mc_english_devon01

[INTERVIEWER] So you were saying you were born in Moreleigh?

[INTERVIEWER] So you were saying, you were born in Moreleigh?

I was born in Moreleigh, I moved to Churston when I was nine year old, I must have liked singing because I was in the choir at Moreleigh.

I was born in Moreleigh, I moved to Churston when I was nine year old, I must have liked singing because I was in the choir at Moreleigh.

And when we left Moreleigh, the priest there gave my mother a letter to give to the priest up here.

And when we left Moreleigh, the priest there gave mi mother a letter to give to the priest up here.

Well we moved up here in November and we carried on through the Winter before any member of the church came to visit us.

Well we moved up here in November and uh, we carried on through the winter before any member of the church came to visit us.

One day the Curate came -- he was riding a bike -- he came up to Holston, where we were living. The first thing she did was to give him this letter which said I had been in the choir; so I had to go and join the choir at Churston, nineteen hundred and ten. I've been singing there ever since, I still do.

One day the curate came -- he was riding a bike -- he came up to Holston, where we were living. The first thing she did was to give him this letter which said I had been in the choir; so I had to go and join the choir at Churston, nineteen hundred and ten. I've been singing there ever since, still do.

And I went to the village school at Churston, that was on Churston Cross, that's a dwelling place now, they've turned the old school into dwellings.

And uh, I went to the village school at Churston, that was on Churston Cross, that's a dwelling place now, they've turned the old school into dwellings.

But when we talk about Churston Ferrers, the Parish consisted of Churston and Galmpton.

But uh when we talk about Churston Ferrers, the parish consisted of Churston and Galmpton.

The Churston side was owned by Lord Churston, and the Galmpton side, as far as I I can remember, was owned by the Blomiley family.

The Churston side was owned by Lord Churston, and the Galmpton side, when I can remember, was owned by the Blomiley family.

Well, the two villages used to get on very well together, but the Galmpton people, if they wanted to go to church, they had to come to Churston. There was a Chapel in Galmpton, but when you talk of Churston Ferrers you've got to bring in Galmpton as well.

Well, the two villages used to get on very well together, but the Galmpton people, if they wanted to go to church, they had to come to Churston. There was a chapel in Galmpton, but uh, when you talk of Churston Ferrers you've got to bring in Galmpton as well.

[INTERVIEWER] Yes.

[INTERVIEWER] Yes.

I've beaten the bounds on two occasions, but now everything has been altered. Churston has been included in Furzeham with Brixham and Ward; and Galmpton is the same except for a small part which comes under the South Hams.

I've beaten the bounds on two occasions, but now everything has been altered. The uh, Churston has been included in the Furzeham with Brixham, Ward; and Galmpton is the same except for a small part which comes under the South Hams.

Well, I didn't care about these alterations in the first place because, we were used to a parish council, you know, and the management of the place was first in the hands of the parish council and then it would be passed on to the rural district council.

Well, I didn't care about these alterations in the first place because, we were, used to a parish council you know and uh, the uh, management of the place was first in the hands of the parish council and then it would be passed on to the rural district council.

But we used to have some good times, the parish meeting was something to go to, because you'd hear all the different views put in no uncertain passing!

But we used to have some uh, good times, in, the parish meeting was something to to go to, 'cause you'd hear all the different views put in no uncertain passing!

But when the change came, it put an end to all that, and we came under the Torbay Borough now, which isn't so interesting, we're just a number now, we pay the rates.

But when the change came, it made, put an end to all that, and we came under the Torbay Borough now, which isn't so interesting, we're just a number now, pay the rates.

[INTERVIEWER] Yeah, that's right.

[INTERVIEWER] Yeah, that's right.

But I must say that what they've done during the past few years for this parish, they've made some great improvements, the Windy Corner is one, and Churston Railway Bridge is another.

But I must say that what they've done during the past few years for this parish, they've made some great improvements, the Windy Corner is one and Churston Railway Bridge is another.

And there are still one or two more hiccups that they've got to see to before long, where that serious accident was a fortnight ago.

And there are still one or two more hiccups that they've got to see to before long, where that serious accident was a fortnight ago.

But by and large I'm quite satisfied with it except when it comes to dishing out for the rates.

But by and large I uh, I'm quite satisfied with it except when it comes to dishing out for the rates.

[INTERVIEWER] Yes, I should say. You say you went to school in Churston, at the day school. Do you remember much about your school days?

