Z1205/036

Female Belgian immigrant. Worked in London Brick Co. canteen. b. 23.02.1927 SIDEA (00 mins)Born in Boom, small brick-making town between Brussels and Antwerp. Family of 5 children. Father, after war, loaded hand-made bricks to be transported to England. Mother married at 19. (05 mins)Worked in glass-blowing factory, then furniture factory. As young teenager during Second World War, used brick kilns at night as air raid shelters. Workers lived in cottages almost in the brickyards. (12 mins)Childhood play around brickyard at night. (15 mins)Met husband to be, as English soldier, in Belgium and married in 1949. Moved reluctantly to England, to find work. Husband returned to Stewartby brickworks. Lived in Wootton. (20 mins)She worked for Meltis confectionery factory in Bedford. Moved to Stewartby village in 1951 and worked in brickyard canteen, from 11am. To 7pm. As well as lunches, cooked high tea for immigrant hostel workers such as Poles and Yugoslavs. (25 mins)Had daughter in 1953 and then was full-time mother/housewife for 10 years. Hardships and homesickness of first period in England. (30 mins)Occasional return visits to Belgium. Differences, now those she knew as a child are no longer around. Delight in moving into house in Stewartby village. Brother from Belgium joined them to seek work. End of Side A SIDE B (00 mins)Brother joined brick works. Lived with them for 20 years before marrying. Subsidised rented housing in Stewartby village. (05 mins)Decided to buy rented house from Hanson in 1981. In retirement, moved to Stewartby bungalow. (11 mins)Satisfaction with wardens of Sir Malcolm Stewartby Homes, where they live. Remembers seeing the chimney at Coronation brick works being demolished. When she first arrive, the brickworks here seemed modern. Now the present works is out of date and due to be replaced with automatic brickworks."Closeness" of village community. Everyone knew each other because they all worked at the brickworks or were wives of brickworkers. Repairs were done by brickwork tradesmen. Gardens were kept tidy by brickwork employees. Now, everyone is a stranger. (15 mins)Villagers no longer work at the brickworks. Once the village green was played on; now it is dead. The appearance of the village has deteriorated. In the London Brick Co. days, cars were forbidden to park in front of houses - garages were used.The works canteen used to also cater for dinner parties and functions. Retired workers used to be given a sumptuous Christmas part, with presents for everyone. Similarly for worker's children. Concern regarding future viability of village hall. (20 mins)The 200 Club raises money to try to pay for the upkeep of the Stewartby Village Hall. No longer a resident caretaker. Used to be used regularly for wedding receptions . Reflections on heyday of the village Sports Days with everybody involved. Now only the village shop which is expensive and few people use. End of Side B.End of Interview Original interview 50 mins

16 August 2001

From: 1920 To: 2001

item

Hanson Brick Limited,
Meltis Limited

glass works, air raid shelters, games, soldier, Poles, Yugoslavs, Sir Malcolm Stewart Trust, chimneys, gardening, parties, Christmas, sport, immigration, Belgium, Brussels, Antwerp, STEWARTBY, WOOTTON