Hi, I’m Pauline Downs, married to Chris Downs, and we have two fur babies River and Buddy. We all live on our narrow boat home the Bear Necessities, which has been home for the last 5 years.

My carer background is I was a qualified staff nur

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se for 6 years but unfortunately health decided otherwise so therefore had to quit my dream carer (not great when you’re a nurse and you become the patient when I passed out or my joints dislocated). I have also worked as a child minder, buffet food supplier, owned and worked in a café and a wedding dress fitter to name a few.

After loosing my carer as a nurse our outlook on life changed so we randomly decided to buy a boat and live on the lovely inland water ways, after moving onto the boat we didn’t really have a business plan so we decided on selling pet products, this is where the RCTA came into our lives, and we have been members ever since, we enjoy the market atmosphere and being part of a community that shared similar interests and outlooks.

Fast forward four years we are now not selling pet items we sell hand made decoupage items and wooden items and jewellery, and this year introducing the Banana boat an old-fashioned sweet shop.

I put my name forward for treasurer having already volunteered with many roles within the RCTA markets.

Having worked in an NHS audit office while having and recovering from knee surgery I felt the experience I gained there would be beneficial to the RCTA treasurer role.

I am looking forward in taking over the treasurer role and helping to continue to make the RCTA grow further.