Coffee Break Interview with Dorothy Thornhill

Nathalie Lewis meets with Dorothy Thornhill, our Executive Mayor of Watford

Dorothy Thornhill has been Watford's Executive Mayor since May 2002. She was the first Elected Mayor of Watford and the first female Mayor. Before her election she worked for 25 years as a teacher. She is married and has a son of 22 and a daughter of 21. Here we get to know her a little better.

When I was a child I wanted to be..

My teachers always thought I would be involved in politics and here I am! I was actually born on general election day 1955 depriving my mother of her first vote. I had my first brush with politics at the age of 12 when I was sacked as a paper girl because the local byelaws prohibited the employment of females in the kitting of milk and delivering of newspapers. Striking my blow for equality I went to see the Mayor to ask him (it was a him!) to change the bye laws. A month later I got my job back - wages £1 a week!

Proudest moment

Getting my first degree! I had to leave home at 16 to enable me to go to college as my father did not approve of educating women. I had no family at the ceremony at the Albert Hall, only friends. It was a high price to pay but worth it.

The best thing my parents taught me.

My mum was financially trapped in an unhappy marriage and she always instilled in me the importance of earning my own money and not relying on a man.

Most memorable day.

I gave birth to my daughter on the bathroom floor in the wee small hours of boxing day night. It was both painful and freezing. Why it didn't occur to me to move out of the bathroom Ill never know - but my labour lasted 15 minutes. It must have been the champagne on boxing day after 9 months of abstinence. I was anesthetised!

Who do you admire?

I always have an affinity with causes; I love it when I hear of the underdog doing something surprising. When unremarkable people do remarkable things such as the Dunkirk evacuation.

If I could pass any law.

Oh I would pass loads. I want people out of cars and walking again, particularly to school, to re-connect with neighbours in the street. I get incensed by the inequalities of taxation and access to education. Despite what the media spins, it's so much harder for people to go to University now they have phased out grants and brought in loans. That's no way for graduates to start their working life, saddled with a huge loan.

What would people be surprised to know about you?

I was a Junior Ballroom dancing champion. I was even on Come Dancing!!

What is the last book you read?

We Need To Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver. It was thought-provoking and challenging - not a summer holiday beach read but nonetheless, just the sort of book I like. I think it should be a recommended read for everyone.

Last three places you went on holiday - favourite one, best view

We have been to Italy for our last three holidays. It is spectacular and we are going back again soon to Umbria and Tuscany. Give me any medieval hilltop Italian town and I am happy.

How do you arrange your day - would you say you are organised

I am highly organised, to the point of obsession, so thankfully I have a great secretary! My days are very scheduled but inevitably there is too much time blanked out to meetings and no time in between to prepare for those meetings. I don't seem to have any thinking time.

Extravagancies

I am definitely my fathers daughter so I always watch the pennies and am not extravagant. He brought me up and taught me to value what's important and not be materialistic. However, my little luxury is getting my hair done once a week and allowing my family to spoil me with occasional gifts of perfume.

Favourite shop can't pass by without going in

M&S and John Lewis -  I love looking around but don't really get pleasure out of spending money. I have never felt the need to have the latest or the best.

The most romantic thing you have done - been done for you

My husband and I often do very thoughtful and romantic gestures for each other, quite often surprises such as flowers or breakfast in bed.

When I have time to myself I like to...

I love the luxury of sitting in the sun in our garden, just reading. Or being active, walking briskly in the country.

If I could be anyone else Id be..

Myself 30 years ago - I probably would have made some different choices.

What about the future

I will probably retire to the seaside. I would still have to be involved in politics somehow, even if it's as an interfering old bag for the Residents Association!

This article was created on Tuesday, 30th September 2008. It was last tinkered with on Tuesday, 25th October 2011.

This is the 33rd issue of Flea Magazine in Watford. The on-line version of the articles includes additional content that we couldn't fit into the printed version. You can see the individual articles and additional material by selecting from the titles below.

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Inside Watford Flea 203

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