Oral history recording undertaken with Bernard LOFTUS as part of the Millennibrum...

An interview with Bernard LOFTUS, a married man with one son, one daughter, who is a Foreman at Lucas, born in Birmingham and now living in Birmingham. Bernard LOFTUS’s father was a Works Manager, born in UK and his mother a Housewife born in UK. In the interview, he talks about …

'LOFTUS, Bernard MS2255/2/042 Logged by Lorraine Blakemore

01

I was born in Aston, Birmingham…on 21st September, 1923 and we lived right by the Aston Villa ground. Father was works manager at a well-known cycle factory ‘Hercules’. Lived in Fentham Road until 7, then moved to Chadwick End. Regards himself as a true Birmingham person.

2.01 Describes the area where he lived and his father’s career.

3.12 Had 5 sisters.

3.34 Felt he didn’t have a very good education; not much encouragement from his father. Went to a Catholic school in Baddesley Clinton. Sent to night school at Birmingham Technical College, in Suffolk Street after leaving school and starting work as an improver in the cycle factory. Moved on to work in the aerospace industry.

02

Describes his profession as a tool maker.

2.49 Mother suffered from an ulcerated leg and was in constant pain, but never complained.

03

Enjoyed cycling and music.

40” Attracted to the piano from the age of 7. Father loved classical music. Sister had piano lessons, but Bernard was self-taught. Aunt was a professional pianist and gave encouragement. Describes family’s musical and artistic talents.

04

Grandfather made stained glass for St. Chad’s in the city.

05

Enjoyed visiting the cinema. Uncle lived in Perry Barr and would take Bernard to see films. Describes the area.

2.34 We used to go to Lozells Picture House…and the thing I loved about picture houses was that most had an organ….in my little child’s mind I’d think, “I’d love to do that”.

4.21 The thing that struck me with cinemas, you left the world outside, you went into another world…At Lozells Picture House I remember…my uncle would queue up to get the tickets, and while he was doing that, there’d be a young lad in uniform with a great big cylinder on his shoulder…he used to squirt perfumed air out and that smell I’ll never forget…the lovely feel of carpets, especially in the city….you’d sink into the seats and you were lost for two hours…

06

Continues to describe cinema culture.

07

Reveals how he became more proficient in piano playing. Story about visiting a piano teacher.

4.02 Story about going to Blackpool Tower to play the Wurlitzer organ, which was a long-standing dream.

09

Called up to do National Service at the end of the war. Then returned to the factory as a tool maker. Left to work for one year at Rover in Sheldon. Then moved to Lucas in Hall Green in the early 1950s. After 2 years moved on to Marston Green branch. Remained there until retirement.

3.35 In 1967 played lead piano in a company band.

4.15 After one of those performances, was the victim of a drink-driving incident and hospitalised in Birmingham Accident Hospital for 4 months.

10

Just before the accident, was promoted to a charge hand, but the new wage system had not yet started. However the firm disregarded the rules and paid him a full staff wage during convalescence.

17

I was married to my first wife in 1947 and we were married for 21 years. My daughter Anne was born in 1950 and then my son was born in 1960. I was a Roman Catholic and we’d had a very strict upbringing in that faith….I used to go to church every Sunday and serve on the altar…. Wife converted to Catholicism. Marriage broke down in 1967.

2.37 Married Josie, his current wife, in a registry office. That meant that I was excluded from the Catholic church…could not take the Holy Sacraments because I was a divorced person and the Catholic church is still to this very day, very strict on that law….so I didn’t go to church…but that didn’t mean that I had stopped believing, I’ve always believed in God…and I’ve always said prayers…

18

We have now became members of the United Reform Church…we just go once a month with our friends to an evening service in Olton….and we receive Communion. It doesn’t matter what has happened in your past, you are welcomed with open arms… Renewed wedding vows after 25 years.

1.36 Feels he is practising a religion by serving the community.

19

Describes early life in terms of housing.

20

Found lodging in Small Heath, but wasn’t happy. Moved into other lodgings and was very content, especially since there was a grand piano in the living room. However, father died and had to move home.

4.09 Describes first home with Josie in Sparkbrook. Paper was hanging off the ceilings, I spent hours redecorating. In the kitchen there was no hot water….I had to scrape off the walls and the pipes about half an inch of fat…it was terrible.

21

Continues to describe flat.

1.21 Health authority was informed that they hadn’t any hot running water and visited the flat. Assisted with the move to Chelmsley Wood in 1972.

3.30 Describes Chelmsley Wood now and when it was first built.

22

Only one minor theft experienced during the 28 years in Chelmsley Wood.

1.36 Changes in the city centre. Even with all the new architecture, the city centre doesn’t have the same magic as it used to…I used to love old Birmingham…

ENDS