I thought it was time you got the low-down on me and who I am. Unlike most of the other councillors I'm not Ballymena born and bred so I decided that a short bio was in order as the last one that was available was done for the 2007 Assembly election and I'm sure that most people don't keep copies of things like that!
I was born in Belfast a number of years ago (a lady never reveals her age!) and for the chronically nosy amongst you it's probably the kind of information that can be ferreted out. My parents were both teachers, Dad's from Kilraughts near Ballymoney and Mum was an east Belfast girl, so at least I can claim North Antrim ancestry.
About six months after I was born Mum and Dad decided to head back to teach in Africa; Botswana to be exact. Thus I spent my first few years somewhere in the back of beyond and got a first hand view of how it feels to be the odd one out. After some years, my parents decided to return to Northern Ireland and settle in Belfast. I was educated at Penrhyn Prep Department and then Strathearn School in Belfast. After doing "A"levels, I decided against unversity and went to work for Barclays Bank in London. I was lucky enough to be employed by Barclays on a scheme designed to fast-track participants to management positions.
Unfortunately, banking and I were not suited to a life together and London was not a place that I can honestly say I enjoyed working and living in.Thus, when I was offered a short-term stagiere's post in Barclay's in Paris I had my bags packed and plane ticket organised before you could say "sacre bleu!" Working in Paris and living right in the centre of the city was a wonderful experience for a young woman and I must admit that I loved it there and gave serious thought to staying there. Still, all good things come to an end and I decided it was time to return to the world of academia and prove that I had the brains to do a degree. I returned to Belfast and went to Queen's to study English and Geography.
After three years, during which I worked and played equally hard, I graduated with an Honours degree. This was much to my father's delight as he didn't think I would stick it out, particularly since in my first couple of years the TA in the form of the OTC regiment at Queen's took up a lot of my time and effort. My mother was equally delighted, though for entirely different reasons,as I had finally settled down and got engaged to my husband Mark.
After graduation Mark and I were married the same summer and I went to work in the Civil Service. Again, not a career choice for me and after a time I got a subbing job as a teacher in a school in Belfast. The teaching career was cut short by the arrival of three wonderful children (mind you, I'm writing this in August and saying that through slightly gritted teeth, just like all mums at this time of year). Having settled down to a life of married bliss I started following politics again and dementing Mark with my ravings until he finally told me to join a political party and leave him to watch tv in peace.
I was raised in a very political environment and Mum and Dad were both active trade unionists in the NASUWT so my eventual arrival into politics shouldn't really be a surprise. What did surprise people was that I ran for Council in 2005 and got elected. I am passionate about politics and I do believe that I can help make a differenc eto the country and communities that have given me so much in terms of education and opportunity. I have been lucky enough to live in a democaracy that allows me to follow a twisting path and I honestly believe that I should put something back. Yes, at times the entire family resents the pressures and time but on the whole I really enjoy my job and I want to be out there arguing for my constituents for a long time yet.
