Catherine Milner
b. 28 August 1961
Burton-on-Trent
Catherine Margaret Ann Milner was born 28th August 1961 in Burton-on-Trent, the second child of Dot and Peter. She was called Ann after her grandmother on her father's side.
In 1964, the Milner family moved to Dibden Purlieu near Southampton, Hampshire, Catie attended primary school with her brother.She grew up in France from the age of eight. Her family moved there in 1969, when her father got a job in Paris with Goodyear. She attended the Ecole Primaire in Ville D’ Avray. Catie received her Baccalaureat from the Lycee de Sevres. Then for one year, Catie studied History of Art at the Ecole de Louvre.
Following this in 1981, Catie went to England to attend Homerton College at Cambridge University (a teacher training college), and graduated with a Bachelor of Education in French. Catie enjoyed rowing for her college and earned her oar in the boat races called “The Bumps”.
Catie met Richard Bason at a college disco while she was at Cambridge University. He was born 5th May 1960 in Cambridge to Sheila and Dick. Richard has two sisters, Sue and Helen. He read Politics at Swansea University.
After graduation in 1985, Catie was a French teacher at Cottenham Village College in Cambridgeshire. In 1986, she worked in retail at The Body Shop in Cambridge. Then Catie was a primary school teacher for 9 to 11 year olds at Grange Middle School in Harrow for two and a half years.
Cate & Richard Bason
Catie married Richard on 16th August 1986 at a church in Trumpington, Cambridge. Her Bridesmaids were Sufia, Alison (college friend) and Amy and Beth (Richard’s nieces). Richard’s Bestman was Rupert (Ricard’s friend). They had a lovely outdoor reception at Swynford Paddocks, Six Mile Bottom.
16th August 1986
Trumpington, Cambridge
TWO CHILDRENIn 1988, she wrote a book about living in France for McMillians, entitled “France”. It was one of a series of books for children in schools learning about France.
In 1990, Richard accepted a three year assignment for the BBC in Sydney, Australia. Catie taught at the International Grammar School there until she became a mother in 1992. Madelaine Cecile Bason (Maddie) was born in Crows Nest, Sydney on 29th April 1992.
In November 1993, the Bason family moved back to England. Their second daughter, Eleanor Anna Bason, (Ellie) was born in Hemel Hempstead on 31st October 1994.
They currently live in Harpenden, near London.
Cate is running craft workshops for children with her friend, Liz. They organize craft activities such as glass painting, collage, mask-making, decoupage, clay work, wire work, and sewing. The workshops are held on Saturdays, every two weeks.
Richard left the BBC in May 2000. He then worked in the Medical publication division for E Mimms at Haymarket Publications.
Maddie and Ellie attend Grove Junior School in Harpenden.
Maddie plays the piano and the recorder. She swims and goes to tap dancing lessons. She is now in the Guides. Ellis plays the piano and the recorder as well. She goes to Scottish dancing lessons, she swims and is a Brownie.
Catie likes travel, reading, cinema, eating out, craft activities, Richard likes gardening, playing the piano, cooking and eating out, travel, reading and cinema.
