TitleInvisible Histories project interview: Ward and Goldstone - George Wordsworth
ReferenceSUBJ/INVHIST/1/IH012
Date
24 Jan 2013
CreatorBell, Sue
Production date 2013-01-24 - 2013-01-24
Scope and ContentAudio file and summary (Word file) of interview with George Wordsworth, ex-employee of Ward and Goldstone.
George Wordsworth worked for Ward and Goldstone’s on and off from roughly 1963 to the late 60s/ early 70s, having about five different jobs there, in a variety of departments. These included the Extruding department, from which he was fired, and a department doing packing for delivery to Woolworths, which he identifies as his favorite.
Gender aspects of the job are mentioned such as men and women working separately and women being worried about losing help with heavy lifting after the passing of Equal Rights legislation. Unions are spoken about and he recognizes the importance and good that came from them, although he wasn’t involved during his time with the company, as you got the same wages whether you were a member or not. Social issues such as pay, housing and community are also glimpsed throughout the interview.
He mentions myriad practical jokes that he witnessed or heard of, saying it would’ve been miserable without the fun they provided. These include putting laxatives in people’s tea, nailing cups to benches and writing letters that would get people in trouble with their wives.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this interview are the interviewee’s own, and do not necessarily reflect those of the Working Class Movement Library
George Wordsworth worked for Ward and Goldstone’s on and off from roughly 1963 to the late 60s/ early 70s, having about five different jobs there, in a variety of departments. These included the Extruding department, from which he was fired, and a department doing packing for delivery to Woolworths, which he identifies as his favorite.
Gender aspects of the job are mentioned such as men and women working separately and women being worried about losing help with heavy lifting after the passing of Equal Rights legislation. Unions are spoken about and he recognizes the importance and good that came from them, although he wasn’t involved during his time with the company, as you got the same wages whether you were a member or not. Social issues such as pay, housing and community are also glimpsed throughout the interview.
He mentions myriad practical jokes that he witnessed or heard of, saying it would’ve been miserable without the fun they provided. These include putting laxatives in people’s tea, nailing cups to benches and writing letters that would get people in trouble with their wives.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this interview are the interviewee’s own, and do not necessarily reflect those of the Working Class Movement Library
Extent1 audio file and 1 word file
LanguageEnglish
Persons keywordWard and Goldstone, Wordsworth, George
SubjectWorkers, Oral history, Manufacturing, Engineering industry
Conditions governing accessOpen
Levelfile
Normal locationDigital Resource - S:\Audio visual archive\Invisible Histories project