Collection AR167 - Papers of Miss E H Tarrant of East Croydon

Consists of six handwritten note books of household accounts 1976 - 90, four diaries 1983 - 86 and one ration book 1953 - 4. A cursory view of the collection does not appear to offer any insight or recollections into any major events of the time. Indeed the collection is on a very personal basis. There is little or no autobiographical detail mentioned beyond the fact that she lived in East Croydon and the everyday activities she relates in her diaries. Although there is some mention of a creche and Age Concern her involvement is not clear but her diaries give some insight into her liking for cats and that she attended church. The intrinsic value of this collection lies in its social comment especially with regard to the household accounts which offer a good and basic insight into the prices of a variety of everyday goods between the years 1976 and 1990. It is also testament that many people still shopped everyday.