Face the music (bristol):Layout 1
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FACEtheMUSIC
DEDICATED: Sue Mountstevens is at her desk by 7am SONGS OF SIGNIFICANCE: left to right, Phil Collins’ Another Day in Paradise, Simon and Garfunkel’s Bridge Over Troubled Water and the Pointer Sisters’ Jump for Your Love
The average day sees Sue behind her desk by 7am sharp and sometimes returning home late in the evening. With the backing of her team, who she describes as “stunning” she offers advice to the public on all sorts of issues. Sue also clocks up hundreds of miles each week, visiting the six policing districts, talking to the police and listening to the concerns of residents. With a demanding work schedule which would surely challenge the capacity of most people, I asked her if she had any time to relax and if so how? She said: “I do enjoy jogging, or as one of my children describes it, a quick plod around the village where I live. I also find the English tradition of mowing the lawn rather therapeutic.” She is the proud mother of three grown-up children, Richard, Katie and Jamie and is happily married to husband Stephen. As for her musical tastes, they are continually up-dated on her iPod with recommendations from family and friends and if there was one person in the musical profession she would choose as a dinner guest, she answers without any hesitation: “Paul McCartney, I grew up in that generation and those songs are still relevant today as they were then.” As I walked back to my car after my interview with Sue, I noticed a parking ticket secured neatly to my windscreen. Looking down at the single yellow line, I realised my mistake, oh well as they say – it’s a fair cop!
also marrying into our small community. This song sums up how important our community is to us both.
Sue’s top ten:
● Tina Turner – Simply the Best One of the things my Dad would often say was ‘do the things you enjoy and you will succeed.’ I have tried to keep to those words all my life. I’ve loved most of my jobs and have tried to do them to the best of my ability, otherwise there’s no point in attempting them.
● The Eurythmics with Aretha Franklin – Sisters are Doing it for Themselves This song really empowers me and I also love dancing to it. Sometimes I feel that we women are our own worst enemy, by that I mean, if we feel we can’t do something, some of us don’t try, however the reality of the situation is totally different. Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway is a book which I would highly recommend anyone to read as a confidence boost. ● Simon and Garfunkel – Bridge Over Troubled Water When I was a teenager, I used to listen to this while studying for my O Levels. I persuaded my parents that I could do the two things at the same time, which I am happy to say, I managed quite successfully. But, as you get older it doesn’t happen like that, and listening to music has to be more scheduled or out of hours to enjoy. ● Phil Collins – Another Day in Paradise This particular record makes me feel how privileged I am meeting others, especially young people that aren’t so lucky. I continually wonder how some teenagers succeed when the odds are stacked so much against them. It’s one of the areas that most concerns me. ● Vic Damone – On the Street Where You Live This is from the film version with Audrey Hepburn and is especially dedicated to Stephen my husband. We had this played at our wedding. I have lived in our village for many years and I think that he felt not only was he marrying me at the time but
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● Rod Stewart – You’re in My Heart I owe a great deal to Stephen. He’s had to put up with an awful lot in me doing this very full-time job. He’s behind me and backing me all the way and I wouldn’t be able to do this without him. I love the lyrics of this number – it’s so desperately romantic. ● The Beatles – The Long and Winding Road To be honest this really describes my CV. I’ve had a hardworking but very joyful life and it’s been incredibly enjoyable. All the things I’ve done in the past, are now contributing to my present job. The old saying ‘you can’t buy experience’ is so true and if I can make a difference, then it will all be worthwhile. ● Tchaikovsky – Swan Lake I find this really poignant and each time I listen to it, it sends shivers down my spine. It’s one of those pieces of music that you can just lose yourself in and means various things to me at different times. I have seen this performed in the round at the Albert Hall which was absolutely wonderful.
● Pointer Sisters – Jump for My Love Seeing Hugh Grant in the film Love Actually start dancing to this, sums up what I try and do dancing round the kitchen. I love watching this film, particularly at Christmas with the kids and we turn the volume up really loud and all have a dance to this track. It’s full of power, drive and energy and I defy anyone to sit still when it’s being played. ● Gustav Holst – I Vow to Thee, My Country This was adapted from a poem by Cecil Spring-Rice. “I vow to thee, my country, all earthly things above, Entire and whole and perfect, the service of my love: The love that asks no question, the love that stands the test, That lays upon the altar the dearest and the best; The love that never falters, the love that pays the price, The love that makes undaunted the final sacrifice.” My son Richard was a Captain in the army and was sent to Afghanistan and I found that during this emotional time, I just couldn’t listen to any music whatsoever. I felt my life was on hold and now listening to that hymn again, reminds me of all the anxiety and pain that all families are still going through today. I was lucky, he came back but I never will forget that traumatic time. ■ Contact the PCC via the website: www.avonandsomersetppc.gov.uk. JULY 2013
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