In Barbara's own words: 'I was born in Beechmount Maternity Home in Harpurhey on 15th February 1947. It was one of the worst winters with very heavy snowfall. I don't know what time I was born but my Mum reckons it was about teatime. When my Dad phoned (only well-to-do people had phones in those days) the person who answered thought he said his name was Burges, and a Mrs Burges had given birth to a baby boy! My Dad was over the moon thinking he had two boys and two girls! I was the youngest of four children but definitely not spoilt. Times were hard just after the war and money had to be earned the hard way. We never had much in the way of material things or money but we had a happy home and were well loved'.