CC Ashley Joynes

Though I was born in Washington State, I grew up under Arizona’s desert sun from the age of 10. After two years in the U.S. Army Reserves with a Combat Support Hospital, I hitchhiked across America and then began to travel the world—until a spirited Lancashire lass stole my heart while I was in Ireland. I followed her home to Lancashire, and together we’ve built a happy life in the welcoming community of Rishton, raising three lively boys.

In the UK, I started out caring for the elderly and working factory shifts before qualifying as a naturopath, helping people heal for over a decade. I then spent five enjoyable years in library services, discovering the magic of historical archives. When redundancy loomed, I pursued my passion for the past, earning an MSc in Archaeology and enjoying a rewarding career as a field archaeologist, uncovering Britain’s incredible history—a true privilege.

While archaeology was fascinating, it often took me away from my family and community. I eventually moved into charity and community-focused work, which opened my eyes to how much local life had deteriorated in recent years. I couldn’t just stand by—I felt something had to be done to steer my adopted home back on track. The established parties weren’t up to the job, so I joined Reform UK, sparking my political journey.