Professional Journey
A Brief Profile: Dietitian Experienced in Both NHS and Private Sectors
Valerie graduated from Reading University with an honours degree in Zoology and then completed her dietetics training at the University of London. She rose to become Chief III Dietitian at Guy's Teaching Hospital in London. Whilst at Guy's, she played a vital part in setting up a Clinical Nutrition Working Party which produced an Enteral Feeding Policy. She also trained about 12 Dietetic Students a year, many of whom now hold senior positions in various hospitals throughout the United Kingdom. She assisted in various research projects, one of which included the effect of a long-term fat-modified diet on serum lipoprotein levels of cholesterol and triglyceride in patients on home haemodialysis (published in Clinical Science 1981).
Rehabilitation, hospice, Harley Street and bridge-fear story link
In 1991, Valerie pioneered the dietetic service at a Rehabilitation Hospital and a Hospice in West London. She also had experience as a Community Dietitian within a Home Support Team (which included HIV-positive clients). Valerie acted single-handedly as the Dietitian at the prestigious Princess Grace Hospital and the Harley Street Clinic. Whilst there, she took sole responsibility for both hospitals, which included 2 ITU units and a renal unit. The patients came from all over the world. She also wrote diet sheets for private consultant referrals and gained experience on the management side too.
Read an extraordinary story about Valerie: 'A horrendous fear of crossing bridges'.
Smoking Cessation and Training
Smoking Cessation at Hillview Surgery
Valerie Meilton is a Smoking Cessation Community Advisor. She underwent training with The Thelma Golding Centre of Ealing, Hammersmith, and Hounslow Smoking Cessation Service. We offer a word of thanks to Dr. Shergill of Hillview Surgery, Bilton Road, Perivale, Greenford, Middlesex, who encouraged Valerie to take up this venture.
At the initial visit, we explain the treatment process and give clients advice about possible medication. After discussing their smoking habits, we then take a carbon monoxide reading, which is repeated at every visit to assess progress. We help clients prepare for their individual quit day and see them once a week to offer encouragement. This encouragement is really necessary for someone who wants to give up smoking. It is very much a team effort: clients are referred by GPs or Practice Nurses, often from a new patient check; reception staff book the client for the six-week course and help in the smooth running of the clinics.
British Dietetic Association course photograph
BDA Course
Valerie's Family
Family Members
July 2008. The gentleman sitting on the left-hand side is Valerie's youngest brother, Steve Meilton. Steve completed his education, graduating with Honours from Jesus College, University of Cambridge, having read mathematics. His studies included the fourth year, known as Part III.
The couple below are Valerie's eldest brother, Christopher Meilton, with his wife Christine. This photograph was taken on their wedding day in 1991 at Esher, Surrey. Christopher qualified as a Mechanical Engineer.
Extended Family and Nicholas Household
Unity with the Nicholas Family
For many years, Valerie has been an active and extended member of the Nicholas household, whose photograph is below. If you are keen to know how this unity came about, please visit: The circumstances that blended us as a family. A pastor once elaborated on this word unity: We are united on the Major Points which leads to a common harmony. The major points are inserted within the website.
Psalm 133 verse 3
Harmony is as refreshing as the dew from Mount Hermon that falls on the mountains of Zion. And the LORD has pronounced his blessing, even life forevermore.
Work Experience Summary
Hospital list, Paul and Jannine achievements, Saida's background
A summary of work experience: Valerie has covered both locum and permanent positions as Dietitian at:
- Ashford Hospital, Kent
- Colchester Group of Hospitals
- Hammersmith and Queen Charlotte's Hospitals
- Ashford Hospital, Surrey
- Edgware General Hospital
- Kent and Sussex Hospital, Tunbridge Wells
- Hemel Hempstead General Hospital
- Ealing General Hospital
- Kent & Canterbury Hospital
- Rochford Hospital, Essex
Paul and Jannine's Achievements
Our son Paul graduated with an Honours Degree in his Mathematics tripos from Christ's College, University of Cambridge, 1st July 2005. In 2003, he became a Scholar when he secured a first in his Part 1A of his tripos. It's an impressive photo! Paul is pictured with his parents, his sister Jannine, and our adopted family member Valerie, who is positioned on the extreme left.
