In this recording, Pat Allen shares memories of her early life and her family to her working years. She reflects on her parents’ quick marriage and her role as the first grandchild, enjoying the love and attention of her family. Pat recounts her time spent with her grandparents in Newlyn, where she had a close relationship with them and the rest of the family. She also shares stories about her early years, including the birth of her sister, her experience with school, and her memories of community events, such as beauty contests in the gardens of Penley Park.
Pat delves into her working life, starting with her tough and demanding job catching chickens at 4 a.m. and then working all day on the farm. She recalls how physically exhausting it was, especially the pre-packing of produce for stores like Woolworths and Tesco. Despite the hardships, Pat emphasizes the toughness and resilience needed to get through such work. She reflects on how much harder things were in the past compared to today’s standards, offering a vivid portrayal of life in the past and the demanding labor that shaped her experiences.
