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Evelyn Carruthers interviewed by Jenny Escritt, 21 February 2017
No full textEvelyn Carruthers (EC) interviewed by Jenny Escritt (JE), 21 February 2017. EC recounts move from Grimsby, Lincolnshire to Leicester in 1949 for health reasons. Labour Exchange Resettlement Officer recommended Rehabilitation Centre in Leicester. EC was one of three women and three hundred men. Stayed for three months, learned typing. Describes assistance received from Training Centre on Humberstone Lane, guaranteed a job. Government scheme to help people back into work after illness. Began working at Lewis' Department Store, took calls for Lewis's store and bakery on switchboard. Moved to Lewis's Bank, had to swear an oath not to divulge secrets. Responsible for day book: every cheque written down against person's name and needed to tally at end of day. Received staff discount and bought wedding dress. Engelbert Humperdinck worked there when up and coming singer. He sang at parties and Lewis's events. Mentions staff parties at Bell Hotel. Comments on Christmas at Lewis', window displays, queues for grotto, parcels half a crown, little orchestra played at lunchtime in restaurant upstairs. Mentions going to Palace Theatre, Theatre Royal: went with husband every Monday on first day of weekly programme. Saw Billie Whitelaw, Ray Mort. Went dancing at Corn Exchange, recalls racing for last bus home; Barton's bus. Married in 1954, honeymoon in Bournemouth. Describes living in Newbold Verdun for a year, husband's job had tied cottage, cockroaches problem because of nearby bakery. Cottage had four rooms and communal yard. Everyone expected to keep front step clean. Were allowed to choose the fireplace they wanted up to a certain price. Bought bed settee for £10 at auction and slept on it, hadn't got a bed at that time. Had to bring ration book to Leicester when came. Describes moving to second house, Husband put advert in Leicester Mercury 'Wanted: House to rent, willing to do own repairs'. State of house moved to was poor. Floor in kitchen sinking to middle with cracks, red quarry tiles, living room floor was bricks edge to edge, very uneven, no bathroom, bought bath, no taps. Put in kitchen and fixed a table top on it and used gas copper to heat the water. Description of the street, across road had been allotments, became factory, haulage firm noisy, curtains stiff with diesel oil. Describes local area, amenities included butchers, library, toy shop, shoe shop, sweet shop, coffee shop. Mentions holidays, stayed with family in Cleethorpes. Comments on finding job, became lunchtime supervisor at Slater Street School. Looked after children, played with them, encouraged them to eat different things. Mentions cottage home children at school, orphans living in cottages with House Mother. Mentions games played by children e.g. hopscotch, skipping games, nursery rhyme games. Paid two pence out of wages to Saturday Hospital. When first in hospital two pence a week. Almoner visited her when in hospital long term and asked if she paid into it, otherwise would have had to pay for care. Mentions having first wireless in Newbold Verdun, liked serials. Comments on moving to Leicester, priest came on Monday, told her she wasn't in the parish but welcome to visit any time. Went to St Anne's 1958, mentions it is now more friendly.File replaced with redacted file on 23.01.2024 by Colin Hyde
Mary Chapman interviewed by Colin Hyde, 9 February 2017
No full textMary Chapman (MC) interviewed by Colin Hyde (CH) at interviewee's home, 9 February 2017. MC describes family background, family all miners who moved from Durham. Comments on schools attended, Melbourne Road School. Lived in Wellington Street, shown round factories at school, didn't like smell of shoes. Mentions started work at Goldberg's clothing on King Street. Detailed description of Goldberg's, Russian emigres who moved from London during Second World War. Comments on effects of Second World War, crying at news of D-Day. Talks about saving money, coupons, black market chocolate. Recalls going to Embassy Dance School on London Road for lessons, story of meeting her husband there. Outlines family situation when father left, trying to find a place to live with her fiance, coping with outside toilet, anecdotes illustrate difficulties faced. Mentions buying house in Wigston, description of interior of house: floor tiles, furniture, windows, built own coal house. Mentions getting furniture from Harris'. Brief mention of working at Underwood's, making school wear. Detailed story of being recruited by a new firm Popples in Church Gate, also school wear manufacturer, being visited at home by manager. Brief memories of Simpkin and James coffee shop, but couldn't afford to shop in luxury department stores. Talks about coping with rations, cardboard wedding cake, bought butter when came off ration, tried whale meat. Brief mention of watching Coronation on neighbour's TV, story of being given first TV. Briefly recalls crying when Churchill lost election in 1945. Detailed memories of winter of 1947, effect on building trade, effect on work. Brief reflection on atom bomb stopping the war. Brief memory of visiting the Festival of Britain, feeling of togetherness. Talks about Popples, fashions not changing, embroidery machines that used cards. Briefly mentions places visited on holiday, sometimes spent holidays at home, eventually went abroad later in life with her second husband. MC's goddaughter mentions being put on bus to visit MC in Wigston, some family reminiscing. Talks about being older, not being as mobile as before, using Council's dial-a-ride system, having family who help
