Reference
X214/12/7
Title
Transcript of interview with Benita Jill Bottoms, born 1936
Date free text
22 Jul 2008
Production date
From: 1936 To: 2009
Scope and Content
Only child of Gladys and Sidney Brown. Was moved out of London just before the war. Mother died four years later. Came back to London at age 13 and met the man she married in 1954. When married, lived in Holloway for 3 years; moved out when second son was born and husband got a job at Marconi, in Welwyn Garden City. After six months became entitled to a corporation house. After five years had saved enough for a house and bought one in Luton. Would have liked to stay in Welwyn, but is was too expensive. Moved in during the winter of 1962/3, with a new baby daughter.
Describes the snow of early 1963; power line damaged and were 3 days with no gas or electricity with 3 small children. Had now lived in the house for 45 years.
Now has 4 children and 6 grandsons. The children did not go to universtiy but have all done well for themselves.
Thinks a lot of things happen in Luton, but most people do not bother to find out about them or can't be bothered to make use of what is provided. Many things have closed due to lack of support.
As a family, does not think they have done badly out of Luton.
Ended up looking after sister's children, so it was like bringing up 6 children. Did a lot of dress making to save money.
Went on camping holidays with own tent, so able to have more than 2 weeks holiday a year; went away for weekends usually fairly close, to places like Wilstead, but were away in the country.
When first married husband earned £10 per week.
Recalls daughter having first nylon dress; it did not need to be ironed. Used to do washing by putting a boiler on top of the coker and boiling the sheets and nappies. You would spend all day washing on Monday, and the next three days trying to get thing dry, as you could only wring things out be hand unless you had a mangle. Now we take automatic washing machines for granted.
Recalls having first fridge, when living at Welwyn. Was the only person in the street to have one. Did not know what to put in it, as had a larder with a cold shelf and shopped nearly every day; neighbours used to come and put jellies in the fridge for children's parties.
People today have stress in a different way; most familes both parents go out to work, whereas when Benita was first married women rarely went out to work. Later went to evening classes and tok 5 O-levels and got a job in the local library (Sundon Park) for 23 years. The hours were flexible so it fitted round the children. Has to give up due to ill health, but was then able to help with grandchildren.
Describes the work in the library, activities for children, becoming library manager; visits from authors etc. How the libary has changed over the years, the ticket system now replaced by computers.
Reference to Cordon Bleu catering skills. On the anniversary of the Battle of Britain or som such, did demonatrations of war time cooking in the library. Duties of the library manager.
Sundon Park Library was originally a private library donated by Skefko; they had the wooden building shipped over from Sweden. It was later adopted by the Council, who have probably resented the cost of maintaining the building over the years.
Reference to big employers no longer in Luton such as Skelko, Vauxhall, Electrolux and Whitbread so there is less work in Luton; more people commute out of Luton for work.
Comments regarding industry in Luton, now the airport is probably the major employer.
Luton has become very multicultural. The carnival started really small, but is now a big thing and is giving year round employment. It was sad when it had to be cancelled due to the weather.
Electricification of the train line to London was fantastic, though it did mean the end of the 'pram train' where the porter would put your baby's parm in the guards van free of charge. You could then travel to London, shop all day and put everything in the pram and not have to carry it. The fast electric train gets to London in half an hour, but is very crowded during rush hour, and there is not enough parking for commuters.
When the M1 opened there were Green Line buses from Luton that went non-stop to Marble Arch. The journey took an hour and was cheaper than the train. The disadvantage is that when there is an accident it snarls everything up.
Comments about the growth of Luton Airport.
The Arndale Centre made a big difference to the town. Recently refurbished. When it was built a lot of the smaller individual shops were lost to the town. Now Milton Keynes has a big shopping centre a lot of people go there.
Recollections of Luton before the Arndale Centre; the old Sainsbury and the Co-Op that sold everything including school uniform, St. Georges Theatre. Excitement when Marks and Spencer opened in Luton. Several bus stations over the years, each bigger than the last. Cars on the High Street making it difficult to cross the road.
Luton is now very multi cultural.
Children used to row on Wardown lake and enjoy the park. Shame that the amenities keep being vandalised. Bands used to play at the bandstand on a Sunday. Stockwood Park is being improved: a new centre has been built and they are doing talks and things. Hopes it will be supported. Used to go every year to the circus at Stockwood Park. Sundon Park is where the river Lee springs. It is rather overgrown these days. At one time they built a cyclr path and a footpath and you could almont walk into Luton by the river only having to cross a few roads.
The circus used to have animals and the children used to go and see the animals in their cages before the performance. Now the circus is all acrobats.
Considers that Luton has been a good place to live; children did not go to university but all have qualifications from local colleges and have good jobs. Children are stll in the general area, as are many of their school friends.
Reference to the Library Theatre and theate at Dunstable; also a theatee in the hat factory.
Thinks there should be more job opportunities for youngsters in Luton. The new Centre Parcs might be good for local employment.
Was at school when O Levels came into existence, and was aked to stay on and take them, but was told she had to go out to work. Felt cheated. Later could not help own children with homework, so decided to go to evening classes. Took five O levels over three years. Then decided to do something more fun and useful so took City & Guilds courses in food & family, Cordon Bleu, cake icing and decorating and made wedding cakes and birthday cakes for 37 years. Never advertised but always busy. Also did catering for weddings, the library and regularly for the Luton Rambling CLub. When husband became sick took a teaching course for a year to teach at evening classes, which she did for 10 years. Is still asked for recipes. Also taught in schools.
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