Tom Williams

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Now this is an interview of Tom Tom Williams and this is Don Davis who’s

doing the interviewing and Graeme Sparkling who’s doing the engineering part here and keeping everything in

order. But now we’ve got Tom to tell us as far as he’s leaving school but he

might tell us a little bit about school just a bit. And then of course all his time he was helping on the farm I’m sure

but he’s going to tell us a bit more about that in a minute. All right. Well I was born at the Brook’s farm

product name. Yes. I went I went lived there for about 12

months and of course there was another one coming on the patch. So I was pushed off to an old auntie to live which lived

at the bin. Then them then days my auntie and my mother grandmother and

them and then then days. So I lived there and I stopped there till I was about six years old. I went to school

from there then and broke the first day I went to school and bought took me down

the road and of course I got the button that were in there like I got manage all.

So I turned around and come back home. See, so I turn around, come back home.

So I was afraid to go to the house. So I hid behind the wall in the garden

wall in the garden. So anyway, the old dog, they couldn’t make out where the

dog was coming from the house back to the garden though. So anyway, they went have a look and there was me down by the

wall. So they said, “Well, doesn’t matter.” So anyway, next day my auntie took me to

school and she stopped there with me. So after that it cool off after a few days.

She kept coming and stopping to about dinner time and leaving me there. So I got used to him then by going to my

cousin was going with them going by and picking me up walking and all. So he

went like that for about 12 months down to school. So anyway,

my old grandfather died at the Bin where I was stuck in. So

anyway, the Bin farm had to be sold cuz he had three farms. So but I don’t know,

it was in the 1930s when the bad times was or something. So he must had a

mortgage on this one farm. So it had to be sold. So, of course, I moved back

over then to Brooks Farm to where I was born to my mother and father and my old

grandmother and the auntie went to Sydney and auntie back over there. So, I went to school from there then. But, but

7year-old, my mother, she went out to about February, I think

it was, went out to get some wood from the wood pile, you know, old wood pile and that. So anyway, she had a blackout.

She fell on her face and go nobody was about look and she suffocated. Look.

See? So anyway, after that, I always remember I went out

and I found her. Of course, my father and my uncle was rabbiting in them days

with the parent rabbiting. No. So anyway, I went down the loom. the only

way we come back up and all the performance they end days of priest had come and all this and that you know

so anyway we got over that so after that about 12

months after that my father died so anyway

they a lot of people wanted us to go to a home so anyway we didn’t go to the

home like so anyway oh grandmother and my uncle and auntie took unraress. She

didn’t believe in us. Of course, she wasn’t well she wasn’t well off but she wasn’t too bad off but of course we took

her money didn’t you know then so anyway we managed to

get through so what so just about time I left school the old uncle died

of course he wasn’t old enough to go on with the farm the war was on then so the farm had to get sold it let then for a

few went into a very woody farm and all

trees and bushes and some you know gone left going a big old story and that so

anyway bloke took the land and it so I worked for the bloke then for a bit and after a

bit he decided to buy it so I worked for him and I also work for

my own auntie as well. But he was my own auntie son. Look at the old girl up on

that photo there. See, so come see you. She didn’t see as you did work. You

didn’t stand up with your arms in your pockets like But anyway, you know, she

was out with your horses clown on the peel and she come out and she’d have a look and all you and say, “Oh, you’re

getting all so bad.” But it was outging night and she thought you wasn’t getting on fast than that. She’d come and help

you like the old lady would. But I used to be hauling out farm yard manure with

two horses on the cart and we had two carts going. So the old girl didn’t let

you idle. She’d be putting the other cart by hand, you know, to make sure he

had him ready by the time you come back and she could like that. So anyway,

She used to say, “You do as much on a pine day.” She said, “Take it a bit

easier on a wet day.” You know, time, right? So anyway, the old girl, oh my

god. So anyway, she her her youngest boy got up then.

She two son, but her youngest boy got up. So I left her then and I worked on

her son on that environment, you know, for all the time. So cuz tractor come

around then. Look. Yes. But I still got to use your horses.

He said because the the boss man used the tractor. Look he says I got to use these horses. And

he used to send me up the field you know cut rose out with the he come along. He

said well done like he used to say. Well been like a

dog dying leg. He said, “I so bad, you know.” I said, “No, no.” He said, “You ever

done a bit of plow?” Yeah. I said, “I done a bit of plowing like about 13 with horses help your uncle, you know, then a

bit off and on and all this and that and mowing that. So, you can have a bit of a

go at that, right?” So the way I had a little go there up and down the hills

and he used to go and help somebody else a bit now and again and I used to let me

go on with it. So anyway, that was all right.

