Interview with Mary Hawes

Recalls childhood in Leicester. Recalls visits to Leicester Temperance Hall for lantern slide lecture and recites the words to song, 'The Children's Home'. Describes walk up London Road 'clicking' [courting] with boys and details sweets they ate. Mentions anti-German feeling around First World War and name changes due to this. Describes Hazel Street school, cooking, swimming, games played and building of local factories. Recalls shops surrounding Leicester Market, such as Crows and Cordalls. Describes home remedies. Recalls christening and funerals. Recalls Palace and other theatres, and Floral Hall cinema. Mentions local tripe shop. Recalls starting work at Plants hosiery factory and pay and conditions and move to another factory. Explains how first husband died of diphtheria, and treatment given. Describes walks to Abbey Park, and to Japanese garden at Aylestone where there were concerts. Anecdote of killing goose with difficulty