Anne was born and raised in Burton Leonard and attended school in Ripon. In her early adulthood she travelled widely, including spending two years in Kenya as a VSO English teacher. After returning to the UK, she lived in Manchester before feeling the pull back to North Yorkshire. She settled in Knaresborough in 1995 and has made it her home ever since. For 25 years, Anne taught English to people newly arriving in the UK at Harrogate College, helping hundreds of learners build confidence and begin new lives. She now runs a homework club and a women’s group for the SWIFT programme, and volunteers her time to support refugees as they settle into the community.

Anne is passionate about protecting the environment and biodiversity. She is a dedicated hedgehog rescuer, and an active voice for local conservation. Deeply committed to community life, she has founded several thriving local groups with hundreds of members, including Knaresborough SPARKs, Knaresborough Cares and Knaresborough Widows