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Interview
225, DW400/014
David Wood Collection

Speaker: Spencer, Archie, 1906 - , Interviewee, Male, Shopkeeper.
Speaker: Wood, D., Interviewer, Male

Summary of interview item: Describes his education at the local school and grammar school, including the headmaster Mr Edwin Moore and his discipline methods. Details the 'Dixie', Sir Wolstan Dixie scholarship awarded to local children for free grammar school education. Mentions period of study at Birmingham University, and fellow pupils success being attributed to headmaster's strict punishments. Talks about his work in village shop after his father's death. Describes collection of newspapers, from Elmesthorpe station with father, in a motorbike, cost of newspapers and comics and delivering newspapers with other boys. Recalls playing football and mentions seeing Don Revie and other future international football players playing football on a field in Barwell. Describes the gradual growth and conurbation of Barwell, in both ribbon and estate developments, some of which linked Hinckley and Barwell together. Mentions 'Waterfall' and 'High Close' estates. Describes vandalising building work with other children, playing sport, games played, such as 'grog' and the territorial gangs the children played in. Talks about wages, how people managed with little money, help of neighbours and the diet. Reflects there was little unemployment in Barwell and no poverty. Describes the Barwell community, the use of family nicknames and the local dialect. Describes changes to the town centre, mentioning the National Westminster Building and the British United Shoe Machine Company. Details the local wakes and arrival of the fair. Also describes the Electric Palace cinema and local dances. Details the Red and Green Buses and development of local bus services. Recalls evacuees coming to Barwell in the Second World War and many staying on.
Place of birth:
Education: Townsend Road Council school, Barwell. Grammar school, Birmingham University.
Marital Status: Married, Children:
Father's Occupation:
Mother's Occupation:
Location: County: Leicestershire
Location: Town/Place: Barwell
Periods Covered: 1910s, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s
Language: English

Recording Date: 27/6/1984
Playing time:
Access Restrictions: Full clearance Item Copyright: D. Wood
Summary: Yes
Transcription: Yes
Copies: yes
Cross Reference:


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Last updated: 08/05/02
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