Words mean so much

7:00pm Wednesday 14th May 2008

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THE former first lady of Poole has proved it is never too late to learn, after gaining the skills and confidence to pen an autobiography through adult education.

Rose Allen, whose term as lady mayoress of Poole has just come to an end, believes that attending her first adult basic English class at the age of 58 has turned her life around and given her the confidence to enjoy her civic duties.

"If I hadn't been to English classes I wouldn't have been able to carry off being lady mayoress of Poole because I just wouldn't have had the confidence," she said.

Rose explained that a difficult start to life resulted in her being too self-conscious to even participate in a conversation, let alone write a book about herself. Her father was an alcoholic, and at the age of four she was forced to find refuge at Dr Barnardos with her nine siblings.

"I was told as a child that I was useless and I believed it," Rose said.

When she moved back to Poole, she set up her own home help company and cared for the elderly for about six years.

It was one of her clients, Cathey Gardner, who encouraged Rose to give education a second chance, and also prompted her to share her story.

"She said I should write about my life but I thought: Who would want to read about me?' But when I started I realised it was the kind of book I'd like to read," Rose said.

The grandmother-of-four, with three adopted grandchildren, left school with no qualifications, but found the courage to enrol in an English course at Oakdale Adult Education Centre.

"It's very hard to take that first step, but I haven't looked back since," Rose said.

Almost three years on, not only is she well into her autobiography, The Rose That Flourished, but enjoys writing so much that she kept a daily record of her life as mayoress of Poole in preparation for a follow-up.

Rose is also a keen artist and has nearly finished a free-hand drawing course and intends to study GCSE English and creative writing later this year.

Although she has the full support of her husband, Rose believes it is inner confidence that counts.

"Once you believe in yourself you can do all the things you want to do," she said.

For more information on basic skills classes in English and maths contact Bournemouth adult learning on 01202 451950, Poole adult learning on 01202 262300 or Bournemouth and Poole College on 01202 205205.