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Ron Johnson and Eileen Johnson interviewed by Colin Hyde, 21 June 2017
No full textRon Johnson (RJ) and Eileen Johnson (EJ) interviewed by Colin Hyde (CH) at interviewees' home, 21 June 2021. RJ describes early life and family background, his father worked on railway, mother a winder in hosiery in Leicester; RJ grew up around Bath Lane; states started work at Friars Mill. Mentions had TB so was in hospital often, Western Park. Both talk about the Bath Lane area. EJ describes early life and family background, her mother came from Northamptonshire, worked in hosiery, rest of family followed, lived in Kate Street. Describes where family lived, Warwick Street area, but went to King Richard Road school, Newarke Girls' School. States Father drove trams, Mother was Mender at Foister, Clay, & Ward on Frog Island. Recalls when RJ and EJ married and bought grandparents' house, cost £700 in 1959. RJ recalls moving out of hospital back into society, briefly mentions playing around the railway, learning to swim in the canal where water was warmed by the power station. RJ got first bike frame from Piggott's scrapyard. EJ mentions having to dodge tram tracks when on bike. Both talk about bicycling, how joined Leicester Forest Cycle Club (LGCC) in 1940s, first ride to Houghton on the Hill. Brief history of the LFCC, Keir Hardie Wheelers originally. EJ explains comes from cycling family, various examples of being carried around on tandem as child. Parents were members of Cyclist's Touring Club. Later, got cycling on tandem with a friend, then met Leicester town group of Youth Hostel Association and rode with them to youth hostels in neighbouring counties at the weekend. RJ and EJ met at the Leicester town group; chose cycling over mountaineering. Recall cycling in 1940s; no signposts, detailed maps not easy to come by. Recall little traffic on roads, suggests more traffic after petrol rationing was lifted after Suez crisis 1956. EJ comments that grew up in blackout so were used to dark roads, lack of markings. Bricks were whitewashed to identify houses in the dark. EJ recalls gas lighter lighting lamp outside house; car headlamps were dipped; roads sometimes blocked by huge convoys. RJ mentions tanks on New Parks Estate. RJ and EJ describe equipment and various bikes used, mentions inner tubes and tyres were in short supply after war. Talks about gears, names several, three speed was the most until early 1950s; RJ states had two French frames when started racing in 1960s, EJ had one bike at a time. Mention of velodrome at Saffron Lane, used from 1970s. RJ mentions cycling clothing, wore light pullover under clothes, a piece of brown paper on chest. Suggest money was an issue in the past; bikes cost money so had to save. RJ bought first new bike from proceeds of paper round. RJ suggests the social mixing within cycling group was useful for work. Both give idea of mix of trades in club, many female telephonists. EJ talks about work after grammar school, university not seen as an option, although college was for occupations such as teaching, nursing, secretarial work. Left school early to work in motor department of White Cross insurance company. Left for hosiery factory, later worked at Charnwood Engineering in rate fixing department. Had two children and went back part-time work in shop; group of friends on Warwick Street all did babysitting. Then to Yorkshire as family to run a youth hostel.File replaced with redacted file on 23.01.2024 by Colin Hyde
Imogen Cox Oral History Interview - Loan Collection
No full textExtract from full interview with Imogen Cox (Imogen_Cox_ 29th August 2017). An oral history interview from Imogen Cox, a learning officer for Leicester Museums. She talksabout how the loans system stopped in the 1990s and how it requires a lot of staff in order to put on. She also argues that it may be better to have no loans system in order to atract schools and repeat visits to the museum
Colin Chesterman interviewed by John Conlon, 25 July 2017
