Cultureshock

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Video transcript

Living in another part of the country felt strange.  I somehow felt detached from the people and place where I lived and worked.  They called me a Geordie there and I loved that.  It was a strong part of my identity.   I had a great time and was happy there but it was never home.  I wondered if I'd always feel like that or whether one day I'd return to the place that I love.

My family were well known in the village where I grew up in Durham.  We were very much part of village life.  I think that's how I developed such a strong sense of belonging.  I knew everyone and everyone knew me. 

One of my first jobs was at Beamish Museum, working in the cafe.  I used to look out onto the cobbled street and see the demonstrators .  I thought they must be such extroverts to do that kind of job, but some years later I found myself in the same street, in costume.  It was a great job.  I was no extrovert but I loved chatting to visitors about the history of the north east.  The locals loved to talk about their memories and I learned a lot about my own heritage from them.  I felt really proud to tell visitors to the area about the region.  This was when I realised I wanted to pursue a career in museums.

We had been living away from the north east for several years when our first child was born and the pull of being back home became stronger.  We wanted our son to grow up as a little Geordie, surrounded by the people and places that are so important to his parents.

Once we moved back it felt immediately settled.  I work for Tyne and Wear Museums now and as a curator I have the opportunity to look after and preserve the museum collection - part of the heritage of the north east.  This is my chance to give something back to this region which is so important to me.