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The transcript is an interview with Norma Mills as transcribed by Microsoft Word and summarised by ChatGPT and subject to errors.
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Original summary as recorded at the time
Norma MILLS Tape no 55
Now of 28, The Old Vicarage, Bradshaw, Bolton Born 15th February, 1942
Interviewed by Kate Slingsby/ Brenda Richards on 23rd November, 2006
Side A: 43 minutes
Side/Time Content
Norma relates the stories of Nuttall Village told her by her paternal grandmother Charlotte MARKLAND (1878-1972) daughter of George and Alison MARKLAND. She also talks of her great grandmother MARKLAND who lived in the Round House, near Holme Mill, Ramsbottom
A: 00
George and Alison MARKLAND married at Holcombe Church.
Charlotte eldest of 11 children.
Her father was a weaver, photographer and magician. Performed magic tricks in pubs around Ramsbottom - Charlotte was his assistant but often left outside pubs when too young to go in.
Story of no food bar bread and treacle for 2 weeks.
Song about ‘God bless John GRANT’
A:04
Charlotte’s extensive knowledge and use of herbs. ‘Nipbone’ was taken orally and used on wounds. Iron tonics made from soaking rusty nails in water. Home made wines, rose perfume, Christmas decorations
A:10 Siblings baptised at St Andrew’s. She went to school at New Jerusalem, aged 13, part time at school/ part time at Mill as a weaver
A: 12
Two stories of incidents when walking in Nuttall – paranormal - girl seen on walk who was actually at home
A: 13 Members of family emigrate to America. Aunt becomes a nurse in Crimean War, married a surgeon, George RABY. Norma still in touch with descendants of this family. Seen photos of them with their black servants.
Charlotte sent to visit them – sea journey thought to improve her health.
Proposal from Australian sheep farmer whilst on ship.
A: 15 Ocean Chemicals ruined Nuttall by use of cyanide. All trees were turned white and then died. Workers had yellow faces.
Charlotte returns from America
A:20 1950s- Description of Charlotte showing Norma and family where used to live in Nuttall. Some confusion as she showed them round the house which still stands today but records show their address as Goit Street.
Black range in kitchen. Desk piled with papers as it was used as office for Ocean Chemical works. No other houses around – just ruins
A:22
Games children played. ‘top and whip’ ‘hopscotch’ in fields. Happy childhood.
Charlotte spoke local Lancashire dialect. Nuttall known at ‘Nutter’.
No electricity in Nuttall. Charlotte took candle to bed even after she lived in house with electricity with son and family in Walmersley as she did not trust electricity
A: 27 Charlotte taken by father for years to Manchester Eye Hospital. ? by train/tram/horse drawn tram
A.28 Story of Charlotte’s mother’s accidental but serious eye injury caused by father gleefully throwing his top hat across room when he got a job.
A:30 Charlotte’s brothers – she looked after them as children. They later worked in the mill.
A:33 Charlotte’s suitors. One drowned himself in the Irwell when she rejected him/ another (George ECCLES) was later killed in WW1.
Her marriage aged 28. All her sibs already married.
A:36 Brief history of MARKLAND family in Ramsbottom. Richard and second wife Betty MARKLAND had a cake shop around 1829 on Bridge Street.
A MARKLAND lived on Crow Lane
Family graves in Holcombe Church
A:43 End of tape
Side B: Blank