I got to know many of the existing residents and was able to tell their stories, rather than just record the physical changes. That was a privilege and I’m still in touch with some of them 20-odd years later.

What I recall most was Urban Splash’s transparency: an eagerness to admit that not everything was easy, and that disagreements do happen. The existing residents weren’t keen on more canals, more water. The Splash team acknowledged this, included it in the consultation document, and worked closely with the residents to demonstrate how waterside living could be made as safe as possible.

When I wrote my first book about New Islington a few years later, one or two of my interviewees were less than complimentary about Urban Splash. I was convinced I’d have those comments edited out but no, nothing was changed. It was warts an’ all, and I respected Splash for that.

Urban Splash has been hugely successful: there’s precious little space left in their reception to display yet another award. But there have been massive challenges too. I guess this is the same for innovators in any sector.

But there are many years ahead when Splash will continue to push the boundaries of what is possible with inner city housing and urban regeneration. It’ll be interesting to see what happens to this iconic brand if and when those at the helm finally hang up their trilbies.

For now I’m proud to have been a part of the brand’s history. If I was to sum up my memories in a song it’d be (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? by Oasis. We actually adopted the song title to introduce the New Islington consultation document. It could just as well be the mantra to my three decades of storytelling in Manchester; the creation of New Islington has been a big part of that.