Moira studied Classics at St Anne’s College, Oxford from 1971-75, followed by a PGCE in History and Religious Education at Canterbury. Her career in education has involved pastoral and academic leadership roles in state and private schools, both junior and senior. She was an ISI inspector with special interest in social, moral, spiritual, and cultural aspects. She has also served as a governor at two schools for many years.

After Canterbury she moved to St Albans and it was there that she became involved with the homeless charity, Martin House. Soon after arriving in Oxford in 1985, she became a trustee of Emmaus and helped to establish its Oxford community by chairing the Events and Fundraising Committee; after the community was built, she joined the Companion Welfare Committee. More recently she has been involved with Oxfordshire Youth, assisting with the organisation of fundraising events.

Married to Dr Stephen Darlington MBE, Moira has had close links with music and cathedrals over forty-five years. They have three daughters and six grandchildren and live in Headington. Interests include music, theatre, art, and she currently juggles two book groups. Time permitting, she likes to steward at the cathedral, welcoming visitors.

Appointed a Deputy Lieutenant for Oxfordshire in April 2020, Moira is part of the group with special responsibility for East Oxford and she is the Lieutenancy lead on equality, diversity and inclusion.

Moira says:

“Becoming a Deputy Lieutenant has afforded me the opportunity to develop a greater understanding of both the benefits of living in Oxfordshire and the disparity in access to those benefits for various reasons, disability being an example. I admire those who cope with any form of disability, physical or mental, and do not allow it to define them. In some countries they are termed not “disabled” but “people of determination”, which is a far better description, in my view, of their tenacity, adaptability and positivity. I hope to be able to use the networking opportunities my role as a DL affords me to advocate for the “people of determination” supported by MyVision Oxfordshire and do my part to create a more equitable society.”