So bye bye Wales, hello Southampton. I worked at the “Southern Evening Echo” and the whole family moved, Bill found a job selling cars and we lived at 8, Cherrywood Gardens Totton.

However, my marriage to Bill was coming to an end and with it I made the choice to move and make a fresh start. Not on my own but with my very loving and amazing boys, Noel and Stephen. I know it was hard for them at fi rst and I thank them for standing by me.

I see no ships only hardships!

My move to the “Crawley Observer & Weekend Herald” was to be the best and worst time of my life and would challenge my life’s values to their limits.

Now at the top of my game and commanding telephone number salaries, driving a go faster Porsche and settling down with the boys I started to enjoy my life once more.

I met more famous people, I sang with “Eddie the Eagle”, danced with the Crawley football team, had tea with

“Dame Vera Lynn”, travelled fi rst class and won the “Newspaper Societies” award for the “fastest growing” weekly newspaper in the UK. What could go wrong!

It was at this time Dad died and my world came crashing down. However, with the help of my family and especially Noel and Stephen I eventually moved on.

It was at this time I also met Phil, the love of my life.

To be or not to be, this was the question!

My marriage to Chris was short lived and many think only unhappiness came from it, but this is far from the truth.

From this relationship came “CY Logistics Ltd”, my fi rst company. I loved creating something from nothing and although I was unable to fulfi l my dream to make it a success before I left, I learnt a lot about myself.

I also enjoyed my time as “Town Manager for Heathfi eld” (when I helped raise over £250,000 for the community) which would never have happened if I hadn’t met Chris.

If you look hard enough you will always fi nd the positive in the negative.

CY Logistics Ltd

When written in Chinese the word crisis is composed to two characters.One represents danger, and the other represents opportunity.John F. Kennedy

You’re the only one who can make the difference. Whatever your dream is, go for it.Earvin Magic Johnson

I have been very lucky in my life when it comes to education, I was one of the lucky ones when it came to fi nding out I was dyslexic.

Although under control, it is frustrating and if I had one wish it would be that I was able to communicate as well in print as I can face to face. I hope this book will show if you try hard and focus your goals you can achieve anything.

I get a real buzz from learning something new and even better seeing others with that “light bulb moment”, its just amazing.

I have gained GCSEs, A levels, Diploma’s and been

on too many courses to remember. I have found the paperwork frustrating, the mental work stimulating and the practice extremely profi table.

With knowledge comes insight, with this you can fi nd options and with options comes hope, I tell my sons constantly the better informed you are the better the choices you can make and the more fulfi lled you will become until one day you know your life’s purpose.

I was born to coach and mentor and to achieve my diploma in Life Coaching was the icing on the cake.

Self development has been the focus of my whole life....

These guys kept me going in my darkest days...I owe a debt of gratitude to Peter Lindsey and Linda Dean who didn’t know at the time but helped me at a diffi cult time in my life.

I encourage everyone who sees this to join a community group, you get out far more than you put in.

My good friend Gill who died of cancer.

Looking great and as mad as ever my mates from the Eastbourne Rotary Am.

My mates who have stood by me even when the choices I made seemed so bad!I don’t have the words to thank them for being there so I will let someone who can.

We cannot tell the precise moment when friendship is formed. As in fi lling a vessel drop by drop, there is at last a drop which makes it run over. So in a series of kindness there is, at last, one which makes the heart run over.James Boswell

My Friends

Joyce – On days when I felt I looked at my most hideous, she worked her magic and transformed my locks into a fl owing master piece. She has become a close friend and I love her attitude to life and all those in it.

Sue – It is a rare thing in life when you meet someone who shares your life values, so when you do, you know you have made a friend for life. As my Mum always says “you’re more like sisters than sisters”. Without her I feel like I have lost a limb.

Gerry – Has been a friend since the early 1990s when we met at a Newspaper Conference in Birmingham. His thirst for knowledge was unstoppable and I am proud of the way he’s run his business, his way! I am so happy to have been part of his achievements both business & social, he’s a true Entrepreneur and mate.

People who have inspired me:

Sir Robin Miller:EMAP newspapers, a true publisher and brilliant mentor to me.

Eddy Shah:Businessman and founder of the Today newspaper.

Boudica: Britain’s warrior queen so beautiful and serene, but spirited and strong-willed, sounds like someone I know!

Margaret Thatcher:Champion of free minds and markets, shame about the politics.

David Beckham: Born on May 2, 1975 (makes him a Taurus like me) iconic athlete and amazing dad, excellent role model.

Family and Friends:But most of all my family and friends without them my life would be so empty.

When I least expected it, the man of my dreams walked into my life, sometimes things just seem right.

However, I was in no rush to get married again and was very happy with our relationship as it was. Then the unexpected happened, my father and Phil’s sister, died and as we both tried to rebuild our lives we drifted apart, more interested in our families that ourselves. Fate on the other hand, had other plans for us.

Years later our paths crossed again and our friendship was reignited. We always loved doing the same things and visiting the same places so it was inevitable that we would be together.

For those of you reading this, who do not know Phil, you

can sum him up by his hobbies and interest. He loves Harley Davidson bikes, they are a mans bike and if you’ve ever been on one you know what I mean. His love of fi ne crystal and cars were always going to take him to the door of “Lalique” and he’s picked up one or two mascots along the way. He is mad about black and chrome and we have all been subjected to his ultra Bang and Olufsen speakers, well you can’t miss them really.

Deep down he is a typical Cancerian, born on the same day as my father, a quiet, deep thinker with the kindest of hearts, only those extremely close ever get to see.

He takes me as I am and has the strength of character to accept that sometimes I am right and I love him for that.

Philip

121 business coachLiving in Spain has given Sue and I the opportunity to work together.

I always said I would never go into partnership after CY Logistics Ltd but have realised that if you fi nd a partner that has the same values and beliefs as you it’s a partnership made in heaven not hell.

It seems we know what the other is thinking before it is even said.

The Women in Business ClubThe “Women in Business Club” has helped me focus my use and networking skills, charity and community work along with business training all in one organisation. I am delighted to be one of their directors and have made many new friends along the way.

It was my Dad who said “you have to put more back into the community than you take out to reap thebenefi ts of a social life”, that is so true.

Viva España

It is rare to fi nd a business partner who is selfl ess. If you are lucky it happens once in a lifetime.Michael Eisner

We’re here for a reason. I believe a bit of the reason is to throw little torches out to lead people through the dark.Whoopi Goldberg

Philip and I were married on the 5th April 2008 at Langshot Manor, Horley. This was one of the happiest days of my life. I thought I would never re-marry but Phil gave me back my courage to try one more time and I am so glad I did.

I wake every morning with my sole mate by my side and I know I made the right decision.

It is always diffi cult trying to knit two families together but Phil and I understand each others values and compromise is indeed a wonderful thing. Our new life in Spain has been diffi cult for the families and I know Noel and Stephen have felt it the most, but just as I never stand in their way they have never stood in mine.

Philip and I...

Sometimes just a smile on our face can help to make this world a better place. Stand up for the things that are right. Try to talk things out instead of fi ght. Lend a hand when you can. You can help to make a difference . . .Robert Alan

The future!