AUDIO
Interview with Barbara Wells
- Date
- 5 Apr 1995 - 2 Dec 1996 - 05 Apr 1995 - 02 Dec 1996
- By
- Wells, Barbara Winifred, 1935-
- Reference
- OHInt-0438-14
- Description
Barbara Wells was born in Herne Bay, Kent in 1935. Recalls her father was a railway ganger. Mentions a business course at Canterbury (England) and bombing of Canterbury during World War II. Describes her first job, meeting her future husband, having four children and going to Malta with husband Peter who was in the Royal Navy. Notes his parents wrote glowing letters from New Zealand and she and Peter emigrated in 1965. Recalls living with his parents before getting a state house. Describes adapting to a new country. Comments on the confidence of New Zealand children. Describes weekends at Waimarama and Waipatiki beaches. Talks about running the country store at Putorino for two years, moving to Rotorua and running a business, and moving to Hamilton. Talks about her marriage breakup.
Describes returning to England for a year, working at an hotel and returning to NZ as she missed her family. Recalls returning to Rotorua, involvement in a country store with family members then going to Hawkes Bay. Describes becoming custodian of Duart House, the Hastings District Council house, which is used for weddings, dinners and meetings. Notes the house was donated by the Greenwood family. Mentions trips to England in 1976, 1978, 1980, 1985 and 1995. Discusses hot air ballooning. Recalls events that occured while she was running motels.
Recalls her most recent trip to England, a family wedding in Europe and travel mainly in Switzerland and France. Compares British and New Zealand attitudes to hospitality. Comments on her job with a physiotherapist in Hastings and involvement in Women's Refuge and Budget Advisory.
Interviewer(s) - Robert Paton
Interviewer(s) - Joyce Paton
Quantity: 3 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 interview(s). 3 Hours Duration.
Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-2145.
Search dates: 1935 - 1996
- Additional description
Original recordings not available for playback. Surrogate copies will be provided.
Alternative form available: Listening copies OHLC-004053 - OHLC-004055
- Use/Reproduction
- Public use may require the written permission of the donor Copyright: Hawkes Bay oral history project
- Access restrictions
- Partly restricted material
- Part of
- Hawkes Bay oral history project
- Format
- 3 C60 cassette(s), 1 printed abstract(s), 1 interview(s), 3 Hours Duration, Oral histories
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Interview with Barbara Wells, printed abstract
From: Hawkes Bay oral history project
Reference: OHA-2145
Description: Quantity: 1 printed abstract(s). Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete.
Interview with Barbara Wells, tape one
Date: 5 Apr 1995
From: Hawkes Bay oral history project
Reference: OHC-007946
Description: Interviewer(s) - Robert Paton Arrangement: Tape sequence - 1 of 3 Quantity: 1 C60 cassette(s). Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete.
Interview with Barbara Wells, tape three
Date: 2 Dec 1996
From: Hawkes Bay oral history project
Reference: OHC-007948
Description: Interviewer(s) - Joyce Paton Arrangement: Tape sequence - 3 of 3 Quantity: 1 C60 cassette(s). Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete.
Interview with Barbara Wells, tape two
Date: 5 Apr 1995
From: Hawkes Bay oral history project
Reference: OHC-007947
Description: Interviewer(s) - Robert Paton Arrangement: Tape sequence - 2 of 3 Quantity: 1 C60 cassette(s). Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete.