This raw audio recording is of an unedited interview with Vivien Parry, describing how life as a miner's wife in Coalville, Leicestershire after leaving her home in London in the latter half of the twentieth century. We hear of how the Parry’s met and married, and how redundancy for both affected family life in 1970's.

The interviewee describes how cutbacks in the family finances led to the couple becoming more resourceful, with fresh vegetables from the allotment, and times spent socialising at home or at friends' houses. The interviewee also describes the lack of facilities in Coalville, and the reaction of the community to outsiders, leading her to feel uncomfortable in the community.

We learn about changes in the economy of the area, and the community project jobs and small business enterprise taken up by the Parry's, and the subsequent impact on living standards. She finally speaks about the lack of civic pride in Coalville, due mainly to unemployment. This audio recording lasts 16 minutes and 20 seconds.

The original recording is held by the East Midlands Oral History Archive
(EMOHA ref: 82, MA200/087/087). Click here for further information.