Interview with Vera Barrow (b.1919) and Iris Whitcomb (b.1926) about moving to Bletchley from London, local life and events.

Vera Barrow and Iris Whitcomb talk of their early lives and the struggle to find accommodation in London. They both heard about Bletchley and London overspill; their husbands got jobs on the railway. Iris and her husband were the first London overspill people to move on to the Saints Estate, in 1952. Harold Macmillan came and opened the 1,000th house. They recall that the Bletchley Gazette used to have pieces about each family that had moved in.

They remember early impressions, like the sulphur smell and the brown tap water, but they were so pleased to have a house, and it was very rural. They recall visits from their families and the poor bus service. Neighbours were friendly, but they experienced some resentment from Bletchley people towards London incomers: ‘why don’t you go back to London, you’ve spoilt this town’ They talk of the lack of a hospital, and remember local doctors: Madison, Connor, Clements, Morphy and Allison. They remember the Queen’s visit, her fur coat and perfect skin. It was her fortieth birthday – ‘It was magic’.

They liked the Queen’s Pool. They talk of Bletchley market and shops, the shopkeepers and local characters including Bob Bunn and his mobile grocer’s shop, the rent man and the fish van. Talking of entertainment, they recall a Coronation Day party at Yeomanry Hall, and dances there. Other entertainment was walking and going to the Studio Cinema (Bletchley). Vera’s husband joined the Labour Party and attended many meetings; there were dances at the Labour Hall too. They remember that the Pageant to mark the end of Bletchley Urban District Council involved most organisations in Bletchley. The BletchCo Players and the Operatic Society had good reputations, and there was also Wilton Hall Workingmen’s Club. They recall Robert Maxwell’s charisma.

They like the city centre, but find it tiring now that they’re older. They preferred Bletchley in the old days, with the individual shops. In their opinion everything is now dirty in Bletchley.