TODAY is my 40th birthday, so I’m going to tell you 40 ways Salisbury has made me who I am.

1. It has inspired a thirst for the romance of antiquity.

2. And a love of fairgrounds.

3. Old man pubs.

4. Nature.

5. And al fresco activities...

6. ...But not working on a stall.

7. Growing up it gave me: a safe-ish place to make mistakes without serious consequences.

8. …but with a few dicey brushes to prepare for life;

9. High expectations of people from the funny, clever, talented, creative weirdos I grew up with.

10. And a distorted sense of the size of a city.

11. Key experiences include meeting friends whose children I’m now godmother to.

12. The after-school bus station scene.

13. Lovely country boys who picked flowers.

14. The bass throb of live music at the Arts Centre.

15. My first cigarette – and my last.

16. Photography club.

17. Milford Street antiques market.

18. Writing poems on bus station caff napkins.

19. The ladies’ stories during Oxfam work experience.

20. Learning to drive.

21. My first prang.

22. Devouring magazines while working at Circle K.

23. Re-taking A levels (if at first…).

24. Shivering through winter films at the cinema (aesthetics over comfort).

25. My first job post-uni.

26. Giving a speech in the cathedral.

27. Writing a column for the local paper.

28. Teenage balls (a lifelong love of unnecessary glamour).

29. Discovering the romantic poets in the school library.

30. The Cocteau Twins on vinyl in Our Price.

31. ...and Reeves cheese straws.

32. And I have learned: moping by water helps me think.

33. Dates don’t have to be drinks/dinner.

34. If some teachers make their dislike of you clear, you can still do well in life.

35. …because others will inspire a love of art, literature and history.

36. …but not hockey or maths.

37. If an older, harder girl throws a drink over you throw two over her.

38. …but listen to her friends when they warn you to ‘lay low for a bit’.

39. Finally, sometimes it’s good to go back.

40. …but only if it moves you forwards.