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Video Biography – Text Version | Irene James AM

I was born, live and work in Islwyn, the constituency I now represent, for most of my life. I attended the local primary school where I am now a Governor. I attended Newbridge Grammar School and Cardiff College of Music & Drama and I trained as a teacher at Borough Road, West London. However, the pull of the South Wales Valleys was too strong and I returned to Islwyn to take up teaching. I've always been interested in music and I learned to play the piano and the oboe and was fortunate to be a member of both the County Youth Orchestra and the Youth Choir. I worked as a teacher for over 28 years, ending up teaching children with specific and moderate learning difficulties in Risca.  I often meet with many of the children I taught around the constituency and I find it fascinating to see what they have become.

I was first elected as an Assembly Member in 2003. Since then I have served on various Committees including the Education & Lifelong Learning Committee, the Legislation Committee, the Environment, Planning and Countryside Committee, Audit Committee and Health, Wellbeing & Local Government Committee. My main political interests are of course education as well the regeneration of the Valleys that have been so badly treated in the past. Outside of politics I am a keen gardener, but I have to say I grow flowers - not vegetables. I also enjoy walking in the hills near where I live with my dogs.

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