Recorded Memories

Clif Maund Interview. June 2000.

A Shropshire lad, working as a knitter at Bennett Bros and Nicholls & Wileman, and Mary a Sapcote girl

'My dad were a quarryman - very often out of work - me mother could earn more than me dad'

Both Cliff and Mary agreed

a lot of changes had taken place during the 1960s not only in working life but also in attitudes. Mary talks about her mother who at the age of 13 (during WWI) was living in Leicester, with her sister, where she worked and pursued various activities. Life in a small village was centred around the chapel and Mary talks about a much enjoyed holiday at a Methodist holiday camp. She also remembers visits to her paternal grandparents in Gloucestershire.
‘Short time’ work was also experienced by Cliff often over the Christmas period and working one week on and one week off was often the case. They were, however, able to claim ‘dole’ during this time. Cliff at the age of 12-13 helped with the harvest and drank cider – five mile walks on a Sunday afternoons and when in season picking walnuts. Mary talks about her mum going on the ‘bunny run’. She also related that Italian POWs worked locally and of the Americans based in Sapcote during WWII.

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