In contrast, Rachel has managed to keep up her viola-playing despite producing Jonathan a year and a half ago. However, with another one on the way, who knows what will happen. Rachel "often leads the rabble", perhaps she'll be leading from behind.

Rachel works part-time as the Medical Statistician for Derby Hospitals Foundation Trust. That means that she looks after all research projects, advising on design and results analysis. She also gives courses for clinicians and the Open University as well as doing research of her own on Chaos Theory. Her self-portrait implied that parenting could be counted in that research!

Rachel has been playing in Charnwood Orchestra for 9 to 10 years and "only came because of Paul" (Hilliam), then conductor. They got married shortly after she joined, so here is another C.O. romance!

In addition to Charnwood, Rachel plays for Bardi Orchestra and also describes herself as the stand-in viola for virtually all the local quartets. She doesn't have time for other hobbies although she does have a few violin and viola pupils and she recently found time to write a book about Galileo for teenagers. Rachel is the orchestra's publicity officer.

She thinks that Charnwood Orchestra is definitely the most friendly orchestra she has ever played with….."when do we re-instate the curry evening?"