Tarves reminiscences [transcript]
Donaldson, LesUUUU
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Imprint:
Formartine Partnership 2008.
Series title:
Formartine Oral History Project ; FP050739
Notes:
Interviewed by Fiona-Jane Brown on 30/5/07.Accompanies CD Bib No 584961.Summary: Les was born in Aberdeen, in 1938, brought up in Holburn, Kaimhill and Garthdee and moved to the countryside in his mid-20s. He talks about his siblings, Broomhill Primary School, Robert Gordon's College, leaving school at 16 to do his apprenticeship as a precision engineer, working in Sharps of Seaforth Road, which made parts for aero-engines. Les then had a change of career and decided to become a teacher in technical subjects, which he talks about, his teacher-training being in the forerunner of Northern College. One highlight of his training was when the Aberdeen Typhoid epidemic meant he couldn't go out to work in Ellon. He then talks about all the schools in Formartine where he worked, gained additional training in special educational needs, then went to work with Grampian Police as a trainer. He then worked as an advocate in Fyvie, then as a Guidance teacher at Aberdeen College of Further Education, then went to university to do a History of Art degree as a mature student at Aberdeen. He talks about his plans for further qualifications, which had to change due to someone else having the same idea, and lead to his interest in the Aberdeen Incorporated Trades, and ended up doing a Masters at Elphinstone Institute. FJ then takes him back to talk about childhood games, cinema, sweeties, making ginger beer. Les then talks about his father's life, the greyhound track at Kaimhill, a tale of criminal activity in the crematorium trade! He talks about his cousin caught the typhoid during the epidemic, then goes on to talk about the changes in teaching, his work with Grampian Police. Les then elaborates on his craft skills, which was really inspired by his father and his own engineering training, meeting his wife, how his daughter is a theatre set designer and artist, coming to live in Tarves, building his own house, getting the land from the laird, his involvement with Tarves Heritage Society, the village itself. The interview ends with FJ and Les going around the Heritage Society in Tarves main square, which includes a museum, Victorian Classroom, and research/ visitor room.
Local class:
F1
Language:
English
BRN:
644257