I joined AMCT as a trustee in 2021 and became Chair in January 2022, as successor to Jim Hines.  My career involved almost 40 years in secondary education, first in my birthland of Trinidad & Tobago and then in Oxfordshire and Wokingham before retiring at the end of December 2017.  Since February 2018, I have been a Justice of the Peace on the Oxford Bench in both the Adult Crime and Family jurisdictions.  In my spare time, I sing in a choir, play table tennis, and enjoy swimming, walking and travelling.

I am a firm believer that music should be a part of everyone’s lives.  Whether as a player, singer, educator or just listener, the gift of music is universal and brings people together regardless of differences in language or culture. For 50 years, AMCT has given members of the community the opportunity to make music together.  Long may it continue to do so.

I became a trustee of AMCT in 2019, although my first experience of the music centre was taking my two children to baby music sessions in the mid1980s.

When I left my native Lancashire to study for a physics degree I never dreamed that I would choose to become a careers adviser. However, I spent my career supporting people to recognize their skills and widen their horizons and working with employers to   encourage links with education. I have worked in several roles both in Local Authorities and in the private sector for an education charity, giving advice and guidance and in strategic management roles helping schools and colleges to develop their careers education.  I also spent several years as a secondary school governor.

I have always enjoyed singing and love singing with ACCord and Choral Connections. I am not the best singer in the world, nor can I read music very well but that doesn’t matter. I also relax by doing cryptic crosswords, Zumba, cooking , eating and practical crafts such as knitting and sewing.

Music brings joy to those who make it and to the listeners but it also develops an incredible range of skills and a sense of well-being. I believe everyone should have the chance to make music, which is why I became a trustee of this fantastic charity.

I believe that making music, in whatever form, can enrich all our lives in so many ways.  This is why I have joined Abingdon Music Centre as a Trustee.  Although I only became a Trustee in 2024, I have had various links with Abingdon Music Centre over the years, including taking my own children to the baby and toddler music classes many years ago.

For 20 years I worked in Primary Education, including leading the Music Curriculum for many of those years.  Part of the Music Curriculum included running a school orchestra, which I have carried on doing since my retirement.  Many of the children in the school orchestra and others who have learnt instruments at school, have attended events run by Abingdon Music Centre. Currently I play clarinet and saxophone in various groups, including a concert band, swing-band and saxophone quartet and help with beginner learners in a local brass band.  I have previously also played in the Abingdon Music Centre orchestra.  When not playing music I enjoy crafting, particularly cross-stitch, knitting and sewing