| Description | An interview with Tracey HOBDAY, a Other woman with no children, who is a Resourcing officer, born in Birmingham and now living in Birmingham. Tracey HOBDAY’s father was a n/a, born in England and her mother a Secretary born in England. In the interview, she talks about …
'HOBDAY, Tracey MS2255/2/138 Logged by Simon Cotterill
01
Born 1st March 1967 at Marston Green Hospital. Brought up in Chemsley Wood. Lots of single parents. Family from Alum Rock. More traditional families. A more diverse community. Went Hatchford Junior School and then Whitesmore Secondary School in Chelmsley Wood. Left Whitesmore after half a year. Moved in with grandmother in Alum Rock.
1.50 Went to Ward End Hall School, Northleigh Road. Lots of tension between the white, black, and Asian community.
2.03 'A lot of mistrust, a lot of racism, a lot of division in the classroom. A lot of ignorance.'
Brought up as an atheist. Pupils at Ward End thought she was posh, having come from Chelmsley Wood.
2.29 'They used to make me read out in class because they thought I had a nice voice'.
At age 13 went to Ward End Library, Washwood Heath Road to do homework a lot.
3.19 'Always remember the smell, it was very old. Very comfortable'.
Went to play-scheme in Ward End Park. Everybody in the area went to the Rogers Road Disco on a Thursday night in a cub-scout building.
4.07 'It was twenty pence to go in and you got a glass of pop and a packet of crisps. And it was a big event 'cause you felt like an adult'.
Studied French, Computer Studies, and Environmental Studies at school. Always wanted to do metalwork but girls were encouraged to do sewing.
02
Careers Officer came in to school.
11" 'I wanted to be a probation officer or a social worker'.
When 15 mum and dad re-married. Went back to live with them. Found it very difficult to adjust. Left home quite early. Friend’s family took her in..
Left school in 1983. The first year they set up sixth form colleges. Went to Josiah Mason College for about six months. Couldn't get a grant so left that year. Went on to do a Youth Training Scheme at Lincoln's Chemist on the Alum Rock Road. Really enjoyed it.
1.58 'A youth training scheme that was government funded to encourage young people to get off the dole and find full time employment'. On one of the last years of the YTS programme, 1984-85.
Lived on an estate on Watson Road, Alum Rock. Used to hang with neighbours.
3.15 'We used to call ourselves the blue ladies 'cause we were very much into Grease. We used to wear blue denim jackets. Thought we were very cool'.
Got flat through Sutton Housing Association.
3.56 'Was on that waiting list a long time before I was offered a property'. When pregnant got place.
Four best friends were very important. Gave a lot of support through family issues.
Met first partner aged 18. Stayed with him to age 24.
03
Used to drink at Edwards No.8, and Snobs. Liked the music there.
04
Finds it difficult to remember relationships before she came out as a lesbian.
Had son in 1989. Thought life was mapped out - man - marriage - birth. Unhappy when married. Married for 10 - 11 months.
1.30 Came out aged 30.
Stayed in Marston Green hospital for 3 months during pregnancy. High blood pressure.
2.24 'Felt like I had something growing inside me that I had no control over. A horrendous experience'.
Mum and Dad were very proud of her having a baby aged 22. They were glad she waited.
2.50 'Looking back I know 22 is still very young and I still had a lot of living to do'.
Wasn't happy with partner. Had little support.
05
Worked at Kirk and Merryfield in Digbeth. Realised that to earn money and look after son she would need to find some other type of work. Took cleaning job. Cleaned adult training centre. Tutor advised her to enrol. Did Business Administration course. Did course daytime, cleaned evening.
1.30 At a Christmas party she had to clean before and after in her Punk outfit.
Got job as an office junior. A scheme allowed her to get subsidised childcare at Norton Road Nursery.
1.48 'They used to let me pay £15 a week for the first six months'.
Gave very good start. Got jobs at solicitors, was made redundant.
2.30 Three weeks later began course with East Birmingham College and St. Basil's to train as a residential worker within hostels.
2.45 'Found my niche'. Worked with young homeless people aged 16 to 25.
Course at East Birmingham College was an Enterprise Training course (ET).
Environment and tasks at the solicitor's.
06
Lived in two bedroom house on Highgate Road, Alum Rock, after relationship had broken down. A Focus property.
Sometimes went to a Labour and Social Club in Alum Rock.
2.16 Isolation. Very politically unaware.
2.40 'Working a St. Basil's was a very big turning point'.
Increasing vocabulary. Expressing self easier.
07
In 1997 had been working St. Basil's for 4 years. Hadn't had a serious relationship for a long time.
Met a woman on shift at a housing project.
40" 'Realised I really fancied her. I was thinking no you can't fancy her. Then I thought yes I really do'.
Relationship with this woman.
1.20 - 1999 - had a Pagan hand fastening ceremony to show commitment to each other.
1.30 'Its like being reborn'. 'Everything before feels dull and lifeless'.
Reactions to her coming out. Dad didn't speak to her for three years. People at work were shocked.
Son went to live with his Dad and his new partner.
08
First lesbian pub she went to was with Maria - The Fox in Birmingham. The only lesbian pub in Birmingham.
41" 'Was intrigued to see what other lesbians looked like'.
1.43 Didn't really have any lesbian role models. With Maria applied for funding to set up a lesbian archive in Birmingham. Discoveries of past gay and lesbian scene.
Son has good relationship with Maria. Now live in Moseley. Safe and comfortable.
09
Recently promoted to Team Leader at the community centre. Won national award 'Housing Care and Support'.
10
Blank.
ENDS |