D.O.B. 13.12.54

Born Reigate Surrey

Background:  Mother Scottish, Father Northern (coal mining family so happened to be born in Wales).

Mother was a factory worker and father was a miner later to work in construction (heavy plant and crane driver).

Mother and Father moved South from Edinburgh Scotland with three children to seek work and better housing conditions.

Educated:  Reigate Priority Secondary Modern for Girls

Degree:  Politics and Government BA 2:1

Profession: 

Banking Communications officer  

Manager (administration), Merchant Bank (up until 1990)

Mayor of Croydon 2003/4

Councillor (South Norwood, L.B. Croydon) since 1998

Parliamentary Candidate for Croydon South

Married to Michael James (retired Housing Manager)

3 Step children, 6 Grandchildren, 2 Great grandchildren

Things I love to do outside of politics:

Walking (member of Ramblers Association), Reading (just about to start Nicholas Nickleby again; last book was The Book Thief), Cycling, DIY (wished I'd been a plumber or an electrician), Salsa, Learning French (lost cause!), Soft furnishings (curtain making in particular).