Video transcript
My sister and I used to always have to go to the garden with me Dad when Mam was at
work. We used to hate it. We had to do this at a very young age from as far back as I
remember.
Dad used to sit me and my sister Paula in his handmade wheelbarrow and push us
through the streets of Blackhall. The garden seemed so far away. We would call into the
shop for some sweets and a bottle of Lowcock pop then we would be on our way.
We would arrive at the garden, eat our sweets, drink the pop then want to go home. My
dad had loads of vegetables and flowers growing in the garden. There were plenty of
sheds to mooch about in. Dad used to enter local leek shows to show his flowers and
vegetables.
Nana and Granda would often spend the day at the garden. Nana would take packed
lunch for Granda and weather permitting, would sunbath in her deckchair while Granda
was working. Dad used to dig up old bottles in the garden. He would clean them up in
the well. He later made some shelves and displayed them in the house. In one of my
History lessons in primary school I actually took a load of the bottles for the class to see.
When I was little I had no interest in the produce growing in the garden. I would never
eat the fresh vegetables. I particularly remember refusing fresh carrots because I said I
only liked tinned carrots. How things are different now. I fully appreciate everything in
the garden, the beautiful, fresh, organic vegetables- I can never get enough of them.
My dad keeps a good stock of vegetables. My dad also has hens so we have a daily
supply of fresh eggs. My little boys love to go to the garden with my dad. They play for
hours and love helping their Granda with the garden. It must be a boy thing. My dad has
told my husband he will get the garden because he is leaving it to Michael in his will.