Peter Holder interviewed by Colin Hyde, 17 March 2017
No full textPeter Holder (PH) interviewed Colin Hyde (CH), 17 March 2017. [00:27] PH describes early career, carried out Electrical Apprenticeship in Leicester, attended De Montfort University on first Electronics course, employed by British Shoe Corporation (BSC) as electrical engineer. [02:00] Talks about Electronics Course, learned valve technology, physicist taught students about transistors, PH was working for Midland Dynamo. Mentions enjoying working with control systems. Mentions Lancashire Dynamo brought out first electronic control system, conveyor system at BSC was made electronic. [07:49] Talks about joining BSC in 1963, went to Enterprise House on first day, met with colleagues, worked from caravan in Braunstone, very cold. [11:00] Talks about initial problems in warehouse with electrics and conveyor systems, couldn't differentiate between weight of adult shoes and children's shoes. Talks about basic system programming at BSC, putting manual systems in place. Recalls opening of BSC in December 1963, PH continued to improve automation at warehouse to 1965. [21:16] Mentions working on conventional electrics at BSC. Comments on difficulty installing electrics in very large warehouse, would use bicycle to get around warehouse, fault finding was challenging. Describes teams, PH was only electrical engineer, five mechanical manufacturing experts. Mentions BSC had an ICT 1300 computer, recalls computer played national anthem. Comments on control of temperature and humidity in warehouse, later computers were water cooled. [30:30] PH returned to college in 1970s to complete a degree, mentions living in house on BSC site, had to get married first. Mentions BSC was opened four and a half days a week, finished working day at 12 o'clock on Friday, worked overtime. Mentions raced motorcars and used BSC workshop at weekend, lived rent and rate free on BSC site. Recalls those living in houses at BSC site, Directors Chef lived on site, Director lived in penthouse and his team lived on site. Recalls coloured television in BSC lounge, would watch cricket on TV in afternoon. Recalls when directors came from London, PH and colleagues would have to prepare living spaces and drive directors and families around. Describes BSC as hierarchical, Directors had own dining room, Senior Staff had dining room. Mentions other modern conveniences at BSC, stereos, elevators. [40:00] Recalls leaving BSC in 1970, worked for American company, travelled often, company was based at Gateway House; new building in Leicester at the time. Compares differences observed working for British companies and Americans companies; had to get passport to travel across Europe for work. [48:30] Recalls being contacted by BSC in 1980, asked him to take over maintenance on site, 1982 oversaw refurbishment of warehouse, labels and barcodes introduced. Built computing centre in 1983, IBM computer installed and building management system made by Honeywell. PH mentions took early retirement in 1997, was asked to return in September of same year to help refurbish warehouse before it would be sold in 1998; PH stayed on after site was bought by Black Rock. [54:00] Talks about changes to computing in 1982, pick sheets for roll cages, built new outward dock and moved lorry garage, new sortation system in 1988. [01:00:00] Mentions foresaw the end of BSC, attributes this to poor leadership, large scale redundancies. Suggests people were very surprised to hear BSC was closing, saw it as British institution. [01:09:00] Mentions takeover of BSC site by Black Rock in 2000, shortly after Black Rock tried to sell the building, eventually demolished in 2017. Comments on issues that arose during demolition, diesel leakage, asbestos found, rare seagull nested on roof which caused demolition to pause. Describes BSC as a good company to work for, paid above average, family firm, sense of community, catered for. Recalls people got married on site, director's chef would make wedding cakes for staff.File replaced with redacted file on 23.01.2024 by Colin Hyde
Roger Blackmore interviewed by Colin Hyde, 27 June 2017
No full textRoger Blackmore (RB) interviewed by Colin Hyde (CH) at interviewee's home, 27 June 2017. RB recalls moving to Leicester, England from Devon to attend University, studied Social Sciences. Mentions Engineering Building was built then, states lecturers used padded cells for offices, campus much smaller than now. Mentions family voted Conservative, suggests he got Liberal inclinations from study of history, school was Methodist-based. Mentions maternal grandmother was from Leicester; had family connections. Recalls enjoying electricity, gas, hot water when first came to Leicester, lots of cinemas compared to Devon, saw lots of films. Recalls being aware of poverty in city; mentions one house had mud floor. Short anecdote of men waiting for equal pay with women in Leicester. Recalls travelling to by-elections across the