Val talks about her life – childhood, teenage years, working and marriage in the city of Hull.

Time Code Notes

[00:00:00] Recollections of growing up on North Hull Estate. Dad a joiner, mum a dressmaker. Dad came from Cardiff to work on war damage. Went to Fifth Avenue School, left in 1960. Memories of Dad’s Austin A40 car and empty roads.

[00:02:40] Working life. Lofthouse and Saltmer manufacturing. Booths printers. Earned £3 per week until 1966, stayed on after marriage.

[00:04:10] Talks about meeting husband who lived in Pullman Street, story about ‘slipper baths’ at Albert Avenue. Memories of Regal Cinema, Medley Street wrestling and greyhound racing in East Hull.

[00:06:45] Childhood games – going out all day, playing on bombed out buildings, talks about particular toys they would use. Long bike rides in the country.

[00:11:20] Memories of childhood home – 3 bedroom semi, newly built. Dad grew vegetables and built a garage. Was ‘well fed’. Talks about mum’s baking and her favourite treats.

[15:30] More talk about childhood games she would play.

[00:17:00] Teenage years – Youth clubs, dancing, Beverley Road baths, Skyline ballroom, Blind Institute, Locarno and it’s revolving stage for bands. Talks about seeing The Beatles at the ABC cinema.

[00:23:00] Recollections of living in Gibson Street – one up/one down which cost £125. 11 Minerva Terrace – description of property. Slum clearances. Describes life in a terrace and the community. Talks about shift to life on an council estate, the effect on communities and difficulties people had moving.

[00:28:20] Living on Orchard Park – changes over time, increased litter on council estates, vandalism. High rises being built and demolished. Talks about buying her council home for £11k 27 years ago.

[00:33:35] Work at Shiphams – summer closedown. Married 52 years, honeymoon in Scarborough.

[00:39:40] Talks about women working after they got married and how rules were different depending on the company for example Co-op and Armstrongs. Talks about ‘old-fashioned’ thinking that husbands should keep family.

[00:42:00] Work as a waitress including Wheelhouse, Guildhall, weddings, Bar Mitzvahs, Beverley Racecourse.

[00:45:20] Talks about family holidays – Skipsea, Withernsea, Aldborough in caravans as well as trips abroad in later life.

These time code notes are provided as a rough guide to the above recording. Untold Hull would like to thank all the volunteers who took part for their time and hard work in producing this information.