[Continued from Tuesday 7th January, 1964]

Your letter posted at the usual time on Monday reached us by 8:30 a.m. today so the P.O. are still in arrears after the Christmas – maybe the weather just now with so much fog about. Anyhow thank you all for such an interesting letter but what a job to come home to in the evening, clearing drains. Have had plenty of this here in the past but I guess this is your first time and we hope it will be the last. We used to use Drewetts Brushes but there are none available now and on several occasions I have considered buying a set that cost about 50/- [roughly £62.30 in 2024 money].

Thanks for cutting from national paper. We did not have any trouble this end of town but police called one evening to know if we could give them any possible clue. Personally I do not think this is the same individual causing trouble elsewhere but a local man.*

So Geoff was in the money too over Christmas. I expect he was surprised to hear you had had such a good lift.

Fancy Carol going off to Grandma’s on her own. Shows she is getting over her nervous state and willing to do what Susan can do. Yes we thought of you all over the holidays and pictured the girls with their many presents. What a shame about the Sunday School party – a case of mistaken date perhaps and the event is still to come. So school started on Monday and they are stopping to lunch. You will soon find out how they are reacting to the arrangement. Hope it is all right for June’s sake save her at least one journey per day.

Information re: Motive Power Section noted – just one normal move in the big alterations.

Sorry about plant we brought up – must try another later. Good to know greenhouse is now holding its own against the weather.

Elford may or may not know about the bottles but he reduced the price by 6d [62p] per bottle last time I bought some.

In the ‘Mercury’ in which mention was made of our land there was also reference to three other plots for which plans had been submitted but these were faulty in one or more respect and turned down for further investigations. Had no idea ours or the others were up for consideration until we read of them in paper.

Yes in one sense it is a pity the apple trees have to be destroyed but most of them had their day and if after rearrangement of garden etc. I find there is room for an odd one or two can buy some young trees. In the meantime we shall have to buy any apples etc. we require – some change after all these years.

I do not know what age you think Ching may be but my guess is that he is about 56. Have not seen Cornish since last writing but can hear him sawing down his trees. No I am sure the money coming for the sale of land will not worry us. It will be invested in order that use maybe made on the interest. The old saying applies – ‘anything to come, glad of it’. It will certainly bring in more than the land did.

Referring to June’s letter for a moment. Very sorry it is necessary for you to see doctor again June and I hope he will be able to put you right. This is easier said than done I know but we hope he will succeed in due course. Very glad to hear both Susan and Carol has a nice time with Grandma Baker and that they brought back little presents for you both.

Wonder if you will have buildings on the spare land near your house. This surveying business is a long drawn out matter but it is certainly a start.

More ballet shoes for the girls – how lucky they are. Have they worn out the others or grown out of them? As mentioned above what a disappointment for them at the Sunday School on Saturday.

Sorry to hear Peter has more trouble with his car but surprised he is bothering with Jackson having regard to the latter’s record of service. The leakage of the brake fluid is this somewhat the trouble you have Alec? How is your car going now? I am due to get the Ministry of Transport certificate again in March but this will only be a routine matter I think. Just pay the annual tax of £15 [equivalent of £375 in 2024].

Have you done much on radio lately?

Ted Caple was telling me the other day that he, his brother Ernest, and sister May went to a hotel at Bath for Christmas and had a really good time. Not very expensive apparently – they stopped three days and two nights.

The curtain material mentioned on previous page has now been made up and the curtains were hung this morning. A big improvement and the windows are now completely covered when curtains drawn. Keep out the draft too better than the others.

No the sherry Bushell gave us was not some of Elford’s but a good proprietary brand – cannot quite remember the name at the moment. I’ve seen all the bell ringers since the party and all got home safely and learn the worst for the mixture of drinks. I believe the Curate went to Les Garland’s house from 11:30 p.m. until 12 a.m. and drunk at least half a bottle of whisky and then came back here and started on sherry again. On the Sunday following both the Vicar and Curate turned up at Saint Peters for the parish church eventually starting the service about five minutes late. Apparently the Curate should have been at this end.**

Well I think this is about a lot for another week. All our love to you both and lots of kisses for the girls. Mum and Dad 

P.S. thanks for cutting re fire maniac. The police called at all houses including ours for possible information.

Enclosed from Evening Post shows the alteration to the notorious Failand Crossroads – looking towards Bristol from the Clevedon side. [N.B. picture has not survived.]

*Have not been able to trace any reference to this online which doesn’t involve a paid search, unfortunately.

**That Curate sounds a bit flippin’ hopeless!