Westfield Collection

The Westfield (Hinckley) Collection

Physical details

Number of Items in the collection: 18
Venues where material can be listened to: Record Office, EMOHA
Media available on: CD

Collection History

The Westfield Collection comprises 20 interviews with people from the Hinckley area. The interviews were part of a project undertaken by the Westfield Stroke Club, and the Wednesday Morning drop-in group. A few interviews were conducted by Hinckley College students. It was originally intended to produce a book from the interviews, but unfortunately this was not possible. The collection became part of the EMOHA in 2001.

What the Collection Contains

The interviews in this collection document the lives and experiences of people from the Hinckley, Burbage and Barwell areas. Memories and events are recalled from the beginning of the 20th century up to and including World War II. Of particular note is material describing the many different aspects of working in the hosiery industry. The collection also holds an interview by the wife of an army soldier who recalls travelling around the world prior to 1914. Several people who grew up in other areas, before moving to Hinckley for work, also record their lives and experiences, including a Londoner who describes hop picking in Kent.