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Mrs Freda Edmonds, née Wilson (1897-) - Operated mixed business at Neath. Part 1/1. Recorded c. 1983.

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SummaryTAPE 88A MRS FREDA EDMONDS.
Part 1 of 1
Recorded c. 1983

0:16
Formerly Wilson. Aged 86. Married Bill Edmonds at Neath Church. Born at Tighes Hill and went to Neath aged 11. She went to Abermain school – she walked to school on Old School Hill from Neath.

2:49
The Brick Kiln. The Neath Beach – a popular watering hole. Bob Purcell. Her father was the blacksmith from Bullock Island. They lived across the line from the school. Walking up the Denman Hill to the Catholic school. The Denman Hotel may have been built then. The kids got a lift to school on a horse driven truck. She had two brothers. Her mother in law was the owner of the Post Office at Neath. The Pumping Station. Summer’s shop sold to Linton’s.

8:28
Her husband returns from the War and takes over the Post Office business including payments for pensions, endowment and news agency. The miner’s built the Hall for picture shows run by Jimmy Bourne.

11:27
Dances and skating in the Hall during the War Years (WW1.) Then the school went there. In 1918 there was a barricade up the hill for the Bubonic Flu. Her father and brothers worked at Neath Mine. Taking over the school for the patients – teaching went on at the Hall.

14:57
Matthews Bike Shop 10 doors down from the Methodist Church. Her mum bought that from the Matthews and it became the nucleus of the home. Water was laid on. Electricity came from Caledonian Collieries. She went down Neath pit on an afternoon shift.

16:42
The inspector used to come to the Post Office and inspect the books. The mail delivery came. Her husband picked up the mail from Neath Railway Station as well as the papers.

17:53
Ditton had the first buses. The 6pm train brought up the afternoon papers. Passenger train – she went to Cessnock by train to dressmaking classes during the war years. She worked in the post office before she was married.

19:59
The Church of England church – a small church. A surgery for Dr. Fisher. Dentist at Cessnock. Her husband’s step brother. Nelson played piano at dances.

22:24
Mr Jones. Mr Hayler. The Muirheads of Neath. Bill Victor. The Turners. Cranky Corner. Nell and Jim Burnett. Charley Rogers.

24:57
“Stumpy” Burnett, Jim’s brother. Joe Shakespeare’s bush stadium. Ted Anstey. Hope. Bradford – Neath Hotel owners.

27:38
Buying for the shop – Cohens, Halls (tobacco) – suppliers to the shop. Stepson, Bill Nelson had a fruit cart – he died from the Bubonic flu plague.

29:19
Living alone – she gets Meals On Wheels and has a cleaner. Rag mats in her home made by her and her husband during winter nights. Moved to Marks Point. She has children. She left Neath 27 years ago. The children took over the Post Office before going to W.A. In the family for 40 years. She was married in 1919 – began running the Post Office then.

35:40
Her husband was born in Adamstown and the family travelled by sulky and pony to Marks Point. The first 12 months were so different, lonely without the busyness of the post office on the coal fields. The sooty debris from the Pumping Station at Neath. Soccer – Neath v Abermain. May Day processions. Miner’s picnics at the football grounds at Neath and at Toronto. Black water hole for swimming. Church picnics at Wangi by bus. The Lock Out.

40:00
End (Tape 88/Side A) Part 1 of 1. Last edited by: lyn.keily@newcastle.edu.au

SubjectEdmonds née Wilson, Freda Elizabeth Amy, 1897- Last edited by: lyn.keily@newcastle.edu.au

Coal mines and mining Last edited by: lyn.keily@newcastle.edu.au

Post offices Last edited by: lyn.keily@newcastle.edu.au

Blacksmiths Last edited by: lyn.keily@newcastle.edu.au

Churches

Neath (N.S.W) Last edited by: lyn.keily@newcastle.edu.au

Dances

Cessnock (N.S.W.) Last edited by: lyn.keily@newcastle.edu.au

Buses

Railroad stations Last edited by: lyn.keily@newcastle.edu.au

PersonJack Delaney Last edited by: lyn.keily@newcastle.edu.au

CreatorEdmonds née Wilson, Freda Elizabeth Amy, 1897- Last edited by: lyn.keily@newcastle.edu.au

Delaney, Jack, 1919-2010 Last edited by: lyn.keily@newcastle.edu.au

CollectionVoices of the HunterPlaceCessnock, NSW Last edited by: lyn.keily@newcastle.edu.au

Date Created[1983] Last edited by: lyn.keily@newcastle.edu.au

Location^[1]Cessnock, NSW^[2]Neath, NSW Last edited by: lyn.keily@newcastle.edu.au

Identifier088A Last edited by: lyn.keily@newcastle.edu.au

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