May Dormer

May Dormer grew up in Chatsworth Miners’ Homes where the houses had large gardens, ideal for growing vegetables. May talks about her people, all of whom were involved in working for the coal mines. This recording depicts the supportive role played by the wives of the miners, who worked long hours in a very difficult environment. She had clear memories of the tired men, covered in black dust, riding their bikes home in the evening. Their humour, ballad-singing, sport and religious practices are all recalled in this recording.