Music Producer
I have been the MFTM volunteer pianist since our startup in 2018. I was ‘classically trained’ in piano from the age of 6 – though gave it up at 14 when pop music and boyfriends became far more interesting! After a break of 25 years, I went back to tinkling the ivories when, in an emergency, I was asked to stand in for the regular organist at St Luke’s Church, Stone Cross. One thing led to another and I have now been the keyboard player (trying to be an organist) at St Luke’s for over 30 years. My musical tastes and experience are very eclectic – which has helped with playing for MFTM!
I joined MFTM when I retired from my full-time career. I had been a technical author and analyst/programmer, then a police officer, and finally I spent my last 20 years teaching and researching at the University of Brighton in Eastbourne. My subjects included business IT applications, management information systems, research methods, statistics and organisational behaviour.
My father was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in his forties and I moved to Eastbourne in 1980 to help my mum with his care. I also experienced the challenges of living with dementia when, one after the other, all three of my mother’s sisters developed Alzheimer’s. Thankfully my mother never did.
I have a BSc degree in Cybernetics & Instrument Physics and an MA in Change Management. My previous hobbies included horse riding, amateur dramatics, rock climbing and flying light aircraft (solo!) but I am now tracing my family history and learning to draw and paint.
I am also a listening volunteer with Eastbourne and District Samaritans and currently their branch treasurer. I am keen to use whatever skills I have acquired in my life so far to help others.
I live in Eastbourne with my rescue cat Daisy.