No full textInterview with Colin Chesterman [CC] born 1935. [00:01:40] Talks about childhood during Second World War (WWII) in Oadby, Leicester. Father served in Royal Army Service Corps, then worked at [Weir's] Garage. [00:07:59] Talks of conscription in 1957, served as mechanic in Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. Spent time in Berlin with wife who had also joined up. [00:10:01] Describes life after Army. Lived in Kew Drive, Wigston. Worked at Weir's Garage until mid 1960s, then W.H.Smith on fleet maintenance until redundancy in 1997. [00:19:28] Talks in detail of wartime childhood and youth in Oadby. [00:39:00] Describes in detail days at work as a vehicle mechanic. [00:46:03] CC remembers first television set and first washing machine. [00:55:00] Remembers The Beatles, going to cinemas in Leicester. Discusses changes in Leicester City centre. [01:04:05] Tells story of newspaper vans breaking down in Leicester in severe winter of 1962/63
Margaret Weller interviewed by Jenny Escritt, 8 November 2017
No full textMargaret Weller [MW] interviewed by Jenny Escritt, 8 November 2017. MW born 1950 in Leicester. Father post-war was a shoe trader and mother was a flat frame knitter living in Leicester in the 1950s. Describes earliest memory of family home on Ratcliffe Street. Comments on the cellar of the house and furnish and decoration. Describes childhood friends, games, education and areas played. Talks about radio and television. Describes going into Leicester with friends. Story doing ballroom dancing at Jill Wallace School of Dancing. Describes going to pantomime at Palace Theatre, Belgrave Gate. Talking about time in nursery at Glen Street Nursery and primary school on Ellis Avenue. MW describes favourite food ate in the 1950s. Talks about fair on Melton Road and the food and attractions. Describes family holidays in Margate and Golden Mile in Blackpool and transport by trains. Describes British United Shoe Machinery factory on Ross Walk and the employment and manufacturing. Describes St Saviours Road and its shops. Comments on poverty and hardship in Leicester.File replaced with redacted file on 23.01.2024 by Colin Hyde
John Kirkland interviewed by Colin Hyde, 10 October 2017
No full textJohn Kirkland (JK) interviewed by Colin Hyde (CH) at interviewee's home, 10 October 2017. JK describes early life in Lubbesthorpe, Braunstone. Comments on family background in Leicester, grandfather and father ran building firm, FE Kirkland, built Kirkland Road and neighbouring streets. Talks about family holidays with relative near Harwich in 1930s, Second World War Sea defences in place. Brief memories of school in 1930s, passed eleven-plus exam, went to South Wigston School, left in 1947. States wanted to be in building trade, after war business was restricted, needed certificates to buy anything. Comments on small rations; kept chickens for eggs and food. Father was Clerk of works on airfield construction during war, ate with Americans who had lots of food, this frustrated him. Business effectively closed during war. After war had plans for three houses on Lutterworth Road, requisitions difficult. States that at outbreak of Second World War was on holiday at Harwich so left early, parents concerned. Describes getting job at Hollands & Co on Walnut Street, run by Harold Toon; JK had done brickwork beforehand, went to Technical College, won prize, became apprentice. Was taught to build brick walls, geometry for arches, later did concrete technology. Comments on National Service in RAF, became fighter plotter, heading to become Radar Operator. Describes time at RRH Neatishead. Comments on early apprenticeship, learnt different brick bonds, art of building old coppers in kitchens, chimney stacks; theory and practice; wood and metal scaffolding. Recalls returning to Hollands & Co, had job waiting after RAF, stayed into 1960s, then worked for George Calverley as Site Agent. Later moved to William Moss to work with concrete houses in Loughborough. Mentions participation in youth club, Scouts, Senior Scouts. Went dancing at Palais de Danse, The Oriental, De Montfort Hall, learnt dancing at youth club. Sundays spent rowing boats at boat house, Aylestone. Describes William Moss: development of pre-cast concrete houses, built in various places, JK was contracts manager, comments on the way company approached work, lessons learnt from job, haggled over money leading to court case in London. Comments on health problems and lack of work, took a job at McDonalds in maintenance. Met wife at church dance, she was a nursing student but couldn't get married and continue nursing, so waited. Started to build own house after National Service on plot on Edward Avenue owned by his grandfather, given as wedding present. Was foreman at William Moss, retired age 65 whilst working at McDonalds. After coming out of RAF had to attend sessions near Nantwich for a couple of weeks, staying in tents, reservist training
