I am sure it is important to have hobbies for our childless days, especially if we can share them with other women (or men) of different ages, whether they have children or not. In my art classes and the orchestra where I play the cello, I am just as worthy as all the other people. I meet many other childless ladies through my hobbies.

This week I have been in an adult residential college in the Lake District doing a course on print-making: etchings and woodcuts are my favourites. There were 8 on the course, in their fifties and sixties.

• 4 had been in demanding careers but had no children

• 4 were married with grown-up children but there was no mention of their jobs. 

We were all interested in the visual arts and we had lots to talk about at meal times. 

I enjoyed it SO much.

Anonymous