Z1205/070

Female, formerly married to brickworker. Keen walker and birdwatcher. b. 29.05.1922 Side A (00 mins)Childhood in Bedford. Eldest of six children. (05 mins)Illness & absence from school. Wartime work in sanitary laundry. (10 mins)Laundry staff & facilities. Met husband to be during blackout. Marrie d in 1942. He was posted in army to India. Returned in 1946. (15 mins)Saturday nights out. Dancing. Roller skating. Maternal grandparents in Stratford upon Avon. Father's very poor childhood. (20 mins)Father was errand bike boy for International Stores, Bedford. Motorbike & sidecar experiences. (25 mins)Married when she was 20 & husband 23. He worked at Elstow brickworks before war. (30 mins)Husband's wartime postings to India, Northern Ireland. End of Side A SIDE B (00 mins)Looked after ailing mother in law during war. After war, London Brick produced only common bricks. (05 mins)Lifelong enthusiasm of couple for country walks & birdwatching. Boyhood bird's nesting. Reduction of bird population over the years. (10 mins)Fewer flowers. Decline in brick production. (15 mins)Husband made redundant in 1970. Driving job for auctioneers. Walks with grandchildren. In retirement, as a widow, she now walks with U3A group of retired people. (20 mins)Reflections on changes in technology over the century which have affected everyday life. Regrets bad language young children picks up from parents. END OF INTERVIEW Original Interview 55 mins

21November 2001

From: 1920 To: 2001

item

brick worker, birdwatching, married woman, general children, health, laundries, World War Two, dancing, storeman, motorcycles, flowers, specific aucton sales, unemployed, LANGUAGE, India, ELSTOW, Northern Ireland