Rita Spinola (nee Stevens). Lleisiau o Lawr y Ffatri

RS: My name is Rita Spinola, I was Rita Stevens and I was born in 1939, 9th April 1939.

 

RS: Well, my dad worked over Bailey’s dry dock, he worked there for years but before that his grandfather and all his brothers worked down the tugboats down, down Cardiff Docks. And my father had an allotment like they did in them days. My mother... he was born in Grangetown my dad, but my mother was born in Cogan. Now she was in the first world war my mum. I’ve got photographs of her in the first world war. They didn’t get married until they were in their late forties so I was the only child. My mum lost two boys at three days old and I was the only child. I was supposed to have stopped breathing and then they brought me back to life. And my father was on the tugboats then and he had this thing “Come quickly!” and they rushed off the tugboats because they thought I would die but here I am I’m 74.

 

RS: I was born in Cardiff in St David’s hospital and i was only 2lbs born and they never thought I’d live but there we are... what’s to be.

 

RS: In here. My mum lived in rooms in the next street in Pentrebane street, she moved into here and I’ve been here all these years, so this is our home.

 

RS: Well, we never had primary and secondary when I was in school. I went to the Nash which is now called St Paul’s school. I loved it there - bit nervous because the teachers were very strict in them days. I also worked there and my children went there, my grandchildren went there and I worked there for 38 years. It’s now St Paul’s school, it belongs to St Paul’s church which I go to now. When I was younger I used to go to what they called the Windsor Gospel Hall was the chapel, cos I used to love that with the majic lanterns you know, but then when I got older I went in the guides and I used to have to go to church parade once a month and then when we got married I went over to to Germany to live for a couple of years, well 2yrs, 18mnths to 2 yrs and when we came back my eldest son was born in Germany and then I started going to St Paul’s Church because my mother used to go there when she lived here and um I just like going to church. I don’t always go on a Sunday I go on a Wednesday and I enjoy it., been going for years you know? We belong to the guild I got lot of friend in the church and I enjoy it. That’s why I like Grangetown because, I worked in the school that’s only down the road, I have my church, if we were snowed in we could walk down to the shops, the doctors, you could walk to the hospital, so this is why I love Grangetown – an its a lovely community.

 

RS: ‘Til I was 15. We didn’t have primary schools then or two different schools. My husband did because the council schools... they did it they started to change it... the church schools never changed, so we stayed there til we were 15. We left school then and then we started work. And I start – I wanted to work in a place called Horrocks’, but it used to be called the Peggy Anne, for sewing. I wanted to be a hairdresser but my mother said “no – cos you’ll have rheumatics in your hands! ” and I’ve got them now and I never worked there. Anyway, I worked in the Crystal Laundry and I went there cos I thought I’ll wait until they’ve got a vacancy.

 

RS: Well that was the law – you had to leave when you were 15. You couldn’t stay in school after you were 15.

 

RS: No.

 

RS: My first job was at the Crystal Laundry and what I did I used to be pressing shirts, and I didn’t like it, cos you could burn yourself very often you know? But I percerveered and I stayed there, because I had my name down to work in Horrocks’ so I had to wait until there was a vacancy. You know I got on alright with the girls but it wasn’t my job really, I wasn’t fussed on it but I did it you know what I mean and then a vacancy came up then in Horrocks’ which wen you first start.. you can’t go straight on the machines, I used to sit on what they call a bench. It’d be a long table, there’ll be girls along one side and along the other side and you’d learn to sew hooks and eyes on and you’d have to make loops for the belts to go through, you did that for a while which is all hand sewing you know, and then when there was a vacancy on the bench, now on the bench that was the same thing – it was a long bench with machines each side, I think there were twelve on one side and twelve on the other side. Now at the top of it there was an ironing board where somebody would iron, so you wouldn’t actually make the complete garment on the bench – you’d start off doing one thing and then you’d put it in the next one and she’d do a bit more, so by the time you’d come to the end of the bench, the dress was made. But inbetween that if you did seams - they don’t do it now they overock every thing – you would take it up and the woman on the end of your bench would iron the seam flat. 07:19 And we had a lovely relationship you know we all used to laugh and sing together, they had a nice canteen...

