I was born in Dublin, but only lived there until I was five. My father’s new job caused us to move. It was a very cold December day when I first saw Sheffield. There was no central heating in the house we had rented, but the landlord had assured my father that coal fires would be lit for us. After a long journey, our family of 5 arrived to find that this had not been done. My father had some harsh things to say to the landlord when he arrived on the scene.

The most exciting discovery in our new neighbourhood was Millhouses Park and the boating pond was my favourite spot. Small paddle boats, which were easy for children to use, could be hired. Adults would put remote control boats in the water, which we had to avoid. But one day I ‘accidentally’ sank one of these boats. Perhaps that’s why they won’t let me on the boats anymore!

Millhouses Park