I was born in Jamaica in the parish of St Mary, the sixth of eleven children. Dad had a smallholding that produced all the fruits and foods grown on the island, plus animals. I went to school until the age of 17, to O level grade.

I came to England in January 1955 to my aunt in Keighley. I applied to the local hospital and was accepted for nurse training in the February. I completed SRN in three years and did Midwifery Parts 1&2. I returned to work at the hospital in Keighley and stayed for eight years, after which I left to train as a health visitor. I met and married a Yorkshire man in 1970 and we had a son in 1973. We came to Sheffield in 1976 and my husband worked at the Polytechnic.

I got an allotment in Highcliffe in the early 80s. It was a place to escape to find peace, but the bonus is that I get to bring home fresh fruits and veg. I absolutely love being there; it reminds me of my childhood.

Highcliffe Allotments