Local mums, local dads: Vicky Morris

August 1, 2013

How long have you lived in Leigh? What do you particularly like about it?

I have lived in Leigh for about 18 years. I love that it has a ‘village’ feel with a big town attitude. You can find anything you need on your doorstep – from great shops, cafes, bars and restaurants to lovely outdoor spaces and of course the sea. It’s also great that London is just a quick train ride away.

You’re a mother of three girls in their teens - what do you particularly love doing with them in Leigh?

Leigh is great for families of all ages. We have loved it from the early years of parks, library visits and playgroups through to the girls’ first tentative ‘solo ventures’ of walks along the Broadway with their friends and now we can enjoy the clothes shops and visits to cafes. We always enjoy the regular family favourites like the Art Trail and Folk Festival.

Do you have any favourite haunts for lunch with the family?

Over the years we have tried lots of the cafes and restaurants in Leigh and it’s impossible to choose just one. However, Ugos remains a firm favourite for a baguette and curly fries, along with Stop the World for a coffee and cake.

As well as being a mum to three you are also a busy child-minder. How did you get into child-minding?

After working as a PA in the City for many years, it seemed impossible to go back to this type of job with a young family.I realised that I adored spending time with pre-schoolers so setting up my own business doing something I loved seemed like the obvious solution. It has proved a good decision as over the last 11 years or so, countless Leigh-on-Sea babies have been welcomed through my doors!

Do you have any favourite local trips you do with your charges? Or hidden gems you are willing to share?

Leigh is full of lovely places to explore! We are regulars at our lovely library (and the gardens) with many hours being spent in the ‘big tree’, we love running down the slopes along the Cliffs and one of our ‘gems’ must be Bonchurch Park, which gets a bit forgotten by lots of people (but good for us as it is usually empty - so no queuing for swings plus lots of space to kick a ball). It usually leads us to a wander along the brook which changes with each season and is particularly good for blackberry picking.

Do you get any ‘me’ time?! If so what do you enjoy getting up to?

There’s always room in the week for some ‘me’ time!  As much as I would love to say I use it wisely by attending a yoga class or popping to the gym, I like nothing more than a good book and a glass of cold white wine!