MichaeI was born in Castleford during the Yorkshire town's Industrial heyday. His (adoptive) parents were both born in 1895. They lived in a 'two-up-two-down' terraced house: no electricity, TV or telephone. Yet what was lacking in facilities was compensated by the home's location and a strong sense of neighbourliness; factors that generated his interest in the experience of life and richness of human biographies. His professional life has included the roles of parish priest, high school head teacher, hospital chaplain and senior (university) research fellow. Barbara was born in Plymouth. Her father spent most of his life in the navy and her mother worked in an electronics factory on the council estate where they lived. An active child, she won sporting honours at both county and national levels. After qualifying in both PE and Dance, she worked in Yorkshire schools and became head teacher of a Wakefield high school followed by director of education for the Wakefield diocese.