Mrs Clark

Left school at 12. Buying liver and kidney, mother made meals from this. Shops in Hebburn. Christmas meal at the engineers house; frightened of flambé. Spent a day with a ships captain, sang for him, looked around ship. Friends with policeman's daughter, would visit and polish his buttons. Went to the theatre, learned a song which mother banned her from singing. Celebration for inauguration of Prince of Wales, song they sang in 1885, Afraid of the fireworks. The second half is only on the transcript, not detailed here. Missing section includes – as a toddler, minding the baby while mother collected wood and coal from the beach at Hartlepool each morning. Husband’s pit clothes and keeping them clean. Husband’s pay. People knew each other. Daughter had a premature baby – lots of concern for her health, details about medicine, nurse came and bathed her in olive oil etc; looking after other children in family. Vicar said smallest he had ever christened. Working as a servant, dealing with pit clothes, wash day and fry ups. Brother played church organ. Going to the pictures – silent, Pearl White etc. Watching a hypnotist. Started work with rough family, they were “jumping around with” newborn baby. Harvest festival. Church always packed. Trips to Jesmond Dene. Stuck on bridge near Hart station when it was swaying badly. Train services. Tells a couple of jokes.

Location: Hebburn
County: Tyne and Wear
AUD1983-229a

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