Generations - Interviews

Janet Allen

Janet recounts tales of her husband, Charlie, when he worked for Stewarts and Lloyds in Corby including giving the famous dragline an MOT... and an interesting escapade to fool his work colleagues!!!

(Interviewed and recorded by Shusha Walmsley on 10th May 2024) 

Sally Carson

Sally talks about her father, who was a GP, and his involvement in setting up the Lakeside Practice in Corby and other stories associated with his work in the area.

(Interviewed and recorded by Gill Arthey on 28^th May 2024)

Irene Fowler (with Debbie Johnson)

Irene talks about meeting her husband in Aberdeen before moving to Corby in the early days of the construction of the new town (Irene’s husband worked for the construction firm, Wimpey’s, at the time, as well as her own time as a secretary at the steel works before taking up employment in the probationary service.  

(Interviewed and recorded by Simon Steptoe and Debbie Johnson on 14^th August 2024)

Carl Hector

Carl talks about his family’s Corby heritage and growing up in the village of Brigstock near Corby, where he now lives. Carl discusses how Corby and Brigstock have changed over the years as well as how the steel industry impacted his family’s and local residents’ health.

(Interviewed and recorded by Gill Arthey on June 25th 2024)

Elsa Holmes

Elsa talks about her early life in The Faroe Islands, moving to Scotland and then eventually to Corby where she met her husband, Ted. Elsa goes on to talk about reengaging with education later in life and how this led to a career in local probationary service.

(Interviewed and recorded by Simon Steptoe on June 3^rd 2024)

Ted Holmes - interview 1

Ted talks about moving to Corby in his youth and his career journey as an engineer including his time working for Stewarts and Lloyds before nationalisation as British Steel.

(Interviewed and recorded by Gill Arthey on June 25th 2024)

Ted Holmes - interview 2

A short pre-interview (interview 2) discussion between Ted and Simon about the name of the street he now lives on and how the land holds a legacy of the steel industry!

(Interviewed and recorded by Simon Steptoe on 11^th March 2025)

Ted Holmes - interview 3

Following his retirement, Ted talks about his interest in creative writing and the creative writing group he now attends.

(Interviewed and recorded by Simon Steptoe on 11^th March 2025)

Margaret Kane - interview 1

Margaret came with her family to Corby in 1948 when she was seven years old due to her father, who was a policeman, relocating from Kettering. Margaret recounts her early life and the diverse groups of people who came to Corby to take up work in the steel industry. Margaret talks about her life in Corby over the years and how she moved into employment as a teacher eventually becoming a deputy head of a local school.

(Interviewed and recorded by Dawn Harden on 19th July 2024)

Margaret Kane - interview 2

In this second interview, Margaret talks about her husband’s family, the Kanes how they arrived in Corby to take up employment in the steelworks.

(Interviewed and recorded by Dawn Harden on 26th July 2024)

John and Sarah Mellor

John, a retired GP, and his wife Sarah talk about moving to the local area when John took up employment as a GP at the new Lakeside Practice in Corby. They talk about their experiences being part of a busy general practice, how welcoming they’ve always found Corby, and how it has become an integral part of their life.

(Interviewed and recorded by Gill Arthey on 21^st May 2024)

Tony and Margaret Rothery

Tony and Margaret talk about moving to Corby in 1965 as a young newlywed couple, lured by the prospect of a brand-new house and Tony’s new career in the steel industry. Both Tony and Margaret stress how welcoming their Corby neighbours were, many subsequently becoming their friends, when they arrived not knowing a soul in the town. Tony goes on to talk about how diverse the Corby community has been over the years. Margaret recounts how, after the steelworks had closed, the town changed and how she then tooking up employment in RS Components (a global distributor of electronicand industrial components that relocated up from London) having previously been a “stay-at-home-mum”.

(Interviewed and recorded by Simon Steptoe on 15^th July 2024)

Geoff Williams

Geoff talks about his early life in Swansea and his talents as a young footballer (he played for Wales as a schoolboy international) before his family moved to Corby in 1958 when his father took employment with Stewarts and Lloyds. Geoff, who also took up employment in the steelworks, also had a musical career in local bands and he tells of his many adventures as a musician.

(Interviewed and recorded by Simon Steptoe on 10^th June 2024)