 

RS: I must have been going on for sixteen then, because I was in the laundry for about a year – I wasn’t there long.

 

RS: Yes I did?

 

RS: ‘Cause of sewing – I like sewing. I wanted to be a machinist.

 

RS; No you just had to... Yes I suppose, - well it wasn’t a training because you weren’t on the machines, you were doing hand sewing, putting hooks and eyes on you see, then when there was a vacancy on the bench, you would go on the bench and they’d teach you how to use the machine cause of course they were very fast you know it’s not like the ordinary machine - they were fast, so you had to learn how to do that, you know what I mean?

 

RS: Not long really, because you just got on with it – you know what I mean? They gave you little jobs to do to get used to using the machine and you just carried on then. But I’ve got to be fair I did enjoy it there – there was a good atmosphere, lovely people to work for, nice canteen.

 

RS: It made dresses, we didn’t do sheets – I don’t know whether you’ve heard of Horrocks’ sheets cotton sheets? They did them, but our factory was just making dresses, dressing gowns we used to make a s well – we made them for Marks and Spencers and all other shops but Marks and Spencers always had their own labels – they had their special labels Marks and Spencers, but there was a bench with just one on which they would do the samples you know just girls on their own would do that but on the bench you’d done the garment from the startt, and when it come to the end it was finished then. That’s how it was.

 

RS: Oh I did yes immensely. One of the presses – I must tell you this right – her name is Irene Spetti and Lorne Lesley is her real name but her stage name is Irene Spetti. She.. what’s this Dickson now? She’s married to him on the television.

 

RS: David Dickson yeh.. she’s married to him she is, but she was over six foot and of course in them days you always had to clock in and clock out and we’d all be in a long 5 line and she would tower above everybody you know? Yes I really enjoyed it there we really have good times. They used to have trips - we down to Porthcawl in a bus and watch the fireworks, and we’d have dinner dances – that was my first ever dinner dance where I bought my first evening gown which we thought we were wonderful – having our hair done, then buying special shoes you know – it was lovely.

 

RS: That was in the Connacht Rooms in the Capital – it was by the Capital Cinema – it was called the Connacht Rooms but it was a proper dinner and dance you know what I mean? It was really nice.

 

RS: Mostly... well with our age it was the Rock ‘n Roll and all that, you know what I mean? It was lovely and um... well I’m trying to think... what was his name now?... the one that’s deaf – we all used to be singing that on the bench... Johnny Ray? We used to be singing his songs, cos they’d have the radio on you see while we’re working and then we’d be singing all of us you know, but I know I can remember Johnny Ray.. they were all singing.. we all used to sing to that.

 

RS: They did yes. But then if the temperature was below 40 degrees, we weren’t supposed to work, but we were lucky enough... I think only once or twice it was below you know? .. but um... ‘cause it was such a big factory.

 

RS: Oh no, I can’t remember now. It’s going back a long time. I know we used to listen to the radio all of us. no I can’t remember the programmes.

 

RS: I think it was ’55, cause it wasn’t long in the laundry and then I got this job in Horrocks’. ‘Cause the dinner dance that i went to the first one was on December 30th ’55.

 

RS: No. 6

 

RS: Yes my neighbour.. my friend that lived a few doors up, she worked in the offices... um but I made new friends when I started there you know, it was great, it was good.

 

RS: Well no, they taught you to sew.

 

RS: No, no. We did have sewing lessons in school but not like they do today.

 

RS: I remember going into the office and just chatting you know, they asking me all questions.. and I think we had to take our school card you know - we used to have a leaving card in them days you know from school - we took that. But as I said I was lucky enough to get the job.

 

RS: Yes and there was people from up the valleys as well used to work there because I made friends with a girl Sheila Nash and she lived in Ystrad Mynach and she married one of the mechanics that used to repair the machines you know? ‘Cos we went to the wedding, cos we went to a couple of weddings we used to all go as a group like, we all went as friends.

