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June Dawson interviewed by Rhianydd Murray, 23 October 2017
No full textJune Dawson (JD) interviewed by Rhianydd Murray (RM) at interviewee's home, 23 October 2017. JD describes early life in Earl Shilton, Leicestershire, christened at one month old at St Simon and St Jude Church. Comments on religious faith, attended the Primitive Methodist Chapel in village. Lived with her grandparents in West Street, family later moved to Belle Vue Estate. JD six years old when the Second World War started, recalls suffering from chickenpox on day of celebrations at end of war. JD describes importance of religion in her life. Comments on schooling, attended Heathfield High School, passed the Eleven-plus, parents could not afford grammar school. JD wanted to be a teacher, completed her O level in English at 38 years old. Recalls becoming Head Girl at Heathfield High. Description of Earl Shilton at time of JD's youth, hosiery factories, boot and shoe factories, Mother worked all her life in boot and shoe factory. Mentions scarcity of cars in Belle Vue estate. Recalls all married couples went to Bournemouth for honeymoon on train from Leicester Station called 'Honeymoon Special'. JD notes father was from Barwell, mother from Earl Shilton. JD married in 1953, rented a room in house, houses not available. Comments on shop in Earl Shilton, could buy household goods, owned by Mr Coley. After Second World War more houses were built: Coronation Road and surrounding estate built by Mr Wormleighton. JD comments on increase of car usage at this time, people began shopping in Leicester City more often. JD joined choir at age 60, started writing poetry. Mentions going to ballroom in Earl Shilton, Working Men's Club very popular, had ballroom. Always went on Saturday night with friends from age of 16, later met her husband David there. Anecdote about the 'mound' in Hall Field where couples would meet afterwards. Describes reputation of Earl Shilton during Second World War, American soldiers stationed close by. Mentions local woman who provided illegal pregnancy terminations. JD left school at age 15 and went to work at W H Cotton in the office. Mentions becoming member of St John's Ambulance Brigade. Describes work at W H Cotton's and Manager Miss Bennett, very strict. Anecdote about JD setting cupboard on fire at work. JD's husband was in the hosiery and working as a mechanic, then became a knitter. Rented a house next door to one of the factories, costing fifty pence a week, no hot water. Two sons born whilst living there in 1956 and 1958; toilet in garden. JD and David bought plot of land off Keats Lane in Earl Shilton. Mortgage was based on the man's earnings, women's earnings not taken into account. Mentions having surgical operations throughout life, in a wheelchair at age 48. Went to work for Pierre Gildesgame, owner of the Argee in Earl Shilton. JD later became Company Secretary for Gildor House, had factories in Shepshed and Fleckney. Describes active lifestyle growing up, was an athlete, did high jump for the County. At age 29 had shattered hips, too young for surgery. Mr Gildesgame took JD to see an orthopaedic surgeon, paid for surgery on both hips. Recalls bombs were dropped in Earl Shilton and during war Alfred Herbert had factory in village, manufactured ammunition. Anecdote about husband joining Civil Defence
Marian Daetwyler interviewed by Colin Hyde, 5 June 2017
No full textMarian Daetwyler (MD) interviewed by Colin Hyde (CH) at interviewee's home, 5 June 2017. MD describes early life, born in Glasgow, Scotland in 1924, immediately moved to Wigston as her father was traveller for Two Steeples hosiery. Family all from Wigston, parents had drapery shop, five siblings. Recalls believing life would get more interesting when Second World War started. Mentions schooling in Wigston, didn't pass Eleven-plus exam, went to girls' intermediate school. Recalls friend got her a job in factory making machine needles, didn't like it, left to work at Power Jets. Mentions young women from Wigston went to work in factory or shop. Suggests Wigston was very quiet, went to Leicester for leisure activities. MD recalls joining church groups, amateur dramatics, stopped age 14. Went to Power Jets in 1942, worked in office, met her husband. Describes first impressions of company: was shorthand typist, describes work, recalls pay and conditions. Husband was seconded from RAF to Power Jets, brief mention of tension between military and civilians, explains how she and husband met and later married, briefly mentions wedding. Talks about winter of 1947 as being