SHIRLEY MOWER
Picture
Shirley on left
Surname
Mower
Forename
Shirley
Date of recording
2016
Year of birth
1938
Place of Birth
Aldeburgh
Occupation
Retired Nurse
Fathers occupation
Fisherman
Present Address
Woodbridge
Location Interview
Woodbridge
Interviewer

Summary
Doreen Bartlett
Duration
37 Mins
No of tracks: 3
Track 1 Introduction

Track 2: Describes life in post war Aldeburgh (1949) during her childhood. Mentions family home on Crag Path. Activities such as looking for amber on beach, mushroom picking & other money making ventures. Talks about fishing and social life of fishermen. Recounts arrival and impact of tea shop in premises previously owned by Crisps. Mentions Benjamin Britten and father's nickname, Rats. Identifies Cragg Sisters - Joan, Patience and (brother) Huw. Baking ingredients sourced locally. Recruited staff locally.  Joan Cragg kept all invoices etc. now archived in Museum of EA Life. More remarks about post war austerity. Describes confectionery served at tearooms. Describes Afternoon Tea menu. Recounts personal introduction to tearooms as an odd job girl aged 10. Reflects on relationship with "management". Remarks about customers, staff uniforms. Talks about baking on the premises and seasonal variations. Describes living accommodation and Patience's weaving business based in Walberswick. Mentions lifeboat and family connection as a crew member.
 
Describes childhood games and activities including cycling trips to Thorpeness, playing on the marshes, paddling, swimming etc. Memories of carnival. Phone rings.

​Track 3 Sunday School activities and outings. Mentions Patsie (?) Smith and an old bath chair. St John's Ambulance, Girl Guides, playing hopscotch, bat and ball. Cycle rides to Snape and Sutton Hoo. War years - air raid alerts and life in the shelters. Phone rings. Talks about mother and grandmother hiding liquor. Describes her route into nursing and initial training at Ipswich Hospital (sounds of lawn mower & strimmers!!!). Talks about nursing experience in America. Mentions old Suffolk residents attitude to medical professionals. Mentions Dr Robin and Dr Nora Acheson. More reminiscences of local trading activities. Amusing anecdotes of strict regime in the Nurses Home (1957). Talks about 1953 floods. Grandmother's house on seafront damaged. Mentions salvage operation. Mentions steam engines. Remark re EADT. Talks about inheriting tearooms from Joan. More tearoom stories. Speculates on reasons for setting up business in Aldeburgh.  Reflects on return visits to Aldeburgh and how life has changed. Talks about present family connections  and attitudes towards Cragg Sisters business.