“I love nature. The first blossoms will be coming out soon on the trees in the garden, and I can’t wait. I love organic food and doing my market in Tullamore. Most of us are lucky enough to have at least one person who makes a lasting impression on us, and for me, that was my granny, Langton. I was one of her eldest grandchildren, so I spent more time with her. She lived on a small farm where she foraged and enjoyed the nature around her. Her hens roamed freely, and she grew all of her vegetables. I remember picking wild strawberries from one of the hedges, full to the brim, every year. There was also a damson tree at the front of her house from which she made all of her jam. Granny’s salad sandwiches were divine!

She was the one person who stirred my interest in crafts. She taught me how to patchwork and helped me with my Home Economics projects, especially the sewing side.

Before Granny got married, she worked for the Midland Health Board as their seamstress. She married at 20 in the early 1950s and had to leave her job like all women of that time. Granny went on to have ten children and made all of their clothes. In the early 70s, because confirmation only happened every three years, she had four children for confirmation. She made all four outfits. My mother clearly remembers getting dressed for her confirmation and loving her salmon-coloured dress, complete with a cape that her mother had made. With her family reared, granny returned to making things like patchwork quilts, cushion covers and tea cosies. She sold them at the market at the Tullamore Court Hotel at Christmas. She was so proud of her work and had no problem selling it at the price she felt deserved. She knew her worth which makes me so proud. She was so clearly ahead of her time and a strong saleswoman. I’d like to think I inherited my creativity and entrepreneurialism from her, and I know she would be very proud that I am in some way following in her footsteps. After all, she was my inspiration”.

Jennifer (nee Dillon) is originally from Killeigh, Co. Offaly. She now lives in Ballycommon near Tullamore. Her business is www.millbee.com.