L'Anne Knight grew up in Barnstaple and was educated at Park School, where she was later an elected parent-governor for seven years. She worked in the Probation Service in Barnstaple for 21 years and before that in Barnstaple Library. She has campaigned in support of the core values of the Green Party for nearly 30 years - initially with the North Devon Peace Council and then as an active member of the Green Party. In the past decade, the significance of the threat of climate change has increased her determination actively to raise awareness in the community.