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Ghost sign for a car repair garage on the corner of St. Leonard's Road and Howard Road, 2017.
No full textGhost sign for a car repair garage. This sign is made up of 5 sections across two sides of the building. Along St. Leonard's Road, two signs are visible. The top one, written vertically in blue block lettering is the words 'Cars' and below is the word 'For'. The building likely had more signage, but it was replastered before 2008, covering the lower half that likely existed. Facing Howard Road (not visible in this photo), the uppermost sign reads 'Garage' in blue block lettering. Along the left side of the building, the word 'Repairs' is written in the same blue with a slightly different font style. Below that and written vertically is the word 'Motor'. The white block below this section likely had wording in it as well, but it has faded too severely to make out
Margaret Rud interviewed by Sharon North, 5 April 2017
No full textMargaret Rud (MR) interviewed by Sharon North (SN), 5 April 2017. MR describes growing up at Dunton Bassett, large family in three bedroom house, parents were upholsterers. Family moved to Lutterworth to be closer to the business, later moved to Leicester. Comments on street parties after the Second World War, rationing still in place in 1952, her father grew beans and peas. Describes family, one brother and six sisters. Comments on job, MR and two siblings worked in Fielding and Johnston wool factory, commuted by train every day to Leicester, had to walk a mile to station, worked on wool machines. MR enjoyed knitting own jumpers. Mentions later worked in hosiery factory putting in zips and pockets, enjoyed the work, would sing at her machine. Mentions sister Doris sang with a band, saw her at the Palais de Danse. Musical family, one sister played piano, family would sing on Sundays, often sang Mocking Bird Hill and Gracie Fields songs. Long description of meeting her husband and getting married. First met husband at dance in Village Hall, Dunton Bassett. Husband was Ukrainian prisoner of war, been together for sixty years. Prisoner of war camp was in Dunton Bassett village, villagers had outside toilets but camp had pull chain toilets, villagers angry. Prisoners of war had to work on a farm, husband had to notify police before starting work, spoke little English at first, MR taught him. MR mother worried that husband's poor English might put MR at risk. Married at registry office, wedding clothes bought in Church Gate, MR sang to husband on wedding day. Mentions honeymoon in caravan in Hunstanton, travelled by bus. Lived in College Avenue, Leicester, in two rooms after wedding. Mentions saving money for television. Husband worked at Gimson's as a manager, bought MR flowers every weekend on Humberstone Lane. Recalls having first child in 1952 at Bond Street Hospital under NHS, had trouble feeding the baby, had help from nurses. No antenatal classes, learned from mother. MR had all her children at home in Dunton Bassett, helped by local midwife. Mentions moved to Scraptoft Lane in 1953, had central heating, indoor bathroom, sink and draining board. Didn't have a washing machine, washed in sink and had mangle. Mentions attended Ukrainian Church on Hinkley Road, recalls wider antagonism that she had married a Ukrainian man. Recalls cooking borscht for her husband with cabbage, beetroot and potatoes. Recalls visit to America in 1970s to visit husband's family. Mentions singing on stage at the Trocadero, saw it burn down. Husband became nationalised British Citizen, never returned to Ukraine. MR comments that many girls from village married prisoners of war from Dunton Bassett camp. Comments on holidays and day trips, visited Skegness, enjoyed trips to Cyprus and Portugal.File replaced with redacted file on 23.01.2024 by Colin Hyde
Linda Harding Oral History Interview - Job Description
No full textExtract from full interview with Linda Harding (Linda_Harding-30th_August_2017). An oral history interview from Linda Harding, Outreach Officer at Leicester Museum.She discusses her role in depth along such as putting on exhibitions inside and outside of the museum (in special cases in libraries, the development of dementia boxes and the death of consulatation forums
