Z1205/048

Male. Fitter at brickworks. Immigrant from Poland b. 21.04.1926 SIDE A (Due to problems with the recording machine, the first part of the interview is missing. The interview starts when the informant was already working in Bedfordshire at the Marston Valley Company. Worked there from 1948 to 1985 except for a short spell (18 months) at Stewartby.) (00 mins)Worked as fitter at Marston Valley Company. Wages in 1948 under 5 per week, including Saturday to 12 o'clock. 30 shillings charged for lodging at hostel including food. Hostel in Marston, 4 men per room. There for 2-3 years. Married to girl from Lidlington. Returned to Poland in 1962 for mother's golden wedding. Life had improved in Poland since the war. (05 mins)Considers Bedfordshire his home. Not planning to go back to Poland to live.Enjoyed his work as a fitter, repairing old machinery, or assembling new ones. Worked on brickworks machinery for Swaziland and Iran. Tom Tobin was the man in charge. When London Brick took over Marston Valley Company, went to work at Stewartby for 2 years. Was then made redundant. (10 mins)Good atmosphere at work in Marston. Felt he was not liked in Stewartby, because of superior experience. Looked for jobs at 60 after redundancy but was told he was too old. Sees old friends from work, and plays pubs games. Sad about the closure of the brick work and the loss of jobs. (15mins)Reflections on the life changes in the village. Before there was quietness, now there are hooligans. May be in 100 years time they will build houses in the pits. End of interview.Original interview 20 mins

14 September2001

From: 1925 To: 2001

item

Marston Valley Brick Company Limited,
London Brick Company,
Tobin, Tom

brick worker, fitter, immigration, wages/conditions, lodging houses, games, vandalism, Poland, STEWARTBY, MARSTON MORETAINE, LIDLINGTON, Poland, Swaziland, Iran