| Ref No | MS 4000/5/1/3/6 |
| Title | Sound recording of Betsy Miller (born c.1886) describing her life in Salford, Manchester c. 1915 onwards, and the career of her son, Ewan MacColl (1915-1989). Tape 2. |
| Level | File |
| Date | 29 January 1969 |
| Description | Recording of interview by Charles Parker of Betsy Miller (BM) (born c1886) describing her own life, political awareness and her son Ewan MacColl [formerly known as Jimmie Miller] career.
CD-R 1 of 2
Track 1: Duration (min/sec): 1.46 Description of track: BM talks about local families and working class attitudes
Track 2: Duration (min/sec): 3.47 Description of track: talks about illegitimate children; disturbances in their neighbourhood in Salford; moved to Croyden when her husband was still alive; c1914-1934 lived in Salford
Track 3: Duration (min/sec): 2.34 Description of track: talks about her son Jimmie and his education and his early political awareness and reading
Track 4: Duration (min/sec): 4.59 Description of track: discuss daily newspapers took the 'Daily Worker' [hoover in background]; remembers the General Strike 1926
Track 5: Duration (min/sec): 2.58 Description of track: talks about Sundays and spending time with Jimmie; Jimmie's love of reading and singing
Track 6: Duration (min/sec): 3.43 Description of track: talks about her sons writing's as a child and his song 'Dirty Old Town'
Track 7: Duration (min/sec): 4.04 Description of track: talks about Jimmie's education and career prospects; he worked for a year with a publishing company
Track 8: Duration (min/sec): 2.47 Description of track: talks about Jimmie's relationships with friends
Track 9: Duration (min/sec): 3.27 Description of track: describes Jimmie's development as a writer and political leanings
Track 10: Duration (min/sec): 2.46 Description of track: talks about political awareness of Jimmie; he set up the 'Red Megaphones' a performing political street group
Track 11: Duration (min/sec): 2.53 Description of track: talks about Jimmie's unemployment after a job in a garage; BM can't recall Jimmie with the 'Red Megaphones' and their performances; recalls him lecturing in St Peter's Square lecturing and The Depression
Total duration: (min/sec): 35.46
CD-R 2 of 2
Track 1: Duration (min/sec): 2.08 Description of track: BM talks about supporting the family
Track 2: Duration (min/sec): 1.29 Description of track: mentions other members and activities of the 'Red Megaphones'
Track 3: Duration (min/sec): 3.50 Description of track: talks about Ewan joining the BBC; political stance of the BBC; moved from Salford to Fallowfield, near Withington, Manchester in the 1930s and took in boarders
Track 4: Duration (min/sec): 3.36 Description of track: talks about Ewan's admiration for his father's performing; generally talks about their hard life and their love of their social class
Track 5: Duration (min/sec): 2.24 Description of track: talks about Ewan and his unusual interest in folksong; life in Fallowfield when WWII broke out
Track 6: Duration (min/sec): 3.21 Description of track: talks about their political attitudes to WWII; terrible period for working class families
Track 7: Duration (min/sec): 1.41 Description of track: describes Ewan joining the army and his decision to leave and live with a sympathetic family, he was married to Joan then
Track 8: Duration (min/sec): 3.23 Description of track: discusses how Ewan left the army; his adoption of the name 'Ewan MacColl'; mentions 'Theatre Union' and 'Theatre Workshop' which Ewan started
Track 9: Duration (min/sec): 2.04 Description of track: talks about Ewan marrying Joan Littlewood
Track 10: Duration (min/sec): 4.18 Description of track: her husband died in 1947 in Hyde, Cheshire where they moved to from Fallowfield; Ewan was becoming renowned for the 'Theatre Workshop'; continues talking about Joan
Track 11: Duration (min/sec): 2.18 Description of track: talks about his role in the 'Theatre Workshop' acting and writing, rather than singing
Track 12: Duration (min/sec): 3.50 Description of track: discusses the marriage break up of Ewan and Joan; CP first met BM when Ewan and Joan were working on the John Axon radio ballad
Total duration: (min/sec): 34.24 |
| Related Material | See CD recording of the sixth radio ballad 'On The Edge' originally transmitted on the BBC Home Service in February 1963. Accompanying written production documentation on the radio ballad is at MS 4000/ 2/92. |
| Physical Description | Listening copies: 2 x CD-R serial numbers:
CD 1 of 2: CF129 K006 6674
CD 2 of 2: CF129 K006 7974
Original tape:
Size: 5" tape reel
Gauge: 1/4" tape (0.625cm)
Speed: 3.75ips (9.5cm/s);
EQ Curve used: IEC
Track configuration: Half Track Mono
Dubbing Date: 12/02
Notes: Butt changeover with CD1 |
| Access Status | Open |
| Language | English |