Being brought up in the 1970s by parents born in the 1920/30s, I feel, has made me appreciate things differently to many people today. Listening to stories of communities working together even in the darkest moments of war, bravery, relishing every day, make do and mend, growing your own and not being materialistic. History of WW2 wasn’t history to me, it was realistic and first hand from those explanations I was afforded as I grew up.

Looking back, those stories give a great sense of warmth and nostalgia. Not every story told was happy but the ultimate value was of appreciation and that they were lucky. Not having everything has made me hold on to items many would discard; a manual sewing machine reminds me of my Mum teaching me to sew; she made my clothes as a child; she taught me to cook and along with my Dad giving me my own woodwork set, I am now able to confidently tackle practical tasks passing those skills on to my own family. Holidays with cases tied to the car roof and a journey that took hours, stopping off for a cup of tea made in a thermos flask at the side of the road, whilst eating homemade doorstep ham sandwiches – pre-packed hadn’t been invented!

Our most exciting family holiday was in 1972 whereupon we embarked with my uncle and aunt in their car and a trailer tent to Italy, driving through Switzerland. Looking back now at the cine film whereupon I am making snowballs at the side of a mountain in June. In many ways I look at my parents as pioneers, keeping the qualities afforded them by their Victorian parents but yet willing to engage in new and exciting challenges and inventions a post-war Britain could offer.

Their time was one of evolution and change from fashion to cars, to rockets flying to the moon and travel to holiday destinations on aeroplanes cutting down time. Now life appears very static, no definition of a decade from music or clothes, no chatting over garden gates and hardly any eye to eye contact. I sometimes wish time travel was available as it wouldn’t hurt to go back and look at things differently. My parents’ ethos was work hard, take opportunities when they arise and live life as an adventure. It is a journey, travel it well.