The Interview

Interview between Suzanne Hutt & Kim Streets
photography: Richard Hanson

16th January 2002

Suzanne Hutt was born in 1964. Just before her 18th birthday, Sue upped sticks and moved to Sheffield in search of ‘a bigger place and a bigger variety of people’. ‘Someone told me that there was a plastering project starting up for young women and because I’d got the confidence, with my Dad being in the trade, I thought it was great. It felt like quite a big thing at the time. I think now, women can choose a bit more easily’. Sue moved in with friends in Grimesthorpe and has lived in and around Pitsmoor ever since. When she was 21 Sue gave birth, ‘I was going it alone – I’d not really got my feet on the ground either, so it was a bit scary, but it’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me. I’ve got great friends here. I’ve moved away from this yard and back 3 times – I’ve lived in 3 houses in a yard of 4 houses. I’ve tried living in other areas and I’ve never found the community that I’ve found here’.

What is your idea of happiness?
I think that’s good company, good food, good health, fresh air, sunshine, having a good laugh.

What is your greatest fear?
I suppose, uncertainty of the future. When there’s been big changes in policy, and it effects people. Recently all the terrorist stuff and the war has been scary for a lot of people, I think it’s got a lot of people thinking. Things like education policies; I can’t imagine there ever being a fair system – you know? That’s a bit scary. It sort of feels like ‘the survival of the fittest’.

What do you dislike about yourself?
I think always wanting more energy than I’ve got. There’s a hundred and one things I’d like to do. It’s wanting to make a difference I suppose. 

What do you dislike about other people?
Intolerance of differences, I think that must be the number one. Witnessing unkindness really. 

What makes you sad?
I suppose it’s seeing a lot of displaced people, you know? Kids, that don’t know where they’re going, poverty. On a personal level, I’m quite happy generally.

What or who is the greatest love of your life?
That’s got to be my boy. He’ll kill me if I didn’t say that anyway – but yes – definitely Tom.

Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
‘You know’, – I think that’s what it is – I do say, ‘you know’ all the time.

What is your greatest regret?
I had an opportunity to go hang-gliding off the side of a mountain in New Zealand - and I didn’t. I think that is probably it. 

What is your earliest memory?
There were two hippies, real stereotypical hippies, who turned up at the door. They were taking photographs, and they came into the house. It was a door-to-door thing. I’d never seen people that looked different before, so I think that stuck in my memory. I was four – the photo’s here actually. My sister looks in shock, and I just sort of look like, ‘What the???’

If you could have one wish, what would it be?
To have time with my Grandmother again. Just another day with her, just to sit on a beach. She was an angel. I don’t know what it was about her, but I just felt completely and utterly whole with her. Alive!

Which living person do you most admire?
An old friend of mine: Laura. I was friends with her as a young Mum, we’d share childcare. She’s just one of those people that has the strength of her convictions. I admire her greatly.

What is your favourite smell?
I reckon it must be a baby’s skin. I went to visit my friend recently and held her baby. There’s lots of things that I love: plant smells and blossoms, but it doesn’t matter where you are, that smell just gives you a high. I suppose it is purity.
How do you relax?
I think walking and being in the fresh air. My favourite walk is Burbage, Burbage Edge. I love it up there.

What single thing would improve the quality of your life?
Having more money. Having more confidence. I’d like to enjoy more in life, you know? Social things. And I’d have my fridge stocked up with the most gorgeous food, wear nicer clothes, travel, go on holidays.

What is your favourite fantasy?
I think instead of locking poor people up for stealing, I’d like to lock very rich people up for being excessively greedy. That’s a nice fantasy, that one.

If you could change one thing about Burngreave, what would it be?
I think it’d have to be not having all the trash around. You know the broken glass is like, one that just gets my hackles up. I always think that a café in the park would be nice as well.

What keeps you awake at night?
Not being able to let go of the day. 

How would you like to die?
With a smile on my face.

How would you like to be remembered?
For the love I have given.

What is the most important lesson life has taught you?
To believe in myself more – it has to be.