I was born Mary Harrison and married to Les Anstey for 33 years…………hence Haranstey!
This sums up who I am and have become…….wife, mother to four offspring, grandmother to six and now a great grandmother! But Mary Harrison is still around.
I am known as Mary Anstey ………variously actor, school teacher, GCSE examiner English teacher to non English speakers, welfare rights worker, lab assistant, traveller, clerk, etc……..but all the time a writer………
Priority: To keep well and fit. I belong to the Celtic Manor Forum Gym and have to work out regularly. Writing is a very unhealthy occupation. It is essential to keep the legs moving.
I avoid taking drugs, both prescription and over the counter and prefer to rely on holistic therapies, a healthy diet and positive outlook with an annual blood test on the NHS just to see if everything is working. So far, so good!
My favourite therapy is Qi Gong, a development of Tai Chi wherein I can become aware of and work on my body energies and have taught the moves to others.
I use the Newport Clinic of Holistic Health http://www.newportclinic.co.uk and have regular massage sessions with Dona Anys
I was brought up a Roman Catholic. my earliest memory is of my father kneeling by my bed teaching me to pray. I have detached my self from much of what I was taught. I love the drama of a well presented Eucharistic liturgy. The Hebrew and Christian scriptures have been a tremendous influence together with the practice of meditation and prayer which I describe as the engine of my life.
I am a member of Catholic Women’s Ordination who campaign for an inclusive ordained ministry in the Catholic Church. www, catholic-womens-ordination.org.uk.
