ALAN SMITH
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Surname
|
Smith
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Forename
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Alan
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Date of recording
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March 2008
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Year of birth
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1949
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Place of Birth
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Butley
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Occupation
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Lorry Driver
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Fathers occupation
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Carpenter
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Present Address
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Sutton, Woodbridge
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Location Interview
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Woodbridge
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Interviewer
Summary |
Doreen Bartlett
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Duration
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50 Mins
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This recording consists of one track. Times within track shown below.
000 – 7mins50: Introductory and background information. Remarks about first home. Describes accommodation, bathing arrangements. Comments on playing out as a child + remarks about local football team. Describes father’s working life. Comments on mother (from Aberdeen) and parents’ courtship and early marriage – interesting reflection on contrasting background. 7.50 – 15.53: Talks about toys and importance of bike as essential means of transport. Further comments on travel in 1950s. Comments on birthday and Christmas celebrations. Remarks about relations – local and in Scotland. Mentions learning to swim in the river, football with the lads. Describes local shops and facilities – mentions names of trades’ people. Talks about travelling shops. Describes being sent shopping. Describes Monday washday. 15.54 – 21.10 Talks about neighbours – their names and occupations. Comments on local landowner and family members. Describes jobs on the estate. Particular mention of signing shotgun certificate. Mentions landowner’s estate in Scotland. 21.10 –29.45 Remarks on primary schooling (Butley Primary). Names teachers. Special mention of school dinners. Remarks on discipline and playtime. Describes secondary education (Butley Modern). Transport arrangements. Remarks on favourite lessons – geography, PE. Information about staff. Amusing anecdote about music teacher. Memories of punishments. Interesting remarks about rural studies. Further remarks about swimming in river. 29.45 – 37.32 Further general comments about river. Talks about oyster boats (Mr Pinney). Remarks about Butley Mill. Mentions several names and describes delivery of grain. Comments on local blacksmith (Sudbourne Hall), undertaker, wheelwright etc. Discusses training for employment. Moves on to describe first job at Notcutts and journey to Woodbridge. 37.32 – 44.48 Comments on learning to drive (tractors). Notes change of employment to Sutton Farm Estate (1974 - 1985) – interesting information about annual cycle of farmwork. Talks about tied cottage and marriage. More comments on training. Describes work as a bus driver and lorry driver at USAF Bentwaters – interesting details of life on the air base – until 1993. 44.48 – 50.00 Description of telephone at Butley High Corner (amusing anecdote). Comments on television in 1950s – mentions favourite programmes. Aside about homework. Reflections on village PC – in context of respect. Comments on Butley Oyster (very amusing – and graphically described). Description of youth club activities. Comments on church – and chapel (at Low Corner). Talks about Sunday School and outings to Felixstowe. Names vicar (Mr Snell) and tries to recall name of minister (Mr Gildersleeves?). |