very cold, sawing branches off of trees for fire. Describes house at Lutterworth, asbestos sheets, very cold, fire heated boiler, couldn't get coal, rations, queued for food Saturday mornings, grew vegetables in garden. Comments on later move to Glen Parva Power Jets house, daughter born in 1949. Went to Bond Street Hospital to give birth to daughter, had son at home. Mentions Doctor was single woman, unusual for this time. States had pre-natal classes at Bond Street, could get books, doctor recommended mother's advice. Started part-time job when children were school age. Recalls not having white goods at first, bought tumble drier first, neighbour used it, got washing machine. Mentions watching Elizabeth II Coronation at neighbour's house, bought TV later. Comments that pay at Power Jets wasn't good, there was a strike. Doesn't feel class played a part in life. Explains became a Liberal Democrat after war, although family were Conservative. Mentions social fund-raising for the Liberal Democrats. Mother in law spoke German, MD learnt it, idea was to have exchanges with Germany, made friends with Germans, Leicester twinned with Krefield, Wigston with Norderstedt, visited regularly. MD later worked in shop part-time, Western printers, Brigg's shoe warehouse. Would dance in South Wigston, Liberal Club; went to one or two dinner dances a year. States there was a Liberal fashion show and dance at the Palais de Danse in Leicester. Mentions community spirit has decreased
Trevor Taylor interviewed by Colin Hyde, 10 March 2017
No full textTrevor Taylor (TT) interviewed by Colin Hyde (CH), 10 March 2017. TT recalls early life in Leicester, England. Comments on schools attended, Avenue Road School, St John's School. Mentions family background, mother was housewife, father a Tram Driver and Railway Worker. Outlines school progress, left age 15, no careers advice offered. Recalls job at Stead & Simpsons in warehouse, later went to Wheatsheaf factory as Clicker, little career prospects, decided to join the Army. Briefly recalls how joined Army, mentions became drummer boy, later learnt trombone, saxophone. Outlines progress; signed on at YMCA, went to Wigston for kit and jabs. Didn�
't do basic training if joined band as a boy, but learnt shooting, first aid, outlines duties. Explains how drumming in the Army works; have to learn bugle. Left Wigston in 1955, travelled with Army, battalion went to Germany, then to Sudan for six months, then to Cyprus. Brief outline of trip to Sudan, description of uniform for Palace Guards. Comments on time in Cyprus, came in on landing craft, sent to Golden Sands but met at Karalos camp in 1956. Enjoyed it at first but then couldn't leave camp; left in September 1957. Talks about musical tastes developing; played marches, classical, got an extra stripe. Names the band masters he had, did skits as a four piece, others played skiffle. Didn't follow jazz, played dance band music mainly. Sold saxophone and didn't play after 1969. Recalls time in Cyrpus, Nicosia being dangerous, summarises time up to leaving Cyprus. Comments on time in Germany, Munster in Westphalia, married 1959, had child in 1960; came out of forces as couldn't get quarters for wife. Brief mention of places visited in 1970s and 1980s as Sergeant Major. Comments on nuclear fallout. Explains what happened when demobbed in 1961; worked in engineering in Leicester at Pollards, paid by Army, then Dunlop for five years, then to Slough. Mentions returned to Dunlop for 25 years, then Civil Service for ten years. Explains how he started at Dunlop and the work there. Describes how he progressed to foreman. Mentions places worked, such as Slough, then HJB Plastics locally where he became Production Manager until leaving in 1992. Mentions later became Storeman for the Territorial Army to age 65. After the Army, explains family situation, living with wife's family, moved to Thurnby Lodge as had put name on housing list when got engaged, bought it for six or seven thousand pounds under right to buy in the 1980s. Moved into house in 1962. Mentions running youth group, tenants and residents group, methods for getting councillors to meetings. Suggests people were more ready to get involved in community activities in the past.File replaced with redacted file on 23.01.2024 by Colin Hyde
Elizabeth Brandow interviewed by Colin Hyde, 24 February 2017
