Born in shadow of Lancashire's Pendle Hill, I know live in rural Leicestershire.  I hold four degrees in drama from three different English universities, including a PhD.  I worked for a time in the professional theatre, then in the voluntary sector.  I was very active politically and served on local councils for sixteen years.  Shortly after completing my doctorate I suddenly lost my sight and was diagnosed with a pituitary tumour.  Prompt surgery restored my sight but who knew the loss of pituitary function could cause so much damage to the rest of me?  Unable to work, I have returned to writing and painting to keep my brain and soul active respectively.  I am just about able to keep up one of my old voluntary activities - I serve as a magistrate and have done so now for over twenty years.  Oh, and I still hate the current British government, mainly because they want to abolish the National Health Service which served me so well.