| Description | Summary
Side one
Poverty
General discussion about poverty. Remembers poorer people than herself at school. Had holiday once in Blackpool.
Father
Father made rope in a rope factory off Ordsall lane, Salford. Was also a knocker up - details of his daily routine - used a bamboo pole with umbrella wires for doing his job. Details of his wages. Had an alarm clock to wake himself up. Money father got for knocking up gave him a slightly better standard of income. Mother was in service as a housekeeper. Parents lived in West Park Road, off Trafford Road and then moved to Park Street.
Schooling
Went to St. Joseph's School. Describes one of the head teachers - domineering. Cane used frequently. If sent to the head for misbehaviour, got six strokes of the cane. The teacher was called Taggart.
General talk about the family.
Religious education
Had one full hour for assembly - Catholic school - Taught everything about the Catholic faith. Would teach them how they had suffered at the hands of the Protestant faith. Had written and oral exam.
May Queen festivals - processions led by the priests - considered to be a great honour to be chosen as Queen - chosen by the priests. Also took part in the Whit walks.
Church social life - had annual concerts which she took part in. Had photograph taken. Organised by the headmistress. Had to provide their own special clothes - sometimes used crepe paper.
Side two
Talks of trips.
Favourite lessons - arithmetic - had poor handwriting because had to hold the pen the way they wanted. More talk of the family and school teachers. Went home every day for dinner.
Details of the milk cart coming down the street.
Went to the cinema regularly - Violet Carson sang to the silent pictures and played the piano. Was 1d to get into the pictures.
Long talk about how she met her boyfriend at a dance. Would go on the boating lake at Trafford Park. Married at Central Mission when she was twenty two. Left school when she was fourteen and went into a coat making factory. Worked until after she was married. Earned piece work rates. Description of coat making.
Details of shops.
|