But uh I didn’t like the days that double summertime was on. Look. See? And

of course the summer time we all say you got to get up in the mornings and after 4:00 to get mowing. They get too hot,

you know. So we used to mow and up to about 9:00 or 10:00. And of course there

was girls at the farm where I used I used to bring my breakfast up into the field.

So anyway after breakfast in the field but hour after that I used to go down

and and take them horses and then get another horse and go and turn the and

all that. So anyway after that be dinner time you know.

So if there was any a right you got to get out and you know

all it to turn it beyond and ting it all beyond no

that sort of thing to roasted burner you know one at a time a wonderful job that

was so anyway it come the time we got together this say up and right it’s just

loose you know pitch it of course I got to load it

two girls used to come along pitch but they wouldn’t go with the load all horse and gamble you know

and the one girl used to say by time I got that load on half on oh that load is

going to fall off before I get home you went loading it right you ain’t going to fall off I said no all right he’ll be

all right he said ain’t going to fall off and he didn’t fall off right but but she’s always got that to say

so anyway got to get homeless load on a pitching his way up in an old way up in a roof in

a bo in a roof and a long bike about well I suppose he’d be 4 foot long or 5

foot long bike reaching up there in the be days so anyway

that went on for a bit. So anyway, we rose over a picture go behind the

tractor then and he managed to find a bottle and his fin look. See, so he

bought this a picture in and to go behind him. So of course I was like, I

got to do the loading. Of course, you know, just very hot sunny weather. Of course he was watching it come off his

house stood up and watching his house and of course he two lot one would be on

load one would be loading another lot of good upload though see you know be all right job then so anyway

went on like that for a bit you know so anyway he come on up towards there was

no all that night after that you know about 6:00 time Perhaps you get them

horses out and go mow a bit more. Of course, I I

perhaps yawn into about 11:00 at night, you know, cuz it’s double summertime,

you know. So anyway, be on there. But the trouble was when you brought them horses home,

you couldn’t turn the out straight away. You got to wait for them to cool off, right? So, of course, I didn’t uh leave

it at the the farm then where I was working mowing that time. I got to walk back over to my old home where I was

born. See, my old grandmother was over there. They’ve been on their own. So, anyway,

by the time I got back over there to be about 12, 1:00,

you know. So, anyway, up the next morning, I get

too tired to get go in the bed. I used to sit on the side of the chair on side of the bed thanking me I do up to sleep

never undressed and nothing and I get next morning about 4:00 on the

way to go to get the yellow horses again you know I go on like that again and the different times that you have done I’ve

sat on the bed and gone to sleep and never undressed and nothing away to go

and he was happy with it you know yes but we didn’t uh they didn’t work on

Sunday she was you know days they did not they didn’t allow you to work on a

Sunday you get to walk down you know that sort of thing which is all right so

anyway after that the man that bought the farm

where I was born he decided to clear the woods and all this and that so he had a

bloke was from the war out the culture worked then there was a bloke I was used

to drive the caterpillar was Jackie Pritchard. Yes. And he used to drive when he

bulldozed all wood all up. did about 18 acres in them days and he cleared it and

uh anyway he done he plowed it and planted it and I used to I I used to

work he worked it down with the caterpillar to start with but then after that I then helped to do the planting

and put all slag on and all this and that sort of thing you know and one time

we hadn’t got a slag girl you know he was in his all black slag and You used to throw it out of a bucking hand.

So it and of course but every time he was walking the wind was blowing it back. Every time he was spit black

coming up like anyway if he get on like that and of course he melt the farmer melt his

and he bought us. Oh that was a big job and that was a good job up and down then

job and of course you got all in life and life. So I used were stuck there till I suppose in

I was about 30 I was 31 or two. Mhm. Did you have any animals on the farm?

Yes. Oh yes. Cows. Yes, we we

kept about 80 cows in and about couple hund sheep.

But once they improved it, they the farmer cleared the wood and the bushes

off it. We got to about three or 400 sheep and about but 100 cows or a bit

more land. It’s a big farm then. Yes, it to 168 acres. 170.

It’s very good. But it was very rough. Left go very rough. Right. Yes. It’s a lot of animals, huh?

