Affective Digital Histories

These cuttings relate to the Affective Digital Histories flash fiction commission, 'An Imperial Typewriter' by Divya Ghelani.

These cuttings relate to the Affective Digital Histories flash fiction commission, "An Imperial Typewriter" by Divya Ghelani.

A colour photograph of Cannon House, which is on Rutland Street next to St. George's Church.

Newspaper acticle describing how a licence was refused for a proposed gay club on Abbey Street.

Collection of photographs of Charles Street.

Newspaper article describing how Leicester Gayline Friend would like to open a cafe at its' King Street base.

Leicester Mercury newspaper article celebrating 20 years of rhe Phoenix Arts Centre in Leicester from 1963-1983.

19 min 27 sec interview with John Barradell, retired textile designer employed by Thompson Fabrics, Leicester. The interview includes; family background; training as a graphic designer, career outline; marriage; John and his wife design for Corahs, then employed by Thompson Fabrics in their design studio, large factory employing 200 workers; John describes the overwhelming stench coming from the nearby Butchers' Hides and Skins building; unions; the area around Thompson Fabrics; retirement; social life in area; closure; John then worked in Hinckley setting up a youth opportunities program; decline of textile industry.

90 minutes and 39 seconds interview with Kenneth West. Kenneth West was born in Leicester in 1922. He went to work at Faire Brothers Ltd. as a mechanical engineer until he was called up in 1943 to serve in WW2. He describes working in the factory before going to war including the bombing of Freeman, Hardy and Willis, the factory fire brigades, fire watch duty , the workforce and the social events. He then describes coming back to work at Faire Brothers after WW2, entertainment during WW2 including trips to the cinemas in Leicester, hearing Julie Andrews sing live at the Savoy Cinema, dances at the Bell Hotel and Palais de Danse. He talks about the American soldiers in Leicester and the colour segregation amongst them, meeting Gordon Rolls, the smell of the tannery, Faire Brothers closure and being made redundant, working at Wykes, WW2 and the British restaurant, family life, Curve and the Cultural Quarter, Scout gangshows and the ghost at Faire Brothers.

46 minutes 43 seconds interview with Nils Feldman, an architect. The interview includes Nils talking about university and training to be an architect. He then gives a career outline and includes the architectural projects he has been involved with, and working with the Regeneration Company. Nils gives his opinion on the architecture of the Cultural Quarter and Curve Theatre and goes on to talk about the LCB Depot (Leicester Creative Business Depot) and the regeneration of the area. Nils then talks about the cultural and social life around the Phoenix Theatre and Orton Square. Finally Nils talks about the discovery of King Richard III and how it will affect the tourism industry in Leicester.

13 minutes and 46 seconds interview with Trevor Lock. Trevor Lock was born in Portsmouth in 1949 and moved to Leicester in 1975 to work as Information Development Officer at the National Youth Bureau (now the National Youth Agency). In this second part of his interview he talks about his life in Leicester including: living in the Cultural Quarter, the development of the Cultural Quarter through European Union money, his work for the Labour Party, giving evidence to council working parties on the development of the Cultural Quarter, the recession causing investment to cease, and his memories of the Odeon cinema. Trevor also discusses the online magazine "Arts in Leicestershire" formed in 2005, of which he is editor in chief, http://www.artsinleicestershire.co.uk/ and describes living in Deuce House.

41 minutes 52 seconds interview with Winston Thomas former doorman. Winston talks about his training as a carpenter, and painter and decorator in 1970's and also his martial arts background. Started door work in 1982 at Coasters in Lee Circle. Later he worked at Helsinki's bar, a popular bar, with huge mix of people, everyone was welcome. Winston goes on to talk about racism among club goers and bouncers. He was busy and worked all over Leicester, he finished working as doorman in early 1990's after almost 15 years. He describes an incident at Coasters involving 20 members of the Baby Squad gang who caused a large fight, Helsinki's was quiet place in comparison with only occasional fights. Finally, he recalls other incidents whilst working as a doorman.

Leicester Mercury rave newspaper cuttings 1

Leicester Mercury rave newspaper cuttings 3

Final version of the flash fiction commissioned as part of the Arts & Humanities Research Council's Affective Digital Histories project.

1 minute 4 second sound recording of a film projector whirring and clicking.

Final version of the choreopoem commissioned as part of the Arts & Humanities Research Council's Affective Digital Histories project.

34 second sound recording of a steam kettle whistling.

18 second sound recording of someone using the rotary dial on a telephone.

51 second sound recording of a busy market, with the sound of wheels turning, motor vehicles and peoples voices.

20 minute and 43 second interview with George Cole in which he details his memories of LUCA (Leicester United Caribbean Association). George talks about the types of music that were popular, including reggae and blues. Rendezvous (next door to LUCA) was a club aimed at the Afro-Caribbean community, whilst other venues were more European and less welcoming. He mentions that the influence of the Black Power movement from America was felt in Leicester. Later on the Highfields Community Centre was a purpose built recreational space that the Afro-Caribbean community were involved with.

27 minutes and 42 second interview with Randy Stabana who was born in Kingston, Jamaica in 1957, he moved to Leicester in 1967 and lived in the Charnwood area of the city. Randy attended the Avalon Youth Club and Mandela Boys School, he started to go to LUCA (Leicester United Caribbean Association) in the late 1970s around the age of 16. He mentions going out to nightclubs in Leicester for example, Bailey's, the Adam and Eve club and some of the racial tensions in the 1970s, 1980s. Randy also mentions the Odeon Cinema, the old bus station (now the LCB Depot), City Hall, the Palais and midnight dances at the International Hotel. Finally Randy talks about his business Stabana Cultural Products and the closure of LUCA.

A 23 minutes and 26 seconds interview with Rhonie Gordon that includes memories of her visits to LUCA, the Leicester United Caribbean Association and the events that took place there. Rhonie describes the music that was played at LUCA for example, reggae, calypso and lover's rock. She also describes going to Spectrum, Bailey's, the Palais and Fusion.

20 minute and 39 second interview with Sheila Ghelani in which she recalls her time in Leicester as a student studying dance. She has memories of performing at and visiting the Haymarket Theatre. She also mentions visiting the Silver Arcade, Leicester market, Mud club, Streetlife and Helsinki. Sheila worked at the Rainbow and Dove pub for 2-3 years from 1992 and she describes the pub and its regular customers.

89 second sound recording of building works taking place at the Squirrell Building.

Newspaper article describing how S.A. Squirrell Co. was convicted and fined for supplying counterfeit training shoes.

Colour photograph of a new playground that was created at the edge of St. George's Churchyard. The building that can be seen behind the playground is the Leicester Mercury building.

Colour photograph of the Guild of the Crippled, later the Shri Shirdi Sai Baba Temple, abandoned and boarded up.

Colour photograph of the Guild of the Crippled, empty and boarded up.

Black and white sketch of the Guild of the Crippled. The building is now used as the Shri Shirdi Sai Baba Temple