Robert Parkinson

Dad with Cousin Anthony, Early 1990s

I think this is my Dad at my Aunty Nelly’s in Everton. Most family gatherings in Everton were because someone’s been born, someone’s died or it’s Christmas [laughs] so it’ll be one of those three. My Dad’s actually looking quite sharp in that one so I presume he was still doing quite labour-based work.

Me asleep next to my dad’s drums, Early 1990s

Location: Padiham, Burnley

I can remember it was just after my sister was born, so they had to convert the attic into my bedroom for space. I was absolutely obsessed with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles when I was a kid, I had all the figures and everything and I imagine my dad took this as a funny picture, as if he’s about to start drumming while I’m asleep at night [laughs]. So they had to put the drums upstairs because it was too loud for my mum downstairs so, yeah… I imagine my dad was just taking the mick [laughs].

Dad (punk band era), Early 1980s

Judging from my Dad’s outfit and his hair, it was when he was in, I think, a bit of a dodgy band in the 80s where… I think it was like a wannabe punk band because I can remember my Dad telling me it was [laughs] amazing when they threw beer at you and spat at you, and that was a good thing as a punk. My Dad’s t-shirt and vest combo – it might be that era.

Mum and Dad at Heather’s 21st, Early 1970s

This is my Mum and Dad, at my Mum’s friend Heather’s house for her twenty-first birthday. I think it was quite close to when they got engaged. My Dad [laughs] being quite, like, proud of the can of ‘Newkie Brown’ is strange for me to see because he definitely doesn’t drink that now. I guess that the finger in the front of the lens is probably my Uncle Simon’s and I could also hazard a guess that my Dad’s wearing platform shoes there, ‘cos he wore them to get married as well