We used to get our water from the standpipe and store it in a pot called a monkey to keep cool. We'd go on excursions - usually on Boxing Day. If you lived in town you'd go to the country or seaside. You used to have to do exercises before going to school. Sometimes you'd go to the market or get groceries delivered by bicycle, with a basket on front. The buses used to be packed with people coming from the country with their chickens. In Barbados we had a crop-over in July or August, it lasts a month with bands, calypso tents, just like a carnival.

The schooners would go to other islands and bring back fruit, plantains, coconuts. The ships used to stay out as we didn't have a deepwater harbour. The men would have to row out and collect the things from the big shops. The Mawby woman sold drink to the men who worked on the schooners.

I went back in 2001. I'd go in the shops, it would seem like you're in England, but when you come out you realise you are in Barbados. There used to be a lot of small shops, now there are supermarkets and so on. My grandmother is 92 this year, and I have an aunt and great aunt there. They are still in the home village. In those days it was quiet, now there are more cars. It was agricultural, then industry moved in and bigger roads were built.

I help with the Barbados Association activities. Now I'm helping with the second banner. It's a place to meet others from Barbados.

This story was recorded as part of a project involving Leeds Barbados Association and Moving Here.