2025: My Year in Review

Eight years I’ve been writing these now. It’s the only real kind of diary I’ve been able to keep since I was an avid, daily diary-writer in my early teens, so this is becoming quite a significant thing. I’ve mentioned in previous years how useful it is to reflect on the previous months and now that I’ve got a good few years worth of life documented, to piece together how decisions and seized opportunities are woven together over time. It’s kinda cool actually.

Now, as we approach 2026, here’s a recap of 2025. Lots of friends and community, lots of seeing my mum more often, lots of lovely workshops with new groups and lots of growth throughout. It’s been a busy one so may be reduced to brief bullet points for my own sanity, else I’ll be here writing until 2027… so here goes!

January

I began the year in a really low mood for various reasons – not an ideal way to start the year, but one can’t control these things!
P and I signed up for a Handbuilding with Clay class at the local Adult Ed centre, which ran until March. It was really good and we both enjoyed it!
I also began a sewing class. I had plans to create a magical textile artwork and knew I needed to improve my skill level to pull it off. So I took another course at the Adult Ed centre to get better. This beginners class also ran until March… it was really good and I got a lot out of it!
I played the role of the Oak King at the Orchard, and started a little freelance job there around this time, which involved creating a new website and supporting some developmental stuff.
I also interviewed for a 14hr pw 6 month Hub Officer role at the West Hull Community Hub, and started the following week! I was so excited to start working there.
I started a handful of driving lessons to help get some confidence back on the road. It was a huge HUGE thing for me to do this, as I’ve avoided driving since the road collision in 2019 (the one that led to my spinal injury) – so although I was dead nervous, it was such a positive thing for me to do and overcome.
And we started rehearsals for Jesus Christ Superstar! Which was super exciting!!!
Things ticked over from last year too… such as continuing RENT rehearsals, and my Permaculture course!

February

I finally got to spend some time on my York St John AA2A residency. I spent a few one off days and a week there, using the facilities and learning new skills – such as casting, typeprinting and more. I spent most of my time on the laser cutter though (literally hours and hours), creating the shapes for my upcoming Feral Rewilding project.
This month also marked when the Cloverlore Zine was finally printed and shared – you can explore the zine and the archive HERE!
Things continued too… such as JCS and RENT rehearsals, my Permaculture Course, and the Sewing and Clay courses!

March

Park Street, where I was doing RENT, had a fundraiser event to help support the production costs of both RENT and another show they were putting on. It was 90’s ‘Stars In Your Eyes’, and I went as Toni Braxton singing ‘Unbreak My Heart’ lol. I loved dressing up, but I was so super nervous (and thus didn’t sing as well as I’d have liked). Still, I came in joint third lol.
This month, I was also in my first short film! Tales and Scales asked me to feature in their short film ‘SPECIAL’, which was a story set over the course of a year alongside the reading out of a poem. It was a lot of fun to film and I met some really lovely people in doing it. Thanks for the invitation Emily! You can watch the film HERE.
I also pulled together and published a really lovely little zine called ‘For The Love Of’…‘ in collaboration with Hull and East Riding Friends of the Earth. <3
March also saw a few more driving lessons!

April

I was invited to take part in the Uni of Leeds’ Leeds Creative Labs: Climate Futures programme, and April saw the first meeting. At the initial event, I was paired up with the fab Dr Elspeth Mitchell and met some other brilliant artists and researchers exploring Climate Futures in different ways.
It was also my birthday! I threw a big fancy dress party at my house – there was about 60 people from all areas of my life crammed into my little terraced two-up-two-down, and I had a great time! My dog also adored all the attention from everyone. Because of course he does!
Arty Bods also started at Humber Street Gallery, which happened regularly until August – that was a lot of fun throughout!
And I started the next sewing class, happening weekly until July.
We got an allotment!! This is HUGE! We’ve been on the waiting list nearly five years!!! So exciting honestly. P’s been on it a lot more than me, admittedly, but we put that down to the fact the site needed a lot of heavy manual graft that I just cannot physically do with my back the way it is, AND the fact that he is like a border collie (he needs to be worked hard to feel happy!). Super exiting.
Serendipitously, I also finished my Permaculture Course around this time too. My final permaculture design project was to do a Zone00 project, which began in December 2024 with the aim of ‘using permaculture thinking to plan for more regenerative and resilient ways of navigating my emotional and mental complexities across this coming year.’ A lot of it was about recognising the stories I tell myself (and that’s something that has really stuck) and seizing opportunities for both joy and bravery. Which I have done.
I also spent a tonne of time making my magical momigami cloak this month ahead of May’s exhibition… was intense to say the least lol.

