One of the South West’s most recognisable personalities, Judi joined Old Girls, current sixth form pupils, parents, staff and Governors for a three course dinner before delivering her highly entertaining talk.
Inspiring her audience to embrace opportunity even in the face of adversity, she talked about her dream to be Hollywood actress and how her promising career was cut short when she broke her back after sleep-walking out of a bedroom window. Judi said that her year in recovery consolidated her belief to make the most of everything that came her way.
Her can-do attitude set Judi on a path to the bright lights of the big city to present many of the UK’s top daytime TV programmes including Pebble Mill and her own chat show ‘Judi’. She presented an afternoon programme on Radio 2 and more recently returned to her home county to present a popular local radio programme.
There was even a surprise appearance from her most famous co-presenter Gus Honeybun. The puppet was her sidekick and the Westward television mascot when Judi got her first job on air as a continuity announcer with the ITV regional franchise holder 38 years ago.
Over the years Judi has interviewed a host of celebrities and politicians and had many an entertaining tale to tell. She proved an inspiration to the Year 13 girls who will shortly be leaving school having been one of the few female television presenters to earn her own eponymous show.
The Amy Key lecture was first established by the Old Girls’ Association (OGA) five years ago and takes its name from the school’s first headmistress. It is intended to inspire the pupils who are leaving and welcome them into the OGA. Each of the leavers is presented with a badge by the speaker.
“Judi’s story is truly inspiring,” said Sue Dowding, Chairman of the OGA. “Everyone thoroughly enjoyed her talk and left feeling uplifted. This may have been our best lecture yet.”
The event was kindly sponsored by St Michaels Hotel, The Alverton Manor, The Merchant House, Hall for Cornwall and Waterstones.