No full textElizabeth Brandow (EB) interviewed by Colin Hyde (CH), 24 February 2017. EB describes her early life, born in London, parents were both refugees from Vienna, moved to England in 1930s. Family moved to Leicester in 1954, EB was aged eleven, father got job with General Electric. Comments on education, EB and sister both attended Collegiate School, EB didn't enjoy school, felt 'alien'. Description of childhood home, had a bathroom, three stories. [00:04:50] Mentions family had interest in music, collegiate had renowned violin teacher, school was class driven, prejudice against working class children. Comments on expectation for girls in Latin stream of school, would likely have careers in teaching or nursing, would go to university. Anecdote about teacher's reaction to Leicester accents. Describes daily lessons, girls were not encouraged to pursue sciences, EB played viola. [00:24:40] Comments on class and social elite in Stoneygate Leicester, mentions feeling like an outsider, experience of bullying. Recalls her interest in politics, not considered an appropriate topic for young woman at school. Mentions parents supported Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, were labour supporters. Recalls Aldermaston Marches, parents supported EB's interest in politics. [00:35:30] Anecdote about incident of police brutality and racism, police officer in London attacked group of Black men, accused them of stealing cars. Police officers were later convicted of wrongful arrest. Reflects on CND marches, met at Quaker House in Leicester. Reflects on religious education at school, mentions mother was Jewish, father was of Jewish and Protestant background, mother later became Quaker. Comments on pressure to conform at school. Reflects on Arts emphasis at school, mentions Romola Christopherson often in school plays, went on to write speeches for Margaret Thatcher. [00:51:05] Comments on leisure activities, recalls beginning of pop music scene, mentions seeing Rock Around the Clock at Picture House, recalls Radio Luxembourg. Reflects on attitudes towards Leicester in her youth, regarded it as boring, wanted to leave and go to London. Reflects on social life, going to Brucciani's cafe with friends, often went to Library, didn't frequent pubs. Reflects on her family's 'socialist intellectual snobbery' at the time. [01:00:20] Talks about Clarendon Park and class system, mentions would babysit at White House in North Avenue, mother ran a playgroup for children. Recalls shopping at market, EB had paper round. Talks about shops in city centre, would visit Sainsbury's, mother would go to Co-op bank. Comments on health education at school, found it lacking. Detailed description of childhood home, talks about heating in house, had coal fired boiler, rooms had gas fires. [01:13:25] Mentions family struggled for money at times, had lodgers stay at house, mother ran nursery at home. [01:16:05] Talks about politics, Harold Wilson becoming Prime Minister, end of conservatives in power. Comments on 1960s, feelings of optimism, improvements to women's rights, Labour Government fostered feelings of hopefulness that society could be changed. [00:00] Talks about modern conveniences, recalls family got car when EB was 16, mentions always had phone in house. Recalls first electric washing machine and hoover, bought first television in late 1950s. Mentions Radio at home was tuned to Home Service, Light Programme on Sundays. Mentions married in 1969, moved to Buffalo New York, listened to Goon Show on Radio.File replaced with redacted file on 23.01.2024 by Colin Hyde
Pam Smith interviewed by Julie Hollingsworth, 21 September 2017
No full textInterview with Pam Smith [PS], born 1941 Leicester. PS briefly mentions childhood in Denton Street. PS describes working as an office junior at Conservative Party office in Berridge Street, Leicester. PS leaves work to start family. Describes meeting her husband through church sports activities. PS Briefly mentions first house and moving to new house in Leicester Forest East in 1963. PS talks briefly about enjoying office work at British Shoe Corporation. PS talks about making a doll at night school PS and Nev Smith [NS] (PS husband) talk about their activities with local cub and boy scout groups. NS talks very briefly about doing National Service. PS and then group discussion about motorway being built near Leicester Forest East and PS working at motorway service station. PS talks briefly about working at office of Council Refuse department in Abbey Street, Leicester. Further discussion about the impact of the motorway. PS and NS describe camping activities with scouting groups. PS general talk about camping and caravanning then PS and NS give detailed account of 'disastrous' camping trip to Ireland.File replaced with redacted file on 23.01.2024 by Colin Hyde
Ghost sign for Mack's Garage Ltd. on Narborough Road, 2017.
