I’ve run my own business in Todmorden since 1989, initially a women’s roofing and building business (Amazon Nails) then Straw Works (now Wellspring Architecture) and since 2014 also the School of Natural Building. Designed & helped build 2-300 affordable & healthy buildings. Author of ‘Building with Straw Bales’ Through an Interreg funded project – UpStraw, wrote the Technical Guide to Straw Construction and produced the UK EPD for straw.
I’m also a Technical Consultant for EcoCocon pre-fabricated straw panels bringing affordable healthy housing to a wider audience, and helped set up the Climate Challenge @Tod College course, teaching the Natural Building module. Founder member of the Alliance of Sustainable Building Products, member of the Building Limes Forum and the Association of Environment Conscious Builders and Women & Manual Trades. Woman of Outstanding Achievement Award (UKRC), Lifetime Achievement Award (Women in Construction). Founding member (Acting Chair) of Todmorden Learning Centre & Community Hub. Worked with the Sisterhood & After project with British Library on my work in the Women’s Liberation Movement.
I’m an entrepreneur, carpenter & joiner, designer, teacher, consultant, member of the local lesbian community and have starred in Dragon’s Den, Country File, with my work featuring on Grand Designs.
