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BUBBLE

“

I was 8 years old, I think – 8 or 9. I remember her standing at the railway station –in tears.

When you’re little, you don’t understand that - but when you get older, you can understand why.

We came down on the flying Scotsman, near Christmas. It was housing and a job.

We came to live on the new estate - Exeter estate, just been built - a great house.

My Dad’s Scottish, my Mother’s from the Faroe Islands – I was born there. We came from Edinburgh – a city place.

Everybody was new - different parts of Scotland. The woman next door called me “Me duck” - we used to call everybody Hen! Everybody had to go up to Woolworths - the plugs you brought down didn’t match the English.

Woolworths was the place to get everything. It was a shame when it closed down.

The thing I remember the most was the mud – there was walk boards down to the house.

Near Christmas – the big bus came round, a big single decker bus, full of parcels. All the relatives were sending their Christmas parcels down.

I’d wait for the bus to come cos - for my family in particular - my auntie married a Canadian, so all her family were in Canada, and of course my mother’s family were all in the Faroe Islands. So we had no Aunties and uncles really. The only person who would send something was - my granny.

We’d gone. She’d got nobody else. Just her and my Grandad.

When you’re little, you don’t understand that - but when you get older, you can understand why.

That was my first memories of Corby. My Dad was in the merchant navy - when we came to Corby, that’s when we became a family. Dad worked in the steelworks. We’ve been here a long time.

I was born in the Faroe Islands - 3 were born in Edinburgh, 2 were born here. We were educated in Corby. I was a probation officer – my sister went into accountancy, and my brother’s an engineer.

The thing I remember the most was the mud.

“

I remember her standing at the railway station.

KRÓTKA HISTORIA Z ŻYCIA (Z ANGIELSKIMI NAPISAMI)

30 lat temu, 1990 W Polsce: Studiowałam na anglistyce Tutaj: nie specjalnie mile widziana W Polsce: Tłumacz Przysięgły Tutaj: nie było żadnych Polakow Tutaj: nie mogłam wykonywać mojego zawodu 2004 – parę lat wcześniej Polska dołączyła doUnii Europejskiej Tony Blair pozwolil pracować tutaj obywatelom Unii Europejskiej Maj - ludzie przyjeżdżają Lekcje angielskiego – dla nich. Rożne narodowości.

“Zakładamy Polski Klub Filmowy” Kino Savoy – juz jest Zaczeliśmy projekt – jest ryzyko Trzeba kupić film, zamowić sale filmową Jest nadzieja, ze ludzie przyjdą Czasem sukces czasem klapa Ale nie dajemy za wygraną Teraz Savoy sam to organizuje Dwa filmy miesiecznie A tu jakby film z mojego zycia Z angielskimi napisami.

30 years ago, 1990.

In Poland: Studied English.

Here: not terribly inviting.

In Poland: Sworn translator.

Here: weren’t any Polish people.

Here: couldn’t do my job.

2004 – a few years before.

Poland joins European Union.

Tony Blair gives full access to England.

May - people come.

English lessons – to people. Any nationalities.

“Start a film club.”

Savoy - there already.

Start an enterprise - take risk buy a film - book the venue hope people will come.

Hits.

Misses.

Sort of person who doesn’t give up easily.

Now Savoy does it on their own.

Two a month.

Like an abstract – with English subtitles.

“

“

ROOTS

“

The first fifteen years - I moved around. Four primary schools, two secondary. Always the new boy. Always picked on - got into trouble.

Didn’t get on at school - did okay at church. The scouts probably saved me. I had friends there.

In Corby I was isolated. I didn’t know where I was, never went into anybody’s house - knew anybody. You don’t have the same roots. You meet people briefly.

My son took me to the boating lake. Down from Ashworth square. I’d never done that before.

Walking through the trees, it’s comfortable.

Broad pavement, exercise things. It meanders rather than go straight. There’re other paths you can take - explore further.

I hope to spend the next years in Corby – if I don’t it means I’m not well - have gone somewhere else.

It’s much more of a home to me - as good a place as any to live.

I want to be less lonely - make more friends, be more part of the community.

I have cards. If I meet somebody, I give them a card.

“

It gives you hope.