My parents were conventional Telegraph-reading Londoners, but when I arrived at Oxford I was introduced to the then Manchester Guardian by north country friends. They also introduced me to my future Canadian husband, and I have lived in Canada since 1954. Bob’s family lived in Nova Scotia, but his first job was at the University of Manitoba, so we spent the first five years of married life in Winnipeg, where I taught French and ran the library at an independent girls’ school.
When a job opened up in Halifax, we returned to Nova Scotia, where our two sons were born. Back in Oxford on sabbatical leave, we became re-acquainted with the Guardian, and on our return began to subscribe to the Guardian Weekly.
I took a degree in what was then called library services while the boys were at school, and my career has included teaching, librarianship, historical research and writing. I’ve been a museum volunteer, taken part in archaeological digs, and enjoy travelling, singing, painting and gardening. Officially retired, I’m still writing books on local history.
I usually turn first to the Diversions section of GW, see what my fellow N&Q contributors have come up with, then tackle the quick crossword before settling down to the cryptic. Over the week, I read the paper cover-to-cover, tackle the other puzzles and eagerly await the next issue.
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