As part of the Heritage project 2009-2010, we have recorded the memories of various local people who have had connections with Bore Place, including local residents and people who have worked and lived here. Below are edited clips and resources from an interview with Jenifer Wates.
Jenifer Wates
Background
Arriving
The Future
Jenifer Wates (b.17/12/1932 - )
Date (s) of recording: 23/11/09
Location of interview: Staff office at Bore Place
Background
Jenifer and her husband Neil Wates bought Bore Place farm in 1976. With the help of a team of people, some of whom are still working at Bore Place in 2010, they established and built up the existing dairy farm and also converted some of the old farm buildings into a study centre. The farm and centre are now part of Commonwork, a wider range of educational and social enterprise facilities available at Bore Place today.
During the recording made in 2009, Jenifer explained some of the background influences and events that led to her and Neil establishing the organisation “Commonwork” and the various associated activities on this site.
Jenifer was born in Blackheath, London in 1932. Her father was a civil servant, in charge of merchant shipping during the second world war. Her father and mother met whilst they were both studying at Manchester University in the 1920s. Jenifer was the first child of four.
During the recording, Jenifer recalled various childhood experiences which had an impact on her, including a period when, aged 7 years, she lived in the countryside in Suffolk. This rural experience was “idyllic” and provided a “window” on what living in the countryside was like. Other memories included being in London during the Second World War “Blitz”, when they slept every night on bunks in the coal cellar of their house.
Jenifer went to Somerville College, Oxford 1951-55 to study Classics. It was whilst studying here that she met Neil Wates. Neil was reading Law. Born in February 1932, he was the eldest son of 6 children of a family of builders in Streatham.
They married in 1955 and spent their early married life in Surrey and London.
Neil worked for the family building business, training from the bottom up on the firm’s building sites. He gradually worked his way up to become Chairman and Chief Executive in 1969/70.
In the mid 1970s Neil left his position as Chairman of the Wates building firm. It was at this point that Jenifer and Neil took the opportunity to change their way of life completely, buying Bore Place in 1976.
On Neil Wates’ death in 1985, the site was handed over to the Neil Wates Charitable Trust, now part of the Commonwork group. Jenifer Wates continues her involvement with Commonwork as the founder member of the Board of Trustees.
Our thanks to Jenifer Wates for generously contributing her time and knowledge to this project.
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Jenifer Wates talks about the social, political and cultural influences on herself and her husband Neil (referred to as “Neil” or “he” during the clip) during the late 1960s and 1970s. These include the anti-Apartheid movement, their visit to China and Hong Kong, their visit to Assisi, Italy and subsequent membership of the lay order of St Francis and Jenifer’s own experience as a court magistrate in South London.
She describes how this “great mash” of experiences and ideas, combined with Neil leaving the family business lead them to think about how they could live their lives differently. This fed into their decision to buy Bore Place in 1976 and the subsequent setting up of Commonwork.
Towards the end of the clip, Jenifer recalls Neil’s saying “all waste is a misplaced resource”. This was an idea or philosophy which underpinned much of what they hoped to achieve at Bore Place.
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Jenifer describes why they came to Bore Place. In particular, she talks about the farm, its early management, the team involved, moving in, the decision to grow grass and build a dairy herd. She refers to their early attempts to “go organic”.
In keeping with Neil Wates’ saying “all waste is a misplaced resource” she refers to the setting up of the brickworks at Bore Place. This happened as a result of the building of the new dairy at Bore Place. The excavations for this had produced a pile of clay which they sought to re-use in the brick making process.
Jenifer also mentions the heating available in Bore Place House and how they installed some solar panels in an attempt to save energy.
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Jenifer Wates reflects on her input into Commonwork and how she sees its working currently and in future.
Background to setting up Commonwork at Bore Place: Video Clip (4m:55sc)
Jenifer Wates describes arriving at Bore Place in 1976 and setting up the farm, enterprises and centre with husband, Neil and a team of people: Video Clip (2m:39s)
Jenifer Wates reflects on her input into Commonwork and how she sees its working currently and in future: Video Clip (2m:06s)
Read more details of the interviews by Jenifer Wates
Page from a Commonwork Scrapbook showing 1981 renovation of the large barn.
