FELICITY BISSETT

Surname

Bissett formerly Bromage

Forename

Felicity

Date of recording

Dec 2015

Year of birth

1936

Place of Birth

Aldeburgh

Occupation

Singer, actress, publican. retailer

Fathers occupation

​Headmaster

Present Address

Aldeburgh

Location Interview

Aldeburgh

Interviewer

Summary

Doreen Bartlett

Duration

​41 mins

No of tracks: 4

Track 1 Introduction. Note surname Bissett not Brissett as on introduction

​Track 2
Explains father came to Aldeburgh 1929 when father took over a boys prep. school known as Aldeburgh Lodge. He married in 1934 and the family lived on "the front". Mentions godfather Philip Sydney & Stuart Cruikshank who also worked at the school. Family moved to take over another school in Hertfordshire at the beginning of WW2. Came back to Aldeburgh on holiday every summer once war was over. Talks of memories of proclamation of George V1. Refers to birth of brother. Refers to illustrated  journals compiled by her father which include scenes of Aldeburgh. Memories of beach huts (bathing machines). Rattle of coffee cups etc. may need editing! Memories of her first carnival - dressed as a fairy. Boating pond built as a water reservoir for the war. Talks about national & international trade from Aldeburgh. Mentions bombing of armament building in Oakley Square.
Talks about teenage "frolics" involving Thorpeness Meare and Arthur the keeper of the punts. Reflections on teenage behaviour.
 
After the war Aldeburgh Lodge school relocated to Orwell Park. Discusses curious owner (a Wentworth?) of Aldeburgh Lodge.
 
Refers to returning to Aldeburgh via Snape with a young family where she helped her 2nd husband (Neville) to run the Plough and Sail. The family then moved to run a residential home in Park Road. This was followed in 1970s by the running of a Health Food shop in Aldeburgh High Street. Gained qualifications. Talks about employing staff. Customers included Princess Margaret, Rostropovich, members of Plymouth Brethren - the Plyms.
 
Reflections on changes to town + opinions on current day situation re: housing. Talks about family home in Park Road and teenagers growing up. Refers to grandchildren.
 
Mentions federation of local businesses & how business community has changed.
 
Discusses career in music. Music college and early life in musical theatre including original cast of My Fair Lady. Oratorio and choral societies. Work involving music within mental health service.
 
Member of Aldeburgh Music Club which has origins of with Ben Britten and Peter Pears. Joan Cross mentioned. First public performance of Music Club raised funds for Britten window in church.
 
Talks about conversing with Benjamin Britten during early morning dog walks on beach. Mentions observing Festival rehearsals at Jubilee Hall and later, access to Maltings whilst at Snape when Plough & Sail held Festival licence.
 
Discusses retirement and sale of Health Food business. Describes undertaking UEA certificated course focussing on aspects of East Anglian history. Used qualification to inform work in challenging planning permissions which led to a new career in civic life.
 
Track 3:
 Focus on war memorial and family names which continue to feature in the town. Garrett, Spring - Rice (?)Cable, Ward, Wilson etc. often with connections with fishing industry or brick works. Discusses life for local people including restricted employment opportunities.
 
Track 4:
Recalls mother taking soup to poorer families. Crag Path was previously known as The Parade. Mentions mother's privileged background in London and her role as an activist for the rights of women married to "foreigners". Further references to parents including father, the son of a clergyman, as a singer and involved with the church as a Reader. Explains her own election to Aldeburgh Town Council and eventually succession to John Richardson (Garrett family) as Mayor, a post she held for 3 years from 2001. Describes/reflects on role/priorities of mayor and her life in wake of husband's premature death. Talks about High Sheriff's cocktail party with supporter Rtd. General Patrick ? Amusing description of mayoral chain. Following retirement from Council outlines new work as a volunteer with Aldeburgh United Charities. Describes work of Trust. Big issues facing Aldeburgh today: too many second homes and rental properties. Comments on age profile of town. Comments on enjoyment of walking locally and recent sponsored walk (in costume) along the South West Coast footpath in the steps of Great Aunt Isobel.

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