 

RS: Yes – even the ones that was cutting out, you know cause there was a big table with the material on and they had these electric cutters which they cut out, but they were all women, they were.... and the packers, as I say the only men really were the mechanics and the boss – I can’t think of his name now – we very rare saw him, very rare, he never ever... you only see him walk through and just looking at things and gone you know? So there wasn’t... mostly women.

 

RS: Well if the machines broke down they’d repair the machines.

 

RS: Yes.

 

RS: Machinist.

 

RS: Yes until they closed. Unfortunately they decided to close and we were all in a terrible state because we loved it all of us. And we had a party and we were all singing “We’ll meet again” you know – it was lovely. Yes I was there until it closed.

 

RS: That I’m not sure of – I’ve got to think now. Maybe 58/59 I’m not sure to be honest. Might have been 59/60 – I’m not quite sure about that. But then when they finished there of course you had to go to a place in Westgate Street now, there was a place there where you had to go and sign on as it was then. Then I had a job then in West Canal Wharf...

 

RS: Oh – I was very nervous, I’m always a nervous person anyway I mean as you get older you learn. Iwas very nervous and I just sat there sewing.. I mean you wouldn’t speak to anybody. Evetually you get your confidence and you start chatting, but I was very nervous, but that was how I was.

 

RS: It was a very big building and like I said you can imagine when you first go there you see all these machines, lines and lines of machines and places where they’re cutting so it was a bit ‘wow!’ you know? But as I said they were so friendly I thoroughly enjoyed it.

 

RS: Not really... well it would be with machines I suppose. Cause some.. they’re not quiet.. but not... well we got used when you’re sewing, you got used to it .. they had the radio on...

 

RS: Loved it.. I loved it yes.

 

RS: Well how can I explain? Now some people now, they’ve always worked in offices right, like my friend did Marion – she was in the office - but that wasn’t me. But I worked in a factory. In them days like a cousin of mine said, when I worked in the.. “oh you’re not working in a factory!” you know what I mean like it was degrading. But I didn’t think it was degrading cause I enjoyed it. Factory work was what... we’re all different that’s what I find.. if we was all intelligent... well we couldn’t all work in an office could we? So in my mind, we’ve all got different ways of living. I was quite happy to work in a fa.. some people would say “Oh I wouldn’t work in a factory..” but I loved work in a factory. I wouldn’t want to work in an office. So that’s the way I feel about it you know. But you know, it’s just how we are.

 

RS: Yes it is yes.

 

RS: Well you’d clock in obviously and then go and sit down by your machine and you’d start machining away, then they’d have a break uh which you could go in the canteen for about... a cup of tea... I think about quarter of an hour, I’m not sure, but then you’d carry on.. then lunchtime then we’d go in the canteen but sometimes we’d go for a walk because it was more countryfied then so to have a bit of fresh air we’d go for a bit of a walk around before we went back into the factory, do you know what I mean? Then you’d only have one small break in the afternoon and then you would finish then like you know? I used to ride a bike to work I did you know, and you’d go and get your bike and ride home. But um.. that’s all it was really.

 

RS: Only about 10mins cos it’s only up the road for me. Somtimes we used to come home dinner times in the summer when the weather was nice – I’d ride home and my mother would have my dinner ready and I’d be right back then you know but then when i got more friends with the girls, I didn’t bother. we used to stay in and have a chat and go and have a walk around you know. But... as they say... and they’d have sales then. You could buy the dresses do you know what I mean? And they were reasonable.. I mean the dresses in them days... you’d have a circular skirt and if you think.. the material would cover the whole of this floor – that’s how big they were. Lovely... lots and lots of material in them – lovely dresses an dressing gowns.... but the dresses were always lovely. Well made they were.

 

RS: No what it was they would have a sale and then you could buy them cheaper then do you know what I mean? So...

 

RS: I would say about twice a year, but you could buy.. they’d bring other things into the factory as well then do you know what I mean? – their sheets, pillowslips, you always had a good sale – it was worth buying. They were lovely clothes, really nice clothes. And their sheets... I mean everybody that got married they gave them Horrocks’ sheets for a wedding present.. they lasted years – they were lovely.

 

RS: Yes – cos we had a lovely canteen, I mean i think it might have been in our days a modern one do you know what I mean? Because we had alovely big canteen, nice toilets, place to put your bike soi think yes the factory was really good, 

 

RS: Yes, I did yes, very good yes. 