[INTERVIEWER] Yes, I should say. You say you went to school in Churston, at the day school. Do you remember much about your school days?

Oh, I do.

Oh, I do.

[INTERVIEWER] Do you?

[INTERVIEWER] Do you?

Yes.

Yes.

[INTERVIEWER] Will you tell me about them?

[INTERVIEWER] Will you tell me about them?

Well, we used to start at nine in the morning, and when the bell rang we all had to go in and hang our hats up in the porch, and we really had a really good schoolmaster, a Mr Wesley Waidman.

Well, we used to start at nine in the morning, and when the bell rang we all had to go in and hang our hats up in the porch, and we really had a really good schoolmaster, a Mr Wesley Waidman.

He was also the church warden, and previous to that he'd been the organist. He was very musical, and he'd stand no nonsense. I've had the dust beaten out of my coat more than once.

He was also the church warden and previous to that he'd been the organist. Very musical, and he'd stand no nonsense. I've had the dust beaten out of my coat more than once.

But we had between sixty and seventy pupils at that school then, well then when the boys got to the age of standard three down here in Galmpton, they had to come to Churston School because down here there was a woman teacher who couldn't handle them, so they had to come to Churston school, and that brought the numbers up, you know.

But we had between sixty and seventy pupils at that uh school then, well then when the boys got to the age of standard three down here in Galmpton, they had to come to Churston school because down here there was a woman teacher who couldn't handle them, so they had to come to Churston school, and that brought the numbers up, you know.

But it was a really good school -- my daughter marvels at the things that I know, you know, and do, which they don't teach in schools now apparently, she was talking to me about the other day about divisions.

But 't was a really good school -- my daughter marvels at the things that I know you know and do, which they don't teach in schools now apparently, she was talking to me about the other day about divisions.

She was calling them shares, and not parts,

She was calling them shares, and not uh, parts,

but I went on there until I was thirteen, I was thirteen on the Thursday, I left school on the Friday, my mother took me on the Monday up across some fields to a farm, Lupton Barton, and I was a farmer's boy, I had to clean the farmhouse, and I was up at six in the morning, I used to bring in the cows and milk them;

but uh, I went on there until I was thirteen, I was thirteen on the Thursday, I left school on the Friday, mi mother took me on the Monday up across some fields to a farm, Lupton Barton and I was a farmer's boy, had to clean the farmhouse, and up at six in the morning, bring in the cows and milk them;

and I was getting eighteen pence a week, I don't know how much that is in modern money, but it was one and six then, about seven pence a half penny, wasn't it?

and I was getting eighteen pence a week, I don't know how much that is in modern money, but 't was one and six then about seven pence a ha'penny, wasn't it?

And I took to farming, and I stuck with it for two years. And my father was working on a farm, he was getting fifteen shillings a week.

And uh, I took to that, farming, and I stuck it for two years. And my father was working on a farm, he was getting fifteen shillings a week.

And he says, Giles, you'll be getting fifteen shillings a week if you stick with this, so I said to my mother, Could I learn a trade, because somebody'd told me that if you was a tradesman, you could get eighteen shillings and a pound a week.

And he says, Giles, you'll be getting fifteen shillings a week if you stick this, so I said to mi mother, Could I uh, learn a trade, because somebody'd told me that if you was a tradesman, you could get eighteen shillings and a pound a week.

So I went back to the farm, left her to do what she could, and the next time I went home, she said, I got you a job in a shipyard, building ships.

So I went back to the farm, left her to do what she could, next time I went home, she said, I got you a job, in a shipyard, building ships.

I said, All right, that's alright, so of course I had to go back and give notice to the boss, I was getting three shillings a week then after two years.

I said, All right, that's alright, so of course I had to go back and give notice to the boss, I was getting three shillings a week then after two years.

And I said, I'm going to leave at the end of the month, I've got another job.

And I said, I'm going to leave at the end of the month, I've got another job.

He said, You can't leave me! I said, Well I'll have to because I've promised to go to the other job. I'll double your money if you'll stop here! I said, No that ain't no use now, and that's how I come to go into shipyard -- but I was never happier in all of my working days than when I was up amongst those animals.

He said, You can't leave me! I said, Well I'll have to because I've promised to go to the other job. I'll double your money if you'll stop here! I said, No that ain't no use now, and that's how I come to go into shipyard -- but I was never happier in all of mi working days than when I was up amongst those animals.

Oh, I could get a pig to act like a dog, you know!

Oh, I, I could get a pig to act like a dog, you know!

