In the Spotlight

with Anne Burnage,  deputy director Catholic Children’s Society

What’s your first memory?
No idea why I remember this but I recall sitting in my grandmother’s kitchen aged about two with my uncle who was pretending to eat the tea leaves from his cup.

What three words best describe you?
A pessimist striving for optimism.

What’s been your best job?
My current one of course!

If you were stuck on a desert island and you could take one person and one object who and what would they be?
My husband (he might be reading this) and an oboe. I’ve always wanted to learn to play one

Who inspires you and why?
Alex Ferguson because he never stops wanting success and he has kept my team at the top for more than a decade.

Where is your favourite place?
I don’t have one favourite but I do have special memories of Madrid where I lived with my family for four years.

Which celebrity would you want to play you in a film?
Helen Mirren .She’s about the same age and has the same hair colour. There the resemblance ends!

What was the last CD you bought?
Vivaldi’s Gloria

What are you reading?
I’ve just visited Burma and have recently re-read Orwell’s “Burmese Days”. I also read Amy Tan’s latest novel “Saving Fish from Drowning” which is set in Burma and features a group of tourist who are kidnapped; luckily not part of my Burmese experience.

What’s your favourite film?
I don’t have one favourite. In the past I enjoyed the Deer Hunter and the Godfather films. More recent favourites would be Saving Private Ryan, Lost in Translation and Brokeback Mountain.

‘Big brother’ –Treat or Trash?
It is trash but I have to admit to watching occasionally. I tell myself that it provides an interesting study of group dynamics.

Pets-yes or no?
We have two black Labradors. Taking them for walks each day provides me with much needed exercise.

If you were on death row what would be your final meal?
Something very extravagant accompanied by an excellent red wine.