 

RS: Got to be a few hundred, because there was 24 on each bench – that’s the sewing part, and there must have been about 10 benches, then they had a row of people doing samples, then they had people doing the hand sewing like I showed you, then they had people who cut out, then there’s packers, um there was people who done overlocking, people who done zips, I’sd say a few hundred easily. Work that out – quite a lot really.

 

RS: Yes it was. Everybody was really upset because we were all friends do you know what I mean? So, it was upsetting.

 

RS: Yes – a few married working there and as I said a few of us got married. as I said Sheila Nash married Peter who looked after the machines you know?

 

RS: Yes .

 

RS: ‘59

 

RS: No – well I didn’t. You didn’t need it with sewing. Obviously people in the office perhaps did you know, cos they had different views then with different things.

 

RS: I think it was £2 something, £2 - 7 – 6 something like that – I’m not quite sure. It wasn’t a lot. You know when I say to my grandchildren they can’t believe it. Bout £2 something I think it was which was good money to us in them days and it was a job...

 

RS: We were quite happy with that – it was fine.

 

RS: No. I didn’t go on piecework – no. Some of the girls did – the ones that done the samples, but ours was just a wage like you know – you just did your job every day.

 

RS: I have somewhere but I’ll have to find it. I’m sure it was £2 odd we had.

 

RS: I can’t remember to be honest with you... I’m not sure. I should imagine we would have had. Not much though I don’t think... I can’t remember having one.

 

RS: Oh yes – we were all paid the same yes... apart from the piece workers obviously you know? But everyone else got paid the same. Even the ones that done the pressing you know with the iron doing the pressing the seams.

 

RS: I would think so – yes.

 

RS: What did I spend my wages on well... as I said for our dinner dance we went and bought these special shoes with all glitter on – I remember saving up for that, and we had this first evening gown you know, the big skirt and that, and we had our hair done special, but we wa’n’t like the girls today – like they want to buy everything – we didn’t do that we were pretty good. I saved a bit – I never went mad you know what I mean? Cos I never... I only went to a youth club whichthat’s where I met my husband when I was 15.... but that’s all I went because I met him and I didn’t go far - if he was on leave we’d go to the cinema you know, we’d go into town for the cinema and we’d go to the fireworks display with the Horrocks’. Obviously you’d be buying things then you’d go on the shows and whatever but that’s all. You never spent like they do today you know what I mean?

 

RS: I’m not sure if it was 2/6d – it was 1/6 and 2/6d I think. That seems to ring a bell and a 1/- , 1/9d – see I’m just thinking of the prices now.

 

RS: If my husband was onleave we’d always go into town, into Cardiff like, see whatever film was on and we’d go and see the Empire or the Odeon – one of those we’d go to. I mean we had a cinema up the road here which was the Ninian cinema which Imonly went when I had my children, for my night out my husband would mind the children and I’d go with my friend and watch a film that’s all – up the Nin we used to call it then no we only went into town... and what we used to do in them days... we used to call it window shopping cos they never had the shutters then did they.. so we’d walk around looking in all the shop windows... “Oh I’d like that.. yes..!” wahtever. But we didn’t spend much money in them days.

 

RS: Yes – we went in on the bus. Course 10 o clock when the film did finish, everybody’d be standing cos they always played The Queen then, and you’d be waiting for it to finish cos you had to run and catch a bus.

 

RS: Yes – I did give my mother something – I think it was 5/- - I can’t remember offhand

 

RS: There was a union yes and we all had to join it – we all jined the union anyway.

 

RS: No - can’t remember no. Because when it was... that’s how I set about it being cold – it had to be a certain temperature cos of the factory was such a big place, because that was to do with the unions. They said it had to be at a certain thing. I can’t remember exactly what it was – that’s all I can remember about the unions.

 

RS: No.

 

RS: Yes, I did yes.

 

RS: No.

 

RS: Ordinary clothes – whatever you wanted.

