I worked in Bata factory when I left school at the age of 15 years, I was young and married in 1951. I worked in 405 Department, this was full time, five days a week and had some nice friends there.

I was made redundant in 1984.

My memories of Batas are that I made lots of friends, we worked very hard, clocking in and out with strict breaks, but we also enjoyed our work there.

I have many good memories.

When my husband came home from Germany, after doing National Service for two years, I left Batas to have a family. When my youngest child was 9 years old, in 1970, I went back to work at Batas part time and stayed well over 14 years. I was in the plastic department most of that time. I went to work in the Rubber Department and also into the Leather, but ended up in the Plastics.