We have to relate to the communities in which we find ourselves

Ian 79. Born in Darlington. Lives in Nottingham. Retired Investment manager. Two step children.

How are you?

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There's plenty to look forward. I’ve moved to Nottingham be nearer my step-daughter. How long you been your stepdad? Both my step children were about nine when I came into their lives.

How do you see yourself?

Like a fish floating around without any specific attachments. It’s a bit strange at the moment (lockdown) because I've been here in Nottingham for six months without seeing anybody. Yesterday was the first time I've actually been across a neighbours threshold. I have been in so many different phases in my life and I'm quite happy now to be in a new phase. I’m in a new city where I'm freed of lots of commitments, which however enjoyable and fulfilling, they did tend to dominate one's life. I was a governor in a village school. How unusual is that? A man with no children of his own becomes a school governor.

I am a person of routine and structure. I take the Monday edition of the Northern Echo - the local Darlington paper. It arrives by post. I've done that for 40 years. I’m proud of my roots. I support the local Darlington Football Club. I am an orthodox practical person. I like a disciplined framework. My wife would ask me at 7pm in the evening if I was hungry. To me it was such a ridiculous question because I've always had meals at predictable times, and at 7pm of course I’m hungry!

MORE TO COME. ‘MEN TALK’ OUT SOON!