Memories of Great Yarmouth circa 1920's

By Biddy Bullinger

I was born in 1920 at 21 Mill Road, Southtown. My father was the local barber and his shop was also our home. I lived there with my parents and 2 sisters. During the summer my mother took in visitors to help with the family income. Dad was also inclined to visit the Lady Haven pub which was just opposite the shop! The money he took cutting hair was often immediately spent in the pub.

During the school holidays I would mingle in with visitors families on the beach between the 2 piers and would be invited to join them for their family picnics! My sisters and me learnt to dance at Goods Hotel on the seafront and this led to me discovering a talent for singing. Even at a very early age I could sing quite well and the local bandleader would invite me up on stage to sing a few songs!

When I was 14 I went to work at Grouts Silk Factory where I was a winder. This was my first full time job.

This was my only job up to the outbreak of WW2. I volunteered to join the WAAF's.