On the spot: You can’t beat an early start with a pot of tea!

Saturday girl in a baker’s shop. My mental arithmetic was fantastic.

If you weren’t in your current position, what would you be doing?

History was my favourite subject at school but I didn’t want to teach. I wouldn’t mind being a historian.

What was your worst mistake?

Being based so far away from my parents who are in Scotland.

What’s your ideal day away from the office?

Gardening, followed by a walk.

Name one person you would like to have dinner with and why?

My husband who for the last seventeen years has travelled away perpetually with work.

What are your hobbies?

Knitting (my grandma taught me when I was five or six, long before it was trendy), gardening, music, reading.

What would you do if you won the Lottery?

Travel then retire to the North East coast.

What’s your favourite item of clothing?

A duck-egg blue day dress.

What’s your favourite time of day?

Early morning in the kitchen, with a pot of tea and Radio Four – and the rest of the household asleep!

What’s the best thing about Yorkshire?

Yorkshire Tea!

What would you like your epitaph to be?

I don’t want any fuss. The compost heap at Harlow Carr would be ideal.