| Description | An interview with John DAVIES, a single man with no children, who is a retired Clerical assistant/ O.U. student, born in Smethwick and now living in Birmingham. John DAVIES’s father was a Founder moulder, born in England and his mother a Canteen worker born in England. In the interview, he talks about …
'MS2255/2/029 DAVIES, John, logged by Lorraine Blakemore
01
I was born on Christmas Day 1938…born at home. Lived in that house for 37 years, then moved to Kings Heath where he now lives. 3 different properties in Kings Heath.
29” Childhood memories: close-knit community in the Smethwick area-school and church close by. Contrasts life in the Black Country and Kings Heath in terms of friendliness.
3.14 Feels surprised that he has retained a Black Country accent over such a long period of time.
4.26 Thinks that he has become more and more of a Brummie.
02
I started school during the war in 1943 at Crocketts Lane Infant’s School. Describes the drinks given to children at the school.
1.25 Remained in same area for so long, found it difficult to readjust to new environment.
1.48 Same school from 4 until 17. Discusses school friends.
2.46 Education focussed on 3 Rs. Also attended Sunday school. Briefly stopped attending church for 2 months later in life but quickly reverted back. Anglican upbringing.
4.15 Moved on to accounts training at 17.
03
Describes how annexes were used because the College of Commerce was not big enough. Queen’s College Chambers near Broad Street is now being converted into luxury apartments. Eventually College of Commerce became Birmingham Polytechnic.
2.29 At the age of 19 given the chance to train full-time in accountancy. Details how the course has altered over the years. Did 13 years from the age of 15 in Cost and Management Accountancy, then switched to Civil Service in 1967.
04
Mentions civil service grades. Started as a Clerical Assistant with 4 O’levels.
49” Needed one more O’level to start as a Clerical Officer, so feels this obstructed his career path. However, enjoyed his time in the civil service.
1.44 I remember joining the Civil Service, and in those days you were allowed, you aren’t now because of pressure of work…to spend 2 days….just studying the rules of the job….you were given time to acclimatise….
3.29 Contrasts people’s feelings towards the civil service then and now.
05
Always worked as a Clerical Assistant, enjoyed the work despite being underpaid.
1.12 Discusses the retirement age and how certain people continue working beyond that.
2.44 Contrasts computerised machinery with what was available in the past. We always feared at college learning about the introduction of computers….When I was an accountant back in the 1950s the computer was a kind of Big Brother in the middle of the accounts floor…..there’s so many applications of computers nowadays it’s quite amazing.
06
At the age of 15 in 1954….left school.
1.00 Describes first job helping with post in accounts office of engineering firm.
2.50 Learning to understand invoices/cost analysis.
07
There was no shortage of jobs in accountancy if you could qualify….
08
I worked at GKN until 1962 and after 8 years moved to a firm called Bradford’s Bakery…..and I was Assistant Accountant…I then moved on to work for 6 months in Oldbury….then to Wilmot Breason in Tyseley- largest producers of car and lorry bumpers in those days….I was in their offices for 3 ½ years. Then I decided I would like to consider the Civil Service….Anecdote about applying to the Civil Service.
2.52 At Civil Service for 31 years and 8 months. Discusses how working in such an environment can condition you.
09
Reflects on how he may have undersold himself at work but derived much satisfaction from the role.
1.49 It’s fascinating the way young people are coming into the Civil Service with brand new ideas….
3.37 My first job in the Civil Service in 1967…. Describes work and compares to today.
10
Continues to describe job. Only switched to computerised work 6 years ago.
1.36 Sent on training course. Reaction to computers from colleagues.
3.46 Computers can upset some older people….so maybe if we can overcome this air of mystery about computers…..some people have fought shy of carrying on in the job because of computerisation…
11
Reflects on use of computers in his O.U course.
38” I retired on Christmas Day 1998 at the age of 60….Anecdote about last days at work.
2.12 I was well advised by people in retirement…allowed jobseeker’s allowance for 6 months. Adjust to reduced income.
12
An important consideration is this attitude of having to do without so many tried and trusted friends in retirement…
45” Member of cricket club since 1979. Active church member.
1.36 Anecdote about becoming involved with the O.U.
4.07 On using the Central Library and doing the course: It’s a way of life to replace a way of life, which I’ve been lucky to find…..
13
Attended the O.U Summer school last year.
2.10 You find that people don’t throw you on the scrapheap in retirement….
2.39 Religious upbringing. I was Baptised in 1938….I went to Sunday school in 1944….choir at age of 10…..
4.09 People went to church as a social thing more than they do now….
14
Continues anecdote about church social activities.
3.00 In 1976 moved to Kings Heath… switched churches.
15
Continues to discuss choir and friendships at church.
2.24 I find the belief in the Trinity isn’t easy….
4.26 I tend to find that prayer gets harder the older you get….
16
Continues to express feelings about praying.
1.40 Role in church since retirement.
17
Continued.
3.15 Being single has always been hard because since junior school I’ve always wanted to be married and bring up children….
18
I don’t thing there is any advantage in being single, but people do talk sometimes on tv as though you’ve got this choice, and sometimes you haven’t.
32” It’s not easy to live in a relatively low rise….a lot of work gets done for you… Describes the housing set up.
19
People have lived here for so long and they don’t want children in the flats…. Conflicts with council.
20
Transport.
2.44 Books.
21
O.U. and opportunity to read widely.
22
I tended to go very much against my parents on voting and became right wing….I’ve tended to vote for the man, not the party, which may not be the best thing.
1.40 Trade Unions at work.
23
You felt that Asian people coming into the country were definitely in need of some kind of social security….but there were times when you felt they were taking too much advantage of Great Britain really….language was a terrible problem with Asian people…I saw multi-racial difficulties in the Civil Service as well…
ENDS |