Interview with Vera Bickham by David Phillips for Age Concern North Wales Central, in which Vera reflects on her childhood evacuation from London during the Second World War and the family’s later move to North Wales through her husband’s work. She traces a life shaped by community, landscape, and resilience - from village schooling and RAF camps in Norfolk to decades in Hawarden, Clawddnewydd, and Llanelidan, marked by cottage renovations, local events, and a long career serving as an accountant in Mold.


00:00–01:28
Vera, aged 91, begins by describing her childhood in London and the outbreak of war in 1939. As bombing intensified, she was evacuated with her sisters and mother to Norfolk, where a headmistress temporarily housed them before arranging placements with local families.

01:28–04:24
She recalls living with Mr and Mrs Plummer near Downham Market, attending the village primary school, and interacting with RAF and army personnel camped in nearby fields.

04:24–05:55
Vera later married, and her husband’s job offer in Chester brought the family to North Wales. They settled first in Connah’s Quay, buying a new semi‑detached house on a modern estate.

05:55–08:14
She worked for Thomas C. Adams estate agents in Shotton and staying until the birth of her daughter after 14 years of marriage.

08:14–10:04
Concern over schooling prompted a move to Harden, followed by a later move to Clawddnewydd, where Vera enjoyed living among Welsh‑speaking neighbours and gradually learned conversational Welsh.

10:04–14:33
She describes renovating their cottage, enjoying dramatic views of the Clwydian hills, watching valley jets, and eventually relocating to Llanalltyd after difficulties with winter travel.

14:33–18:00
Vera recounts a serious near‑collision near Ruthin, avoiding a lorry through quick thinking taught by her driving instructor.

18:00–20:54
She reflects on life in Llanalltyd, including community cricket matches featuring visitors like Imran Khan and Dan Aykroyd, her husband’s illness, and her long career with Duncan Sheard Glass accountants in Mold, serving many local farming clients.