In short, the transcript captures James Davenport’s memories of growing up and working life , spanning from the 1930s through the post-war years, covering coal mining, farming, wartime rationing, village shops, livestock, land sales, and the enduring presence of agriculture and industry in community life.
Early Work and Life
-
The speaker recalls working in the coal pit during the week and staying with relatives or farmers because returning home daily wasn’t practical.
-
He mentions 1934, when he was unable to leave the pit, and had to buy food supplies ("tops").
Farming and Milk Delivery
-
He helped on a farm, particularly with milking cows.
-
After milking, milk would be prepared, hung up in churns, and then delivered.
-
He describes exhausting routines: working, getting a few hours of sleep, then catching a train at night.
-
Continued delivering milk into the 1970s until pasteurisation was introduced, which changed their methods.
War and Rationing
-
He talks about life during the Second World War, including rationing and extra food coupons.
-
Local shops provided essentials: a post office, sweet shop, and grocery store supplied most daily needs.
-
Children often bought sweets from village shops with ration coupons.
Farming Expansion and Livestock
-
The family acquired land across the road and later sold some fields.
-
They raised pigs and sheep, sometimes slaughtering pigs themselves, and sending others to markets or abattoirs.
-
There is mention of rights to graze animals on the open moor, a traditional custom.
Community, Shops, and Daily Life
-
Shops were central to the community, providing everything needed without frequent travel.
-
The sweet shop, opposite the Shoulder (likely a pub or inn), was remembered fondly.
-
He also recalls local schools, where boys learned woodwork and girls learned cookery in the 1940s.
Army Presence and the War Years
-
During the war, soldiers were stationed nearby, and there was an army training camp close to the village.
-
The speaker remembers seeing soldiers on guard, adding to the local wartime atmosphere.
Post-War Developments
-
After the war, farming and land ownership shifted. Some land was sold to developers or councils.
-
He mentions a housing estate being built on what used to be farmland, with owners paying small fees when houses were resold.
Later Years and Work Life
-
Into the 1950s, cotton and textile mills were still operating, with strong smells of oil and grease lingering in the air.
-
The community still had many workers employed in local industry alongside farming.