Outside of school. I’m someone who loves being outdoors, especially walking in the Welsh hills. Over the years I’ve taken on a few challenges—walking across Wales in a day and completing the Three Peaks Challenge. Both were tough, but worth it (once my legs forgave me).  

Travel is another big passion of mine. And as a family we love exploring cities around the globe—New York, Barcelona and Rome are some of my favourites, mostly for the food, the atmosphere, and the chance to bore Helen by pretending I know more about history than I actually do. We’ve recently bought a campervan, which has opened up a whole new way of discovering the British Isles. It’s been brilliant finding places we’ve never visited before, and there’s something special about waking up with a sea view and a cup of tea. 

Football is my biggest love. I do get to Anfield now and then with my dad and brother, but Wrexham AFC is where my heart truly lies. I’ve supported the club through the dark days, and me and my two boys go home and away. Watching the transformation under Ryan and Rob has been surreal, emotional, and absolutely brilliant. We’ve loved every minute of the journey and still can’t quite believe how far the club has come. 

I also follow the Welsh national team, and used to travel to home and away matches more often, but these days the fixtures don’t always play nicely with the school calendar. So I’ve become a bit of a sofa supporter. 

Music is a big part of my life too. My family and I love going to gigs, especially indie bands. I love discovering new music, and one of my current favourites are The Royston Club—a fantastic local Wrexham band who are really starting to make waves across the UK. There’s nothing better than discovering a new band and seeing them live before they hit the big time. 

When I’m not out walking, travelling, or at a match, I’m probably watching TV or films. I’m a big fan of true crime series and comedy—Alan Partridge is a genius as is Billy Connolly, and I’ve got a soft spot for the classics like Monty Python, Porridge and Dads Army.  

I live with my husband and our four daughters on our mixed farm in Eyton. Life is often busy — between school runs, after-school clubs, helping out on the farm, and working part-time from home, there’s always something going on!

That said, I really value the little pockets of time I get to enjoy the things I love. Living in the countryside means I can head out for walks with our dogs, spend time in the vegetable garden, or try out new recipes — especially slow cooker meals using our own fresh produce, which are a big help on hectic days.

I also make time to look after my wellbeing. I enjoy going to the gym, running when I can, and fitting in some yoga — all great ways to recharge. Reading is another favourite pastime, and I especially look forward to getting stuck into a good book during our annual family holidays.

I have been a governor for several years now, having first taken on the role when my three children attended St Mary’s. I work closely with the school in my role as the manager of Overton Playcentre CIO, as we run the before and after school club and provide wrap-around care for St Mary’s pupils. I moved to Overton from Lincolnshire, where I was a high-school biology teacher and a resident warden at Gibraltar Point Nature Reserve, which was wonderful as I love spending time around rivers, lakes and the coastline. 

Water forms the basis of much of my artwork – I gather flotsam and jetsam from beaches and turn it into pieces of textile art which have been exhibited in various locations, including T? Pawb where I was artist in residence for several months in 2023. I have also worked alongside the Welsh Dee Trust, during which time I learnt more about the River Dee Bore and one of our most elusive water creatures, the European Eel. Eels fascinate me, to the point where I have written a children’s book called Eirian the Eel, and exhibited a body of work called Echoes of Eels, comprising a blend of poetry and art. 

These days, when I’ve finished work, spent time with my family, walked the dog, done all the jobs that need doing on my allotment, and time finally allows, I can be found paddling my canoe along the local canals, enjoying being close to nature and planning my next break to the rugged Scottish isles that are very close to my heart. 

Being a governor has let me see from “behind the scenes” the level of commitment and love for the school shown by all the staff, and I enjoy being able to help shape the education of our young people as part of the governing body team.  As ill-health has forced me to give up my veterinary career, I have plenty of time to do “governor work” so I continue to offer my services as a governor and help in the school office as a volunteer.  

Outside of my governor duties, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends and being able to appreciate nature. Thanks to my husband’s skill as a gardener, I don’t have to go very far to be able to relax in beautiful surroundings and watch the local wildlife. 

When I’m not being a “mum taxi” and the weather is not great for being outdoors, I spend my time reading, building things out of Lego (yes, I am a big child at heart!) and watching F1 on TV.  

Having received a Welsh-medium education and grown up on a diet of Eisteddfodau as part of my culture and heritage, I’m delighted that the National Eisteddfod will be in Wrexham this summer. I have fond memories of attending the Bro Colwyn Eisteddfod in 1995, in my hometown of Abergele, and I look forward to visiting the Maes in Is -y-Coed and seeing how this massive Welsh festival has changed over the last 30 years.

Who knows, maybe I will see you there?