Interview about Wolverton, the Co-operative Society and the Wolverton Works.

TB recalls the early history and management structure of the Wolverton Co-operative Society, its first shop in Church Street, the society’s later expansion, its committees and its amalgamation due to the building of Milton Keynes. He refers to the ideology behind the formation of the co-operative society and its inner workings. The minutes of the society meetings are still extant and well preserved.

Anecdote describing how engineer James McConnell’s locomotive the ‘Bloomer’, received its name. Describes his apprenticeship as a coach builder at the Wolverton Works. Discusses the ascendancy of the trade unions, his involvement and election onto the Trades Council. Illustrates plurality of skills in use at the Works and highlights rivalry between craft unions and trade unions Recalls the effect on the Wolverton Works’ of strike action in 1925 and the General Strike in 1926, during his apprenticeship. Relates incident of the ‘great exit’ of workers during the annual holiday, in which the engineering works were effectively closed. Explains the crafts of ‘stripper’ and ‘brass finisher’, with evidence of wages and conditions and refers to more recent events in the Wolverton Railway Works.

Mentions Wolverton Science and Art Institute and schools in the early 1900s in the area and their development.