CAT WOMAN
EVERYONE INSIDE the veterinary practice in Colchester knew the sound that heralded the arrival of Mary Blair; it was that of her Jaguar XK 140 open two-seater, with husband Charlie at her side. Squeezed within the confines of the sparse cockpit would also be one or more of the many cats given a home by Mary.
After his veterinary training, Australian Bill Steele decided to travel around the UK and then to take up a position of locum at the Military Road Veterinary Practice, in Colchester. It was 1976 and he had no idea at the time that he would eventually go on to become a senior partner at the practice, marry and settle down in the area, and make Suffolk his permanent home.
In those early days, Mary, often with Charlie riding shotgun and caring for whatever animal needed attention, would drive her Jaguar in any weather to
