The memories of Eileen Lightfoot – nee Eustace

Working Life
Slough Unity during World War 2
Aspro Pantomime
Aspro Holidays at Home
Troop concerts
Slough Social Fund & Social Centre
Sports activities
End of an Era

Working Life
Having left school at an early age and before World War 2, Eileen went directly to work at Aspro. She worked as a junior office clerk and was able to use her typing skills learnt at school and shorthand from the evening classes she had attended. When the war started, as people were taken away for service, more employment opportunities arose and Eileen moved to the director’s office as an assistant secretary and subsequently promoted to the MD’s secretary, working for an Australian called Mr F Allwright.

In her time she had the privilege to meet Maurice Nicholas, one of the owners’ sons. In 1943 when George Garcia died, Eileen has a clear recollection, as she was on holiday in Wales and was notified by letter at the place she was staying.
As time went on Eileen became involved with the Aspro Sports & Social Club events that were staged and contributed with front of house and box office duties. The initial shows, before the war, were small reviews called “Aspro on Parade”. They included members of staff presenting their hidden talents with two pianists accompanying, in the staff canteen. What splendid amusement for all.

During the latter years of the war, a certain portion of Eileen’s working day was given to typing confidential reports for the NAAFI. This was her contribution to the war effort. She supported Ossie Quinn, (create link) previously a policeman in Slough, who came to work for Aspro and eventually was presented with a Queen’s Award for being a detective for the NAAFI.

Eileen also belonged to the WRVS, based at Baylis House and was regularly required for fire watching duty on Slough Trading Estate. It was always in the middle of the night, accompanied by her colleague Jan Beevor, adorned with stylish tin helmets and the echoing sounds of guns being fired. They were both scared and as Eileen states ‘I wouldn’t think of doing it now for all the tea in China’

Slough Unity during World War 2
How different the businesses ran during World War 2. All the factories on the Slough Trading Estate worked in conjunction with each other. Senior directors from companies such as Aspro, Horlicks, High Duty Alloys and Coopers Mechanical Joints all were very friendly with each other with no sign of competition around. They helped support the Aspro Sports & Social Club, however the latter remained a complete unit in the production of shows.

As the war progressed more men and women enlisted, and many had to leave the Aspro. Eileen was fortunate as she was still too young. c1941 the powers to be decided that Aspro would be classed as a ‘non-essential’ business. The Aspro directors were to make themselves invaluable to Slough as a town and community. They had to satisfy the Board of Trade and Ministry of Labour (not existent in present day UK) that they were gainfully employing people who were useful to the community.
Generally people involved with amateur dramatics were of a progressive nature and once the intentions of Aspro were announced, workers who could sing, dance, or play an instrument were clambering to join and be employed by the company. Aspro Sports & Social Club also attracted workers drafted in to companies such as Satchwells, High Duty Alloys and P B Cow, who were ‘essential’ businesses to the war, to come and rehearse after they had finished work. It was even known that some of these women, after the war, came back to work for Aspro.

On reflection Eileen Lightfoot felt the war had made a difference to people, to help them move forward with their lives and with a greater capability. Joint co-operation and friendliness between the employees and the owners of the companies became a natural way of life.

Aspro wasn’t the only entertainment provider; the Community Centre played a great role, for example concerts in their big hall; Horlicks, another key employer of the town, had their own dramatic society and specialised in Gilbert and Sullivan productions. All communicated with each other to avoid any overlapping of performances.

Aspro Pantomime
During the early part of 1941, war having broken out, the Aspro Sports & Social Club produced their first pantomime in the Public Hall in Slough High Street, opposite the Post Office. This was already a central place of different forms of amusement including wrestling, provided by James Elliman, a person truly supporting Slough. Eileen recalls, as a young person in her teens, ‘it was very dusty and primitive’ however it was popular and successful.

The Aspro Sports Club, sited on Buckingham Avenue where the original factory was built, had two hard, tennis courts, a pavilion, two squash courts with shower facilities. There was use of further sports fields in the surrounds of Furnival Avenue. The Club was a very strong element of Aspro and all staff were obliged to join and contribute in any way possible, definitely with the annual pantomimes, that eventually moved to the new, improved staff canteen.

