Florence Rutherford

Worked at Jackson Street Co-op, Gateshead, c. 1917-22. Discusses food prices as a child. First job was as a nanny, at 14, then worked in a private shop. This gave all round experience which helped with getting Co-op job. Showed the others how to make a paper packet. Different colours of packaging. Only men around were elderly, so women had to do all the lifting, e.g. of slabs of bacon, cheese. Different departments. Had to leave when married; had been putting it off but left rather than force another woman who wasn’t even engaged to leave (as men returned from world war one). Food shortages and rationing, details on this - difficulties for "gentry people" living on so little; giving credit. Hours, giving exact amounts of food, the till. Giving the most hard up a bit extra, but had to keep food hidden to prevent a riot; a bit of fiddling if ended up with spare coupons. Displays, scales, got called up to manager for refusing to keep stuff back for someone but this was right thing to do. "Green tea", a bit used to make tea stronger. Barrels and tins. Gold sovereigns not notes. "Bladder lard", more expensive than the other lard. Cheese. Sweets. Holiday times, had a holiday fund, and a holiday at end of war; and went to Whitley Bay; day trips to Redcar.

Location: Gateshead
County: Tyne and Wear
AUD1982-212

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