May

Biggest thing in May was the Unfolded exhibition at the Brynmor Jones Gallery, Hull University, as part of Feral Art School’s ReWilding Practice programme. Was a big install job, and loads needed doing ahead of it. But it was a great opening and I got a load of really lovely feedback about my work.
I was also involved in a really lovely Community Waterscapes project at Hull Libraries, in collaboration with the Uni of Hull, collecting and creating old and new stories about Hull mermaids. We even co-authored a paper about it!
I also started trying to get a bit healthier this month too.

June

We had our performances of RENT at Park Street! I admit, I was so worried about this show – we didn’t even have a full proper run through even at tech… but the run went pretty well! I had a good laugh and it was a good after party too
I also auditioned for Come From Away, which was the show afterwards. I didn’t get the part I wanted and so didn’t choose to be in the show – but in hindsight it’s actually a huge relief, financially and time-wise.

July

The obvious massive thing for me this month was Jesus Christ Superstar. Omg, it was like lightening in a bottle and truly magical. I know all shows are magical but there was something even more so with this one. I was there during all of install and tech, seeing my set appear on stage, with the lighting, and everyone in the costumes that I designed… my god, I actually cried first time I saw it all together at the Tech. And then the shows?! Oh my god. I feel emotional typing about it. We fucking SMASHED it and surpassed ALL high expectations in every single way. We had amazing reviews from audiences and reviewers, and I was so so proud of what I did as Pilate. I have never felt more confident than marching out in my badass cape and heels to the duuuuhn-dun-dun-dun-duhhhn-dun!! Scary how easy I found it to become someone else and actually feel every ounce of emotion down to my bones in every scene I was in though. Not even acting – felt real. My god, I was so so proud of every single person on and behind that stage. Actually one of the biggest highlights of my year.
It was also my little step-brother’s wedding! Loads of people piled into this fancy country house in Bishops Stortford to celebrate their wedding to E. Not sure what else to say – it was beautiful and it was lovely seeing all that side of the family for the first time in ages. Congrats again B & E!
After the wedding, I went straight to the NODA Summer School to do the ‘West End Revivals: Singing for Performance’ course. I got a bursary (half price!) to go on this week-long intensive of learning vocal technique, making friendships, having fun and existing completely within the NODA Bubble. I’d absolutely go back were I able to afford it!

August

August was busy but also a bit of a come-down after such an AMAZING July. I had some lovely bits of work, like the Undersea Tea Party with Hull Libraries.
Saw Cloverlore come back into public consciousness during Hull Maritimes Cannon, Crown and Clover exhibition.
My contract at the West Hull Community Hub also finished.
We also had a visit to my mum’s, which was lovely. Just a real nice chill, and Merlin had a great time playing with my mum’s new rescue pup, Poppy!
I also auditioned for Dark Immersions new jukebox musical, ‘In The Air Tonight’ (ITAT) – and got the part I wanted, Max! Max is a sarcastic but warm barmaid at the pub the show in set in.
At the end of the month, me and Mum went to the Singspace Musical Big Weekender at Goldsmiths! Two days of short singing workshops with West End stars and vocal coaches. It was really good, and we had a lot of fun… we’re going again next year, and this time with my sister! During our weekend there, we also went and saw The Devil Wears Prada at the West End.