And there never was no money. I know I had a toothache pretty bad one Saturday, and I used to take the milk down to the big house, which was Lupton House, twice a day, mornings and evenings.

And uh, never no money. I know I had a toothache pretty bad one Saturday, and I used to take the milk down to the big house, which was Lupton House, twice a day, mornings and evenings.

And this particular day when I had the toothache I took the milk down. So much had to go in the kitchen and so much had to go in the still room.

And this particular day when I had the toothache I took the milk down. So much had to go in the kitchen and so much had to go in the still room.

I went in the still room with the milk, and the still room maid give me a shilling. What it was for I don't know. She must have liked the look of me, to give me this money.

I went in the still room with the milk, and the still room maid give me a shilling. What 't was for I don't know. Her must have liked the look of me, [UNCLEAR] this money.

Anyway, Sunday morning, with this shilling, I went to Brixham to have this tooth pulled out.

Anyway, Sunday morning, with this shilling, I went to Brixham to have this tooth pulled out.

And the first doctor I come to was a Doctor Yerl, F. Bruce Yerl, I don't know if you've read any of his books but he's written several books, he gave up doctoring and he took to writing books, and very interesting books too.

And the first doctor I come to was a Doctor Yerl, and -- F. Bruce Yerl, I don't know if you've read any of his books but he, he've written several books, he gave up doctoring and he took to writing books, and very interesting books too.

Anyway he said, I don't pull teeth on a Sunday morning.

Anyway he said, I don't pull tooth -- teeth on a Sunday morning.

I said, Well I can't come any other time, because I was so, so busy, I suppose, on my job, I said, I can't come any other time. Oh well, come in.

I said, Well I can't come any other time, 'cause I was so, so busy I suppose on mi job, I said, I can't come any other time. Oh well, come in.

I went in, he made me holler, he pulled my tooth out, and away goes my shilling.

I went in, he made me holler, he pulled mi tooth out, 'way goes mi shilling.

But it was a hard life, mind, but it was a good life, and being among the animals, I think, is was what took my liking. All the young calves coming in, and they knew their mothers.

But uh, 't was hard life, mind, but 't was a good life, and being among the animals I think is, was what took my liking. All the young calves coming in, and knew their mothers.

Well after I left that farm, a farmer down Churston Court, that's the farmer beside the church, he bought one of they cows, when they had the sale, they had the sale just after I left, they sold up.

Well after I left that farm, a farmer down Churston Court, that's the farmer beside the church, he bought one of they cows, when this, when they had the sale, they had the sale just after I left, sold up.

And I had a day off from my shipyard building to go up and see the end of it. And they were very nice, they invited me in to dinner and I got on alright.

And I had a day off from mi shipyard building to go up and see the end of it. And they was very nice, they invited me in to dinner and I got on alright.

Anyway, this farmer bought this cow, and on my way home from Brixham up the back way, I used to get over through the gap and walk down by the railway line to cut off going down and around the corner.

Anyway, this farmer bought this cow, and on my way home from Brixham up the back way, I used to get over through the gap and walk down bi the railway line to cut off going down and around the corner.

And I was going down through this field, and I saw this cow, and I spoke to her, went over and made a fuss of her, do you know, she followed me right down to where I got out over the wall, and that was the end of that, but it was remarkable, really,

And I was going down through this field, and I saw this cow, and I spoke to her, went over and made a fuss of her, do you know she followed me right down to where I got out over the wall, and, that was the end of that, but, 't was remarkable really,

[INTERVIEWER] She remembered you.

[INTERVIEWER] She remembered you.

Because that was two or three months after I'd finished with them.

Because that was two or three months after I'd finished with them.

But ship-wrighting, that was hard.

But uh, ship-wrighting, that was hard [UNCLEAR] job.

[INTERVIEWER] You were fifteen, weren't you, when you went to the Shipwrights, is that right, fifteen. Did you do an apprenticeship there? Did you have to do an apprenticeship?

[INTERVIEWER] You, you were fifteen, weren't you, when you went to the shipwrights, is that right, fifteen. Did you do an apprenticeship there? Did you have to do an apprenticeship?

Yes, seven years.

Yes, six year, seven year.

[INTERVIEWER] Really?

[INTERVIEWER] Really?

Seven years. But I didn't do seven years, because I was over twenty-one; anyway, I took on this ship-wrighting, we used to get elm trees in, and each apprentice had to serve six months in the saw pit, you know, with a man up top, and saw back these elms because their steam saw wouldn't cut deep enough to go through it.

