When I become a very old lady I think I’ll end up living in something that resembles a Womble’s house which comprises of tunnels burrowed between walls of old stuff that I can’t bear to throw away.

In the meantime I’m trying to at least be more organised in how I store the objects that I keep accumulating. I gathered these gadgets together after a recent sort out in the attic. My kids have told me on no account must I throw away the old PS1 and Gameboy, which makes me think that this hoarding thing must be genetic.

The Walkman Sports is also staying with us. It belongs to my other half and I love how it symbolises the 80′s in its jaunty yellow casing. It makes me want to get a perm and then go for a jog whilst listening to Now Thats What I Call  Music 4.

The first time I used a Sony Walkman was when I was thirteen and the song was Malcolm MacClaren’s Madame Butterfly. An older (17) and wiser (had more cash than the rest of us) friend had turned up with his Walkman one evening and we all took turns listening to it and saying ‘WOW ITS AMAZING!’ really loudly. But it was amazing and I’m glad that I’m from a generation that saw this bit of technology appear for the first time because it felt completely new to be able to walk down the street immersed in your own world.

I’m also eternally grateful that the first song I heard on a personal stereo was by Malcolm Maclaren when it could so easily have been Wham.

Story Donated By Lu Barker

I have always had a thing about accordions and have wanted one for many years (although musical ability for playing one is a different matter).  I came across this little beauty in Poverty Aid, Hyde Park when I was a student and particularly strapped for cash.  It was 27 pounds and was fairly wonky with buttons missing, broken strap and a couple of gaping holes in the bellows bit.

I immediately fell in love.  Also, it was emblazoned with the word ‘Barcarole’ – a name so similar to my own surname that I felt this was surely a sign that it should come home with me.  I called my partner to see what he thought.  Fortunately he agreed that, even though we only had 30 pounds to our name, that 27 of them should be spent on the broken accordion which bore a similar name to mine.  Five years on, it stills bring joy to the household and I don’t recall much about being skint the month that I bought it!
Lu Barker