September

I started a few singing lessons with Rebecca to work on strengthening my head voice and a more ‘legit’ sound. It’s been really helpful!
We started rehearsals for ITAT – I always find it hard to be part of a new community (especially when they all know each other so well) but everyone has been lovely and welcoming. And I’ve got some really lovely songs and harmonies I sing as Max!
I also started some private tuition sessions with this lovely little lad, F. Cat palaces and ocean hangers abound!
Hannah, Cait and I also had a girlie day down to London to see the 30th anniversary concert for Songs for a New World. It was an amazing show… but one of them where you leave thinking ‘oh my god, why do I even bother trying to do MT when there’s people like that already in the world?’ lol.
The Beverley Art Open also opened! My magical cloak, this time heralded by Mash the Badger, was accepted into the show.
ReWilding Youth / The Critical Fish also launched the ‘Going With The Flow’ zine, which I had compiled and edited together. That was honestly such a joy to work on <3
I also had the beginnings of a really, really persistent low mood in September. It came a bit from nowhere – especially after such a wonderfully positive summer – but I think it was partly a hangover from escaping a really toxic situation. I was really struggling, and much more than I really let onto anyone, and felt really fragile for months.

October

October saw The Critical Fish Trail Exhibition! It was a huge, ambitious project, and huge well done to Jill and Tone for all the work they’ve piled into it. Over the 10 days it was open the exhibition got something like 1215 visitors – which is bonkers. Many of those stayed for an hour or more too. I got to share my Cod poem and artwork too, which I got hugely positive feedback about.
I submitted a highly experimental piece to the ‘Warm the Outside Pool Up’ exhibition at HARI. It was a great show full of diverse work.
HMTC also offered an experimental cabaret performance at a brand new venue, at the Willows in East Hull. It was fun to do and we learnt a lot from the experience.
It was also auditions for the Great British Bake Off. I worked so hard on preparing for that audition, and took a risk in trying to show that I’m not just a big belter – but it backfired haha! It was a very competitive audition process with loads of auditionees – I’m lucky to just be in it as ensemble! I’m really looking forwards to starting rehearsals in January, and in doing the set and costume design again!!
Elspeth and I got some funding to do a new project next year called Roots and Spores!! It’s so exciting! The funding is to support us working together alongside a group of young queer people to see how we might creatively collaborate with and learn from mushrooms!! Huge, huge win. Watch this space… more info shall be coming soon!!
HMTC was also successful with a bid application, supporting me to do one-day-a-week to write bids, go to meetings, work on policies etc, explore charitable status stuff – basically lend my professional skills to the company to help it get more resourced and be better able to support the growing community. Huge deal for HMTC! And I’m enjoying the work so far!
We also had HMTCs Myths and Magic Concert, which I directed alongside Rebeccas musical direction. It was such a great show, honestly. I nearly didn’t do my solo – ‘Easy As Life’ from Aida – because I so poorly with this chest infection, but I’m so glad I did, because I think I actually smashed it over both concerts. Other bits I had in songs and some harmonies were a bit ropey but my solo was good haha! Again, very proud of our little community in this show.

November

Had a Tales & Scales performance at Artlink to celebrate their 3rd birthday! I read my Cod Poem and in the spirit of being magical under the sea, sang a version of ‘Poor Unfortunate Souls’ haha! Had a right laugh!
More funding news! I got Hull and East Riding Friends of the Earth £17k of National Lottery funding to do a huge creative, 18month community project called Tree Stories – which again, will provide me with a small job (few hours a week) to project manage it and do some art-work for it! Huge, huge deal for us all.
On which, I’ve started doing some HMTC Community Development work this month too 🙂
I also started a mini-residency at Fly Away Rugs on Chants – where I’m using the space to work on some paintings in exchange for minding the shop whilst I’m there. It’s been helpful but things have changed so… need to reflect a bit on this moving forwards.
I also did some training with the HERD Theatre, as I’m now one of their freelance artists who help co-deliver play workshops for toddlers and babies. Was a really great training session, and made some really great connections with people there!

