A DYSLEXIC woman whose Northwich-inspired poem is on every cafe table at the town’s newest heritage attraction proves it is never too late to learn.

Christine Rodwell, 59, was only diagnosed with dyslexia when she was 50 but this has prompted a new lease of life as a writer.

Her poem is about the closure of the Lion Salt Works, in Marston, and is now included with every menu at the Ollershaw Lane restoration.

She said: “When I was diagnosed I was 50, and that’s nearly 10 years ago, I was asked what I was going to do and I said ‘I’m not the type of person who’s a label catcher, not the type of person to say ‘I’ve got dyslexia so I won’t do this’.

“So I did some learning - English, maths and computer certificates, I’ve got the lot.”

Christine, who lives in Castle, completed a number of adult learning courses at Waterside House, in Navigation Road.

Her imagination was fired during these courses when she heard a talk about plans to restore the Lion Salt Works.

She wrote the poem in just five minutes in 2012.

“It’s just a little ditty,” she said.

“It took me five minutes to write it because when I have these ideas they have to go straight down on paper.”

Christine, who is a carer for her husband, said she struggles with her short term memory and her brain cannot process information quickly enough.

“People that do have dyslexia aren’t unintelligent people,” she said.

“I have problems comprehending information because it goes into my brain slower.

“It’s like going from A to B - if you have dyslexia it’s not a straight line, it’s a curve or a half circle but you get there in the end.

“You have to work harder to go to the same place.

“It wasn’t recognised when I was younger.

“When I was at school I would know the answer to the questions but by the time the teacher got round to asking me, because she thought I was stupid, I had forgotten the answer.

“I even had the dunce’s cap on and was made to face the wall.

“You have to be willing to accept the help now and not dwell on who didn’t do what in the past, that’s not important.

“I think mine is an important story to try to encourage other people in my position to get some education.”

Christine has written more than 100 poems since 2007.

She thanked Katherine West, Cheshire West and Chester Council’s museums and arts manager for her support.