Marian Allin and Clare Pollard interviewed by Jenny Escritt, 14 July 2017
No full textMarian Allin (MA) and Clare Pollard (CP) interviewed by Jenny Escritt (JE), 14th July 2017. MA recalls living on Regent Street, Leicester at end of Second World War. Description of local area, not busy, her father was a dentist. Description of childhood house, long entrance hall, small garden, long entry at back. Some bombing near Holy Trinity Church during war, not serious damage. Describes work at Leicester Telephone Exchange in 1945, mentions physical difficulty in stretching to connect calls, worked until married in 1948. Knew her husband from before the war, describes some of his difficult experiences abroad while in RAF. Married at Holy Trinity Church, Regent Road. Mentions living on Regent Road for two years, then got a flat above brother-in- law's business the Hygienic Chimney Cleaners on London Road. Husband joined brother in the business, lived there until 1957 when moved to current house in Oadby. Recalls shops below flat included dress shop, a fruit shop, a sweet shop, Mr Maskell's Electrical Goods, Billy Woodward hairdresser. Flat looked across to Wigston; no houses there at that time, could see Sandhurst Street School with its famous chestnut tree. MA would take bookings from home for husband's business. When central heating became popular this affected the chimney sweeping business. Describes making peg rugs, had TV. CP recalls watching children's programmes including 'Muffin the Mule', 'Rag, Tag and Bobtail'. MA mentions had bought TV to see Coronation, CP describes memories of Coronation celebrations, recalls Frosties advert, liked watching Westerns. CP mentions listening to radio, recalls listening to 'Listen with Mother', MA recalls listening to 'Housewives Choice'. CP born 1949, anecdote about her coming home from hospital and being given cow's milk. CP remembers walk up to Victoria Park and describes the area, chasing pigeons. Story about going to Leicester Train station when brides had left on the train and picked up confetti, liked finding the silver horseshoe confetti, liked smell of the train engine smoke. Both remember Waterloo Street as narrow and Leah Marks on the corner opposite station. CP enjoyed New Walk museum, particularly remembers the staircase. CP describes the layout of flat, lino on floors, net curtains, bath in kitchen with board over it. In summer had bath in kitchen, in winter in a zinc tub in front of the fire. Had a dolly tub, clothes airer and paraffin stove. CP describes memories of Sandhurst School and current house when first in 1957. Comments on Leicester cinemas including Picture House and Cameo. Anecdote about one cinema visit to see Snow White film. CP recalls Saturday afternoon matinees e.g. 'Hop Picking in Kent', children threw things and shouted when the projector broke down. Recalls seeing Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Oklahoma, Bambi. MA remembers shops and cafes in town, Charles Street, the police station and catching the bus from there. Mentions Lewis', Brucciani's, Marshall and Snelgrove. Recalls pet shop under the steps of the Corn Exchange, cats and rabbits in cages. Comments on Christmas displays at Lewis', Bag Stores and Turkey Cafe also mentioned. MA talks about meeting her husband at the Bell Hotel. Mentions family holidays; CP recalls travelling in back of Chimney Sweep van
Roy Davies interviewed by Kristian Smith, 22 June 2017
