Z1205/144

Male. Former brick worker. Immigrant from India b. 15.01.1940 SIDE A (00 mins)Born and raised in the Punjab region of India where his family were farmers. 5 brothers 1 sister. Was 28 years old when he came to England. All his family worked in agriculture, on their own land. Bought more land after sending money from England. Oldest brother still working the same land. Land sharing unequal between sexes. Very fertile land, growing a variety of crops. (05 mins)India had better climate for growing food compared with allotment here. Men only worked on land, women looking after the home and children, and milking cows and buffalo. Cows kept in sheds. Milk sold to dairy. (10 mins)Before 1947 milk was not sold, because considered sacred, but given away. Then few cows used to be kept. More oxen to do the hard work. Also sheep, goats and camels were kept. (15 mins)Working life in India: getting up before sunrise, some times working all day and in evening, especially at harvest time. Regular evening work because much cooler than day time. No machines available then. People worked longer hours than now in agriculture, especially at harvest. Weather played a role, too. Waiting for the rainy season allowed free time for people to go to a Mela (festival). Women brought food to the field up to 3 times a day for the workers. (20 mins)Came to England 1969 to make some money. The work in the brick yard is seen as just as hard as the work in the fields of India. Prefered to do daytime work. Not bothered by the different nationalities at work. All trying to get on, to earn money. Received same treatment as others. Worked stacking green bricks ready for the forklift. Had to be very fast. Were all Indians on that section, but not everyone spoke same language. (25 mins) His pay was 7 shillings & 6 pence (37 1/2 p)per hour then. In a good week he could earn £16 for 40 hours. Lived with his brother, shared costs & supported family in India. Nothing to do in the free time. Did not go to pubs. Went to a temple in Queens Park. Wife & children joined him in 1974. Has 5 children. Happy to have taken the decision to come to England. (31 mins)End of Side A End of Interview . Original Interview 30 mins.

27 June 2002

From: 1940 To: 2002

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farmer, brick worker, immigration, AGRICULTURE, gender issues, milkman, camels, sheep, goats, harvesting, CELEBRATIONS AND COMMEMORATIONS FESTIVALS, wages/conditions, race issues, Punjab (India), India, Bedford Queen's Park, STEWARTBY, BEDFORD