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?
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!