Today I went with Hannah and Fanny to visit a women's sewing group in Chadwell Heath, and a Knit and Natter group at Valence Library, Barking. The purpose of these meetings was to meet 'older' women who may have worked in factories and who could have a story to tell - in order to arrange an interview at another date. I think this is an issue - I would have tried to interview people there and then, to gather the data while the women were available.
In the sewing group, there was a lady who had worked in two different factories, one of which made aerosols and other domestic cleaning products in a factory down River Road. She had had a day off sick for period pains, was told off by the male supervisor, then it was suggested she take it further with 'Mr Stanley' (who she did not know was one of the family members who owned the firm). So she went to see him, explained the situation, and the following day, when she thought the issue was over, was promoted to Assistant Supervisor! She loved her job. She also told us about checking the aerosols after they were sealed. If any of the canisters were bubbling around the rim, she had to pull them out quickly as they went past on the production line. Twice the canister exploded in her face, and it was her glasses that saved her eyes. No H&S legislation then! She was reluctant to book an interview 'as I do a lot of babysitting', whereas if we could have just recorded her there and then, we'd have a great story in the bag.
Then we went to a Knit & Natter group at Valence Library, where, despite the ladies being much older, no-one had worked in a factory.
Maybe I should ring my cousin Maggie for stories from my family.
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