Quickfire Questions with Cllr Andrea Cates
FAVOURITE PLACE IN DARTMOUTH?
Looking out to the mouth of the estuary from Bayards Cove, especially at the beginning and end of the day, thinking about all the journeys over hundreds of years that started and ended at this point.
TOP TIPPLE?
Go-to drink is a dry white wine spritzer with soda and ice – although I do like a nice single malt . . .
MOST TREASURED POSSESSION?
‘Bunny’ my now elderly and quite fragile cuddly rabbit that I have had since I was a baby. He has amazing longevity and the ability to survive, having been dropped and ‘lost’ one summer in a hayfield only to appear in a bale of hay the following winter! Although in a fire I would probably save those irreplaceable photos of family and friends.
BEST BOOK?
As a child, that’s easy ‘Silver Snaffles’ by Primrose Cummings, but as an adult choosing one book from thousands – so hard! I just can’t do it, but ‘Birdsong’ by Sebastian Faulks is always a favourite.
MUST-SEE MOVIE?
Again, a really difficult choice, but for first time viewing impact ‘The Sting’, great entertainment.
ADVICE YOU WOULD GIVE YOUR 18-YEAR-OLD SELF?
Make the most of every opportunity that comes your way; embrace the challenge.
HOW DID YOU END UP IN DARTMOUTH?
Spent a lot of holidays in this area as a child and started to revisit when my eldest daughter settled down here; when the time came to re-evaluate our lifestyle 5 years ago, there was only ever going to be one choice.
ANY CUTE KIDS OR PAMPERED PETS?
Well, 4 adult kids, but don’t think any of them would describe themselves as cute anymore! However, I do have one very cute 2-and-a-half-year-old grandson.
CREAM FIRST OR JAM FIRST?
Cream all the way!
PROUDEST ACHIEVEMENT?
Of all the young people I taught, assisting one of my GCSE lads who struggled academically to attain a C grade gave me a far greater sense of professional achievement than all the As and A*s.
MOST EMBARASSING MOMENT?
Trying to explain to my husband at the end of a long day of celebrations for his 50th birthday, why performing his rendition of ‘Get Down On It’ (complete with dance moves) in the middle of a narrow street in Hampshire was not a good idea – mainly because he was blocking the road for the police car that had pulled up behind him . . .
EAT-IN OR DINE OUT?
In these COVID times, it has got to be the chance to eat out once again, but entertaining friends at home comes a very close second.
EARLY BIRD OR NIGHT OWL?
Definitely an early bird.
BEST THING ABOUT LIVING IN DARTMOUTH?
The river which provides an ever-changing backdrop to our wonderful town; a scene which is always inspiring and never boring.
WHAT ANNOYS YOU MOST
Selfish behaviour, the idea that some people count more than others and all forms of behaviour which this attitude spawns.
WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY?
Spending time with all the people who are special to me and walking in this very special and inspiring part of the country.