Yes. Yes. Did you care for them as well? Yes. Yes. Yes. Oh yes. Go out and see to them and

nothing else like ling was the worst job like ling you no matter what the weather

was you got to go out and see to them like you see but a making see was a bit easier if it

was a wet day. See you wasn’t supposed quite so much. It was put in some shed

to clean up you know was clean all the winter life. See, but it is alarming.

See, just you got to be there all the time with it just raining or wonder what he was doing.

That’s right. Yes. That was the artist job a lot really. What about snow and rain?

Yes. Yes. And we when I went all icicles on the trees there. Yes. And

that I got all trees. We sat down in the house at night in New Year’s. how big old oak trees are branches are busting

off and belong and that sort of thing. It was very uh and that’s it.

Yes. It was colder in those days. Yes. Yes. But it was colder than now.

Oh yes. Oh, a lot colder now. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. I come and and we

like it was all a great big old house, you know, and Yes. all big stone walls and of course there

was no electric and then Dave had just a condo you know that room was the big

room on it where he was living with my he was oh three or four times as big as

this you know and it’s a great big a whole place and

like it it’s gone down now but it haven’t

gone up very long over five or 600 years Oh.

Oh, I see. Yes. Did you do milking as well? Yes. Yes. Only only just for the house.

Yes. For the house. Yes. Just a few cows. Yeah. Yeah. But the rest of beef. Yes. Yes. Yeah.

What was the name? What was the name of that farm again? Brooks Farm. Brooks. Brookside. Brooks Farm.

Brooks Farm. Lower Brooks Farm. There was two Brooks. There was upper Brooks

and lower Brooks. Oh, I see. Which were you? Yes. Upper Brooks. I thought you you knew people

lived in Upper Brooks. I met Wland. You ever know Gilbert Wand? Gilbert.

He lived in Upper Brooks. Yes. No is up on the top there. Right on the

top. Oh, I know. Yes. Yes. Right. And there’s good good water there. Good streams.

Yes. Yes. Yes. They’re all right for water. Yes. But uh Yes. and I’m not as good as

uh around when you come around now from

from up the top of as you call the children

long now in a very good side of the water. No very bad. But you come around now to go

from clic back around to water stone. It’s all very woods and springs all

around there. It’s a spring line. Yes. Spring right up on the top. were in very good springs.

No, no. When there was a couple, you were in there a lot. But this time of year, they got really low,

right? Yes. Yes. But of course, now people keeps more animals to drink it and everything is more on the water, isn’t

there? Yes. Made water. That’s right. Yeah. Now, the tractor you had, what do you remember what make it?

What? The tractor you old for. Did it have rubber wheels or metal?

Well, there was wheels on it when they had it. Yes. But he did he did have it new.

He bought it from uh I think they bought it somebody from Mary for monthly. Oh,

a monthly I think. Oh, monthly. Yes. I believe he he was this

was a preacher preaching.

Yes. But those metal things were no good on the road. No, no, no good on the road.

Then we arrived and he bought a pair of he bought some add new tires and whoever

wheels it was a long time before getting on the war time, you know, you couldn’t get these things.

Yes. You know, we I remember we bought an old plow on the war time and when we had him

the the one handle was shorter than the other. He was horse.

Yes. Ty. That’s it. That’s right. But they plowed much quicker.

Oh yes. Yeah. Oh yes. You plowed really quick. Yes. Yes. Plowed a lot quicker. Yes.

Yes. And then days if you were you was a good man if you could plow acre a day

with a team or horses. Yes. This is stay for many miles. You walk. I forget. I

win a day about an acre a day with horses. Yes. And that sort of thing. It’s very rough on the feet.

Yeah. Very rough. Oh yes. Yes. Yes. The worst was of

working the fields down. Yes. With a roll. If you was walking over as

big as B with a team of two horses or three horses on a Cambridge road, he was

walking. Michael was hardressive. It’s very hot. Yes. Up and down. Up and down at three. So we

were happy. Yes. But you must be very busy. Oh yes, we were very busy. Yes. Yes.

Yes. You didn’t have much break. No. No. No. We didn’t have much break. And so we like we made our own bit of

fun, you know, but we didn’t have much break at all. Like Well, of course I suppose there

wasn’t much going on in that day. No.

Yes. Yes. But you had the Sunday off and that was Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. We went to chapels

chapel on the side. They were down to Sunday school. Mr. John Far. Yeah. John Far. Yes, we did.

All right. Now, the life on the farm, you had good

food. Yes. Let’s tell us a bit about that. And how much pay did you have? That’s right. Yes. All right. You tell us a bit about that.