 

RS: Yes

 

RS: No, no. I mean I did sew, when I was first learning like your saying, I had the needle right through my finger, do you know what I mean? Well you just got to learn haven’t you – you need to stop, and then they’re pulling the needle out then, do you know what I mean? But em – they had good first aid as well I mean I got to be fair. One time I was running across which I shouldn’t have done when it was our break, and it was raining not like the leaves are now and I slipped and fell on the back of my head and knocked myself out. And well they took me in the day... the room there and I was there for a while, but i got to be fair they had good first aid – they did yes. That’s what makes me think it was more modern in our days to what... do you know what I mean... to some of the factories you know?

 

RS: Well you weren’t allowed to be late - you had to be clocking in. But there was no really rules.. I mean you couldn’t be late, I mean you had to have good excuse for not being in work, but appart from that there was no really rules, every thing was fine do you know what I mean? You had a good supervisor...

 

RS: There was no health and safety.. the only thing issue was as I told you with the temperature with the union – that’s the only thing – there was no health and safety then.

 

RS: I can’t remember the heating, but as I said it wasn’t really cold but then when we had the bitter cold weather it would be cold cos it was a big um... how can I explain, you know how they do Asda’s these buildings... like Asda’s – prefabricated. It was agreat big factory, I mean... I can’t even remember about the heat - all I remember that we were told this time because it was cold, if it was below 40° we weren’t allowed to work, but I can’t remember what heating was in there. I think they had the big long lights you know, because of the sewing – you had to have bright lights because of the sewing.

 

RS: Yes.

 

RS: Yes you could chat and sing. That’s what I said it was lax – it was really nice.

 

RS: Probably boyfriends and you know youth club and things you know, music we’d talk about music like I said, there’d be certain records we’d like and we’d talk about that you know.

 

RS: No, no!

 

RS: No – they could smoke but not in the factory. They could smoke in the canteen, cos I never smoked it didn’t appeal to me, but they couldn’t smoke in the factory but I think they could smoke in the canteen you know?

 

RS: No.

 

RS: Fine – they used to laugh, lark about and joke with them, they were fine.

 

RS: In them days you did, you just did, you just automatically worked didn’t you, you didn’t even think about it. I ean once you had your children then you never worked cos 15 you had to look after your children. That’s the unfortunate thing of today, the youngsters they’ve got to go to work and it’s a shame cos they’re missing a bond with their children. I really don’t like that – I really think it’s hard.

 

RS: Monday to Friday, only in the week – we didn’t work Saturday.

 

RS: I think we started at 9, and we had hour for lunch I know because sometimes I used to come home and I think we finished at 5. I would think so – I think it was a 40 hr week, so how would that work out then? Would that be right then? I’ve got to work it out.

 

RS: Yes – Monday to Friday it was.

 

RS: No – no shift work.

 

RS: Sometimes – if they were rushing.. they wanted certain things out, sometimes you would you know, you might have to work an hour or so that’s all but not very often, it was mostly.. because there were so many people there it was pretty good you know?

 

RS: Yes – I think we had holliday pay?

 

RS: I don’t remember now - no.

 

RS: Yes we had bank holidays. Yes we had them off.

 

RS: They used to close down didn’t they...

 

RS: I’m trying to think now, did it close down...? I can’t really remember to be honest.

 

RS: No – not really because in them days you didn’t really go on holidays. We’d have—when I was a little girl we used to go on day trips you know on the buses, but when we were married we never cos my husband was in the army, so we didn’t go on holidays... We’d go down with his Nana – that’s right – we went to Porthcawl for a week in a caravan. One time we could say that we had a week’s holiday.

 

RS: Oh I don’t know – years.

 

RS: Before we were married we went down there. We went down cos she wanted to go.. we went with her for company, so she could have the caravan you know?

 

RS: I can’t remember... well when you’re younger you don’t... there’s no funerals really unless it’s immediate family. I was Ok – I didn’t have to have time off for fumerals – no. Whether they did I don’t know.

 

RS: No.

 

RS: The company organised it.

 

RS: Do you know I can’t remember – I don’t know whether hey paid because friend came obviously, we would have had to pay for friends. Whether we paid or not I can’t really remember. You know in them days it was a proper dinner dance – it was lovely you know?

