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Oral history recording with Maria Williamson. Recorded as part of the Italian Memories in Wales project (2008-10), delivered by ACLI-ENAIP and funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Part 2 of 3 (AV 11499-11501)

00.00 Maria’s great uncle died in the Spanish civil war in his early twenties. His name was Rocco Mammone, their village piazza was named after him. Her father found it difficult to talk about the war. It was hard for everyone moving to Wales, never having left their own small village. Maria also points out that during the war women worked hard to keep the land going and support their families; they found worked on the land picking potatoes and general help. During the war the family were afraid to go out, she remembers leaflets being dropped from the air informing them about the war. There was a battle in the nearby Aspromonte Mountains, though many details are vague for Maria as she was very young. They would go out to find food when they could, at times of peace. They traded eggs for chocolate with the soldiers who would camp in the mountain.

09.15 After the war Maria recalls that there was nothing in the village; the animals they had were either stolen or killed by soldiers. There were no jobs and it was very hard to find money. Her father made a lot of friends in Wales and was offered work to come back. He stayed in Piminoro for three or four years then wrote to a farmer in Wales for a job. Her father went to Wales in 1949 and the family followed in 1952. He had to find a house, save money and her mother had to support them the best they could at home in the meantime. They were all heartbroken to leave the village. She remembers seeing her sister waving them off. Maria describes the journey from Piminoro to Reggio, Reggio to Milan, Milan to France, France to Dover and Dover to Victoria where they were met by her father. The journey was confusing as they didn’t understand the language but they all had to have medicals and were sick on the ship. They met other families on the journey who helped them along. It was hard for her mother as she had never been out of Piminoro. She left her eldest daughter and parents, her father died a month after they arrived in Wales.

15.39 Maria’s first impression was of the chimneys on the houses. In Italy they were outside all the time and knew everybody, whereas in Wales they were more isolated through not knowing the language and also less of an outdoor life. Her mother found it very difficult to settle; she cried for days wanting to go back. Her father could speak English and a little Welsh. Once the children started speaking English her mother would learn from them and then found work. They worked at Sidoli’s ice cream factory with other Italians. Maria remembers their house in detail which was much more modern. They lived in Minsterley, they then moved to Shrewsbury where Maria got married. She describes her upbringing as very strict compared to other children in Wales; they weren’t allowed to go out, they had no television or radio. In Italy she says, she felt more free and closer to the community; she says that this affected her mother who seemed different in Wales than when she was in Italy.

24.30 They went to a good school, though initially the children made fun of them. Once they learnt the language it was fine and they settled in. As Maria’s parents got older they reverted back to their native language more, they spoke mostly Italian to Maria. Maria worked for the Sidoli factory and then for Woolworths. They met a couple of Italian families in the area around 1953 and 1955. She talks about the Sidoli family business in the area. Italians were mainly in farming and Fish and Chip businesses. Maria tries to keep Italian influence in the home. Her children understand and speak some Italian, as does her husband. She talks about their grandparents and plays Italian music.