Dossier 77 - Jessica Scott

1 minidisc, 2 cds, 1 file, 24 AIFF files (380.7 MB)

Interview with Jessica Scott, secretary for and later wife of Laurence Scott, chairman and joint managing director of the Guardian. Conducted by Angelique Chrisafis on 2 November 2001. Also includes a data sheet containing biographical details about the subject and information about the recording.

Summary contents of interview (with rough timings):

Disc 1:
Track 1
00.05 Introduction

Track 2
00.10 Worked at the Guardian from March 1966 as secretary to Laurence Scott, chairman and managing director
00.34 Worked at the Guardian for four years

Track 3
00.04 Interviewer asked about her memories of the Cross Street building

Track 4
00.05 The Guardian as a family firm
00.40 Scott family employed during this period
01.38 Legacy of C P Scott

Track 5
00.08 Turbulent period for the Guardian
00.15 Had been a Guardian reader for years
00.25 Problems encountered by newspaper printers during this period
00.48 Discussion of merger with the Times
01.04 The Guardian's financial problems
01.16 Laurence Scott's involvement with Guardian move to London
01.30 Laurence Scott's aims for the newspaper

Track 6
00.04 Response to removal of 'Manchester' from Guardian title
00.19 Costs of London printing
00.38 Negative atmosphere at Cross Street

Track 7
00.03 Negotiations to merge with the Times

Track 8
00.10 The Guardian's unpopular stand on the Suez crisis
01.05 Proud of the Guardian’s values

Track 9
00.05 'Palace revolution' at the Guardian
00.20 Decision to remove Laurence Scott from executive duties
00.55 Laurence Scott remained chairman
01.18 Laurence Scott's first wife's illness. Scott took an extended period of leave.
02.15 Fears of losing job

Track 10
00.05 Laurence Scott's return to the Guardian
00.10 *

Track 11
00.05 Laurence Scott felt it was his duty to protect the future of the Guardian
00.45 Response of Alistair Hetherington to proposed merger with the Times

Track 12
00.05 Discussion of Laurence Scott’s early life
01.08 Jessica joins the Scott family
01.20 Moves with Laurence Scott to Siddington, near Macclesfield
01.28 Discusses family life
01.40 Laurence Scott's early career
02.00 Laurence Scott's friendship with Joe Hodgkinson of Toynbee Hall
02.30 Laurence Scott's wartime service
02.42 Laurence Scott's early release from wartime service to return to the Guardian

Restricted - Access to edited copy via GNM Digital Repository

Copyright: Guardian News & Media Ltd and Jessica Scott