I was born in Queensland, Australia, 4 brothers, 1 sister, we lived in the country. Our Dad, an engineer before the Second World War, injured in the War, repatriated after as a French Polisher, Dad had an antique and second hand furniture business, our Mother was at home. My Mother had long talked of our family ancestors from Scotland and England, my Father’s from Ireland, my maternal Grandfather born in Lanarkshire and my paternal Grandfather in Cumberland. Hence with inspiration and interest in history, with my first husband and little boy, I came to the United Kingdom in 1976.
My working life – after studies at Queensland Institute of Technology in laboratory analyses, my first position was with the Metropolitan Public Abattoir Board, Brisbane, for 4 years in analyses of fertiliser and tallow products. Then, for CSIRO (Commonwealth, Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation), Canberra in Land Use Research for 7 years, in analysis of soil and plant material for nutrients and other properties. To UK, after some years at home and my second marriage, then with 2 sons, I worked for 29 years in Wales for Denbighshire County Council and predecessor Glyndwr District Council, as a Scientific Officer with responsibility for water quality, of drinking water, bathing water and many related aspects, including consultations on planning applications. In my position, I participated in a number of partnership national groups in Wales, Water Health Partnership for Wales, Dee River Basin Liaison Panel, Green Seas Partnership, working with Welsh Government, local authorities, Public Health Wales, Natural Resources Wales, Water Companies, Farmer’s Unions, environmental groups and industry. I did further studies in microbiology at Liverpool John Moores University, then as the position would benefit from it and also my interest, Earth Science geology with the Open University.
My husband John’s job had brought us to North Wales in 1980, and we’ve lived here in Gwernymynydd, Flintshire for 41 years, gave our boys appreciation of the Welsh countryside and coast, one is now living in Mold with his family, one in Sydney. After retirement in 2015, following a lovely long visit we had to Australia seeing family and friends, I saw a Flintshire volunteering advertisement by CPRW Clwyd Branch. I did some reading and realised that the Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales really represented my interest, love of the landscape, and more, and hoped I could contribute. I joined and was elected Branch secretary in 2016 and since, recently combined with membership secretary. I’m very committed to this and the members of the Branch, the many different concerns and campaigns, and CPRW nationally.
John (volunteers !) helps with setting up at CPRW outdoor events, which are at times at village and agricultural shows, he can combine this with also attending a classic car show there. At the December 2023 Clwyd Branch Christmas lunch, John gave his talk and presentation with our photographs on Rileys, Classic Cars and Wales – A Tour. Now, since 2023 we are the organisers of the Riley RM Club Welsh Weekend, in which we hope to bring to others the beauty of Wales, this year 2024 to be in Anglesey in April. This year, the Club annual National Rally is to be held at Rydal Penrhos School, Colwyn Bay in July.
This Christmas my present was a book I’ve wanted to read ‘The Fight for Beauty’ Our Path to a Better Future, by Dame Fiona Reynolds who has led CPRE and the National Trust, is now Chair of the Royal Agricultural University Governing Body. This is such a detailed history of the protection of the landscape and wildlife in UK, the fight for beauty, very relevant, passionate and readable.
Diolch yn fawr
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