Right. Well, the food is very good on the farm. Very good. There plenty of homecured bacon and eggs. plenty of

bread and cheese. We didn’t get much cider just to tea tea and then they te

that was very good and the pay was well I suppose the pay wasn’t so bad it

wasn’t as good as it pay but still I suppose you didn’t want the job or

somebody else waiting so you had to stick to your work like whether you love it or not like and that sort of thing

and it was very good and like the old lady, she could learn to

she could cook, you know, and they could they killed their own pigs in them days. They killed couple got the good pigs,

you know, and they’d have a butcher there and kill them and then have this and all this that and plenty of home

bacon for your breakfast and perhaps you would have a bread and cheese onion or

like that. I don’t know. And of course it was all right. But like the old lady,

she was put like she wasn’t so like in the morning she didn’t know where rush

you when getting up you know till about 7:00 or up you know when there but but

that was when I was living with her but when I was on the summer time it was different

but this time of year you know it took a little bit easier in the mornings and you would eat all cy and feed them and

that and then you come back in and have a cup of tea. and and that and then have

your breakfast and it goes out then and you do your work whatever you was at. it was edging or ditching or wire fencing

or anything or if you got to go out on the field and do plowing like sometimes they they bring a bit of bait out

perhaps you know about 11:00 sort of thing you know bottle of tea

that sort of thing you know we always miss her I don’t know why we

made her happy. And of course, like I suppose she had three girls like working. Well,

their daughters and they couple of they was going to school and one he was at home working like and she always used to

come out with his bait and that times any old ducks in the field you

know you have a bucket and put them in you know you didn’t them up and take

them off out of the way any old weebs and all sort of thing you know so anyway

you know it goes on like that about dinner time about half past 12:00 time

it is dinner then goes that because you got to give the all horses their dinner

you then goes in the house and dinner might be half an hour or if he

goes hour dinner and they go out and look at water

out the water cuz there was no water in the sheds and then days there used to be a big pool on the yard and the horses

come out to drink put them back in and must go out about two time or so two

that pass you know and have another opening of plowing with the horses and know all right you know it’s everything

like that and when you finish at night look especially if it is this time of

year that you finish about 4:00 when you the animals to feed and that sort of

thing you know and of course them days you got to feed them every night in the morning different than what it is now.

You can put it that now and you only got around the last two or three days and

big bales and silage and all that and all this and that and you didn’t uh all

the all sheds like you got to clean out by the fork and then they in the shovel. But now it’s they got these big sheds

and they be all in there and they got the factor and scoop it all out and all that now. And it all easier today what

it was in them days. Mine. Yes. Yes. And of course in those days you perhaps got six shillings a week. Your own

shillings. That’s right. Six shillings that you were fed in lived in. That’s right. My grandpa immigrant like

I didn’t have the people I had but you know

then you went on to another farm the second farm. Yeah. You tell us about that a bit about that.

That was that was a good place that was I worked there and I worked for six and

it was six years on this other farm up. The place was name that farm was a farm.

What’s the name of that farm? Green farm. Green. That was a flirty flat farm, you know.

But it was wet the summer time. But there the water was very short and there

was plenty of water the winter time, but the summer time the water was shortage. And of course uh the old people kept a

lot of ends pree this far look

13 acres you know the old girl Mrs. M and husband and then

she had a a sister Mrs. The other sister

Mary her name was she was deaf and dumb. See, but oh, she was up in the morning,

you know, Ubering away before about 6:00 night time, but he wasn’t very fast in

the morning. But he used to come and say it to me, right? What did he come? He

used to come down about 8:00 night breakfast. He said, “What are you going to do today, boss?” He said to me, he

said, he said, “You’re boss.” He said, he used to say, “You’re boss.” He said, “I only boss on payday.

That was always up to 8 pound50 a week.

But then they used to stop about two pound off board and lunch.

Yeah. See every morning he

he was a bloke I imagine now he was a bloke like he was

he didn’t like par or something. He wasn’t real keen on farming. Gardening

was his job a lot. Yes. And so anyway, he got away. So anyway, I worked with

him that night. Worked there. He enjoyed myself. And that there was no Sunday work on that farm. No. And that he had a

tractor there. Had a couple tractors there at the time. I wanted to have a

flat tire. every morning went out and he pumped it up and gone to go anywhere

pump and sometimes he was

a job to get in deer gear sometimes flat on him getting away to go like he was

more like a gardener and a bit of mechanic of a man say that so anyway we

worked there so I worked there So the

old lady was there. She was up in her 70s and she had oxygen and broke her

leg. And anyway, he worked there then. Of course, they had to have a sale.

