I moved to Kibblesworth Village in 1953 aged 5 months. My Maternal family was already here and had been since the late 1800’s. I attended the local Primary School, now the Millenium Centre before going to Chester le Street Grammar School.
My first job was at the Prescription Pricing Authority, I moved into community service by working for Gateshead as a Social Work Auxiliary whilst whilst training for my CQSW at Newcastle. I left to have my first child in 1974 and when my second child went to school in 1982 went back to full time education to study to be a Youth and Community/ Community Education Worker. I worked as a member of the Play and Leisure team based at the Leisure Centre but working out in the community in Gateshead, during my holidays, all over the Borough.
After qualifying in 1985 I worked for Gateshead, North Tyneside and then in Sunderland in that role until I had to retire because of ill health in the 90’s. My health improved but as I was classed as disabled I had to change tack and went to work for HMRC in 2000, taking up the mantle as a Union Rep whilst working in Pensions until I retired in 2018.
I am proud to say I am a member of the Kibblesworth Colliery Banner Society as Secretary and was very active in the fundraising for the new banner and its housing, which belongs to the Village and hangs in the Millenium Centre. We take the Banner to the Durham Gala, Durham Big Meeting annually to remember our Villages coal mining heritage. I try to be involved with the people of the whole Parish while still giving my best to the Village of Kibblesworth as my place of residence.
