Wall of Fame: Maggie Gordon-Walker

An article by Claire Jones-Hughes    No Comments

Maggie is a bit of a local celebrity in the mum world herself. The chances are in Brighton, you will have come across her or one of her events, Big Sunday, Mothers Uncovered. That is why we are proud to have her as part of the BrightonMums.com team.

She once met Rowan Williams at her mother’s ordination and tried to engage him in Archbishop and Actress banter. From that, you’ll deduce she’s a performer from time to time (The Comedy Store for the Funny Women final in 2006!). She founded and runs Mothers Uncovered, a creative support network for (new) mothers in Brighton & Hove, writes stories for the online app Ether Books and rants occasionally on blogs.

Age: 43 (in my head I’m still 24)

Where you live/ neighbourhood/ town?: Near Queens Park.

Age and gender of children: 9 & 6 year old boys

Partner? If so, first name? Chris

Are you from Brighton or Sussex? If not, how long have you lived here? Born in Hertfordshire, university in Kent, then London until about 7 years ago.

What’s the best thing about being a parent in the city? The parks. The diversity of activity in a small area. The sea. Friendly, interesting, left-leaning, artsy community.

What’s the most challenging thing about Brighton or Sussex area and being a parent? The parks are not good in the rain! Very hilly, which is tough for little legs. In fact, transport in general. The buses – mad routes, fine if you live near a main route where they boast a bus every nanosecond, not if you don’t. Eye-wateringly expensive parking and that infuriating one-way system.

Occupation? Performer (I’m responsible for the frankly terrifying Mary Christmas), writer. Projects for Mothers Uncovered, which includes training past participants to become facilitators, events such as Mother Nurture (this Oct) and Big Sunday, performances such as Mothers Uncorked.

What are your interests? Mostly the above. And cooking. Except I cooked for some participants on a course (twice), so was briefly my occupation. Damn, I can’t enter Masterchef.

What’s your favourite Brighton or Sussex memory (with or without child)? They’ve mostly involved the beach. An impromptu gathering on an evening last summer, where it was hotter than I realised, so a friend brought me down a swimsuit. Everyone shared their picnics (and booze!), the kids ran in and out of the water and played on their diablos.

Favourite place in Brighton and vicinity? With the boys, Queens Park. By myself/with friends, capering about in North Laine

Any links to personal websites or business sites?

www.maggiegordon-walker.com

www.mothersuncovered.com

You can find all Maggie’s musings on BrightonMums.com here.