Topics discussed include: Accommodation; work; leisure; finance; shops.

Accommodation: INTVEE lives in one of the old people's maisonettes in Muirhouse which consists of one room with a bed annexe, a small kitchenette and a bathroom. The fire is an open hearth one with a Sofona type fire place and heated water at the back. The walls are all papered. The kitchenette has an old gas cooker and a set of low cupboards with work tops and a sink by the window. There is an airing cupboard with hot water tank. The bathroom is a combined shower, wash basin and WC. She never uses the shower and is arranging for the corporation to install a bath instead. INTVER went for a look into the courtyard at the back and notes that it is closed in by two fairly large four storey blocks of maisonettes on the north side, the old peoples houses on the east, three storey blocks on the south and a line of slightly larger single storey old peoples houses in the middle, meant for couples. The four storey blocks have balconies which the interviewer is surprised to see cluttered up with furniture and thinks this is not a good use of them, especially as they would be pleasant in the summer being south facing. The INTVER notes that some people have washing hanging out on the balconies. There is a drying green and tarmac space with swings and roundabouts and the interviewer thinks this could be the recreation area that older people have complained about. INTVER notices 4 vans in the street and doesn't think they look like they have a designated spot so are unlikely to provide much of a meeting place for shoppers. Overall the INTVER thinks the arrangement of the site is successful in that there are plenty of old people together and they know each other well but there are also plenty young people.

Work: INTVEE worked for 42 years in a series of different cleaning jobs - in the Royal Infirmary, on the railways and in the Wire Works.

She used to go along to the West Pilton Old Age Pensioners Club but there was too much quarrelling. A club was set up with help of the Muirhouse Community Assocation for residents of the maisonettes which she enjoyed but it ended after a couple of years due to lack of funds. She doesn't use the vans for shopping because they are too expensive but goes to Hays in West Granton Road and the Co-op there which she prefers to the Co-op in Pennywell Road because she meets some of her friends from Leith there. Her main expense is coal, she uses at least 2 bags a week. She usses 6d worth of gas a day and 1/- a week goes on electricity. Her rent is 17/6d. She gets a pension and is on assistance.

INTVER's thoughts: Does not think this is a very full interview but gets the impression it is a pleasant life with plenty of company, plenty to do and thinks the INTVEE is pleased with her house which is homely and easy to run.

Kinship diagram included.