Jane Davey was educated in Singapore and in Britain where she obtained A-levels in French, German and Economics before going on to obtain a Diploma for Secretarial Linguistics. She then undertook two years training in commercial French and German, before becoming European Marketing Manager for a company called CMC (Europe) Ltd. Her career then took her to Marley Waterproofing where she responsibilities in developing their European Markets and then to Marketing Manager of Isola Platon Ltd.

She left in 1993 to live in Norway where she lived for the next seven years, initially working on a Mountain Health Farm and then in Oslo where she was a Norwegian/English translator for a major International Maritime Insurance underwriter.

She left Norway in 2000 to return to Britain, where she is today a free-lance Norwegian/English/Norwegian translator, living in Haywards Heath.

Her seven years in Norway gave her a unique insight into the country and its peoples. She has made an in-depth study of the country, its language, its culture and its history, and can lecture on the Vikings, Norwegian History, its geography (with particular reference to Fjordland), and its folklore. She can also lecture, in-depth, on Oslo from the stand-point of a resident.

She has a very enthusiastic and lively personality. She has extensive public speaking experience, gained mainly during her Marketing career.

The magic phenomenon of Matt Edwards is a one-man comedy experience, he combines magic and laughter with ease, and he’s guaranteed to have any audience rolling around laughing with an act like you’ve never seen before.

Matt has had numerous television appearances in the UK and has very quickly become one of the most sort after performers in the world He started getting involved in magic at the age of 5 and has never lost the enthusiasm of learning new tricks or performance techniques to this day. He joined the junior section of the local Ipswich Magical Society and was also enrolled as the 300th member of The Young Magicians club run by the world famous Magic Circle. He quickly learnt new skills and was mentored by several well-known professional magicians who spotted his real talent and potential within the craft.

He received the accolade of a clean sweep of all the major Ipswich Magical Society Competitions in one year (Children's entertainer, Close-Up magic and Stage performance), something that has never been done before in the 84 year history of the society. When it comes to magic "entertainment" is the key word, he really can turn his hand to anything, he dazzles and amazes all his audiences with routines that in true Matt Edwards tradition is mixed with humor and a great deal of skill. Matt has performed to Royalty both at home and abroad, his show is award winning in several countries and quite simply has to be seen to be believed.

You can really say nothing bad about this very talented young man at all (doesn't it just make you sick!). As always the true professional, he has an act that is entertainment at it's purest. He is funny beyond words and his whole act has everyone in stitches from start to finish. Matt Edwards is always a tough act to follow no one ever comes away from watching Matt Edwards perform without their sides aching and tears in their eyes from the laughter. He is a true showman and a great magician capable of almost anything. Matt Edwards is now becoming a firm favourite amongst cruise companies. He is considered a breath of fresh air and the future for Matt is an extremely busy one!

For more information on Matt, please view the video below.

Cruise & Maritime Voyages are pleased to anounce Irene Burns will be on board with us this cruise teaching craft classes. After leaving school Irene worked for Martins Bank engaged in clerical work and as a cashier. She left the bank to join Durham Constabulary as a police officer. She served eighteen years in the police force rising to the rank of Inspector. Most of her service was in a supervisory role because of her ability to command and organise. During her service she worked as a police instructor at RAF Dishforth teaching basic criminal law to new recruits.

After leaving the police force Irene started a business retailing needlework and associated crafts. Also trading internationally. This generated a lot of custom. In 1998 Irene was awarded The County Durham Business Excellence Award for Information Technology reflecting the exports achieved from the web site.

Having come from a sewing and knitting family, Irene was enthusiastic about handicrafts. She attended courses for the purposes of teaching that subject and to generate income. During her shop career, she was awarded a “bouquet of the week” organised by a local paper for customer satisfaction as recommended by their readers. Irene started sewing classes locally and these continued for fifteen years. She retired from retailing in 1999.

Irene now has several years experience as a craft tutor within the adult learning sector, she teaches all levels from adults with disabilities, children of various ages and of average ability to experienced adults. Many of the classes have repeat learners indicating their satisfaction with the teaching style. Irene has also completed a City and Guilds 7304 certificate of teaching in the lifelong sector, Irene also holds a current CRB certificate.

She is married to Mick who is a local government officer, also a retired police officer.