No full textGhost sign for Mack's Garage. The sign reads 'Mack's Garage / Automobile Engineers / Phone Aylestone 44'. The text is written in black and white car shape with a black and white rectangle below. Thanks to Lucy Mayer-Hubner for the following information: Scottish born Boyd McGeoch established his motor garage in Walnut St about 1920 and by 1925 had moved the business here to Narborough Rd where he was joined by his brother Archie. In 1926 they ceased trading under Boyd’s name, changing the business to “Mack’s Garage Ltd” and the following year opened a second branch at Cross Roads. The garage at Narborough Rd traded until 1936 after which it was taken over by Warwick Motors but Mack’s continued to trade at the Cross Roads branch. This ghost sign dates from 1926 when the “Mack’s Garage” name came about, until 1931 when the “Aylestone” telephone exchange was replaced by “Westcotes”
Ghost sign for 'Shipstone's Ales' on Myrtle Road, 2017.
No full textGhost sign for Shipstone's Brewery, one of the company's three signs in the collection.
Shipstone's Brewery was founded by James Shipstone in 1852 at the Star Brewery in New Basford, Nottingham. By 1939, the company owned 550 licensed premises, thirty diesel lorries for long distance delivery work and fifty horses for local delivery work. The company was purchased by Greenall's of Warrington in 1978, continuing to produce the beer until 1991 when production was ended. However, in 2015, Little Star Brewery began producing Shipstone's again after 24 years, using the archived recipes
Ghost sign for 'P. Bainbridge Ltd. Arch Preserver Shoes' on Britannia Street, 2017.
No full textGhost sign for 'P. Bainbridge Ltd.' and their 'Arch Preserver Shoes'. According to the 1954 Kelly's Directory, P. Bainbridge Ltd, boot and shoe manufacturers, were listed at 61 Britannia Street. The building used to be a boarding house for working men, and the terracotta panels to the left of the ghost sign show national stereotypes from Scotland, Wales, England and Ireland. For a better look at these panels, use Google Street View
Ghost sign for Cashmores Timber on Essex Road, 2017.
No full textGhost sign for Cashmores Timber, reading: 'Cashmores For All Doors, Windows, Timber etc.' and their phone number. A black arrow points to the right down Essex Road. Founded in the 1940s, Cashmores Timber is a family-run, Leicester-based business still in operation today. They specialise in the supply of timber, decking, doors and joinery products
Ghost sign for Tennant Brothers Ltd.'s Gold Label on Livingstone Street, 2017.
No full textGhost sign for Tennant Brothers Ltd. This sign reads 'Tennants / Gold Label / Sparkling / Barley Wine'. Their Exchange Brewery was established in 1820 before being purchased by Edward and Robert Tennant in 1840. The company became Tennant Brothers Ltd. in 1882. In 1964, Whitbread & Co. (or Whitbread East Pennines) acquired the company until 1993 when the brewery was closed. The Gold Label was first brewed in 1951 and originally contained 10.6% alcohol by volume, making it the strongest regularly brewed, nationally distributed beer in Britain.
The sign was repainted in the late 1980s/early 1990s as part of the Livingstone Street Brick Cleaning Scheme, which explains its excellent condition