We use cookies 🍪 to enhance your experience on Live & Local. By clicking "Accept," you agree to our use of cookies.
We use cookies 🍪 to enhance your experience on Live & Local. By clicking "Accept," you agree to our use of cookies.
Monday, 16 October
Staff
Hello, I’m Jess. Dog lover, wild swimmer, veg grower, slow hiker, hungry cook(er)…
I’m a new Programme Manager at Live & Local, working with the wonderful Rural Hub Towns project and team. I’m passionate about arts and communities and have worked in the overlap of these sectors for over 20 years. This a part-time role and with the rest of the week I support a student producer programme at a local art gallery, co-run a small theatre company, work on wellbeing projects helping communities connect with nature and creativity, and get to dabble in all sorts of freelance projects. I like to be busy! One of my great joys is being on the board of Talking Birds.
I live in Wellesbourne with my partner, Steve, our 17 year old son, and Coco the dog. We are just planning a party for her one year “Gotcha-versary” to celebrate when we picked her up from the rescue. Any excuse for a party!
We love trips to wild places for walks and adventures. At home I’m very keen on gardening, growing lots of veg and fun plants. This week I’m getting ready for next year by buying spring bulbs and ordering next year’s Dahlias, my favourite kind of shopping.
What are your favourite aspects of rural life?
Easy access to woodland. I love the sounds, smells and patterns of forests.
What do you enjoy most about working in the arts?
Art can change a moment, or the world!
When you were younger, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A vulcanologist.
What is your all-time favourite song/band/movie/book?
No favourites, but autumn always sends me back to things I’ve watched, read, listened to before so some recent repeats are; Jaws (the film), the book of The Perfect Storm and some Agatha Christie radio 4 audio dramas.
Do you have a personal motto you live by or any favourite inspirational quotes?
If not you then who, if not now then when?
What is your favourite tipple?
An Old Fashioned or Negroni.
Do you have any podcast recommendations?
‘Out Alive’ or ‘Real Survival Stories’, stories of survival in extreme places/situations. ‘Kermode & Mayo’s Take’, the ultimate film pod. ‘Cabin Pressure’, a silly and brilliant radio sitcom. 'Newscast' for the daily insight into the big news stories, and ‘The Eggchasers’ rugby pod, especially during the Rugby World Cup. I could carry this list on for a long time, I’m always listening to something.
Tell us an interesting fact about yourself.
I’ve been stung by a Scorpion working in Costa Rica, and bitten by a poisonous spider when I was volunteering in Uganda.
Cats or dogs? Dogs (all and any dogs, but particularly our lovely rescue hound, Coco)
Tea or coffee? Fruity tea please, or fresh herbs from the garden steeped in hot water
Cheese or chocolate? Chocolate, although vegan cheese is improving.
Beach or mountains? Both! I wild swim and love cold water so a beach is a great adventure, but my family and I love mountains. Just back from the French Alps.
Paper book or e-book? Paper book.
Winter or summer? Summer. Although a snowy winter is a very close second.
Pop or rock? Pop to get moving in the morning, rock to sing along to in the car.
Morning person or night owl? Night owl.
Sweet or salty? Me or food? Sweet.
Driver or passenger? Driver.
Spender or saver? Spender.
Starter or dessert? Dessert.
Shower or bath? Shower.
Sun or snow? Sun, better for the veg plot.
You've been added to the mailing list.
