About the Grannyset: our wise grannies
The Grannyset is made up of granny volunteers who provide us with written articles on their area of interest which range from reading to social work. The Grannyset are our “people to ask” so you can write to them through the links below for more specific advice. They also answer questions on the forum so just get chatting.
If you would like to be in our ‘Grannyset’ just email us at letusknow@grannynet.co.uk. We look forward to hearing from you!
PAT COATES – Reading expert
I am a retired teacher, with grandchildren of my own. I have three grown-up sons, so I am well aware of the issues that can occur at various stages of development. I taught in the primary sector for 17 years, where I was the SENCO and Deputy Headteacher. I then taught secondary pupils for seven years, being the special needs teacher and Head of Year. I have a Diploma in order to teach children with Dyslexia and my main interests are Literacy and Maths.
LORNA EDWARDS – Early years education expert
After 30+ years of teaching in primary schools here and abroad, my husband Gary and I decided to retire and live in Suffolk. Since then I have helped my youngest daughter Verity Gill set up grannynet.co.uk and reinvented myself as a watercolour artist and amateur horticulturist. I have two daughters and four grandchildren and I travel to Essex and London every week to see them all. Visit Lorna’s blog here.
ELAINE HARVELL – is passionate about fashion & fitness
Hi, my name is Elaine Harvell and I’m 59 years old. I work as a chef and Duty Manager in very sheltered housing. I’m the proud Granny of four gorgeous girls. My interest in fashion and beauty began many years ago. Researching what looks good for the more mature lady is a great interest of mine. I’m a bit of a shopaholic and love searching out a bargain. Fashion is a minefield as we mature and endeavour to avoid the mutton dressed as lamb scenario. But fashion can work for all ages, sizes and shapes, it’s just knowing how. Elaine also answers questions on diet and fitness on the Grannynet forum. You can also visit Elaine’s blog here.
Email your questions to Elaine
JANE JACKSON – Gardening expert
I am Gran to a beautiful granddaughter who I sadly have not seen since 2007 due to family breakdown and I run a support group for other grandparent who find themselves in this heartbreaking situation. When I am not involved in the group I am a gardener. Marc, my husband of 39 years, and I maintain peoples gardens who can no longer manage them, themselves. I have set up the Grannynet gardening corner and am ready to answer questions and hopefully give you some tips. Visit Jane’s blog here.
ANNE JOHNSON – Beauty therapy expert
JANE LAWSON – Primary years expert
I am a very recently retired deputy head teacher but still working part time supervising post graduate trainee teachers at a university. I’ve also taught in Pakistan and Uganda. I have two grown up children and one grandson – so far – whom I look after two days a week in term time, (my DIL is a deputy head too). I love being a Granny and find it much less stressful than being a first time Mum. My special interests are Primary Education, 3 – 11, local history and environment and child protection as I am also a member of the Family Panel, being a magistrate in the adult and family courts. Visit Jane’s blog here.
JUDITH MATHIAS – is passionate about natural home care
I live in rural Northumberland with my husband John and we run our own business developing and manufacturing 100% natural products ranging from Violet’s Magic Laundry, Cleaning to Toiletries. We started 5 years ago when our grand daughter suffered with childhood asthma and we discovered that synthetic chemicals in everyday products can be at the root of this distressing ailment and decided to do something to help. We lived in Italy for 8 years and our grandchildren were both born there but now we all live in the north east. Isabel is now 14 years and Samuel is 18 years. We have a house in Le Marche region of Italy but can’t visit it as much as we would love to due to the growth of our business. I love everything Italian, most types of music, developing new products for our business and driving my Citroen C5.
Email your questions to Judith
JOSIE MOORE – is passionate about gadgetry
I moved down South to Essex eight years ago from the North where I was born and bred. I have two daughters who also live in the South which was one of the main reasons I upped sticks and moved to the “Big Smoke”. I also have a son who still lives up North. I am employed at the moment but will soon be starting up my own company doing accounts for small businesses, which I am really looking forward to. I have four beautiful grandchildren and my fifth is due in November which is all very exciting. I enjoy gardening, the outdoors generally and history, particularly the Elizabethan period, the 1800′s and the 1940′s. I practice Reiki and like to try alternative therapies whenever possible but most of all I love to spend time with my family. Visit Josie’s blog here.
LYNN PAGE – Social worker
My name is Lynn and I am a grandmother to two wonderful grandchildren, a boy of five and a girl of four. They call me Nanny. I am a social worker and have worked for the same local authority for the past 18 years. My work is varied, and as well as working with those who wish to adopt, I also assess birth family members to see whether there is any possibility of a child or children living in their extended family. The work is complex, emotional and hard, but rewarding.
LIZ COLLINS – Diarist & communication expert
I am Granny to two little girls. The first was born to my daughter in 2006, the same year I retired from teaching, and coincidentally the year that Grannynet was born! To support my daughter, who is a full time career girl, I look after my grand daughters in their home for 3 full days each week. I worked in special schools for 30 years with children with a full range of disabilities including autism and language difficulties. My interest is in helping young children to talk or communicate in any effective way. On the days when I am not granny-nannying I live with my husband in Buxton and enjoy walking, reading, music and being with friends. Visit Liz’s blog here.
TIZZY B – Blogger
I am 56 with three gorgeous grandchildren who I see often. I work full time as a Community Liaison Manager and a large part of my job is carrying out work related learning activities in schools and colleges, I can work with a class of 30 or a whole year group of 260. I also work with homeless people through a project called “Business Action on Homelessness” and disabled people through my own special project called “Time to Shine” of which I am particularly proud. Learn more about Time to Shine.
I love my job but I cover Kent, Essex, Hampshire and London (and anywhere else the bosses want me to!) so it can get a bit hectic at times and I sometimes think I cannot carry on doing this until I am 65 but I expect I will still be saying that when I am 64 and a half! I am pleased to be writing a blog for Grannynet, hope you enjoy “Tales of a working grandma”. Visit Tizzy’s blog here.
KATHLEEN MILLER – Knows about grandparenting from a distance
I am newly retired from work as a College Lecturer in Business and Secretarial Skills, with three grown children of my own and I am married to Roger, who is a retired optometrist, and he has three daughters and by August we will have 9 grandchildren. (Did someone mention getting bored when I retired!). I am half Canadian, and my sons remain in Canada and my daughter lives here, close by. It has been a difficult thing, but the internet and modern technology, right down to Skype used at Christmas, have made it somewhat more tolerable. It is my intention, as a ‘Grannynet Blogger’ to spend sometime on the theme of ‘Distance Grandparents’, as I have quite a lot of experience in that area! Since my retirement I have been caring for my Grandson two days a week. I have many interests, I am an avid reader and I enjoy Art, History, Movies, love animals especially cats, could not live without music.
