Interview with Betty Clifford (b.1930) and Alexander Clifford (b.1930) about settling in Bletchley, attitudes to Londoners, and family life.
Group in fancy dress collecting for Bletchley Hospital Fund, Fenny Stratford, 1960s. Illustrative photograph supplied by kind permission of BCHI (Accession Ref: BLE/P/066).Original donated by Mr Sellers.
Betty and Alexander Clifford married in 1951 and lived in rooms in Willesden. They chose Bletchley when offered council housing in a ‘satellite town’. A.C. took a job at Marston Vale Brickworks and they moved to the Saints Estate with their young son. Alexandr Clifford changed job several times, because of low wages; eventually he transferred to being a driver.
Betty was very happy with the move and the house. Initially, she made regular day trips back to London to see her family, but gradually made friends locally; she does remember the local people showing some resentment of incomers. She talks about the contrast between Bletchley and London and remembers that daily life involved a lot of walking!
They all enjoyed the cattle market; Bletchley at that time was ‘a lovely little town’ in her opinion. Five or six years after arriving they bought their own bungalow, and really felt settled. Most of their family visited regularly and eventually moved down, as did Frank (Bodimeade) a friend of theirs. Early home furniture was very limited, but everyone else was struggling too. Mr. Clifford. recalls using HP regularly. They comment on the difference between expectations of early married couples nowadays and in the 1950s: ‘they’ve got to have a nice home now to start with’.
There was little time for social activities; they name local pubs and the cafe in the Co-op. They recall limited health facilities but comment on the friendly Dr Baker at the White House Surgery. From 1963 to 1966 they moved to Dunstable for a larger house but were unhappy and moved back. Betty worked as an auxiliary nurse in the 1960s & later moved to MK Hospital. Their children have all stayed in Bletchley and done well in their careers. They were excited about the development of Milton Keynes and the city centre, and enjoy all the facilities, but still prefer living in Bletchley.
Creator
Clifford, Betty
Clifford, Alexander
Extent
1 audio tape cassette
Contributor
Kitchen, Roger
Reference number
BBB/002/008
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