Seven year. But I didn't do seven year, because I was over twenty-one, when, anyway, I took on this ship-wrighting, we used to get elm trees in, and each apprentice had to serve six months in the saw pit, you know, with a man up top and, saw back these elms because their steam saw wouldn't cut deep enough to go through it.

And we cut two seven-inch slices out of these big trees, that would form the keel.

And we cut two seven-inch slices out of these big trees, that would form the keel.

And the smaller timbers they could cut out with the steam saw, and they had a band saw to cut the curves; and we built several boats.

And the smaller timbers they could cut out with the steam saw, and they had a band saw to cut the curves, and, we built several boats.

I could go through the list of them, but there's no point in taking up the time.

I could uh, go through the list of them, but there's no point in taking up the time.

Anyway, one day there was a fellow driving a nail, one of these cut cast iron nails, and he didn't enter into the wood properly and he'd hit at it with the hammer, it came up and caught me in the eye.

Anyway, one day there was a fellow driving a nail, one of these cut cast iron nails, and he didn't enter into the wood properly and he'd hit at it with the hammer, come up and caught me in the eye.

And I lost the sight of my eye. Well, going for the compensation, one of the questions I had to answer was, could I earn as much after the accident as I could before, to see if it had affected my earnings.

And I lost the sight of mi eye. Well, going for the compensation, one of the questions I had to answer, Could I earn as much after the accident as I could before, see if it had affected mi earnings.

Anyway I thought' it was no good asking my employers that, because they were sure to say I could.

Anyway I thought 't was no good asking mi employers that, because they were sure to say uh, I could.

Anyway, Saturday afternoon I went down the river, down to Samwell's.

Anyway, Saturday afternoon I went down the river, down to Samwell's.

That's where the Provident was built and I saw the man there and I told him why I'd come, I said, I've lost the sight of an eye, would you pay me as much as you would the man next door; he said, How long have you served? I said, Six year.

That's where the Provident was built and I saw the man there and I told him why I'd come, I said I'd lost the sight of an eye, would you pay me as much as you would the man next door, he said, How long have you served, I said Six year.

I said, I've got another year to go, he said, Six years, that's all we ask our boys to serve. You can start down here when you like, so I went back and gave a week's notice.

I said, I've got another year to go, he said, Six years, that's all we ask our boys to serve. You can start down here when you like, so I went back and give a week's notice.

[INTERVIEWER] So you left. What was the name of the first yard that you worked in?

[INTERVIEWER] So you left. What was the name of the first yard that you worked in?

Jackson.

Jackson.

[INTERVIEWER] Jackson.

[INTERVIEWER] Jackson.

Jackson and Son, Hugh Jackson and Son. And I left them and went down with Samwell, and we built three ships down there, and a big yacht, bigger than any of the trawlers that I've worked on.

Jackson and Son, Hugh Jackson and Son. And I left them and went down with Samwell, and we built uh, three ships down there, and a big yacht, bigger 'an any other trawlers that I've worked on.

It was for the Oars Bank, those people, called the Sarina.

It was for the Oars Bank, those people, called the Sarina.

She was built of all teak, teak planking and teak decks. Must have cost a pretty penny, fastened with copper fastening and the last I heard about her was that she was commandeered in the War to carry one of these balloons, you know, to keep the planes away.

She was built of all teak, teak planking and teak decks. Must have cost a pretty penny, fastened with copper fastening and uh, the last I heard about her she was commandeered in war to carry one of these balloons you know, to keep the planes away.

Anyway, that went on until nineteen twenty-six, that was the last of the boat building.

Anyway, that went on until nineteen twenty-six, that was the last of the boat building.

Then I had to get another job.

Then I had to get another job.

So I got on my bike and went in Paignton, Livermead Cliff Hotel.

So I got on mi bike, and went in Paignton, Livermead Cliff Hotel.

And they were building an extension there, so I went in and saw the foreman, I said, Do you want a carpenter?

And they were building a, an extension there, so I went in and saw the foreman, I said, Do you want a carpenter?

He said, I don't know, he said, I'll let you know, I've got one Brixham chap working in here. I'll send a message home tonight.

He said, I don't know, he said, I'll let you know, I've got one Brixham chap working in here. I'll send a message home tonight.

So in the night this chap called on me, he said, You can start in there in the morning. My tools were still kept in the keel.