Barry Harvey interviewed by Ned Newitt, 22 August 2017
No full textBarry Harvey (BH) interviewed by Ned Newitt (NN), 22 August 2017. BH recalls early life growing up in Leicester, England. Lists places lived, father died 1934, moved to Leicester Forest East. BH took piano lessons in 1944 and learnt clarinet by a tune a day book, bought alto saxophone at age 16. Briefly mentions joining local group as self-taught musician. Describes joining Royal Air Force (RAF), age 18, played in band in officers' mess behind closed curtains. Moved to Suffolk, formed band to play at station events. Recalls leaving RAF in 1950 and meeting Lew Branston of The Lew Branston Orchestra. BH mentions taking interest in jazz music but was playing dance music. Mentions improvisation coming from dance bands 'busking' certain tunes. Comments on gig at De Montfort Hall with Lew Branston and his Orchestra, played more regularly with them. Lists bands played with in late 1950s. Story about the Blue Stars playing at Lincoln, popular with local RAF stations. Mentions that bands got smaller in late 1960s, early 1970s. States spent 25 years with Art Valentine, played at The Glen, often factory dances. Roger Eames formed Radio Leicester Big Band, recorded two records, re-formed without BH in later years. Briefly mentions the English Electric band and social club, Whetstone. Gordon Grant formed The Fanfare big band, played at the Liberal Club, Belgrave. Mentions played stock arrangements in 1950s, some people did their own arrangements. Briefly mention links with Krefeld, Germany, twin town of Leicester and mixing with German musicians. Describes revival of traditional jazz in 1970s, started to play jazz in pubs. BH and NN look at photos and BH talks about them. BH recalls playing two or three times a week in different bands, comments on nucleus of players. Shares opinion on best band, Nottingham Jazz Orchestra, names some members, was a swing band of high standard.File replaced with redacted file on 23.01.2024 by Colin Hyde
James Alvey interviewed by Burt McNeill, 24 March 2017
No full textInterview with James Alvey [JV], born 1935 in Leicester. Lived in St Saviours Road area, father and grandfather worked at Mellor Bromley Factory. Family moved to Gwendolen Road until 1940, back garden bombed and family moves to Groby [00:01:53]. Comments on conditions of home in Groby [00:04:10]. Describes father's work commute and working conditions and impact on family [00:06:42]. Comments on rationing, food insecurity due to war and family saving money [00:09:05]. JV becomes interested in farming and describes employment at local farm [00:10:02]. Describes German Prisoners of War [POW] working on farm and befriending a POW [00:10:50]. Received a German army Iron Cross medal from friend [00:11:55]. Comments on father's hostility towards German friend due to the First World War (WWI) [00:12:32]. Describes school experience [00:13:01]. Describes seeing American convoys and receiving sweets from them [00:13:55]. Comments on heavy snow and fuel shortage in 1947 [00:15:35]. Gets a pet bird and comments on wildlife [00:18:19]. Describes holidays [00:20:06]. First foreign holiday in 2007 [00:20:52]. Describes National Service and training as observer [00:21:42]. Trained and worked in Germany for British Military [00:23:12]. Returned to UK two weeks early to train in Civil Defence Force [00:26:09]. Anecdotes about pet bird and Empire Cinema in Ratby [00:28:34]. Recounts father's photography and comments on technology in the mid-1900s [00:29:40]. Discusses grandparents' immigration to Canada in 1912 with three sons, including JV's father. Comments on WWI and Canadian and British military; JV three uncles died in WWI
Robin Brown interviewed by Burt McNeill, 17 March 2017