In March 2009, Paul received his MA from Cambridge. He also graduated with an MSc from Imperial College London, for which he was awarded a distinction (a first). His graduation ceremony for his MSc took place at the Royal Albert Hall, May 2009. On 17th July 2009, Paul conveyed the thrilling news to us that he had passed his final Actuarial Paper. On 24th July 2009, his name was published in the London Times, page 68, stating he is now a Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries. Well done Paul! You can relax now and enjoy your profession as a fully qualified Actuary.
Our daughter Jannine is now studying law at St. John's College, Cambridge. One of the reasons she opted for this College was to follow in the footsteps of her grand Uncle Benedict Ponniah (Did Malaya miss out on an elite Malaysian becoming Secretary General of the United Nations?), a Queen's Scholar, in the same prime league as the renowned Seniors Mr & Mrs Lee Kuan Yew (The first Prime Minister of modern Singapore). A marginal difference was that Mr. Lee graduated with the rare Double Starred First Class Honours in the year 1949. Very few have achieved this!!
The conditions were steep for Jannine; she had to obtain a minimum mark of 90% for her A-level subjects. Results published, 20th August 2009: From the above, it is evidently very clear that St John's College insisted on Jannine receiving a minimum of 3 A stars for her A-level subjects. Just being awarded an A grade was not sufficient for Cambridge. Jannine received 96% for Economics, 91% for Chemistry, Mathematics 89%, and Latin 87%. At 7:30 pm, we received this news: Congratulations! Your place at University of Cambridge to study Law has been confirmed. Read why praying was mandatory.
Presenting Jannine Nicholas, (pictured above) the President to The Winfield Society (2011-2012, Equivalent to the St. John's College Law Society).
Saida's Background
Solely for the hits coming in from Africa, if you want to glimpse at a picture of a school that Saida was a pupil at, then please press this link: Saida had some happy times in Kampala, Uganda. Saida attended the Aga Khan School in Kampala, Uganda, located on Makerere Road, Old Kampala. Saida completed her secondary/senior education in the United Kingdom. This story is worth reading.
Visitor Statistics
Tracking our global reach with the flag counter.
Flag Counter
The counter below was introduced for the first time on 8th January 2014.
Sadly the firm who installed my previous beautiful counter many years ago, and filled it with exciting statistics, suddenly went out of business. As a result we lost all our treasured statistics.
We like national flags portraying on our website so we are re-introducing the flag counter freshly again through another firm. It is so exciting to see visitors coming from the far corners of the earth!!
Commencing 8th January 2014
Family Legacy
B.P. Nicholas
Bastianpillai Paul Nicholas founded the Oriental Bank of Malaya Limited in 1936, becoming the only ethnic Tamil to acquire a banking license in British Colonial Malaya. A visionary entrepreneur, he overcame colonial hurdles to establish a lasting financial legacy, headquartered in Kuala Lumpur.
Benedict Ponniah
Benedict Ponniah, a Queen's Scholar in 1934, achieved a Triple First in Law at St. John's College, Cambridge. He topped the Ceylon Civil Service exam and was poised to become Under Secretary to the UN Secretary General before his untimely death in 1949 at age 34.
Paul Nicholas
Legacy cards — Paul and Jannine Nicholas summaries
Paul Nicholas, great-grandson of B.P. Nicholas, graduated with an Honours Degree in Mathematics from Christ's College, Cambridge in 2005. He later earned an MSc with distinction from Imperial College London, funded by his employer, reflecting the family's mathematical legacy.
Jannine Nicholas
Jannine Nicholas graduated with a BA (Hons) in Law from St. John's College, Cambridge in 2012, achieving 96% in Economics and serving as President of The Winfield Society (2011-2012). Her academic excellence continues the family's Cambridge tradition.