Originally from Barrow upon Humber in north Lincolnshire, I have finally settled (after a big 50 lifestyle change) in a small village close to the north Norfolk coast, which offers fantastic opportunities for great walks, food and scenery. I am the associate headteacher at Wells-next-the-Sea Primary and Nursery School and love working with the children and their families. I feel very much a part of the local community. I started my working life as a hairdresser at a local village shop, becoming a teacher when I was 45 – I strongly believe that learning is lifelong.
I am 54, lively, friendly and outgoing with a keen love for my family and nature. I love the wildness and isolation of Northumberland, especially Holy Island, visiting at least twice a year. I am a fitness fan, with running, body combat and yoga as favourites. I love reading (Bill Bryson at the moment), vintage fashion, gardening and have just started keeping hens. I have two children (my son lives in Nottingham and my daughter just round the corner) and a stepson. I am to be a first-time grandma just before Christmas, which is very exciting.
I started reading the Guardian two years ago and it has changed my life. I read new books I would never have looked at, go to galleries and exhibitions I wouldn’t have known about. I visited the Edinburgh book festival on the Guardian’s recommendation and had the pleasure of listening to Michael Morpurgo. In February we will be attending a gig with Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats, seen in the Guardian, researched on YouTube and loved. I use the images and headlines to encourage critical thinking and citizenship at school. I read the science and technology sections and now download recommended apps. We also eat new food and I am a far better cook.
Saturday is a wonderful time with the Guardian and all its sections read in order – food, family, magazine, review, travel, main paper. My husband is also a reader and we compare notes, which has created some great discussions. I follow the paper on Twitter but am still a real novice. The sheer variety of thought-provoking, challenging and outward-thinking articles keeps me reading.
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