I was born in Bradford in 1947. My childhood and youth was spent in Buckinghamshire, where I attended Dr. Challoner’s Grammar School. I returned north and trained as a teacher at Bretton Hall College, affiliated to Leeds University. I also acquired a degree in Humanities from the Open University. I taught English for over 30 years at Queen Elizabeth Grammar School in Wakefield. When I retired I gained qualifications in TEFL from Leeds Metropolitan University, then taught English to refugees and asylum seekers. I also ran poetry workshops for local schools and community groups. I completed a Foundation Diploma in Art & Design at Wakefield College in 2012.
Since moving to East Lothian I have pursued my twin interests of art and poetry and am both fascinated and inspired by the local landscapes and shorelines. For me, both poetry and art are a continuing process of exploration and discovery.
I have had art exhibitions in Wakefield and Dunbar, and have published two books of poetry, ‘The Blue Bridge’ (2009) and ‘Crossing’ (2013)