 

RS: Yes it was – they usually had a live band there.

 

RS: No, not really. Long time back now.

 

RS: Oh gosh – you’re joking – no. It would be like, you’d have soup wouldn’t you, then you’d have your main meal and your sweet and that and I don’t know whether we had after 8 mints and things like... I don’t think we did, but we’d have... it was a three course meal do you know what I mean, you know proper dinner as I say, a dinner dance. It had to be done properly do you know what I mean?

 

RS: Only.. that was a Christmas one.

 

RS: Yes if friends wanted to come, they could come as well.

 

RS: Oh my husband – I took my husband with me.

 

RS: Yes.

 

RS; No because my main friend Marian, she worked there anyway – she was in the office.

 

RS: Well the only fampus person hat I know as I told you was Lorna Leslie, cos she worked with us you know, and she was a scream – she’d have us all singing... always laughing she was, she was really good.

 

RS: Well I don’t know, because we all split.. once the factory closed that was it, so everybody went... but then she started to sing then under Lorna Leslie, that’s what she was doing singing, so after that I don’t know.

 

RS; Oh she did shows I think, she done concerts, obviously she must have done records because she’d done shows you know.

 

RS; No, no.

 

RS: No unfortunately. I’ve got photographs of them, but unfortunately no.

 

RS: Yes we had to pay, but it was an evening trip that I went on with my husband.There was a bus load with the girls would take their boyfriends, go to Porthcawl and watch the fireworks and go on the shows, just a great night out you know?

 

RS: Yes it was yes.

 

RS: Yes.

 

 

RS; ‘59, ’60 it was after I got married. And then like I said we had to go to this place in Westgate Street, and eventually I found a job in West Canal Wharf. Now after working in Horrocks’ such a lovely factory, I couldn’t believe it cos you went in this little door, and as you went in there was all coal at the back and then you went up these stairs and then you turned right and there was this room with.. there was only two machinists and then when I started that would have been three, the boss Mr Spencer and one boy, a Greek boy cutting out, and we were making school satchels, handbags and sometimes we’d make purses but mostly it was school satchels.. and there was three girls on the machines and it was big machines, heavy, same as we had in Horrocks’ but a bit stronger, but you had to... we had an oily rag, you had to oil the seam and then machine it. It was 19 OK, nice girls and we used to chat and all that business, but after working in Horrocks’ it was entirely different because we’d have a break and turn the machines off and the boss would make the tea and then we’d have this bowl, and everybody would use.. wash our hands in this bowl, to have our cup of tea and whatever – the same bowl. And then this one time I picked up impetigo from the oil. I must have had a pimple and scratched it and I had impetigo on my face. It was dreadful. I told the boss – ‘That’s fine...” he said. We still all washed in this bowl and still all used the same towel, which these days you just can’t believe that... It was OK – I enjoyed it there. As I said I left there then cos my husband was in Germany and I went to Germany to live then. That’s when I finished work completely.

 

RS: I’m not sure what it was called but the boss’ name was Mr Spencer. He used to make school satchells and handbags, purses... but it wasn’t a big place as I said there were only three machinists and a boy cutting out and him so that was only 5 of us in this.. which was the factory. I mean it was... a lot to be desired after Horrocks’ I mea there was no restroom, no first aid or anything I mean.. I can’t even remember where the toilet was to be honest with you... know what I mean, you just can’t believe it, you just wore this pinny... white pinny... you just can’t believe it - how they got away with it in them days! There was other factories ‘round there which was... they used to call it the butter factory and there was another place that used to do bras and knickers... I tried to get in there but of course most of our girls had already got in there so that was my next.. and I wanted a sewing job you know? So that’s why I worked there.

 

RS: Yeah – well he’d boil a kettle and put water in and add cold so we’d all use the same bowl of water.

 

RS: Oh yes it did take me a while cos.. it was horrible it was. But I still went to work see, I told him but he said “No - that’s fine.” Still washed my hands in the bowl.. you can’t believe it can you? You just can’t believe... but there you are.

 

RS: To be honest with you I don’t know. All i know was that I worked there so I don’t know. They were school satchells but whether it was for a shop or... I don’t know.

