I am 39 years old. I live in a small village called Cam in Gloucestershire. I have been writing poetry for the last ten years or so. My poetry is written straight from the heart, usually about things and situations around me at the time.

My beliefs are spiritual, and you will see that in my poems, and I am a firm believer in life after death. When I received the letter telling me my poem ‘The Day They Took You Away’ had been awarded fourth place in the Top 100 Poems of the Year, I was completely gobsmacked and a little overawed as this poem had very special significance to myself and my partner as it was written as a memorial to their nephew.

So I would like to thank everyone at Forward Press for their recognition in my writing as it has given me the impetus to continue and improve.