I am running a series of interviews with inspiring women who are my Women of the Hour.
Please meet Tracey Edges, artist, writer and broadcaster.
Tracey Edges
is an exhibiting Fine Artist and a Radio Presenter, known for her popular Sunday Girl show with Siren FM. She also writes short stories, a column, reviews and three blogs. Tracey’s paintings are abstracted from her life, sometimes seascapes, sometimes
urban landscapes. When painting she always knows where she will start but never
where she will end up. After stints in Oxfordshire and Cornwall Tracey currently lives in Grimsby with the adorable Mabel, a
Springer/Sussex cross.
What was your favourite book as a
child?
Oh, so many. I was really lucky to have a mother that was a reader and I can remember the delight of going to the library in my pushchair. I devoured all that Enid Blyton could offer and desperately wanted to be George from The Famous Five (probably as she had Timmy the dog), climb up the Faraway Tree and then absolutely yearned to go to boarding school and play lacrosse!
I suppose my main favourite was The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe, by C. S. Lewis, with that whole idea of entering a whole new world via the back of a wardrobe.
I remember a very serious discussion of the Narnia series, with a group of fellow book-lovers, around the lunch table at Infant School! We seriously underestimate the critical abilities of younger children.
Oh, so many. I was really lucky to have a mother that was a reader and I can remember the delight of going to the library in my pushchair. I devoured all that Enid Blyton could offer and desperately wanted to be George from The Famous Five (probably as she had Timmy the dog), climb up the Faraway Tree and then absolutely yearned to go to boarding school and play lacrosse!
I suppose my main favourite was The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe, by C. S. Lewis, with that whole idea of entering a whole new world via the back of a wardrobe.
I remember a very serious discussion of the Narnia series, with a group of fellow book-lovers, around the lunch table at Infant School! We seriously underestimate the critical abilities of younger children.
Name the one thing you would put in Room 101 and why?
All politicians and leaders that are just in it for themselves and not the people that they are supposed to represent. A lack of empathy and understanding creates a huge negativity and to have a good, stable country, like a house, you need good boots and a good hat. Everyone is an individual and should be treated with respect.
Do you have a favourite place to go (in the UK or abroad) that restores you?
As long as I can breathe salty sea air I am happy.
Cleethorpes has lovely long
sandy beaches which are great for dog walks.
My favourite in Cornwall is Crantock Beach and abroad, it has to be The Bahamas with that beautiful, sparkling, clear, turquoise sea.
After a wet, windy walk, it was always a delight to dry off in front of a roaring fire at the cosy Headland Hotel, Newquay, before having a meal in the restaurant and watching the huge waves rolling into Fistral Beach.
Greek Myths or Grimm’s Fairy Tales
and why?
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| The adorable Mabel on Cleethorpes beach |
My favourite in Cornwall is Crantock Beach and abroad, it has to be The Bahamas with that beautiful, sparkling, clear, turquoise sea.
After a wet, windy walk, it was always a delight to dry off in front of a roaring fire at the cosy Headland Hotel, Newquay, before having a meal in the restaurant and watching the huge waves rolling into Fistral Beach.
 |
| WINTER WALK: Tracey's painting of Crantock Beach Cornwall Prints Available here: https://fineartamerica.com/art/winter+walk+tracey+edges |
Grimm’s Fairy Tales – I prefer the Gothic to the Classic. Fairy Tales can be so
multilayered, dark and magical. One of my favourite childhood books was a
colourfully illustrated book of Eastern European fairy tales, which I still
have.
What is your greatest fear now?
Since I got divorced, lack of money has been a constant, very scary, nightmare. I just want to be able to paint and write and record without permanently fighting financial fires. I have novels in me that are desperate to be realised.
Other than that practical annoyance, it has to be the way that the world seems to be disintegrating into a bubbling cauldron of bigotry, hate and violence. All of a sudden, worldwide, we seem to be shooting backwards and it is truly frightening.
I collect small lead figures of working people. Do you collect anything?
What is your greatest fear now?
Since I got divorced, lack of money has been a constant, very scary, nightmare. I just want to be able to paint and write and record without permanently fighting financial fires. I have novels in me that are desperate to be realised.
Other than that practical annoyance, it has to be the way that the world seems to be disintegrating into a bubbling cauldron of bigotry, hate and violence. All of a sudden, worldwide, we seem to be shooting backwards and it is truly frightening.
I collect small lead figures of working people. Do you collect anything?
