Carmen Cummings was born in 1943 in Grenada, a small island in the British West Indies. Growing up in a large family of five brothers and five sisters, Carmen’s childhood was vibrant and full of activity. Her parents, whom she credited with providing a solid upbringing, instilled in her a sense of discipline and ambition. At school, she thrived in the rigorous structure of a Roman Catholic education, excelling in a broad curriculum that ranged from history and geography to cookery and hygiene. She particularly enjoyed spelling tests and reading, passions that stayed with her throughout her life.

In 1963, at the age of 20, Carmen left Grenada for England to join her fiancé. The journey was by ship, and she arrived in London dressed impeccably, carrying her suitcase and gloves, embodying the aspirations of a young woman embarking on a new chapter. Settling first in the Royal Borough of Kensington, she found the area charming but soon faced the realities of adjusting to life in a colder, less familiar environment. While Kensington and later Brent offered comfort, an emergency relocation to Hackney left her longing for the tranquillity of her earlier neighbourhoods. Despite her initial dislike for Hackney, Carmen eventually adjusted, finding solace in her local church, which became a source of community and spiritual comfort.

Carmen’s working life in England was diverse and industrious. She began with various jobs, including working at Battersea Park and a factory in Notting Hill Gate, where she made Valentine’s Day cushions and worked with German plastics. Later, she found a stable and secure role with London Transport, working on buses, a job she intended to keep for six months but stayed in for over two decades. Carmen valued the job’s benefits, including free travel and a uniform, though she often joked about how it limited her wardrobe choices outside work. Balancing her career with family life was important to her, especially ensuring she was present when her children came home from school.