I began my life in Northumberland, a place still very dear to me. I have written poems for as long as I can remember – each one holds a story within it and, I hope, some music in the sound patterns of its words. Settings range from Northumberland, Scotland, Yorkshire and Sweden to the south of England, France, Italy, Romania, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, USA, and Japan.

I write about surviving in difficult circumstances, about love and loss, about change in the natural world and in particular places and societies. My latest poetry collection, Hyem, explores the notion of ‘home’ for both people and creatures from Newcastle upon Tyne to the New Forest and from North Devon to New Zealand. I’ve written about the links between north and south, about growing up on Tyneside, loving a place through changes and celebrating those who preserve its history and spirit. Currently, I’m working on a new collection.