So in the night this chap called on me, he said, You can start in there in the morning. Mi tools was still kept in the keel.

So I got a hand-cart and went down, got my keel, put my tool box on the cart, took it back to Brixham, and I was in there ready to start by eight o'clock.

So I got a hand-cart and went down, got mi keel, put mi tool box on the ca-- cart, took it back to Brixham, and I was in there ready to start bi eight o'clock.

Well after I had started, I said to the Foreman, Now this is the first time I've worked on a building and I wouldn't know a rafter from a joist.

Well after I've started I said to the foreman, I said, Now this is the first time I've worked on a building and I wouldn't know a rafter from a joist.

So I said, You'll have to keep your eye on me, he said, I will do that.

So I said, You'll have to keep your eye on me, he said, I will that.

Well I worked on during the week and at the end of the week he came to me, he said, I've put you on full pay, and I was working overtime, so I was doing very well.

Well I worked on the, during the week and the end of the week he come to me, he said, I've put you on full pay, and I was working overtime, so I was doing very well.

Of course eventually -- it was a Taunton firm -- the job came to an end and I was out.

'Course eventually -- it was a Taunton firm -- eventually the job came to an end and I was out.

And they'd just started to build the old part of the Torbay Hospital.

And they'd just started to build the old part of the Torbay Hospital.

So I went up there, I saw the foreman, I said, Do you want a carpenter? Where you been working? I told him.

So I went up there, I saw the foreman, I said, Do you want a carpenter? Where you been working? I told'en.

He said, Were you the first to get paid off? I said, No, I was nearly the last. Well he said, You can start up here next Monday, and if you're no good you won't be here long, this is no cottage, he said.

He said, First to get paid off? I said, No, nearly the last. Well he said, You can start up here next Monday, and if you're no be good you won't be here long, this is no cottage, he said.

Well I used to cycle from Brixham up to Torbay Hospital every day and back you know, I took no notice of it.

Well I used to cycle from Brixham up to Torbay Hospital every day and back you know, took no notice of it.

Anyway, I was there for about two years and a half, and then that job finished.

Anyway I was there for about two year and a half, and then that job finished.

And I went down to the unemployment exchange and signed on as a Carpenter, and the man in the Exchange knew me, well he knew everybody personally then in those days.

And I went down to the unemployment exchange and signed on, as a carpenter, and the man in the exchange knew me, well he knew everybody personally then in those days.

He said, You're a Shipwright aren't you? I said, Yeah, I served my time at it. He said, Well, Mr Jackson wants some Shipwrights down there, he got some repair jobs in.

He said, You're a shipwright aren't you? I said, Yeah, I served mi time at it. He said, Well, Mr Jackson wants some shipwrights down there, he got some repair jobs in.

He gave me the green card, he said, You take that one down -- I said, He won't take me on, because I'd left him.

He give me the green card, he said, You take that one down -- I said, He won't take me on, because I'd left him.

[INTERVIEWER] You'd left. Yeah.

[INTERVIEWER] You'd left. Yeah.

Anyway I went down and showed him the green card, told him that the employment exchange had sent me down. He took me and another chap, a shipwright that was on the dole, on.

Anyway I went down and showed him the green card, told him that the employment exchange had sent me down. Took me on, and another chap, shipwright, that was on the dole.

And we were doing these repairs for nearly a month, and that job finished.

And we were doing these repairs for oh nearly a month, and that job finished.

So when the job was finished, we had to take the staging, the scaffolding back to the yard, and I was sculling the boat out with all this gear on, and Mr Jackson was there as well.

So when the job was finished, we had to take the staging, the scaffolding back to the yard, and I was sculling the boat out with all this gear on, and Mr Jackson was there as well.

So on the way out I said, I never had any papers from you, to say that I worked for you for those years.

So uh, on the way out I said, I never had any papers from you, to say that I worked for you for those years.

I said, They won't be doing you any good.

He said, They -- I said, They won't be doing you any good.

So he went out to his house and got the money to pay me up to date, and he also brought this paper, he still got it! Yes.

So he went out his house and got the money to pay me for the, up to date, and he also brought this paper, still got it! Yes.

And I carried on with carpentry until nineteen thirty-two, and I got out of work in January, I was married then, had two boys.

And I carried on with carpentry until nineteen thirty-two, and I got out of work in January, I was married then, had two boys.

And I said to the wife, I shan't get another job now until the fine weather comes.

And uh, I said to the wife, I shan't get another job now until the fine weather comes.