December

And finally… this month!! I’ve got a contract to do a Generation Hull project at Malet Lambert School, in collaboration with their Sketching group and PRIDE group, which I’m really looking forwards to. I happen to know the art teacher, Miss Ruffy, and she’s been ace in supporting me to get some artwork in the cabinet gallery they have there. I’ve got three huge cabinets, which are now housing the cod piece and poem, a mixture of process and exploratory work, and the magical cloak (with a frog mask, who has yet to be named).
Done some lovely bits of work this month – Play sessions with the HERD, a Mary Wollstonecroft workshop in Withernsea, Explorers group at Artlink… they’ve been great! Also been continuing work on the HMTC role, and Tree Stories – but it’s been Christmas innit so it’s been slow lol.
Me, P and Merlin met my mum, stepdad and Poppy in Ilkley for a day mooching around shops and copious cups of teas in many cafes. It was really nice – as always – to see them all and just have a good festive catch up
We also had our HMTC Christmas concert! Nearly didn’t do it as the second show was on P’s birthday and I’d have never heard the end of it – but we only ended up doing the one first show anyway. Cait and I were asked to step in to co-host last minute – and we did quite a good job! I think my solo went well too, and it was just such a lovely, heartwarming show all around <3 I love seeing audience participation so much.
I said in May that I was looking to get healthier and lose some podge. Well at this point I’m down 22kg / 49lbs / 3.5stone – which is quite the thing to celebrate too I think.
Christmas was good! Me and P just had a quiet lazy one at home and it’s nice to have just cut myself off from all work and responsibilities over the season lol. I’ve now got a stinking cold though and hope upon hope that it doesn’t develop into another chest infection!

2026

I don’t want to jinx it, but next year is shaping up to be a really good one. The year of the Horse. I’m also a Horse – that’s meant to be bad luck (Ben Ming Nian) – maybe I should just wear more red to stave it off in case the Chinese gods decide to bear down on this random English woman in Hull. But it is also the year of Jupiter in the Western zodiac, a planet that governs both luck and transformation. Maybe they cancel each other out, I dunno. The forecast for us Taureans is positive. I digress. Next year, things are indeed looking up.

I’ve got two small jobs for at least another year – the HMTC role and Tree Stories job, both of which I’m very happy to do. I’ve also got another round of Arty Bods in Jan-March, the Roots and Spores project in May, the Malet Lambert residency/project in Spring, and hopefully more workshops with the HERD, the Mary Wollstonecroft Society and Artlink if and when they appear. There’s a few other things potentially in the pipeline (below) and no doubt more things will just naturally come my way anyway!

Theatre-wise, I’ve got ITAT at the end of Feb and into March, performing as Max at the Junction in Goole, Pocklington Arts Centre and Hull Truck. Then we’ve Bake Off – where I’m both ensemble and production designer for it, performing at Middleton Hall in May. Then we have We Will Rock You at Hull Truck in October – auditions are in Feb/March, which I’m actually excited about… my voice suits the score well! And it will be so much fun to design for! I’ve already got projection ideas floating around my head.

ALSO! Bit left field but I got a spot on Middlechilds ‘Class Acts’ writing programme! I’m excited to explore writing – Ruby Moon is in there but I’m adamant that she needs a play to help bring her out. This will help hugely with that. I’ve also recently met a songwriter who is keen to collaborate so… the stars are aligning a bit there aren’t they? Watch this space. We’ve also got Singspace in August!

There’s a few other things that are still quite wooly and not sure how they’ll develop yet. But there may be something with Freedom Festival, maybe something with ReWilding Youth (funding pending!), something with sound artist Jo Kennedy (Bog Cloaks?), something with Hull Uni academics working on the Playful Green Hull project, the local Art in a Time of Genocide initiative… and I also have a magical craft collective project I want to facilitate locally (it’s just finding a suitable low-cost venue).

I’m also hoping to continue living more healthier, get onto the allotment some more and generally just continue living life to the fullest and in the way I want. I feel like I’ve got a lot of catching up to do after squandering my 20s!

Let’s go 2026!!

Basket