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Interview
302, WF/009/H09
Westfield Collection

Speaker: Houldcroft, Dorothy, 1907 - , Interviewee, Female, Shop work; Farming;
Speaker: Hyde, C., Interviewer, Male

Summary of interview item: Recalls early family life and work in family owned general store, describes where the shop was in Attleborough, Warwickshire. Talks about meeting her husband to be and marriage in 1930. Father in law bought them a farm, describes her shock at taking on all the work and being so unprepared for cooking and looking after farm animals. Describes the farm and what the conditions were like, also the financial hardship of pasture farming in the 1930s. Mentions difficulty of selling milk and how the Second World War improved the situation with the advent of the Milk Marketing Board, and ploughing up the land to grow corn. Gives details on the water supply, cooking and heating facilities and sanitation. Recalls family tragedy of son drowning and husband being attacked by the bull. Recalls the Second World War years, the black out, air raids, bombing of Coventry and Land Army Girls. Describes how the war was beneficial to farmers. Recalls the vet Mr Newey and describes her and her husband going to dances and Hunt Balls with him. Talks about ploughing up and the new machinery required for this and harvesting. Talks about magpies stealing things and speaking.
Place of birth: Attleborough, Warwickshire
Education:
Marital Status: , Children:
Father's Occupation: Shopkeeper
Mother's Occupation:
Location: County: Warwickshire, Leicestershire
Location: Town/Place: Attleborough, Hinckley,
Periods Covered: 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s
Language: English

Recording Date: 11/3/1994
Playing time: 1 hr 8 mins
Access Restrictions: Full clearance Item Copyright: HOHP
Summary: Yes
Transcription: Yes
Copies: yes
Cross Reference:


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Last updated: 08/05/02
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