No full textRoy Davies (RD) interviewed by Kristian Smith (KS) at interviewee's home, 22 June 2017. RD recalls early life in Staffordshire, England. Attended St Catherine's College, Cambridge, studied Mathematics, talks about family life. Mentions remained at Cambridge for seven years, studied French part-time alongside maths, applied to Leicester University for Assistant Lecturer in Mathematics role before finishing PHD. Stayed in temporary accommodation, Roy's Own B&B on Saxby Street, stayed in Patria Hotel for two months. Later discovered illegal activities of B&B owners. Mentions moved into a room with colleague's family on Queen's Road for almost two years. Later found digs on Springfield Road and eventually a flat on Regent Road. Lived closely with colleague's family. Comments on social life, visited local pub The Craddock on Queen's Road, often ate at Indian restaurant on Waterloo Street. Mentions previously met Alan Turing, recalls finding racist signs attached to local phone kiosks, but did not have much experience of racism or prejudice. Recalls travelling to France to improve French language skills, travelled to Moscow in 1957 for 7th World Festival of Youth and Students via train. Mentions events leading to opening of festival including Suez Crisis; was widely discussed among other events in University Common Room. Talks about common room - communal space for many faculty members including members of communist party, Leicester delegation to Moscow was formed by communists and non-communists. Played chess in simultaneous game with ex-world champion. Had previously taken a brief course in Russian in Cambridge and classes at the Leicester Technical College, translated Russian mathematical journals. Mentions large sense of community in the common room that allowed different opportunities for work. Talks about promotion to Lectureship after publication of PhD, later promoted directly to Reader due to successful work, would go on to gain Chair in 1970s. Spent year teaching and conducting research in Indiana, America as result of sabbatical year in University College London after collaboration with visiting American academics. Comments on attitude of students to professors changed, becoming more respectful, syllabus and structure remained unchanged. Recalls playing bridge at club on St James' Road and University Senior Common Room Bridge Club, visited lunchtime concerts at Museum and Art Gallery. Suggests that University had good reputation for sociology, met his wife who was studying social studies. Knew close friend of Alan Turing, Turing arranged a treasure hunt for maths department. Comments on plan to bring in academics from outside the University to lead departments, leading to a student strike
Ghost sign for 'School' on the corner of Rowsley Street and Evington Road, 2017.
No full textGhost sign for 'School' on the corner of Rowsley Street and Evington Road. The 1908 Kelly’s Directory lists a Miss Helen Pratt, girls’ school on 1 Rowsley Street. The 1925 Kelly's lists Misses Lylie and Martha Grimley, girls’ school. By 1936, Miss Martha Grimley was listed as a music teacher at Rowsley House, and Miss Grimley was listed as a principal of Evington Road High School at 16 Evington Road, further confirmed in both the 1941 and 1951 Kelly's Directory
Ghost sign for Sid Mottram Cycles on the corner of Wolverton Road and Narborough Road, 2017.
No full textGhost sign for Sid Mottram Cycles made up of two parts. On the left (not visible in this picture), the sign reads 'Sid Mottram / Racing & Touring Cycles', and on the right, the sign reads 'Falcon. Dawes. Holdsworth. Claud Butler. Sun & Raleigh Cycles'.
Founded in 1946 by Sid and Gwen Mottram, Sid Mottram Cycles first opened on Checketts Road before expanding to Narborough Road. The prototype for Mottram frames were made by Holdsworth before being produced by Wally Green until 1955. From 1955 onwards, Mercian Cycles in Derby produced the frames. The shop even sponsored a racing team from the 1950s to the 1970s. In 1982, both Sid and Gwen Mottram passed away, leaving their daughters to run the shop. In 1985, the shop was closed
Ghost sign for 'Baker & Soars Ltd.' on Wellington Street, 2017.
No full textGhost sign for 'Baker & Soars Ltd.', a company in the plumbing industry. Established in 1943 on Wellington Street in Leicester, Baker & Soars Ltd. is still in existence, servicing both the public and plumbing trade. Between 2003 and 2005, the building below this ghost sign was demolished and revealed a secondary sign reading 'Warehouse Manufacturer'. According to the 1941 Kelly's Directory, Baker & Soars Ltd. was located at 140 Wellington Street, but the 1954 directory lists the plumbers' merchants on 83 to 87 Wellington Steet and their store on 19 Waterloo Street