I’m a family woman of a certain age and a native of the fine old county of Kent: the garden of England. I have my roots in tradition and folklore, am an avid family historian and a lover of kitchen table crafts. The daughter of a metalwork teacher and an accounts clerk, I’ve divided my life, so far, between home and work, teaching and learning, reading prolifically and scribbling words. As a child, I lived and went to school very close to the sea but, when I left home to train as a primary school teacher I moved inland, first to East Anglia and then to West Yorkshire. I describe myself as a Woman of Kent and a Yorkshire Wife. I was brought up on story and song: this is a staple in my life. I’ve been involved with early education, in one form or another, for over half a century and I can’t bear to see human potential wasted. I love teapots and quilting, knitting, making dinner and most people, most of the time. I now live far from my childhood home in the wild and rugged landscape of Yorkshire. Though I love my home, I pine for the sea and am always hatching plans to get back there (for a paddle).