DOT (DOROTHY) DAVIES February 1932 by her son VINNIE
We didn’t have a baby sitter, we had a shepherd. (laughter) I was one of thirteen children; I was child number ten. As one of thirteen children you just competed for attention. I was the only Mixed Race My Mum was from Collyhurst1, literally in the next street from Les Dawson2. It was a 1930’s life you know, really, really poor. She had a sad childhood because when she was eight days old her mother Martha Peedon died of Milk Fever3. After her mother died, she and her older brother were farmed out4. Mum was sent to an Aunty, who never let her forget… ‘you know that don’t you? I brought you up, I didn’t have to take you in Dorothy, I didn’t have to….’ I am sure that my Mother was never made to feel good enough, there was a bit of the orphan syndrome. Years later this woman, who by default became my Nana, was taken in and cared for by my mother. She regularly threw a cup of water over me; she was senile and would say ‘that squatter is in again Dot’. And she would throw a cup of water over me and I would say ‘For Fuck’s sake, I live here’. (laughter) say ‘Get these dogs out of here’ – and she would kick us in the head. (laughter) I loved her though. are Linda, Maureen and Terry’s father. Sean’s father was Billy McGuire, he was born following a short relationship. Sean’s father was not just acknowledged but celebrated even though Our Mum kept 1 On the fringes of the city centre, Collyhurst is one of the most densely populated areas in Manchester. 2 The comedian, actor, writer, and presenter. 3 Mastitis is often caused by a build-up of milk within the breast. 4 To put a child into the hands of another for care.
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