So anyway, he had a sale. The farm got sold in them days. It was only 113 acres

for about 14,000. Cool. Flat as a penny.

Yes. Anyway, they went to live in a Bangalore. So I come back down then to

work on the farm where I was born. And of course there was a new house on the farm, not the old house cuz the old

house new house. It kept the same name, did it? Yeah, it kept the same name that Brooks the same name. No, I kept But I worked

there. So I worked there till I retired.

Yes. So Mr. Mr. Richard, I retired then. And of course uh I uh I of course I when

I retire I had no home block see but I didn’t in all these places look where I

worked at. So anyway a mate of mine said he said

look he said you see he said they won’t want you when they retired he said they

won’t want you. He said so he lived around the back of year.

See, and he said to me, I see him in the pub one night and he said, “Look,” he said, “I noticed there was a little bug

now.” He said, “It’s going to be let down to the council.” He said, “Cuz I know the old woman is going from there

in 6 months time.” He said, “My my wife to work for her.” He said, “I should put

your name down.” He said, “Put your name down.” He said, “Cuz I won’t you?” He said, “When you reach 65 at the farm.”

So I did. So he helped me and then of course I had a lot ins and all papers

all the want to know if you got any money and all this sort of thing and that. So

anyway they come and looked at me and some and

of course uh they just scoring points. Oh yeah. now

I got no home and that and everything and everything. So I scored a bit on points

and I said I retired now and I they don’t want me I got no co so I got in

here. Oh lovely lovely too. Yes I got in here. So anyway, he went down course he wants to know you got any

money and everything and of course like anyway

fill the forms in and of course I apply and then when I got here I

applied for a rebate of the rent you know because he

sent all big palms to so of course I know I’m filling palms

something that so the boss where I retired from his count but was living in

he said what you take the phone to him but of course once he got he wants to know everything

anyway of course everything well of course no

they said miss sorry Mr. Williams said you were over the limit. Oh, you just over the limit. Look,

you know 16,000 is the limit. Look, see

what you only a penny. So anyway, I said sorry. So anyway, went

on a few years. He said, you just limit. So it went on a few years. So I play

again and of course and wor

together. Look see. So anyway, oh yes, you could have a benefit. They said

right. So right they gave me a rebate on my rent, not on my tax

on the rent. Yes. Say not enough of it.

£15 a week off my rent seems all right. So anyway

went on like for about 12 months and of course if I had any big checks look I

got to notify him about this job you know. So anyway I got a relation that overcome

see of course he left me about 8,000.

But anyway, I I think you know that’s you’re happier here, aren’t you? Yes. Do you do any Did you do a bit of

extra work sometimes? Yes, I very good at very good edging.

I had the pack and of course I got a pace maker.

Oh, I see. Well, you can’t go too fast then. All right.

We’re just up. All right, Tom. Now we we’ve talked about farming and it’s very good and now

about you what did you do outside farming even as a child what you did have a bit of fun I’m sure

and you enjoyed your time but I mean can you tell us just a bit about that all right yeah

and I outside my spare time I did go to some of these sports around war and I

used to go to the youth clubs and do boxing we used to And uh very used to go

used to go to a local and that one. So anyway, you know, but that was very

often we couldn’t afford it though again. And then I used to go to lovely

shows. We used to have carnival. So I used to go in the carnival. Yeah. Which is a long town in the town.

And this is a very big job. That was getting the old cart ready for the horse

all trimmed up by the carnivals, you know, and decorated and then days and on

the tan farm down long there. I was in the crown which was there. The lovely

view could up on the bank, you know. So I used to go on a tug of war big job

again but I used to go in that but I never done no running at the sports. No,

no running at all the moment. I wouldn’t like that. So anyway, after that they

used to have us big dance, you know, at night. So we used to go to the dance and

it was a lovely job in days cuz there was no bar. It is just tea and

sandwiches and all that sort of thing. They were all civilized

and a lot of the boys used to come up from a hy which they had motorbikes. They were blocks there. Well, big boys

they were met around there and they course they used to paint our local girls off.