I have two things that I can’t resist: 1. Quilts and blankets. I would love to
have a glass-fronted French armoire with them all folded up and on display and
2. Craft supplies – I’m terrible and it may take me years to actually get
around to making something (usually quite badly) but it makes me happy to know
that I have these things.
Did you/do you have a mentor?
Not as such but I have been lucky to have had champions who have encouraged me at the right time. A writer friend who encouraged me to start a blog, to get me writing, and Geoff, from Siren FM who initially picked up my PI GY fictional blog, which we recorded as a radio series. He then offered me the Sunday morning show on Siren FM Radio. Due to both these chaps I have worn out many keyboards. At the moment I have had to draw in half of the letters on my current one!
Not as such but I have been lucky to have had champions who have encouraged me at the right time. A writer friend who encouraged me to start a blog, to get me writing, and Geoff, from Siren FM who initially picked up my PI GY fictional blog, which we recorded as a radio series. He then offered me the Sunday morning show on Siren FM Radio. Due to both these chaps I have worn out many keyboards. At the moment I have had to draw in half of the letters on my current one!
Westerns or Rom Coms and why?
Got to be a good Rom Com although it’s more the com part rather than the rom. I enjoy a light-hearted, feel-good movie in front of a roaring wood-burner, snuggled under a blanket with Mabel and a steaming mug of cocoa or a good glass of red! Although I had an amazing wood-burner in Cornwall, I’m just having to dream about one here, as I only have a weedy electric version.
Who are your heroes?
Anyone who manages to succeed in making a living doing what they love. It’s not easy in these days of music streaming and free books, high property prices, job uncertainty and austerity.
I am very much in favour of replacing the negative benefits system with a positive universal income, for all. I’m convinced that it would improve health and living standards, equalise stay-at-home parents and provide a solid, safety-net, foundation for the self-employed and victims of domestic violence, as just a few examples.
Technology and different markets have combined to eradicate traditional job opportunities. Apprenticeships and voluntary work, along with the decline of the High Street and physical media, have removed, entirely, a lot of opportunities to make a living, especially in the retail and creative industries. Being able to financially, basically exist would provide a secure platform from which to grow. For those that are already financially secure, it would enable them to buy more from people such as Artists and support the things that they love, re-generating the local economy, in many ways.
Anyone who manages to succeed in making a living doing what they love. It’s not easy in these days of music streaming and free books, high property prices, job uncertainty and austerity.
I am very much in favour of replacing the negative benefits system with a positive universal income, for all. I’m convinced that it would improve health and living standards, equalise stay-at-home parents and provide a solid, safety-net, foundation for the self-employed and victims of domestic violence, as just a few examples.
Technology and different markets have combined to eradicate traditional job opportunities. Apprenticeships and voluntary work, along with the decline of the High Street and physical media, have removed, entirely, a lot of opportunities to make a living, especially in the retail and creative industries. Being able to financially, basically exist would provide a secure platform from which to grow. For those that are already financially secure, it would enable them to buy more from people such as Artists and support the things that they love, re-generating the local economy, in many ways.
What do you consider the bravest thing you have ever done?
Uttering my very first word, on my first live radio show, with Estuary Radio.
When I was at school, I said to my careers advisor, that I was interested in radio. I never dreamed that I would ever be a presenter, as I’m really quite shy, but I was interested in the behind the scenes. He told me to look for work in a bank or as an accountant. As someone who is dreadful with figures – erm...what?!
Thank you so much for answering my questions Tracey.
You can find out more about Tracey here:
Social Media:You can find out more about Tracey here:
www.facebook.com/traceyedges
Twitter: @tedges
Art:
https://fineartamerica.com/artists/tracey+edges (more work will be uploaded shortly)
www.facebook.com/whattraceydidnext
Writing:
www.traceyedges.blogspot.com (PI GY) www.alittlebitoftraceyedges.blogspot.com (short stories) www.wtdn.traceyedges.co.uk (reviews etc.)
Radio:
www.mixcloud.com/traceyedges www.facebook.com/traceyedgespresenter
Twitter: @tedges
Art:
https://fineartamerica.com/artists/tracey+edges (more work will be uploaded shortly)
www.facebook.com/whattraceydidnext
Writing:
www.traceyedges.blogspot.com (PI GY) www.alittlebitoftraceyedges.blogspot.com (short stories) www.wtdn.traceyedges.co.uk (reviews etc.)
Radio:
www.mixcloud.com/traceyedges www.facebook.com/traceyedgespresenter
Woman of the Hour is published by Head of Zeus.
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