I trained as a teacher, qualifying in 1980. I hold an Honours Degree in English Literature and History. I taught in the prison education service for two years and worked for the Rathbone Society, a national charity with a focus on Special needs education, on a Youth Training Programme based in Ashington.
I have been an Adult Literacy volunteer and worked on an Adult Literacy Basic Skills project working with adults of all abilities at the Dovecote Centre in Amble.
From 1995 to 2002 I combined my Council duties with my responsibilities as a carer. I now concentrate on my Council duties since the death of my mother.
So why politics?
My Grandfather was a huge influence on me. He thought politics made a difference – the Labour Party and education were routes to a better future.
I first took an active part in politics during the February 1974 General Election, when, days before my 16th birthday, I was a very small part of the team which helped to re-elect Alan Beith as my local MP. My Labour supporting family were delighted I wanted to be involved, even if they all voted for another candidate! In my first District Council election in 1983 my agent was Vera Baird, then a young barrister, now a QC and the Labour MP for Redcar and Cleveland. Vera was then, and still is an inspiration to me, but I also remember with great affection the members of my local Labour Party who encouraged and supported me as a youngster.
On a lighter note I feel a great affinity with Onslow and Daisy from Keeping Up Appearances who seemed to have sorted the dilemma of work life balance!
4 Words to sum me up…
Committed, determined, pragmatic, dreamer…
My most important duties
To represent all of the people who live in the Amble County Division to the absolute best of my ability. We live in a great place. I want to build on what is good, give our young the best start in life we can, help to deliver good services – especially to the most vulnerable like the elderly. In the end I will be happy if people say “he did his best…”