country, recruiting and canvassing; was an agent before age of 21, won seat on Oadby Council. Recalls issues were similar in 1962 to 2017: Europe, defence, migration just starting. Mentions disagreements with older generation, mixed support for Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, being terrified by Cuban missile crisis; protest in Market Place. Mentions dealing with trade unions while at Imperial Typewriters, states they were right wing; example of discrimination. Describes teaching politics, comments on the course at University, one student later became councillor. Mentions protesting against colour bar in pub as matter of principle. Brief mention of environmental manifesto in 1974. Talks about work at Imperial Typewriter's; Litton Industries were taking over and American practices came in. Reflects on missed chance for technological progress at the time, asset stripping, inefficient management. Mention of attempt to save Imperial Typewriter's after he had left, secret meetings, people afraid of recriminations. Reflects on Liberals in Leicester, RB didn't stand for Council until 1993. Mentions stood for Gainsborough in 1970s, received many votes but didn't win, reasons for standing there. Brief mention of Jeremy Thorpe Affair, affected party but not local vote; briefly comments on success of environmental agenda. Mentions Liberal Democrats in Leicester starting to be elected in 1980s. Recalls creation of Liberal Democrats as being sad but getting used to it. Comments on professionalization of politics being bad, weakening local parties. Reflects on career in local politics, mentions the good that can be done as Lord Mayor, discovering groups he didn't know about, brief example of boxing club.File replaced with redacted file on 23.01.2024 by Colin Hyde
Ghost sign for 'Picture Post' and Lang's News Agents on the corner of Upperton Road and Wilberforce Road, 2017.
No full textGhost signs for 'Picture Post' and Lang's News Agents. Both ghost signs had been painted over sometime before 2006; however, the deterioration on the paint has made the ghost signs visible again. Although the Lang's News Agents sign is difficult to read, the deterioration since 2006 has made the lettering more legible. A second ghost sign for Lang's News Agents is located on the same building facing Wilberforce Road and a third on the rear of the building on the Upperton Road side.
'Picture Post' was 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 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, reading 'Garage' in blue block lettering. This sign is a part of a group of 5 ghost signs relating to a car repair garage. Along the left side of the building (not visible in this photo), 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. Along St. Leonard's Road (not visible in this photo), two more signs are visible. The top one, written vertically in blue block lettering is the words 'Cars' and below is the word 'For'. Just as on the Howard Road side, the building likely had more signage, but the building was replastered before 2008, covering the lower half that likely existed
Ghost sign for Ind Coope's 'Double Diamond' on Mill Hill Lane, 2017.
No full textGhost sign for 'Double Diamond', a pale ale brewed by Ind Coope Ltd. The sign also reads 'Off License'. This sign is now severely deteriorated. During the 1960s, Double Diamond received a lot of advertising hence the many ghost signs in our collection.
Originally, Double Diamond was brewed by Allsopps in the 19th century until it came under the ownership of Ind Coope Ltd in 1934. In the 1950s, it was the UK's best-selling bottled beer and one of the most successful draught keg bitters of the 1960s and '70s
Ghost sign for G. Hallam Premier Nurseries on Milligan Road, 2017.
No full textGhost sign for G. Hallam Premier Nurseries. This sign has severely deteriorated, but based on previous entries in our collection, the sign reads: 'G. Hallam Premier Nurseries / Phone / 33 Aylestone'. Beneath this first layer is a secondary sign for the same company with the same wording but written in green lettering
Ghost sign for Jack Daniel's Whiskey on Yeoman Street, 2017.
No full textGhost sign for Jack Daniel's Tennessee Whiskey. The sign depicts the whiskey's iconic black label and reads 'Jack Daniel's / Old No. 7 Brand / Tennessee Whiskey'. Along the sides, the sign reads 'Made in Tennessee' and 'Bottled at the Distillery' and along the bottom of the sign, 'Your friends at Jack Daniel's remind you to drink responsibly'.
Jack Daniel's is an American whiskey brand. Their distillery was founded in 1866 (or 1875 depending on historical record), but Jasper Newton Daniel, the founder, began distilling whiskey in 1864. Jack Daniel's is now one of the largest whiskey producers in the world
Ghost sign for Ginns & Guttridge Ltd. on Abbey Lane, 2017.
No full textGhost sign for Ginns & Gutteridge, funeral directors. The sign reads 'Gins & Gutteridge Ltd. / Qualified Embalmers / Funeral Undertakers / Head Office St. Nicholas House, Vaughan Way' and they telephone number. Ginns Funeral Directors, according to Dignity Funerals, is found in an 1855 trade directory for Leicester. In the early 20th century, different members of the Ginns family ran competing funeral businesses of the same name until they were amalgamated under the Ginns & Gutteridge name in 1917