John Slater interviewed by Robert Aitchison

Oral history interview with John Slater conducted by Robert Aitchison on 25 February 2004 as part of the Time Tracks oral history collecting initiative. Original duration: 52 minutes, however there are many distortions throughout the recording, resulting in 23 minutes of audible recording via the digital access file. Background, family; Second World War story, billeting of soldiers; coal situation; All Saints school; working at Binns; after national service went to Shildon Railway works, welding, sweat in glasses; [00:05:00] welding on wagons, eye issues from welding, health issues, skin cancer and compensation; works shutting and prospects for workers; lines taken up; [00:10:00] everything knocked down; 1975 celebrations, Stockton and Darlington 150th anniversary; Sir Nigel Gresley; care of nameplates; [00:15:00] entertainment; meeting with Derek Foster MP; hobby of painting including building; Armytage's corner; [00:20:00] issues with locker at work [00:25:00]

Time Tracks, Shildon Railway Village Community Project was an initiative funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund that encouraged members of the public to bring photographs and documents at Locomotion to form a community archive, when Locomotion museum was opened in Shildon, 2004. Over 50 oral history interviews were also recorded with members of the community. They shared their memories of Shildon as they knew it in their childhood and throughout their lives, from as early as the 1920s, as well as their work experiences in local factories and industries, including Shildon railway works.