Pegswood - Sound

Transcription of an interview with George Smith recorded on the 13^th September 1976.

During the full interview Mr. Smith talks about his employment in the coalmines of the Pegwood area. He also recalls various aspects of community life in Pegswood.

During this extract he talks about his childhood memories of schooling and his fathers employment as a coalminer.

[Transcription]

Well to start with Mr. Smith I wondered if you could tell us something about your early life, when you were born, where you were born?

I was born in Ashington, 1911. Shifted to Pegswood, 1918, and then 1925 I started pit.

Which pit did you start at?

Pegswood.

And did you go to school in Pegswood?

I went to school at Ashington and Pegswood. I went to Ashington School until I was six or seven, then I went to Pegswood School. Finished there when I was thirteen and a half.

And did you come from a mining family?

Yes, my dad was a miner.

Where did he work?

He worked at Ashington and Pegswood; he was a deputy at Pegswood.

And how many brothers and sisters did you have?

Five brothers, four sisters, there was nine in the family, that's five sons and four brothers.

And did all your brothers go to work in the pit?

Yes, they all worked in the mines.

 

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This tape recording comes from the large collection of oral history recordings held by the Northumberland Archive Service. Interviews were conducted by Record Office staff from the early 1970's right through until the mid 1980's. The purpose of the recordings was to capture the essence of life in the late 19^th and early 20^th centuries. Many different subjects were covered, including coalmining, farming, fishing, domestic life, World Wars and entertainment. Over 350 recordings have been collected comprising approximately 700 hours of recollections.

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