My late father was from Levelamore on the slopes overlooking Mullaghbawn.

As a London child I spent many happy summer holidays in the 1950's with various aunts or uncles when small farmsteads were more common. There was no alternative.

Like John McCullagh's accompanying article, I too have reflected on my forebears who became landless and hungry. The what-ifs would always be more just for the unprotected.

But all is not entirely forgotten. My cousin has completely rebuilt a house and outbuildings high up in Ballard next to where he grew up.

The accompanying photo illustrates what a magnificent job he made of it!

Kindest regards

Peter Hannaway

London