Radio On; Kes; Life of Brian; Don't Look Now; American Beauty; The Sound of Music; Short Cuts; Pandaemonium; Jean de Florette/Manon des Sources; The Big Lebowski; O Brother Where Art Thou?; Nosferatu: Phantom der Nacht; The Passion of Joan of Arc; Withnail and I; Apocalypse Now; Gangs of New York; Trainspotting; The Muppets' Christmas Carol.

I'm still astounded by the power of music to transform. I'm especially drawn to songs that tell a story, and I harbour a life-long devotion to Leonard Cohen. My current favourite is Reg Meuross. I also love mystical old hymns and carols; folk songs; Elgar, Holst and Vaughan Williams.

I always keep a book of poetry to hand, and especially love William Shakespeare, William Blake, Samuel T Coleridge, John Keats, Rainer Maria Rilke, T S Eliot, R S Thomas, Ted Hughes, Raymond Carver and U A Fanthorpe. I return to 'Dart' by Alice Oswald constantly. I recently heard/saw Dennis O'Driscoll read and was smitten.

As far as novels go, the three I have read and reread are 'The Red Pony' by John Steinbeck, 'The Master and Margarita' by Mikhail Bulgakov, and 'The Plague' by Albert Camus – all coming-of-age books, I suppose, but they've shaped the way I am. Other favourite writers include Ian McEwan and Bruce Chatwin. I love 'Chatterton' by Peter Ackroyd for its subject and setting. Alan Garner's 'The Voice That Thunders' is my totem. I also enjoy myths, folk tales and legends.

I am single parent to four interesting offspring and a border collie called Ted. I work in a school for deaf children and as personal assistant to two young, vulnerable adults. I drink an immoderate amount of tea.

In my spare time I write, poetry mostly, and occasional blogs detailing my jaunts on the hills and down the deep lanes of my native West Country.

If you're into Jung and Myers-Briggs Personality Types, I am INFP.

Poetry is my great love, as reader and writer. I've won several prizes for my own work, most recently the 2010 Wells International Poetry Competition, and I've had poems published by Ragged Raven Press, Cinnamon Press and Leaf Books amongst others. My first collection, 'Communion', will be published by Indigo Dreams in 2011.

My inspiration comes mainly from the landscape and its stories. I'm at my most euphoric when heading out into the countryside, camera and notebook in hand, in the hope it might glance my way.

I also enjoy reading, going to galleries, plays and gigs, and exploring old churches and pubs. I buy far too many old pots and books on eBay and leave them piled around the house.

The intolerant and the conscience-free.

Also, incorrect apostrophising, as in the words 'Turn On's' and 'Turn Off's'.