Bedfordshire Archives Service Catalogue
  • Reference
    Z1205/187
  • Title
    Male. Architect & artists. Self-employed. b. 22.02.1926 SIDE A (00 mins)Born in Bedford as an only child. Father's family came from Campton. Mother's family came originally from Great Billing Northamptonshire. They settled in Biddenham where they farmed. They moved into Bedford. His three aunties were all engaged to men who died in the First World War and as a result never married and were buried with their engagement ring on. (05 mins)Idyllic childhood. Attended St. Paul's Church in his best suit with his bathing costume underneath, so that he could go swimming in the river. He and his mother would store their picnic hamper under the pew. Punting was popular on the river. Picnics at Honey Hills in Kempston by the river Great Ouse. Whole village communities would go down to the river or to other picnic spots on Sunday afternoons. (10 mins)Fished a lot. Always ate the fish, except chub. Pike was attracted to the fish which fed on waste material discharged from the brewery in Bedford. As food became more available in 1950 and 1960s, then the match fishing philosophy of competing by weight of fish caught was introduced. He disapproves of this and says it leads to damaged fish being thrown back into the river and is more barbaric than fox hunting. Father worked for Bedford Engineering Company as General Manger. (15 mins)The firm closed during the depression in 1937. He became a senior instructor for a government apprentice training centre in Letchworth. Did ARP (Air Raid Precaution) duties during war. Mother was religious, a very good cook and quite social. Played badminton. Interviewee attended Bedford Modern School and then University college, London. Did National Service in the army in Germany and in Prague, Czechoslovakia. Demobbed in 1948. Thoroughly enjoyed this experience but also saw concentration camps in Germany, which he prefers to forget. (20 mins)Because he spoke some German he helped bring about some liaison between the army and local German civic leaders to encourage reconciliation. Returned to university after the army. The Bartley School of Architecture in University College, London, was next to the Slade Art College. He was able to develop his life drawing skills as well as his architectural knowledge. In holidays he did on-site bricklaying and other practical work. First job was with Stewart, Stanley and Crocket in the West End of London (Crocket was one of his teachers). In 1959 decided to leave London and after 18 months with Beds. County Council, went into partnership with his brother-in-law for 30 years. (25 mins)Had an excellent art master at Bedford Modern School, Sammy Vaults, who advised him that he would not make a living as an artist. The headmaster suggested to his father that architecture as a career. His father helped him get through with mathematics which he was not good at. Could draw when he was in the pram. His mother said that he could draw perfect circles and spirals. Still comes across paintings and drawings occasionally from earlier periods of his life. Has drawn and painted throughout his life. Has had monthly illustrations in Bedfordshire Magazine 1946 to 1999. (30 mins)Painting outdoors in "shorthand" (quickly) to catch the changing light and clouds and movement. Finishing off indoors. (32 mins)End of Side A SIDE B (00 mins)Drawing and painting are compulsive occupations. Has illustrated books for Heinemann, Batsford and other publishers. Started drawing for Bedfordshire Times and then was invited by Harold White, the Beds publisher, to do the "sketch book" for Beds. Magazine. (05 mins)Architectural work in England, Wales and Scotland. In Bedfordshire a lot of church schools, housing, office development, factories, estate development and the restoration of old buildings. Restoration work on Elstow Abbey and other churches in Marston Vale. Other work includes Sue Ryder Hospice in Moggerhanger. (10 mins)Reflects on how architecture is now so constrained by planning regulations - "everybody 'knows' your job better than you". The tail has begun to wag the dog. You are trying to design a horse but end up with a camel. Disastrous planning decisions in the 1960s in Bedford. (15 mins)Kings Way and ploughing through the town centre should never have happened. The inner relief road should have been built first, then the bypass. Conflicts between borough planning authorities and county planning authorities. Moat House Hotel badly located. Town Hall disastrously out of scale with its setting but Pilgrim Housing offices rather delightful. Salvation Army building in Commercial Road a lovely building. Ugliness comes in the situation of buildings rather than the quality of architecture. (20 mins)Admires Stansted Airport building. Advantages of living in Willington. Originally a Bedford estate village (for estates workers) but gradually sold off. Now it's a commuter village and its indigenous population largely gone. (25 mins)Reflections on old age, on social isolation of those reliant on public transport. Still drives although approaching 80. Still paints. Finds youth culture hard to cope with. (30 mins)Reflects on the impact of computers on social life and the on raucous music everywhere making conversation difficult. (32 mins) End of Side B Original Interview 60
  • Date free text
    13 January 2003
  • Production date
    From: 1920 To: 2003
  • Reference
  • Level of description
    item
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