Aspro Holidays at Home
In 1942, World War 2 in full force, it was decided by the Aspro Sports & Social Club to organise a new summer idea called ‘Slough & Windsor, Holidays at Home’. Ossie Quinn was appointed to undertake the lead with the assistance of Norman Blackman, the Club Secretary, an active member who easily encouraged Aspro employees to participate.

Dances were arranged in all parts of Slough, including the Adelphi and local village halls, in the endeavour to find and crown a carnival queen. About six young ladies were chosen to compete and introduce themselves, as in a traditional beauty contest. Unfortunately Eileen was not permitted by her parents to attend, she was too young.
The result was a carnival procession through Slough on August Bank Holiday with the incoronated queen and local tradesmen joining the display. It was not just the Aspro employees supporting, all the residents of Slough and the Mayor and Town Hall staff shared the responsibilities of enjoyment, at a serious time in history, where lives were being continually lost and families torn apart. The carnival was a tremendous success and the real underlying purpose was to raise funds for Slough Hospital, as in those days the NHS was not in operation. From this the ‘All Good Causes Fund’ was created.
‘Holidays at Home’ continued for fifteen years and was conducted on Agars Plough playing fields at Eton College with additional support of the college’s authorities.

Troop concerts
They were either accommodated at Aspro’s staff canteen, where barrels of beer were obtained as refreshments for the men. Or as small teams of selected artistes formed concert parties, they would travel out to surrounding army camps, straight after their working day. Norman Blackman, the social club secretary, liased with the army officer, ushering him into Aspro’s offices and swiftly closing the doors, ordinary mortals kept at bay. These venues were top secret and not to be spoken about, although everyone knew they were close by. Possibilities were Dorney Wood on the Beaconsfield Road and Burnham Beeches. Army buses were a frequent sight on Slough roads as were the existence of aircraft batteries.

Eileen remembers an Aspro employee called Freddy Knope, who eventually took film shows for the troops to watch.

Slough Social Fund & Social Centre
Slough Estates were as prominent in Slough during Eileen’s time as they are now. Since the 1920’s workers from the Slough Trading Estate had been living in an area known as Timbertown, located off the Farnham Road. The residents were applying pressure for a social centre to be built.

In June 1936, Sir Noel Mobbs of Slough Estates founded the Slough Social Fund. He realised success of the Trading Estate depended upon the well-being of its workers as well as its industry. Monies were gathered to support Slough Council Social Service, who also worked in conjunction with the Slough ‘All Good Causes Fund’. All the directors were very approachable and amalgamated their ideas.
In April 1937, the Social Centre was opened, a great innovation and one of the first and best in the country, bringing all the residents of Slough together. The official opening took place with a visit from King George VI and Queen Elizabeth (The Late Queen Mother).

The social centre had a Latin motto. It reads 'alter ipse amicus' which translates 'another friend is another self' and illustrates the friendly and caring nature on which the social centre was founded. The more well known statement and principle is 'People of every creed and every walk of life are welcomed'. The Centre of the current day continues to use this and identifies with Slough today. History was brought full circle when it was opened by Sir Nigel Mobbs, grandson of Sir Noel Mobbs, in July 1998.

Sports activities
However this new plot of land did not go to waste. Aspro set-up super sports fields with grass and hard courts and a bowls green. People from miles around came to play there.
A cricket club was formed and the team consisted of important players. The grounds man, previously a county cricket player, was expert in green maintenance.
One lady provided all the teas for all the male players in a large white marquee that had been erected. However certain girls including Eileen wanted tea as well. They literally had to pull their weight by hauling a massively heavy roller up and down the pitch, to earn their refreshments and sit with the men in the marquee.

End of an Era
Eileen left 10th May 1950 and still possesses her letter of resignation. She had been married for a couple of years and it suited her purpose to leave. She feels that her time at Aspro, in spite of the war, had been the best times.

Interviewee: Eileen Lightfoot
Interviewer: Renate
Editor: Renate

January 2006