Oh dear. Hey, that sort of thing. So anyway, we went on like of course we always enjoyed we

had no trouble about the old dances or nothing. So oh just fun. So then I went to youth

club and I used to do bit of boxing, you know, play a few games, snooker and some

of a few tables around there and that and that sort of thing. So anyway, after

that I used to go do a bit of football and

sometimes on the weekend and at nights we used to have a bit of a game between ourselves. You know,

the boys gang up together because there was nothing else to do. I don’t know whether we wasn’t busy at the winter

time at night and you know getting get in some pose or something

used and and play cards or do something like that make s

on that. So he rose up to be get it modern and

took take the all over and have games and pay each one pay so much in there

you know give so much and then they pay for expenses the hall you know have

games and that sort of thing. So anyway, that went on for several years, you

know, girls and boys and they didn’t like the day

they all went to these little they didn’t go to the the p you know they

didn’t go there and that much all go to the hall but now if they do the hall

they don’t go to the hall to places are shut down

of course there was riots That’s trouble sometimes. Trouble. Yes. And all that sort of

thing. Yes. Yes. The young farmers. Yes. I I went to young farmers. Yes. And

we used to have beautiful outings. The young farmers used to take us up the black pool to see the illumination

lights. Used to go to Coventry to see the see thely Fergie works. Used to go

there. That was a big job. We went there and was snow.

They got snow up there. There was shephering snow way up there with the thing you know where he works and have a

dinner there. Then we went to William to

BC factory to make his meals and all that

showed us all around his big factory and their pigs and all you know what did they feed them on and everything. That

was a good job again was a very good outing.

Yes. In days and of course they had a couple of good club leaders in days. Who are they?

Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Who are they? Well, the one is Mr. Ron Powell, right?

You knew him. And Mr. Dick Williams. They were very good club leaders. Very

good. They organized it and they kept it together. They was very good. Of course. And when

they start retired and people could they never got the same after some the

quizzes and nothing went on the same I don’t know why I don’t these these was

very good men these the club they start up and they was very good yes

and you know they were a club once a week or always on a Thursday night

right with everybody went to the club yeah yes they still got a young farmer’s

club I don’t think many still do a bit of tug of war. Yes. Yes.

The girls did football. Yes. Remember going to we went to went to

Madly a tug of war. Long young farmer went to Mley. So we thought we’d have a

good bloke on the end of the road. He was a big bloke and a heavy bloke in

them days. Yeah, he he used to keep

the garage of a Bobby shop there. Percy, but of course Percy Percy lost a lot of

weight. No mind. He had gone. He was a big blow, but he was no he was too slow

getting back when was over on top on him. See that? So we didn’t win that

much like a war. No, that’s very Phil was another good

club. Yes, he was help with the club. See, very good. Yes.

But before that, I suppose the churches were the places where you met together like

Yes. The churches. Yes. Very important. Yes. went like on a Sunday night when he

went down to the chapel they were full like especially was a har

or meeting they’d be all outside on boys with their bikes a couple miles around

them days that’s right and everything so when they

wait and they come in chapel was p they couldn’t get no more

in there like a little chapel down the road you’re Oh, Methodist Baptist there.

Yes. Yes. Yes. And I was and they used to have a camp meeting on the green.

They all combined services. Look, and that was all right. The summer time, a nice fine Sunday, you know, and

everything for an hour or so. Oh, that’s good. And they had outings, too.

Yes, they had outings. Yes. We went to Barry. We went to barley. We went to both call. We went to Christmas once and

we went to Oh, what do we go to?

We went to a couple Weston and then they went to

Weston and some of the boys went to Weston. I remember. Of course, you had to catch the boat

tour from Cardiff, I think it was. Yes. Weston. So anyway, the boys went and I

wasn’t I didn’t have to be along that day, but some of them went and I can remember when the boat started up some

of the boys wasn’t there. Of course, he doesn’t wait, do we? They got left

behind. So anyway, they was telling me the next morning I said one on a

Saturday telling me on a Sunday morning they got left behind. So anyway, the one

boy went up to town to the boy’s mother and he was got left behind in Weston as the boat. When he got there, this boy

was at home. He got the tree in his home before the boys.

Yes. So we had a very good then. Yes.

Of course they they had shabangs early on, didn’t they? Open sharabang. That’s right. Yes.

That was the first ones. Yeah, of course transport was the problem. Yeah. And then they had buses.

