The History of Ruddington Depot
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Wartime Operations
Working on the Clean Side
A
team of women dressed in the overalls, turbans and boots always worn on clean
side. The one in a suit is a welfare officer.Each shift began for Lilian
Slack and everyone else working on the Clean Side in the changing room, which
had an entrance on Dirty Side and an exit onto Clean Side.
“If I remember correctly, we did three shifts. They were about 7 till 3; 3 till 10; and 10 till 7 the next morning. After you clocked in the first thing you did, you took off all your outdoor things, shoes and everything. Any hairgrips and rings which wouldn’t come off had to be covered with a piece of bandage. You couldn’t take anything through with you - no sweets, cigarettes or matches. You then went through to the changing room which was divided into the clean side and the other side. You went into the clean side and put on the trousers and sort of coat/overall. There were no buttons - only ties, with ties on the trousers as well. Your hair had to be tied up in a turban. Brown shoes were worn which were not going to cause a spark.
In the toilet blocks there was always powder and cream that
you could put on your face. It was something you either did or didn’t
do. If you didn’t you took the risk that your hair went yellow. Everyone
knew you worked there if you had yellow hair.”
The Story > Chapter 3 > Section 3.06