Hello! My name is Shelley and I am the new Creative Arts Coordinator for Lakeside Creative Arts Centre. 

I am married to James, who works for The BBC as a Software Engineer, and we have 3 children together, Evelyn, Amos and Gwendoline.

After studying music at university, I completed a master’s degree in Librarianship. In my last role, with Calderdale Libraries, I managed the public children’s and young people’s library service where I was responsible for selecting books, planning events/activities, encouraging reading for pleasure and promoting children’s literature across 22 libraries. I loved working as a Librarian and regularly collaborated with publishers, illustrators, poets and artists. I got to meet lots of children’s authors too!

I am also a stained-glass artist and sell my work at makers fairs. I have taken part in The Saltaire Inspired Makers Fair, Art in the Pen, The Hepworth Festive Market and I have just found out that I have been selected for the Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair which takes place in Newcastle in June and Manchester in October – very exciting!

In my spare time I love to play my bassoon in orchestras and chamber ensembles. I also love anything arty/crafty, listening to music and playing boardgames with my family.