Retired Colleagues re-united

11 October 2001, Stewartby Village Hall, Bedfordshire

Former brickworkers from the Italian community in Bedford met up with native English colleagues in a pleasant social re-union in an event organised by Carmela Semeraro. The First Generation Italians Club, Bedford, all former brickworkers and their wives, laid on a free lunch for everyone in an event which included an exhibition on the brickworks including reminiscences by former workers. The highlight was an opportunity for locals to have a go at taking part in traditional Italian dancing.

The event received a government grant as part of the “Learning in Life Later Campaign 2001” and the Club was the Regional Award Winner in this national promotion.

Members of the club, all elderly retired Italians, who first came over to work in Bedfordshire in the 1950s, demonstrated traditional Italian dances they had themselves learned from a professional dance teacher. A wide range of Italian dishes were cooked which provided a superb buffet lunch. All agreed that it was a wonderful re-union and brought back many happy memories.