Helen plays either 1st or 2nd violin in Charnwood Orchestra but she plays viola in Nottingham Chamber Orchestra, Blussh Quartet, Rutland Symphonia and local operatic shows. She's been playing in C.O. since going on tour to Pithiviers in France.

Her day job is teaching 8 and 9-year olds all areas of the curriculum all day every day. That's Literacy, Numeracy, Science, Computer Skills, Humanities, Design and Technology, RE, personal skills, plus music co-ordinator for the school, involving choir, drumming club, violins, brass ensemble, advanced recorders (not too squeaky) and beginner recorders (definitely too squeaky). She says they may be "ugh! But as I am a flautist of sorts, mine have at least been taught to blow well and have the left hand in the correct place".

She manages to find time for a wide range of other hobbies: theatre, (suffers) opera because her husband likes it, concerts, swimming, singing, cooking and socialising with friends.
Helen lives in Radcliffe-on-Trent and comes with the Newark contingent. The 45 minute journey only just gives her time to relay amusing stories about Life. She says that C.O. has been so good for her because she meets up with lots of people from the past and "it has been like a mini weekly reunion of LSSO (Leicestershire Schools Symphony Orchestra). I can arrive feeling drained but after a giggle with the girls, a serious play, plus a violin lesson about positions, bowing and fingering from Nic, I return home a new woman!!"