Z1205/217

Female. Fifty years in Marston Vale. b. 21.02.1921 SIDE A (00 mins)Born and raised in Bedford. Mother from Clapham and Father from Eltisley, near Cambridge. Saw maternal grandparents quite often. The lived near Igranic factory. Father lost his arm in the First World War. He couldn't go back to his previous job as a butcher. He bought a horse and cart and set up a greengrocers delivery round. Obtained his fruit from Dines Fruiterers and vegetable from a market garden in Maulden. (05 mins)She used to help him with deliveries from the age of 12 when not at school. One customers, Mrs Sears, from the pork butchers in town, would sometimes give pork sausages in place of money. (10 mins)After she and her sister, Mother had two boys after 11 years. They knew nothing about where babies came from and had no idea that Mother was pregnant. The sudden arrival of a baby was a shock to them. (15 mins)Father sold his horse and cart and went to work at Cardington Aerodrome when the Second World War started. Her sister worked there, as well, on barrage balloons. Attended Clapham Road School to 7, then Goldington School. Always walked home for a midday meal (12-2 break). Left school at 14, worked in a shop then went to work for Dines, the fruiterers in Harpur Street. (20 mins)Moved to work in Woolworths. Did war work at Robinsons in the small arms department on munitions production. Night office work. (25 mins)Loved working on the sweets counter. (30 mins)Incendiary bombs dropped on Bedford during Second World War. Only allowed to go to cinemas as teenage girls; Father wouldn't let them go dancing. (32 mins)End of Side A SIDE B (00 mins)She and her sister attended Health & Beauty classes for women in St. Peter's Church Hall once a week. Used to belong to the Brownies and then Girl Guides. Enjoyed occasional evening hikes at Ampthill Park. Met her husband to be through her sister who went out with his brother. (05 mins)He worked in the brickyards. She was 15. Got married in 1940.Lived with her parents. When husband came out of army, after the war, worked for a builders. Harsh winter of 1947. (10 mins)Snow for weeks and weeks. Very cold and she had a baby. Lived in Stewartby since 1947. Everyone seemed to be related in those days. Husband died in 1982. (15 mins)Husband returned to the brickworks for London Brick. He was a drawer. (20 mins)She returned to work in Woolworth's, just on Saturdays, despite her husband's annoyance. She loved it. Had a second-hand Ford car for £100. When husband died she worked at Cranfield College, cleaning offices. (30 mins)Still does a few hours ironing and light housework for people, even thought she is in her 80s. (32 mins)End of Side B ORIGINAL INTERVIEW 60 mins.

10 March 2003

From: 1920 To: 2003

item

Dines,
Woolworths,
Robinson,
London Brick Company

World War One, market gardener, pregnancy, World War Two, air force aerodromes, military balloons, Clapham Road Junior School, Goldington School, sweets, air raids over UK, Girl Guides, brick worker, snow, climatology, Cranfield College of Aeronautics, domestic servant, cleaner, CLAPHAM, BEDFORD, MAULDEN, CARDINGTON, Ampthill Park, MARSTON MORETAINE