About This Item
Identifier
101-0005-014
Title
Interview with Valentine Coode
Description
Interview describing Norwegian maritime business in South Wales.
Type
Item
Format
1 Compact Audio Tape
Date
19 Sept 1995
Contributor
BHAC
Language
English
Rights
Copyright situation unknown/other, contact HCE
Publisher
Contact HCE if you would like to use or reproduce this item
Interviewee
Valentine Coode and his wife
Transcription
No
Summary
Part 1 [Tape 1 Side A] [00:47:16]: Valentine Coode [VC] was born in Cardiff and grew up in Cathays. VC began working for a Norwegian company in the docks in 1927. During the Second World War he served in the RAF, he later moved to Newport and served as a Norwegian Vice Counsel. [00:01:08] Discusses Mr Strangar(?), his early employment, and how he became a vice counsel. [00:04:30] Describes his main duties as a Norwegian counsel. [00:05:37] Recalls receiving telephone calls to deal with sailors, not uncommon for drunken sailors to miss their ships. [00:08:48] Discusses the shift pattern of ships. [00:09:52] Recalls an anecdote of a seaman involved with a woman in Tiger Bay. [00:16:45] Recalls his first wages in 1927 of 7 shillings 6 pence a week. [00:19:40] Recalls Mr Dahl who was one of the three directors of the Norwegian company. [00:25:26] Describes what was done when a Sailor died. [00:31:00] Mentions different Norwegian companies in the South Wales area. [00:32:59] Describes his company’s role as ship brokers. [00:36:25] Discusses different cargo that was exported – not just coal; tinplate, timber and matches were too. [00:38:15] Mentions what happened with crew change overs. [00:44:34] Recalls helping sailors who ended up in hospital.
Part 2 [Tape 1 Side B] [00:32:13]: [00:00:12] Valentine Coode [VC] recalls a Mrs McCoy who lived in Tiger Bay who would sort out people to clean the ships. [00:03:13] Remembers the Böe family who ran the Norwegian boarding house. [00:05:50] Discusses the different departments in the company he worked for. [00:08:40] Every year a luncheon was held for Norwegian War Veterans. [00:11:10] Recalls meeting King Olaf. [00:15:05] Describes the decrease of trade and closure of many Norwegian companies. [00:17:30] Recalls getting involved with Norwegian celebrations after moving to Newport. [00:19:45] Tells joke of sailors visiting the Norwegian church for coffee and comments on drinking habits of sailors. [00:22:15] Talks about childhood in Cathays. [00:24:20] Describes how ships had to be met regardless of time of day; comments on his grievances of meeting ships on Christmas Eve and Christmas day. [00:27:55] Talks about his close relations with Norwegian captains. [00:29:00] Recalls anecdote of meeting with a Norwegian chief engineer. [00:30:10] Mentions an airplane journey on an official trip to Norway.
Part 2 [Tape 1 Side B] [00:32:13]: [00:00:12] Valentine Coode [VC] recalls a Mrs McCoy who lived in Tiger Bay who would sort out people to clean the ships. [00:03:13] Remembers the Böe family who ran the Norwegian boarding house. [00:05:50] Discusses the different departments in the company he worked for. [00:08:40] Every year a luncheon was held for Norwegian War Veterans. [00:11:10] Recalls meeting King Olaf. [00:15:05] Describes the decrease of trade and closure of many Norwegian companies. [00:17:30] Recalls getting involved with Norwegian celebrations after moving to Newport. [00:19:45] Tells joke of sailors visiting the Norwegian church for coffee and comments on drinking habits of sailors. [00:22:15] Talks about childhood in Cathays. [00:24:20] Describes how ships had to be met regardless of time of day; comments on his grievances of meeting ships on Christmas Eve and Christmas day. [00:27:55] Talks about his close relations with Norwegian captains. [00:29:00] Recalls anecdote of meeting with a Norwegian chief engineer. [00:30:10] Mentions an airplane journey on an official trip to Norway.
Duration
79 min 29 sec
Digital File
Yes
Storage Location
Glamorgan Archives and National Library of Wales
Conditions of Access
Open
British Library Ref
UNLW023/13
Citation
“Interview with Valentine Coode,” The Heritage & Cultural Exchange Archive, accessed May 19, 2024, https://hcearchive.org.uk/items/show/6681.