About Me

I was born in 1955 in Folkestone, Kent where, throughout my childhood, I lived opposite a library. I’ve always loved books and used to read a book a night, visiting the library every day after school to find new ones. I especially enjoyed reading Enid Blyton’s Famous Five and Secret Seven Series, although my absolute favourite book was ‘Heidi’. Perhaps that is where I got some of the inspiration for Gramps and the Shield Bugs.

After leaving school I spent a couple of years in Spain before returning to Folkestone where I have lived ever since. I spent most of my working life in different roles within education, including School Counsellor, Education Welfare Officer Specialising in Behaviour, and Children’s Advocate for Special Needs. I am now retired. Since retiring I have taken up painting, sing in a choir and am learning to jive which just goes to show that you are never too old to try new things.

I have always enjoyed writing, mainly poems and travel logs from the various places I have visited, but it is only now that I have had time to write this, my first full length novel. Gramps and the Shield Bugs draws extensively on my experience of working with children and young people and also from being a grandmother of 7, and I think it will likely appeal to grandparents as much as it will to children. I do hope you enjoy it.