48 Muriel Street, Redcar, Yorkshire. TS10 3JB

01642 475834

irene_curr@redcar-cleveland.gov.uk

I represent Coatham Ward and I am the Lib Dem Group spokesperson on the Environment. I serve on the Licensing Committee; Audit Committee; the Coastal Arc Steering Group and the Health & Safety Advisory Group..

I hold surgeries for local residents at 156 High Street West, Redcar, on the second Friday of every month, 6pm to 7pm, and at Redcar Central Library, Coatham Road, on the third Tuesday of every month, 2pm to 3pm.

2-minute Interview

1. When did you first get involved in local politics?

2003.

2. What made you go into local politics?

I couldn’t fix things from outside so I decided to try from inside.

3. Who is your political hero/heroine and why?

There are a lot of politicians I respect and admire, but I don’t really do “heroes”. I’m not a particularly political animal. My main purpose is to improve the area I live in.

4. What are the best and worst aspects of being a Councillor?

Best - the sense of achievement when you get something done.

Worst - the inordinate amount of time it takes to get anything done and also having to sit through full council meetings listening to a few “grown-ups” behaving like 5 year olds in the school playground. Political posturing may be traditional but it is a complete waste of time as it serves absolutely no constructive purpose and can be counter-productive.

5. What are your “Desert Island Discs”?

How many do I get? I have loads of favourites depending upon my mood at the time. Here are a few:

Summer of ‘69 - Bryan Adams

Carmina Burana - Carl Orff

I Am, I’m Me - Twisted Sister

Parisian Walkways - Gary Moore

Black Velvet - Alannah Myles

Rhapsody In Blue - Liberace

La Bamba - Ritchie Valens

Just about anything by Elvis (pre-call up), Cliff (pre-1980), Beau Soleil, most pop music from the late ’50s-’60s, Abba, Alison Moyet, Hayseed Dixie, Queen, Dwight Yoakam, lots of punk and psychobilly. There are loads more!

6. What do you do when you’re not doing council things?

Study for my Geo-Sciences degree.

Take my grandchildren out exploring etc.

Listen to music

Read science-fantasy

Knit, crochet, make cards

Viking re-enactment when I get the chance (no fighting since I lost sight in one eye, just the “living history” side of it.

Assisting my husband when he is doing “Rune Master” rune readings at country shows, galas etc.

Bird watching

Spinning, weaving, dying wool (goes alongside knitting etc. above)

“Tootling” on the rare occasions my husband has a free day, we usually head north and circle across country somewhere in Scotland, back down the west coast then home late at night.

As you have probably noticed, thyere isn’t a lot of “domestic” stuff on my lists, I think I must be allergic to it!