I've known Valerie all my life so I'm delighted to find this tribute on what would have been her birthday.  Valerie always introduced me as someone she'd known since I was a bump.  She and my parents had been friends for years and she wasmy honorary Godmother. Valerie was a wonderful, warm and inspiring person.  She had a wicked sense of humour which I loved and tremendous personal style.  I loved her tales of working in PR and in many ways she inspired me to take up a career in design.  Most recently, it was always great to have her company at Dad's Memorial bike run from the Haynes Motor Museum.  We caught up on the gossip, reminisced and had huge laughs on topics like which one of us fancied the actor Daniel Craig most.  I miss her very much