Reference
X214/12/39
Title
Transcript of interview with Stephen Turner, born 12 May 1962 in Ilford, Essex
Date free text
1962- 17 July 2008
Production date
From: 1962 To: 2008
Scope and Content
Father got a job in Luton about 6 months after Stephen was born, so does not remember Ilford as a home. Used to return to the area to visit as had relatives in the area. Mother's relatives are Irish.
Bedofr leaving London father worked for the GLC [Greater London Council]
Attended St. Joseph's Infant School and then St. Joseph's Junior School in Gardenia Avenue, Luton. Reminiscences about school days. It was an Irish Catholic school. Infant and Junior school days were enjoyable, Stephen was a good student and good at sport. Secondary school was not so happy; it was very violent, a lot of pupils excluded. Feels the experience of secondary school scarred him for life. Thinks some of it was to do with a big Irish population and it being at the height of 'The Troubles'.
General recollections of school.
Sport, cricket and football competitions.
Reminiscences about school friends; still in touch with a lot of them.
As a child lived in the Lewsey Farm area, then Hockwell Ring. Moved to the outskirts of town when Stephen was about 9. Stephen did not want to move and felt isolated in the new place.
Mother came over from Ireland in the 1950s. She was the youngest of a family of 10. Her sisters were nurses, trained in England. Three brothers spread around the world. Mother was last to leave Ireland as being the youngest, she had to look after her mother, who eventually came to England. Mother had part time jobs that worked round the children. She was a trained nurse. Believes parents met at a dance in London. Father was a trained town planner. When he moved to Luton he worked for the borough in the planning departments.
Recalls a holiday in Mallorca in 1973. Most holidays were visiting relatives or south or Sussex coast.
Has 2 brothers, 15 months younger and 4 years younger than Stephen. Describes relationships with siblings. Wider family.
Got job offers after taking O-levels, but decided to go to the 6th form associated with the secondary school. Did A- levels, but did not put in much effort and did not do as well as anticipated. Evenutally went to Manchester Polytechnic, but did not like the course and dropped out after a term. Returned the following September and started different course.
Young adult life; girlfriends, working in a casino during college holidays.
Finished college in 1985; very few jobs - worked on building sites and other places; jobs through temporary work agencies. By this time was living in Winslow.
Got a job in a casino in the West End, working the reception. Stayed there a year. It was well paid, with tips on top.
Decided to go to France; had met a French girl, went to France with her and stayed for 10 years. Initially worked as labourer for future father-in-law building swimming pools and landscaping gardens. Worked for one year in a ski resort, also worked for Chartreuse. Got married. Got a qualification teaching English as a foreign language and taught English for the next 7 years.
Describes the various places where he lived in France.
Met wife in 1987, married in 1989 and divorced in 1996, though separated in 1995. Describes proposal and wedding. Married for the second time in 2000; has 2 children from second marriage and a son from first marriage.
Returned to England after breakdown of marriage, and came to Luton. Took a few jobs and in the summer stayed with brother in Fulham and taught languages in Hampstead.. Subsequently took a job with old friends who had set up a garage door business. The job came with a room in a big house. Worked there for over 2 years.
Language difficulties in France; people speaking fast; regional accents etc.
Compares food in England and France.
Various jobs since return to England. At present only working 2 or 3 days a week due to health issues.
Comments about children; their schools and personalities.
Comments about Luton: the old town has been repalced by concrete - traditionaand historic buildings torn down.
Has always had an affinity with Ireland and the Irish population in Luton, due to his parents Irish heritage.
Participant requested restrictions on access. Specific consent required prior to production.
Level of description
item