That’s right. Yes. You remember the early buses? The shabang. That’s right. Yeah. They were up in the village, weren’t

they? Early buses. Yeah. Went to the market in US. Did you

I used to have to drive sheep down from the top of the brain down to US market to sell for the bloke cuz the go was

bad. So he had to send me down with the sheep. Of course, I didn’t know much about selling things in that day. So, I

used to he used to say, “Oh, you ask somebody and they’ll tell you what they think what the wobble was or anything

like and they tell you whether to sell them or not.” Look, it wasn’t so bad.

And I can remember going there and the old boys there

just at the just by the pub and up the road. Yeah. Not in the pub. Was there a bigger bigger room there? And when they build

on someone day bar, oh yes, that was the sheep.

Williams was there. I think I can remember some of the boys went in there and they took these all sheep dogs

in the pen cuz the dogs started fighting and they

got to the table and tipped the beer on the glasses all over him. No more dogs in your voice.

Anyway, that’s not that. And we used to always walk the sheep in

come down through jewel down over the king street. They run into a better road. No more quieter, I suppose. On the

road in them days. That’s right. Down the king street.

If you didn’t sell the sheep, did you have to bring them back? Oh, yes. You have to bring them back home. Yes. Oh dear.

And then the boss man he said take a horse. He said we go to Edford with this horse.

We will take him down to you. We’ll take him on the train.

So anyway went down. Of course the horse didn’t like the train. Of course there was a bloke about there used to loading

horses on the train was Mr. Len Brown. So he could do it. He can load a horse.

All the way to load the horse on the train. who loaded his horse on the train. Of course, I went on the train and never been on the train. He was

Harry P’s horse took his horse to town, right? Never sold this.

So anyway, I don’t know if the money wasn’t good enough or something. The boss money never sold it. So he said to me, “Well,

we take the horse back on the train.” He said, “You can ride this horse back to Mary.” Oh, and of course they got no s

on it. I come out this side everywhere because there wasn’t many houses then down USA or anywhere or out bridge

everywhere. Look see. So yeah, he said I’ll come out with you out over the W bridge. He said as you got I don’t know.

So he come along and got on out there over the Y bridge and coming up Belmont.

Oh, it started to rain. Oh, it emptied down with rain and I got no saddle on

the horse with Lord and there was an all out shed on the side of the road there. So I got up the there was no window in

so you got off and get up in there we did for a bit. Oh my god. You walking

coming over this horse and of course on the grass on the road you could c a bit

you know but anyway I got my I tell you I come to the king street that night I I

was glad to get up and bro

I enjoyed it bro time I got home I was it stop raining I was ride you know

Yes. But of course you still go to the Abigeni market, don’t you? Yes, I still go to Abigi. Mostly goes on

a Tuesday as well. Well,

I see you there. See him selling the sheep there and interesting.

Yeah, it’s interesting watching them selling the sheep and of course they have mother market on a Monday there. Now

look, mom market is up there on a Monday. But they don’t get the animals there now

like they did. No, no, not the same in everywhere. They don’t get them there like they did like they sell them off the farm now.

Yes. Off the farm now before I bought them out. Yes. And I don’t get hard on these farmers

now. Like really? Cuz you want to try to sell cattle now, you

got to have them tested all before you can sell them. Like a week or three weeks or so before you can test them

all. Like you sell a free test I think you got to pay now I believe to be

tested or something like you can’t you can’t take them to sell by far

in our times. Well how did the war affect you very much? Yes, they did.

Like when I was after I left school, you know, sat

down in the house, it would all planes are going up the mountain there. They be

following the mountain up once they come dark, you know, summer say November

time, I guarantee them all planes going up there. Yes. Well, I remember when they dropped

them bombs of Pandy. We was I was going out with some tea about 10:00 at night.

I think it was the moving cups all went off the table. She wanted to do check the house

and then they dropped one or two at the top end of Oakland here. See? Yes. But I think they every night soon as he

come away every night like they got a load on and I think when they got this morning they was lost,

didn’t they? They got lost in it. I think some of them did. Yes. They went on up to Birmingham. Yes.

Every night they were lost every night. But

they had some evacuees here and they used to see him and then you would see him marching the soldiers.

They used to come from somewhere and they didn’t bring him. They went and

march him and they used to march him right up over Roston right up over the

top of Grites and right down right the crown a village

there was a used to be an old road in Roman road and marching there over the

mountain there and that down into a Sunday morning you see about 4 500 on

them boys marching up. Yes. That’s good. Yeah.

Yes. And they used to have them all motorbike scramles up and down over there

up over then and down over and yes back to times when what do they call

Percy used to do Williams? Another one

local. But you had evacuees. Yeah. Then

evacuees from Yes. Oh, we had them from Liverpool. Yes. Yes.

