Why it all began

I have always had an interest in social history and more importantly my ancestry; that feeling of knowing that I belonged.

    For years, I dreamed of knowing more about my paternal roots. Dad had died suddenly, whilst in his mid-thirties, when we were living in Harold Hill, Essex. We lost all paternal contact but, as I grew older, by then living in Finedon, I began writing, or should I say scrawl’s, to my Nana Nesbitt. This early search was to end in sadness, however, there was also something of a silver lining to discover. More later!

      I began interviewing local residents in Burton Latimer, in 2014. My first interview there was with Jim aged 94. Jim recounted his memories of working for, amongst others Mr Heinz; who was a Quaker. Jim also shared with me some of his father’s experiences following returning from fighting in the First World War. Of the poverty that many people experienced. Of his father pawning his de-mobb suit, in order to be able to pay the seven shillings and sixpence rent and of people sleeping on benches.

    Another contributor, living in Wellingborough, was my lovely friend Olive, aged 93, who lived in a sheltered housing complex. She spoke about her early childhood in Wellingborough, about her nursing career, nursing men, recovering from their injuries in the Second World War and of her falling in love and marrying one of the casualties she looked after.

As I continued to listen to other peoples stories I was able to develop a better understanding of our social history over the last century.

    Another contributor talked about her father a woom-overlooker, being responsible for weaving the cone that was to go into the nose of Concorde. I gained an idea about what Heathrow Airport was like in 1954; this story given by another contributor. I listened to fascinating stories from those who were living with dementia, how clear and rich those stories are. I’m indebted to everyone who shared their own story which, together with the rest of the contributors in Lives less Ordinary paints such an incredible story of Lives well lived.