Mary White & Marvin Monkey

I joined PRESMA in September 2008 and I currently run 6 classes a week at St Peter's Church and the Belvedere Centre in NR2.

I decided to start working again after my youngest child started school. Before this I had been a full-time mum for 7 years!

PRESMA teaching has enabled me to combine my love of working with small children and my musical abilities in a fun and rewarding job. It also fits in very well with family life.

Music is my main hobby too! I am classically trained in clarinet and piano and also play alto saxophone. Since moving back to Norwich from London 10 years ago I have played with various wind bands and orchestras. My main activity is with the Pavilion Big Band which is a 'Glenn Miller' type big band of 18 members. As well as playing saxophone and clarinet in this, I am responsible for running the band. I do the band's publicity, organise gigs, plan and lead rehearsals. We have played at the Beer Festival (before amplified music was banned at St Andrew's Hall), the Bergh Apton Sculpture Trail, Henham Steam Rally, The British Legion and countless private functions. You might catch us playing in Norwich parks during the summer as we always take part in the Bandstands series of concerts. Always an amusing sight to watch us brave the wind and rain in August!

Aside from music, I am a keen collector of vintage children's items, namely toys and books. Having my own children has rekindled my interest in items from my own generation (70s & 80s) and I spend a lot of time hunting out old books and buying and selling on ebay.

I love the Norfolk countryside and try to get out most weekends with the family to walk by the Broads, in the woods or by the beach. We are so lucky to have such variety on our doorstep! However, I do miss the hills as I lived in Sheffield for 10 years, so we try to spend part of the summer in the Lake District, walking all day, every day!

The only other 'sport' I take part in is darts. I am a keen player and quite often our dining room is converted into a games room. ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTY!!!

You can get in touch with me by email at mary@presma.org