Star in political arena (From Penarth Times)

Star in political arena

NOT to be outdone by a husband who managed Shakin' Stevens, an actress daughter who starred in BBC Wales hit comedy Satellite City, and a son who is a successful dance music producer, Lorraine Barrett is making her mark on the Welsh political landscape.

Lorraine Barrett was elected Assembly Member for South Cardiff and Penarth in 1999 and is now half way through her second tenure.

Lorraine, the daughter of a coal miner, came to Penarth in 1968 to work as a student nurse at Llandough Hospital.

She said: "I grew up in the Rhondda Valley where my father worked at Lewis Merthyr colliery.

"It was there that I became politically engaged. When at 16 I heard of plans to close the casualty unit at Llwynypia Pit hospital, I decided to raise a petition in opposition.

"I went around the pubs dressed in a nurse's uniform carrying a miner's lamp to drum up support."

Lorraine joined the Labour Party in 1976 and worked as a political adviser to Alun Michael between 1987 and 1999. After leaving Llandough, she nursed at Holme Tower, the Marie Curie Cancer Care unit in Penarth.

Lorraine married Paul Barrett in 1972 and they have two children, Shelley and Lincoln. Paul is a well-known name in the music industry and was the manager of Shakin' Stevens for over ten years.

He has also managed Linda Gail Lewis (the sister of Jerry Lee Lewis), the Jets, Matchbox, Charlie Gracey, and Buddy Holly's group the Crickets.

He recently signed Chas Hodges, best known as part of the Chas and Dave duo.

And working in the entertainment industry runs in the family. Lorraine's daughter Shelley played Mandy in BBC 2 Wales cult comedy Satellite City.

Lorraine said: "Shelley married an Australian actor called Richard Norton and they have given us our first grandchild, Esme, who will be one this month.

"They have been living in Australia for the past two years but recently told us that they're coming home to Penarth for good - which I'm thrilled about."

Lorraine's son Lincoln released an album High Society which did well in the Radio One dance chart.