I was born in Coatbridge Lanarkshire on the 9th September 1954. Though we were brought up on a council estate, we were really fortunate to live surrounded by countryside, woodland and lochs which came to be a fantastic playground. The streets were always full of kids playing. The neighbourhood was very working class with large families being the norm. Those were the days when the husband went out to work and the wife stayed at home to cook, clean, and look after the children. Money was tight, with nothing to spare for luxuries. There was a sense of pride and a real work ethic. I only knew one or two families who were on long term benefits. I remember the Browns being the first family on the street to get a tele (they would wouldn’t they!). We got one when I was about four. The Browns also had a car, a rarity on the street. I remember when I was five proudly standing up in class telling everyone my dad was getting a new car - it eventually appeared when I was nine.