Energetic Anne used to be a mischief-maker

As the executive director of Keep Bermuda Beautiful Anne Hyde spends most of her time organizing cleanups across the island and gathering volunteers.

She rarely has a free weekend due to her charitable commitments, but hopes one day to learn to play the guitar.

The energetic mother-of-one is a passionate environmentalist and counts the cake tin her grandmother hand painted amongst her most valuable possessions.

Here the 61-year of Paget resident talks to Simon Jones:

Your earliest memory? 

My big sister making me turn out the light.  I had to stand on a chair to reach the light switch. 

What were you like in school? 

I was the chief mischief-maker. In primary school, I’d get my friends to carry out the plan while I sat quietly by, the picture of innocence.  

Which human trait do you dislike the most? 

People who bully or publicly humiliate others.

Human trait you value most in others? 

Kindness.  It’s easy to do and goes a long way.

Which film character would you be? 

Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz.

Do you believe in fate? 

I believe that wonderful things can happen to you, but only if you participate in being the master of your fate.  Serendipitous things happen all the time, happy coincidences and marvelous windfalls, but you have to be alert to catch them, or they’ll pass by unnoticed.

Your ultimate ambition? 

To learn to play the guitar.

Your most unappealing habit?  

Speaking too loudly.

Describe yourself in three words: 

Go, go, go

Best party you’ve ever been to? 

My 50th birthday party organized by my funny family. My sister forgot to bake the cake, so they took a loaf of homemade bread, frosted it with peanut butter and stuck a big candle in the center. Surprise!

Worst job you’ve ever done? 

Working two waitressing jobs when I was young to be able to pay rent.  My flat mates were unemployed at the time.

Biggest disappointment? 

Not choosing better flat mates.

Biggest regret? 

Not recording more of my father’s wealth of information about antiques, history and genealogy when I had the chance.  He lost the ability to speak after a stroke.

Closest you’ve ever come to death? 

Falling off my roof onto the concrete driveway. 

What do you do if you can’t sleep? 

Have a shot of rum.

Most unpleasant exchange you’ve have had with a person? 

I was packing up the leftover supplies after one of our monthly KBB cleanups. Later a man passed by and shouted at me that I couldn’t leave all those trash bags there as it was making his neighbourhood look a mess!

Best advice you have ever taken? 

“Wear turquoise.  It’s a good colour on you”.

What do you most dislike about your appearance? 

The freckles on my legs.

What do you like best about your appearance? 

My smoking hot body.

What’s your attitude to money? 

I like what Woody Allen says, “Money is better than poverty, if only for financial reasons.”

Nicest thing anyone has ever said to you? 

I love you, Mom.

Most treasured possession? 

A cake plate that my grandmother hand-painted.

What keeps you up at night? 

Too much on my mind, too many good ideas or too much work to finish before leaving on a trip.

Guilty pleasure? 

Hagan Dazs Belgium Chocolate

Name some favourites:

TV shows – Modern Family, Downton Abbey

Movies – The King’s Speech, Slumdog Millionaire, Shakespeare in Love

Books – Ken Follett’s Pillars of the Earth, Stieg Larsson’s Girl with the Dragon Tattoo 

Dishes – House of India’s Malai Coconut Mutter Murg

Your attitude to exercise? 

I’d rather be an active person and hike or go swimming, than have a gym membership. 

Your proudest achievement? 

Being recognized by my peers and getting the 2013 Bermuda National Trust’s Environmental Award

Pet peeve? 

People who drive over the line.  This is scary when they are coming towards you.  If you can’t fit your car on your own side of the road, try buying a smaller car.

What would you most like to be remembered for? 

Bringing people together to make social and environmental improvements in their neighbourhoods.

Most important lesson life has taught you? 

Believe in yourself, challenge yourself to new things and become a person of good character.