Interviewed by Cormac Barrett / photos by Sharon Smith

Cormac: How long have you lived in the area?
John & Elizabeth: 42 years.

Cormac: What’s a fond memory you have of living here?
John & Elizabeth: Going to Marley Park in the summer. Joining the church choir and making lasting friendships. Annual barbecue in the Marley Park walled garden set up by the residents association. Small performances by classical musicians in Marley House. Watching our children grow up surrounded by friends in a thriving community.

Cormac: Have you seen this community come back from hard times before?
John & Elizabeth: There has never been any majorly hard times for the community as a whole. There have never been any slumps. Some places have changed a lot more than Marley has. There have been changes to the surrounding area with new shopping centres and estates being built.

Cormac: What are some things that have helped you through lockdown and what brings you joy?
John & Elizabeth: Walking in the park, reading books, listening to music, spending time in the garden during good weather, meeting family outside when you couldn’t meet indoors.

Cormac: What does community mean to you? What sort of things are you doing now to stay connected to your community and family?
John & Elizabeth: Community is the family and friends that live nearby that we regularly keep in contact with. Meeting outside to go for a walk and coffee. Going on zoom to talk to friends. Going to watch our grandkids play sports when we were able.

Cormac: What message do you want to share for yourself and this community in 10 years time?
John & Elizabeth: I hope we’ll all be here in 10 years. I hope there are opportunities for the young people living in the area. I hope the area remains a lovely place to live and socialise.

Cormac’s experience: “I enjoyed having the chance to talk to my grandparents about their opinions and experiences in the area they live in.”

Pictured below is Cormac’s creative response to his interview with his grandparents, John and Elizabeth: two photos showing their children when they were young versus a current photo. There are also other images from John and Elizabeth’s shoot with Sharon.

John & Elizabeth Barrett