Swithland, Quorn and Anstey

Swithland, Quorn and Anstey. Compilation of interview extracts with residents of the Leicestershire villages of Swithland, Quorn and Anstey during the early part of the 20th century. Mr Copson describes various aspects of the village of Swithland in the 1930s, including the farms, the Lanesborough Estate, the work available in the village, the village school, local characters, the public house and other entertainment. Comments on the poverty of the village and the burden of housework for women. Mr Sutherington describes Anstey, particularly the village's sporting proficiency in football and cricket amongst other sports. Children's games and other adult pastimes and leisure pursuits are recalled including the social clubs, and role of the church in recreation. Recalls the forming of the Band of Hope to combat alcoholism, which was seen as prevalent. Describes various local characters and his grandparents and the thatched cottage they lived in. Also recalls the conversion of houses in the summer into teashops, and 'Bluebell Sunday'. Miss Grain recalls Quorn at the turn of the 20th century, during the Boer War, describing the celebrations in the village at the end of the war. A description of the first flushing lavatory at the family's house in Barrow Road is given, along with details of the inside of the village school. Schooldays and holidays are recalled, together with information about the grammar school. The difficulties with travelling on local transport to reach work places and work at Wright's Elastic Web factory are recalled.Please be aware that the language used in these recordings will reflect the standards, language and attitudes of the era they were recorded in