Where are you from? I was born in Hitchin Hertfordshire, but moved to Oxfordshire when I was 2, so this county is definitely home. I went to school in Banbury, then after leaving to go to Liverpool University returned to work in Oxford as a youth worker, Charity Assistant director and fundraiser, then trained as a psychotherapist. In 2006 I left again for 10 years after getting married to my wonderful American husband Lewis, to live in Knoxville Tennessee. As a Pediatric Neurosurgeon there he was a very busy man but we were delighted to welcome our two boys into the world in 2009 and 2011. They enjoyed happy early years in Knoxville. I worked there in hospitals as a psychotherapist. When he took early retirement we returned to my home of Oxford. I am delighted to be home and feel lucky to have a thriving private psychotherapy practice at the Quaker Meeting house in St Giles.
How did you find St Margaret’s? I found St Margaret’s thanks to finding New College School for our eldest son. Upon his starting there, I was asking around about Churches in North Oxford that were family friendly. I was already interested in St Margarets and was told Mr Gulllifer, who I very much admired, and was headmaster at the school went there, so Samuel and I tried it one Sunday. He loved it and so did I. If my children are happy somewhere then I am too.
What do you do here? I am now on the PCC, the reading rota and the coffee rota. I attend as many Sundays as I can, usually with Samuel as Lewis takes Lewie, our eldest son, to cross country meets. He is a great runner! He was also recently confirmed in the Church which was a wonderful experience for our family.
What do you like about the Church? I think it is a wonderful open minded warm place full of people of good deep faith. It is high Church but non-judgmental and warm hearted with true values I can share with my children. As a former Catholic, the service very much appeals to me, and I love the warmth of the congregation.
What am I looking forward to over the next few months? I am really looking forward to starting a new decade with my children settled in their future schools, my husband happy studying German and enjoying retirement, and enjoying my private practice more, having given myself one day a week to edit my book!
How would you describe your faith in three words? I would describe my faith as Committed, Compassionate and Essential to my very being!
What would people never guess about you? People (except Cheryl and Roger Trafford who knew me back then) would never guess that I can drive a double decker bus and did so for 3 years through the back roads of Oxford to start youth clubs in Oxfordshire’s villages.
They may also never know I have written the first draft of a fiction book and that I am an avid reader, reading as many as 3 novels a week. As Hermione Granger said “If in doubt go to the library!” Or as my children said of me, “Churches and books, that’s Mummy.” Very accurate!!