Introduction:

Hi! I'm Anne Roberts and I'm honoured to be a Blue badge Tourist Guide for the fascinating Heart of England region.

I'm a proud Mancunian by birth and stayed in the North for my studies at the University of Sheffield in beautiful Yorkshire. Having spent a few years experiencing Life in the Fast Lane ( I'm an Eagles fan) in London, I now live in lovely Leicestershire and appear to have become an honorary Midlander!

Before becoming a tourist guide, I had several different jobs ... selling ice creams on a beach in the South of France, Assistant Auditor in the Civil Service and teaching English as a Foreign Language, to name just a few! The major part of my working life, however, was as a secondary school teacher of Modern Foreign Languages ... mainly French but also German (in the early part of my career), Spanish (in the later part) and Italian, as a treat!

So what's so good about the Heart of England? Well, the name, to start with! It says exactly what it is: the beating heart of the country, where the roots of industry began to grow and spread, where decisive battles were fought, lost and won and where, in the late 1500s to early1600s, the English language found a voice which still speaks to the world today ... partner this with stunning landscapes, rushing rivers, chocolate box villages, historic towns and working cities, heritage foods, beers and cider - have I whet your appetite? Then come and explore with me!