No full textRobin Brown [RB] interviewed by Burt McNeill, 17 March 2017. RB born in Darlington, brought up in Witton-le-Wear. Mentions doing 'O' levels at Wolsingham Grammar School 1960. Mentions possible career options. Describes career in footwear. Mentions joining shoe shop Saxone 1961; grandmother's corner shop in Gunnerside. Describes trainee manager programme and head office of Lilley and Skinner. Describes benefits of half-day closing. Mentions Darlington and Newcastle-Upon-Tyne. Mentions takeover by Charles Clore of British Shoe Corporation (BSC); new head office in Braunstone. Mentions Darlington, Sunderland, and Newcastle. Mentions Miss Selfridge and World Cup of 1966. Compares Braunstone head office with London one. Describes meeting the managing director of Miss Selfridge, Mr Harrison, and chairman [Harry Leveson]. Mentions Dolcis and Saxone at Miss Selfridge. Anecdote about train travel. Mentions working at Nottingham Saxone. Describes promotion to training manager with BSC 1970. Describes work and training programmes supported by the Industry Training Boards (ITB); director of training Alan Meynell. Describes own car versus company car. Describes development of BSC. Describes UK manufacturing 1980s and 1990s. Mentions BSC takeover [by Stephen Hinchliffe and Facia]. Mentions factories division being called Borlington. Mentions Robert Maxwell. Mid-80s RB became director. Mentions New Manfield and Hush Puppies; sportswear industry, Olympus brand and purchase of Astra Sports. Describes competition from Reebok, Nike, and Adidas. More history of BSC and Sears. Anecdote regarding own dismissal after 35 years in 1996, new management. Automated warehouse. Mentions closure of BSC. Anecdote about sales of Hush Puppies. RB describes values of BSC. Describes BSC's concern for moving away from home, and moving every 2 years. RB talks about getting mortgage, company values and benefits. Lilley and Skinner pension fund taken over by BSC. RB describes various moves with BSC (Nottingham, Scotland, London) BSC concern with employee welfare.File replaced with redacted file on 23.01.2024 by Colin Hyde
Ghost sign for 'Ansells' and 'Leicester Brewing & Malt' (LBM) on the corner of Devana Road and Halsbury Street, 2017.
No full textGhost sign for 'Ansells' and 'Leicester Brewing & Malt' (LBM). There are three layers to this sign. On the first layer is a sign for an unidentified ale/stout company, potentially for Joule's Brewery, reading '...les / ...out'. On the second layer, a sign for the Leicester Brewing & Malt (LBM) Eagle Brewery partially obscures the first layer. The most recent layer is a sign advertising Ansells (who bought the LBM) with the tagline 'The better beer'. Sometime after 2012, the sign was painted over and is no longer visible.
Ansell's Brewery was founded in 1857 by Joseph Ansell, becoming Joseph Ansell and Sons in 1889. By 1934 and after merging with Holt Brewery Co., Ansells became one of the largest UK regional breweries and adopted Holt's signature red squirrel emblem. In 1961, Ansell's merged with Tetley Walker and Ind Coope to form Allied Breweries, and in 1992, Carlsberg UK merged with Allied Breweries to become Carlsberg-Tetley
Ghost sign for 'Picture Post' on the corner of Wilberforce Road and Gaul Street, 2017.
No full textGhost sign for 'Picture Post', a photojournalistic magazine published in the UK from 1938 to 1957. Described as the UK's equivalent of 'Life' magazine, 'Picture Post's' editorial stance was described as liberal, anti-fascist and populist, campaigning against the persecution of Jews in Nazi Germany. Conflicts in the leadership of 'Picture Post' and declining sales led to the closure of the magazine. However, 'Picture Post' has now been digitised as the Picture Post Historical Archive
Ghost sign for Hodgkins, Millar & Co. Printers on Atkinson Street, 2017.
No full textGhost sign for 'Hodgkins, Millar & Co. Printers'. According to Kelly's Directories, Hodgkins, Millar & Co. were listed as printers from 1932 through 1954, but only the 1941 and 1954 directories list the company on Halstead Road, just one street over from this building. In 1932, Kelly's Direcoty lists the company on Church Gate, and the 1922 directory lists only William Ernest Hodgkins on Chepstow Road
Ghost sign for Black & Son Grocers on the corner of Moat Road and Ventnor Street, 2017.
No full textGhost sign for Black & Son Grocers. Facing Moat Road, the first reads: 'Black's The Grocers'. Facing Ventnor Street, the sign reads: 'Black & Son Grocers'. Between 1996 and 2002, the sign was repainted