I'm a Lancastrian from Bury near Manchester, having moved to Newark as a young girl.

​As a child I took part in the Annual Whit Walks when there many bands playing in the Processions and a close family friend played regularly in one of the local bands, this led me to like bands in particular brass bands. 

I've always loved music and am a long standing member of the Operatic Society and its current Chairman. On becoming a member of the Twinning Association, I became involved in organising the "Last Night of the Proms". Having used the same band for many years we needed a change and when I heard Newark and Sherwood Concert Band play in the Castle Grounds I felt that this was the band we should approach and as a result of them agreeing to play the event has continued to be hugely successful. 

I was extremely honoured to be asked to be the band's President and as a result was able to help organise their first overseas tour where they performed in our German Twin Town, Emmendingen in August 2019.