Interview: Richard Clements

Richard Clements on Go'ng to School:

"When I was growing up, I went to St. Georges School, up on the Flats. Every morning we used to take turns lighting the stove, the Pot Belly stove, we had to do that before school even started. We also had to go to Church every Sunday Morning, especially during Lent, you see we didn't have a choice back then."

Richard Clements on the Fishery:

"I started working for Roger Bidgood in the Fish Plant when I was around 13 years old, back then I got around 25 cents an hour. I remember how we used to go up to Topsail Beach to catch the capelin, bring it back to the plant, put it in brine to pickle it, and then we would put it in the Smoker. Mr. Bidgood would sell it in the supermarket in the Goulds, I remember working with Marg Noftall, Charles Whitten, Loe Lee Sr., Vince Lee Sr.,and many more. I eventually ran the co-op fish plant after that, you know we all knew back then that all that fish would last."

Richard Clements on Go'ng to the Garden Party:

"I remember how we just couldn't wait for the Garden Party to come in the summer time. We used have to save our money up, especially for the Big Dance, I think it cost about 25 cents to get in, you know it was hard times, but good times; You appreciated everything then."