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Meet the Planner

Val Mattinson - Christopher Terry Photography

Hi I'm Val and I'm the Creative Director and Planner behind Benessamy. As part of our 6th Birthday celebrations, I thought I'd share a few factoids about me:

  • My parents are from the beautiful Caribbean Island of Barbados.
  • I'm part of a HUGE family that spans across the UK, the Caribbean and the US
  • When I was little I wanted to be a nurse like my mum, until I discovered I was squeamish!
  • I'm a MASSIVE fan of the Smiths something that I've not been able to shake since my teens!

Smiths Fan - aged 18

  • I cry whenever I watch DIY SOS
  • Current favourite film: The Pursuit of Happiness
  • I'm a recovering soapaholic having weaned myself off watching TV soaps!
  • I'm multi lingual - I can speak Yorkshire, Bajan and London, fluently!
  • My husband proposed to me in a little place in Cornwall called Ding Dong!
  • I was married by a female vicar in 1994 and our wedding was her very first wedding.

Me and Mr M

  • I'm the mother of a 21 year old creative fashionista (Jessamy) and an 18 year old power athlete (Ben) both with more determination and drive than you can shake a stick at! The name ‘Benessamy' is a combination of their names. They are my daily inspiration and definitely keep me focused and on my toes!

My Two!

  • Current Favourite Book: Abundance Now by Lisa Nichols
  • All time favourite book: Captain Corellis Mandolin
  • Current Favourite Perfume: Earl Grey and Cucumber by Jo Malone
  • I met my husband almost 30 years ago at nurses night at the Irish Club in Nottingham and neither of us are Irish or nurses!
  • Hair styles - I've had a few!

Back in the day

  • Chocolate or Cheese? - That's a tough one! I have a sweet tooth but I have a cheeseboard weakness too!
  • Two of my favourite quotations:

Maya Angelou Quote

Comparison is the thief of joy

For the more ('official') facts about me...) head over to our About page.

Until next time,

Val x

Top image credit: Christopher Terry Photography

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