SPOTLIGHT – CLAIRE FIELD

The spotlight falls on our Chocolate Orange and mini-break expert Librarian, Claire Field.
Prior to Warminster Claire worked at The University of South Wales as a Librarian then at English Heritage as a Research Librarian for 16 years. She read English and History at Oxford Brookes and after a year as an Information Research Trainee, gained a Masters in Librarianship and Information Science at Birmingham City University. Claire is also kept busy at home by her two children, Ed and Ella aged 17 & 15. When not buried in a book, she can be found painting, waxing and distressing old furniture or planning her next mini-break. She enjoyed Seville earlier this year, and has planned to visit Nimes, Stockholm, Geneva and Pisa this summer. We now know who to go to for holiday or mini-break inspiration!
How long have you worked at Warminster?
Three years.
What’s the best thing about your role?
Recommending a book to a pupil which they love and can’t put down – priceless.
Describe a typical day?
Varies wildly depending on the term but could be anything from running research sessions, ordering the latest fiction, creating displays to promote material to helping pupils find a book they will enjoy or information to support their studies. One thing is a constant – there is always an element of shhshing to the day!
What do you think makes Warminster a special place to live and learn?
I love the great relationship between pupils and teachers, it’s so different to how it was when I was at school. I also love the passion and enthusiasm of the teachers for their subjects.
What would surprise us about you?
I have a Masters in IT (which my children find hilarious due to my lack of expertise with a phone and sometimes even the TV remote control… I say it’s giving me a bad User Experience).
What other Warminster role would you like to try for a day and why?
I would love to join the gardening team for a day (in the summer preferably). The grounds at Warminster are beautiful, and I have always believed that a beautiful environment has such a positive influence.
As a child what did you want to be when you grew up?
Owner of a sweet shop with a trap door in the floor for baddies…didn’t everyone want that?
What did your school reports say about you?
About handwriting – “Looks as if a spider has crawled across the page” (and unfortunately that hasn’t really changed).
Your note/advice to teenage self?
Have the confidence to just be yourself.
Your mantra/motto or favourite quote?
“Have nothing in your house that you don’t know to be useful or believe to be beautiful” (William Morris)
Hidden ambitions still to achieve?
To finish The Lord of the Rings – been trying for 20 years now on and off…
A favourite possession you would you save from a fire?
I have a plaster mould of both my children’s feet from when they were three months old – very precious to me.
Biggest bugbear?
Lateness, rudeness, selfishness – can’t choose between them.
Favourite musician/group?
Cocteau Twins.
Guilty pleasure?
A Chocolate Orange, glass of prosecco and an adventure game (nothing ‘shooty’ just ones with puzzles to solve). I even have a Steam account – what’s going on?
Signature dish if you were on MasterChef?
I’m a really unimaginative cook I’m afraid – although I do make a mean chocolate fudge cake, so that would keep Greg happy.
Favourite TV programme?
Just watched Big Little Lies – loved it.
Last book you read?
The Waters of Eternal Youth by Donna Leon – a crime series set in Venice. I read and imagine I am there.
Last movie watched?
Hidden Figures.
Which actor would play you in a movie about your life?
I think Maxine Peake is talented enough to turn her hand to any role – I would like her please!
Favourite tipple?
Aperol Spritz (preferably mixed in Italy).
Favorite place/city in the world and why?
Venice – it’s like another world. Arriving by vaporetto the scene that unfolds is breathtaking and looks just like the Canaletto’s hanging in the National Gallery painted almost 250 years ago. The most magical city.
Twitter or Facebook?
Twitter – for the latest book or mini-break suggestions, please follow Warminster Library