 

RS; Oh only tiny. There was only just one room – that’s all it was. As I say there was three of us on the sewing machines.. probably four.. four sewing machines, one table for cutting out and a little table where he was sat and there ‘d be a table in the middle to wash our hands. So it wasn’t big.

 

RS: Well I enjoyed working with the girls but I didn’t feel as if I was clean there, do you understand me? After working in Horrocks’ it was entirely different., you know?

 

RS: I’m not sure – about 18 months I think cos then I went to Germany.

 

RS: No because the one woman was a lot older than me (dog barks) and the other girl.. no I never because I went to germany to live then see, so when I came back then I had my son and in them days you didn’t work til they were in school, do you know what I mean – or in nursery or whatever.

 

RS: Oh no I can’t remember. Probably about the same cos it was the same type of wages wasn’t it in them days. I’m not sure to be honest.

 

RS: Yes. You could talk there but of course there were only three of us to chat to. We used to talk do you know what I mean? But I didn’t enjoy it like I did Horrocks’ you know? There was a great atmosphere in Horrocks’.

 

RS: We just used to stay in the factory... I never came home.. because it was in town we’d stay there and have a snack, and then start work and then come back. I think... I’m not sure what time I finished there... I’m just trying to think what hours they were... it was probably 9 to 5, but we didn’t go out – we stayed in the factory for the hour you know? Just chatting.

 

RS: No.. no. (She laughs) 

 

50:38 

RS: He was OK.

 

RS: He was alright. How can I explain.. he did get a bit moody at times but.. as I said after working in Horrocks’ nothing seemed the same, do you know what I mean? I wasn’t as happy there as I was – I mean I worked there cos I needed the money, do you know what I mean? But.. And I got on with.. cos as I say there were only two other girls to chat to, but there wasn’t the atmosphere and you wasn’t laughing and joking like you were in Horrocks’ – it was like a life – but there it was work and that was it, do you know what I mean?

 

RS: I probably did but I can’t really remember, cos we wouldn’t have gone away then, so I’m not sure about that. Obviously we had bank holidays and things like that which they did then.

 

RS: I used to go to ayouth club – that’s where I met my husband, and we used to go to the cinsems.

 

RS: Oh in the factory – no, nothing at all like Horrocks’.

 

RS: Well I wouldn’t say I was bored because I used to like sewing, but I used to get a bit fed up sometimes because there was no laughter and joking, it was just work, doing the same thing do you know what I mean? He wasn’t the happiest person, do you know what I mean? So it wasn’t as nice – no.

 

RS: I used to catch the bus to work. 

 

RS: No I’d catch the bus then.. the bus on the corner tool me straight to the momnument,, I’d catch a bus home then

 

RS: There was plenty of work there cos like I said the bus used to be packed going to work and coming home, cos they’d be going to the place where they made the bras and the knickers, and then there was the butter factory so there was alot of people finishing work the same time and we’d all be on the bus – it’d be busy like, like.. you’d chat to people on the bus you know?

 

RS: I didn’t mind cos it wasn’t that far, do you know what I mean?

 

RS: He was stationed in Germany and I was having ... I’d just became pregnant then and we went over to Germany to live. So that’s why I left you know? How long it went on after I don’t know - the factory – cos as I said it was only a small factory.

 

RS: Bout 18 months/ 2years.

 

RS: No – well I had three children, and then when my youngest was about 6 or 7 I started in St Paul’s school, which used to be the Nash, as a dinner lady and I worked there 38 years. I retired now last Christmas – I’ve been off this year. But I loved it – I love working with children. I think if I’d have had my time over again, like they have all these opportunities today. I would have worked with children, cos I do like working with children and handicapped children as well. So I think.. I enjoyed doing what I did but I think.. after working with children.. I think that’s what I would have loved to have done.

 

RS: Oh – I enjoyed Horrocks’, don’t get me wrong, it was lovely, I did enjoy it. As I say they looked after their staff and it was a good factory.. it was, but... now I do like working with children. But I’m not saying I didn’t enjoy Horrocks’ – it was really good.

 

55:31

 

END OF INTERVIEW/DIWEDD CYFWELIAD

 

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