Jo Wiltshire- author
I write because I love words, books, communication – it’s the world I feel most comfortable in. I was always a big reader as a child. My mother is a fantastic artist –she can make things come alive with paint or pastels. I didn’t inherit that ability, but I can make things come alive with words. I always wanted to be Jo in Little Women – she was my childhood inspiration!
I trained as a news reporter with the Eastern Daily Press in Norwich, but really wanted to write features, so pestered my news editor until he let me. I learned how to interview, to write colour. I was entered for some national press awards and was spotted by the editor of Night & Day magazine at The Mail on Sunday, where I became an interviewer and features writer.
I had been trained thoroughly in media law, public affairs and shorthand – but my biggest training at The Mail on Sunday was how to deal with celebrities! I interviewed everyone from Heath Ledger (who was shy and drew on his trousers with a biro) to Ivana Trump (who wouldn’t let us use the loo on her luxury yacht in Monaco – ‘journalists must use the café over the road, dahlink!’).
When I had my two children I became freelance, and now write parenting books. I am about to qualify as a parenting and youth coach, and will concentrate on combining these two career strands over the coming years. It was a challenge to leave the glitzy world of the London media, but I love what I do now, because I can combine my love of writing with the world my children live in. If I can instil in them the same love of books and writing, I will have done my job!”
Jo Wiltshire is a parenting author, journalist and coach and lives in Much Hadham, Hertfordshire, with her husband, two children and whippet. She has written Sneaky Parenting: Smart Shortcuts to Happy Families; The Baby Sleep Bible; and The Potty Training Bible, all available from Amazon. Contact her via her website www.jowiltshire.com.
Lynne Garner- author
It was not until my mid 30’s when I took
the chance and contacted five magazine
editors. My letter confidently stated
that although I had never had anything
published I could write something their
readers would enjoy. One editor called my
bluff and I soon had my own three-page
column in a national craft magazine.
I’ve had many jobs including Wardrobe
Mistress at the Playhouse, Harlow. A job I
loved but was sadly made redundant when
they closed the Playhouse. After being
made redundant a second time I took
the plunge and at the age of 29 went to
University. Once I graduated I ‘fell’ into a
lecturing position and taught a range of
craft related subjects.
Most of my training has been on the job,
although I did take a home study course.
My challenges have been to keep going
when I’ve lost clients and received rejection
letters. To subsidise my writing income I
still teach and have started my own local writing courses. I love what I do and will be writing to the moment they put me in that box. My aim: to see my characters come to life on the screen, even if it is the small one.”
Lynne Garner has written 21 books including three children’s books. Her first title ‘A Book For Bramble’ has been translated into 5 languages and her second ‘The Best Jumper’ has been recorded for CBeeBies radio. Her books are available via any good book shop or via Amazon. She also offers one-to-one coaching and school visits. Contact her at lynne@lynnegarner.com or www.lynnegarner.com
Helen Baynham- gallery owner
I discovered my interest in art in my 20s;
wherever I was in the world, I would
always seek out those interesting little
galleries. I am not an artist and probably
never will be, but my desire was to be
around art and promote it. Owning the
gallery means I am involved everyday
with something I am passionate about.
Some of my closest friends are artists and
I have always found the creative process
enormously captivating.
I became a gallery owner 3 years ago. My
inspiration came from discovering the
energy and creativity that exists in our
region. There are probably enough artists
and creative souls in Saffron Walden alone
to keep all the galleries in East Anglia
filled, we have remarkably impressive
talent in this part of the UK.
I have no special training and no formal
qualifications to do this I believe all you
need is a little business savvy and a good
plan. You don’t have to have a degree in
art to create art, so why would you have
to have a degree in appreciating and
sharing it with the public?
The gallery wasn’t an immediate success;
I took the business over just before the
economic downturn and had many
sleepless nights questioning whether my
decision was foolhardy or just bad timing.
But we have good customers who support
the gallery and buy from exhibitions on a
regular basis. This has allowed the gallery
to continue being successful.
Owning the gallery and the resultant life I
lead, is the best thing I’ve ever done by far.
The future can wait. I am enjoying my life
too much in the present to consider the
future too much!”
Helen Baynham owns Church Street Gallery in Saffron
Walden www.church-street-gallery.co.uk
Kathy Hare- illustrator
I am an artist simply
because I can’t imagine
doing anything else.
As a child I would create
little worlds through
my pictures, populated
with whole families and
settings for them to act
out upon. As I grew a
little older my love of
nature inspired me to
start to draw the world
around me, I filled little
books with drawings and
sketches of animals and plants. My parents
encouraged me and bought me paints and
urged me to try different mediums but pencils
have always been my favourite tool.
At the age of 35 I suddenly had more time
on my hands so I made the decision to go to
college and study art part-time. After finishing
a two year art foundation course at Harlow
College I was encouraged by my tutors to push
on. I attended The Cambridge School of Art at
Anglia Ruskin University, a wonderful school
where the emphasis is on drawing rather than
graphic design. It was a big step for me and it
wasn’t always easy juggling family, uni work
and travelling but after three demanding but
happy years I eventually gained a BA honours
degree in illustration.
I would like more than anything to illustrate
books for children. A few publishers have put my work on file and I have created characters for various projects and my drawings are often licensed for use. I also have an idea for a children’s book slowly cooking away on a back burner. The most important thing I have learnt throughout all of this is perseverance. I persevere with drawings; I persevere with approaching publishers after receiving rejections. If you want something enough you have to keep going! One day my work will be seen by the right person at the right time and my journey into the world of illustration will truly begin...”
See more of Kathy’s work at www.kathyhareillustration.com linked to her blog where Kathy posts her progress and links to an on line shop where she sells prints of her work.
Jane Davalle- artist
My sister, Norma Adams, was a very big inspiration to me. She used to
encourage me to do many things
I would not otherwise have done. So in 2002,
aged 42, I left nursing and went back to college
to study art and design. Sadly she died from
breast cancer five years ago, but my nvolvement
in art meant I had a group of artists around me
who supported me. I now concentrate on our
art exhibitions and raise funds for Norma’s trust
fund at Breakthrough Breast Cancer. It has been
such a positive way to remember her.
We have raised about £53,000 for the charity so
far and now choose another charity alongside Norma’s to support at each event. One of our most
successful ideas is the 12” canvas exhibitions which are run every other year. Last year it raised
£12,000. Anyone to enter and individuals can be part of a wonderful exhibition that includes new
and well established artists.
Together with Glynnis Bainbridge, another artist friend, we run life drawing classes. It has been
fantastic to work with artists of all abilities and I have learnt so much and met some great
characters. Chris my husband has been a great inspiration with his knowledge of computers, the
development of our website etc. My whole family including Emily, 19 and George, 16 are involved
with the art which is fantastic.
Keeping my own work fresh and exciting is an ongoing challenge. There are just not enough hours
in the day and we like to provide new work for each exhibition. I would really like to develop my
work, and my classes, continue with the fund raising and encourage more people to have a go at,
and to enjoy art in any way. I am convinced there is a bit of art in everybody!”
For more information about the life drawing classes, 12” exhibition or other fund raising events at Gravelly Barn,
contact Jane at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 07905 184 619 or Glynnis at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. www.gravellybarn.com
