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T06 Clara Booth
Memories from 1907 onwards
Recorded 1987/88
Length 00:22:13
- Earliest Memories: Speaker recalls starting school at age four and lessons involving a Jersey cow.
- Strict Family: Describes a strict upbringing and early work experience at age twelve in a weaving mill.
- Girl Guides: Enjoyed time in Girl Guides, camping in Derbyshire.
- Work and Life: Worked hard, shared wages with family, and enjoyed simple pleasures like trips to Blackpool.
- Community Changes: Discusses local shops, libraries, and the impact of historical events on the community.
Overview
The transcript captures the recollections of an elderly woman (Speaker 2) being interviewed by two others (Speakers 1 and 3). It spans her early childhood, schooling, working life, leisure, marriage, and later years. The setting appears to be northern England — references to Ramsbottom, Holcombe Village, Bury, and Lancashire cotton mills confirm this.
- Early Childhood and Schooling
- The speaker recalls starting school at age four under Headmaster Mr. Briggs.
- She attended Hazelhurst School, leaving at thirteen after completing “Standard Four.”
- Her family was large and strict — seven children, with her mother working as a washerwoman and cleaner.
- She was caned twice for being late, once because she had to buy bread before school.
- Family rules included no speaking at the table.
- She describes early school memories vividly — even remembering a Jersey cow they used to learn about.
- Early Work Life
- Began half-time work at age 12 at William Axon’s Place, a small weaving factory.
- Started as a towel weaver, working two looms by age 13.
- Work was physically demanding and dirty, involving constant dust.
- Notes that many women developed knee problems from kneeling while cleaning under looms.
- Her supervisor, Mr. Eckles, predicted the decline of the cotton industry and Egyptian cotton imports — which later came true.
- Youth and Leisure
- Joined the Girl Guides at age 10, with Mr. Peach as leader — described as “a lovely man.”
- Enjoyed camping trips to Derbyshire and Millersdale and buying small jellies as treats.
- Played traditional childhood games: hopscotch, jacks, skipping ropes, and rolling hoops.
- Entertainment came from reading, concerts, and singing rather than formal events.
- Mentions school concerts were not common but recalls her brother as a school board inspector.
- Daily Life and Local Changes
- Remembers Cunliffs, a local building that was torn down, replaced by hostels, and later by new housing where she lived for 17 years.
- Recalls markets and shops in Ramsbottom, Standbridge Street, and Holcombe Village (including Co-op stores and post offices).
- Reflects on how the area changed over the years, with many mills closing.
- Talks fondly of walking the hills, visiting landmarks like Stranger’s Grave, and community traditions.
- Marriage and Family
- Married at 24 and was with her husband for 51 years.
- Her husband had been a World War I soldier, serving in Passchendaele and held as a prisoner of war in Germany (Stalag camp).
- They met by chance when she was left alone after a friend’s date; he greeted her politely in his khaki uniform.
- They courted by visiting Bury Hippodrome and traveling by train from Holcombe Brook (where her father worked on the railway).
- They had one son, born prematurely (only 2 lbs 4 oz) but survived and cared for her in later life.
- She expresses deep affection for him, calling him “as good as in a million.”
- Working Life Reflections
- Enjoyed her work despite hardship: “I enjoyed my work. I could go back today and do it.”
- Notes how towel weaving was hard and dusty but rewarding.
- Worked for a kind employer, Mr. Etel, who later left money to his employees in his will (£25 for her).
- Describes the weaving industry’s decline as a loss but feels proud of the hard work of her generation.
- Later Life and Reflections
- Lived most of her life near the Waterloo Inn, moving only four times.
- Expresses strong contentment with her home and independence, unfazed by living among confused (possibly elderly) residents.
- Mentions using the mobile library service when she couldn’t go out for two years.
- Reflects on changes in reading habits — prefers large print books now.
- Finds modern entertainment mainly through television and local social groups (“Friends of A’s”).
- Historical and Cultural Memories
- Remembers King George V and Queen Mary’s 1913 visit to Ramsbottom.
- Describes her childhood dress: a creamy alpaca dress with a sailor collar, modest and old-fashioned.
- Comments that Queen Mary’s fashion “never changed her style.”
- Recalls the “trackless cars” (trolleybuses), which were an important part of transport.
- Tone and Themes
- Tone: Warm, nostalgic, modest, and matter-of-fact.
- Themes:
- Pride in hard work and independence.
- Value of community and friendship.
- The passing of a simpler, stricter but fulfilling era.
- The decline of the textile industry and changing local landscapes.
- Resilience through poverty, war, and social change.
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