Bedfordshire Archives Service Catalogue
  • Reference
    Z1205/142
  • Title
    Female. Local councillor. b. 13.08.1939 SIDE A (00mins)Born in Durban, South Africa, where father, previously in the army, was the Managing Director of Dunlop from 1933. She stayed in South Africa during war, while father served in the army with Montgomery in the north African desert campaigns. (05 mins)Paternal grandfather was born in 1860, son of a Lincolnshire tailor, joined the army as a private and worked his way up to be Field Marshall, the first ever. Married General's daughter, whose family would not attend he wedding. Maternal grandfather was a whisky distillery owner who drank himself to death, aged 52. (10 mins)After the Second World War, the family moved to Berlin, when she was 7 yrs, where her father was the Military Governor. Educated at home, with a friend, by a governess. Later there were 6 or 7 children studying together. Didn't attend school until she was about 13 (?), in 1953 (?) and had 3 not very happy years at boarding school. Remembers Field Marshall Montgomery staying with them. (15 mins)Parents had a house in the country near Osnerbrook, during the period of the Berlin airlift and "Cold War" tensions with Russia. Mother managed the entertainment of official guests and the servants. Remembers the devastation of buildings caused by wartime bombing. (20 mins)Father became the first British High Commissioner when the first German government was set up and was very highly regarded by Eisenhower. Left in 1950 when father was sent to Egypt as Commander-in-Chief for the Middle East Land Forces. (25 mins)Based at a military base in Fayed, on the Bitter Lake. Had lovely horses. Father played polo a lot. Was Head Girl in her final year at boarding school in Malvern. She worked hard because she didn't enjoy being with her fellow school children. (30 mins)Took "O" Levels at 14 and 2"A" Levels at 16. Couldn't bear the thought of staying on, so missed out on going to university. Left at 16 and went to France to learn French, on an exchange with a French girl. They are still friends. (32 mins)End of Side A SIDEB (00 mins)Had the choice of a "coming of age" ball or 3 months in America with her father, which she chose. Stayed with American godfather. Returned to attend secretarial college. Worked for J. Walter Thompson, in advertising, and was secretary to the Marketing Executive. Married in 1965. (05 mins)Sister lived in Great Brickhill. Husband was a management consultant who had three children. Lived in Bedfordshire and had twins herself. Ran part-time catering business for parties. Husband joined County Council in 1973. She became a County Councillor in 1979. (10 mins)Reflections on being a councillor. Satisfactions on achievements. Difficulties in trying to get any management job, despite of experience, without paper qualifications. (15 mins)Work on Mid Beds District Council, as Conservative Group Leader. Became High Sheriff. Enjoyed her year very much, particularly thanking volunteers in a host of organisations for their contributions to the community. (20 mins)Six Royal visits took place when she was in office. Attended the opening of the new Mosque in Bedford. Reflections on the changes in the role of women during her lifetime and the increase in housing in the county. Worries about the decline in agriculture. Satisfaction with the improved landscape around the Forest Centre, where there was previously the spoils of the brick industry. (25 mins)Reflections on land filling in the Vale. Pride in living in Bedfordshire. 32 mins)End of Side B END OF INTERVIEW.Original Interview 60 mins.
  • Date free text
    13 June 2002
  • Production date
    From: 1935 To: 2002
  • Level of description
    item
Hierarchy browser