Reference
X214/12/26
Title
Transcript of interview with Stephen Andrew Muzsnyai, born 30 March 1960, in Aylesbury.
Date free text
20 February 2009
Production date
From: 1960 To: 2009
Scope and Content
Birth certificate is in the name of Istvan Andras; Stephen Andrew is the anglicised version.
Mother came to England as a refugee from Hungary in 1956 and was in a refugee camp in Aylesbury. Settled there, got a job and met Stephen's father (also a Hungarian refugee)
Lived in a suburb called Butlers Cross. Mother worked as housekeeper in a big house for the Rendak[?] family. They provided a cottage on the estate and Stephen lived there till he was aged 8. It was near Chequers, the country residence of the Prime Minister.
Memories of village school at Butlers Cross and attending a nursery set up by a daughter of the Rendak family.
Spoke Hungarian at home, so did not learn English till at school.
Remembers Butlers Cross as an idyllic place.
Father found it difficult to settle in England and did not pick up the language well. Parents ended up divorcing when they came to Luton.
Early childhood at Butlers Cross - games, friends etc.
Sister Joanna was born in Luton in 1968.
First visited Hungary aged 11; went by car and it was a long journey. Had a [half] brother in Hungary who his mother had had to leave behind and was brought up by his grandparents. Also has a half sister in Hungary from mother's first marriage.
Moved to Luton in 1967, believes because father could not find work. Lived at Conway Road. Later lived at Salisbury Road. It was a shock to be in a flat in a town after Butlers Cross. Stressful starting at a new school which was very big compared to the village school.
Memories of first few years in Luton - going to the corner shop; friends from different ethnic backgrounds; making guys for Guy Fawkes; street games; neighbours.
Attended Maiden Hall School and Beech Hill High School. Wife is sister of best school friend, and Stephen first met her when he was 12. She is from an Italian family.
Not particularly religious as a child, though was baptised.
Memories of Luton Town Football Club, which provided stability during time of parents break up.
Football hooliganism in the 1970s.
Spending free time at Wardown Park - crazy golf and mini golf.
Schools sports days with all the local schools competing,
Swimming at Luton swimming pool; football at Dallow Road park.
Recalls decimalisation of the currency.
Mother was at work so had to collect younger sister from school and look after her. This precluded after school activities.
Did acting with Luton Drama.
When about 15, became ill and had a reaction to the prescibed medication; was quarantined in hospital for several weeks; took a long time to regain strength.
After leaving school at 16, got a place as a cadet with the Metropolitan Police. Left home to go to Hendon for training. First time Stephen encountered racism. Realised he had made a big mistake and left after a few weeks. Within a day got a job as a trainee manager at Greens newsagents.
Learning to drive.
Worked at Harpenden as an invoice clerk with Tritube. Got the train from Luton each day. Working in an office was a different experience. Moved to the telesales department and really enjoyed it. At age 18 got a job as a sales rep. for Burton's biscuits for £3,000 per year and a company car. Spent 5 enjoyable years there and became the top salesman and was promoted to national account manager. During this time got married and bought a house.
At age 26 started own business and has been self employed ever since.
Had 4 children; daughter had health problems and spent time at Great Ormond Street Hospital and died aged 4. It was a very difficult period.
Moved to North Yorkshire, intending to stay for a year, but stayed 10 years; it regenerated the family. Came back to Leighton Buzzard in 2000 and has been developing musical business.
Reference
Level of description
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