Quite a number. Yes. Quite a number. 60 or 70 or Yes.

And of course they come along the school year and they have in there for a time,

but then they down the hall. Yes. was where the old was in age,

right? Too many touring before. What it was wasn’t really all in

them days. It’s a waterworks. Oh, bottle works. Yes. Bottling water. Yes. The water works. Just a bottle of

water up the mountain in them days there, you know. Yes. And send it all over the country. You

different hospitals and all this and that. They was good. Yes. You know, you know, they had whales in

this village, didn’t they? Going down the road. Oh, yes. You got wells all around you. Yeah. Just down the side of the road here

somewhere. Yes. There’s one up here. Yeah. Just up here on the side of the road. Yes. There’s one as you go around to the

chapel. Yes. Well, but he’s filled in now right as you go around. That’s one of the

original big well there. We sprinkled him. He’s going to school. Yeah. And then the wells further on down

as well. Yes. Yes. And wells on at the top there like Yes. And there’s one up there

called St. Thomas’s well right up the top of the Oakland Valley

Oakland water was very good there and he was left good but I see they f

around him again now and open him up again well yeah that’s interesting that’s right

good like we used to I know these things but I

supposed it after and you used the mill

use the mail. I used to go down to the mill when this horse and cart and of course when the wheel was going the old

boy was down there doing this work and that with the wheel going grinding our

horse didn’t like the L of the water in the wheel they couldn’t go have to stand in the old horse

see it there Mrs. William

Mrs. Whatever working

the gra

down there then roasted this tractor. That was a big job saying I went down with the tractor down going down the

road, you know. [Laughter]

So that side. So and then the mill. Yes. And then of course there were other things that you did. I suppose other

things you did do. Did you ever do any swimming in the river down there? No. No. I never

used to swim. I never swim the course. I swim.

Oh, I did a bit in the river. We used to swim. You fishing? Oh, rabbiting.

Yeah, paddling but at the middle. Yes. But you you like rabbiting, didn’t

you? Yes. Oh, yes. Rabbit in with a big jump. Yes.

Every night rabbiting season is start from the 2nd of February to the second

of September to second February. I see. See

rabbiting. They have a couple of her boys go rabbiting and course you could

take as many rabbits to town as you wanted. There was no black market rabbits.

No. And they all boys would be there after them, you know. Yes. And they’d be there for these rabbits.

So anyway, we ra

How much do you get for them? Well, you get about about a pound for them. for a whole rabbit pound.

Yeah. Good for good money. Yes. A pound. Yes. Then they like all

of these old dealers can Yeah. Buy these rabbits and things and they

know market dropped a bit of rabbits having drop.

Oh yeah. They used to get contact back and for

and used to be the same thing on a Christmas market. Used to be the same. You wouldn’t sell any of the market at a

low price. I guarantee having many be straight away you get to find out the old dealers and get to find out. Yes.

Did were you ever ill that told you have doctor ever? Yes. Yeah. But yes, I got a fever. Oh

yeah. Was that in the war? Yeah. No, before the war was that was in my schooler days.

But the doctor came to I was in hospital but isolated hospital for about just

Okay. Just stop a minute. Yeah. It’s been lovely being here in the sunshine. Yes. And it’s a lovely home you’ve got here

now. Yes. And I know you enjoy yourself with the company of the people here and everybody loves you in this village. I know. But

there’s just that one story about the man. You tell us. Come on now. You tell

us. Well, this old gentleman, he’d been out all night out in the pock and he left

too much to drink. So this old gentleman come out through the door. So he found out his legs gone. He couldn’t walk

home. So he was stood up by the side outside by the door there. So along come

a policeman. And the policeman said, “What are you doing here?” Locked. He said, “What are you doing here?” Oh, he

said, “I got too much to drink.” He said, “I can’t walk home.” He said, “But

it tells me that the world goes around.” He said, “And I’m waiting for my door,

but my door to come by like the other old boy.” Now, other old

boys, they were wondering in the in the G. men come out walking along the road

and he fell over on the road and his mate didn’t come out

with him like he fell over. So anyway, he got up and he looked and there was a big hole down in the road. So he got

down he got down on his arms and knees got his head down in this hole in the

road and his mate came along. He said, “What are you doing here?” He said, “Well,” he said, “I think we’re on a

desert.” He said, “Why is that?” Why is a cowboy with a water on his back?

All right, then. Thank you again.