Leonard to the family:

Dear Alec June Susan and Carol

Many thanks for letters received this morning first post which was a bit surprising bearing in mind the weather – thought it would be midday at the earliest when it would arrive.

After last week’s report of good weather we  now I have to change our opinion as we are now getting back to the snow frost and ice we had last winter. Not so bad yet fortunately and we hope it will not get any worse. Plenty of colds and sniffs as you say and we know you were trying to get rid of one when Jackson called on phone last Saturday. Hope you have been able to shake it off before going to Watford yesterday. I had the starting of another cold when the Hewitts came last Wednesday and have since had to keep indoors throughout the weekend. Not so bad as in October and it is actually on the way out now for which many thanks. So far mum has escaped it but has had a sneeze or two.

Our little store of logs (from Blenheim Orange tree) are lasting out very well and we have enjoyed them on the fire. Seem to last a good time too presumably because they are ‘green’. Have not however been able to cut any more this week and time is going on now – the 15th of February will see the last of our occupation of the bottom portion of ground.

Mr Palmer called in on Saturday morning for a few minutes and I had another chat with him regarding removal of garage. He said could try the idea of bringing up the existing one to a new position especially as it is the builders’ responsibility to move it. He (Mr Palmer) has to go into Southmead Hospital again for observation under the same surgeon as on the previous occasion. Does not sound at all good.

Yes we had cutting from ‘Telegraph’ Alec thank you – thought you would guess that from one of the P.S.es on last letter. You did not however comment on the cutting of the Failand crossroads we included in ours – just as well to know this for future information, as you will probably pass over the crossing sometime later this year. I have not seen the alteration myself yet as have not been to Bristol via Failand for many months.

Re: your Christmas cactus I wonder if it is getting too much water? Anyhow do not destroy it but see if it improves as time goes on. Ours are going over now but have made quite a nice show.

The news of your colleagues very interesting and as you say Notley may get one of the jobs now vacant. So Geoff was not surprised to hear of your rise. Do you think he may have had the gen from another source? Seems to me they gave him the extra £100 to avoid giving him another lift in the categories. A subtle move on the part of the management?

Glad to hear no more trouble with drains. The local Council apparatus was in the Avenue end of last week in connection with the complaint the man opposite had made but after dealing with the trouble he was told in future he must deal with it himself. None of his immediate neighbours are prepared to share the expense.

Am surprised to hear advances in salary can be withheld at the discretion of the authorities – thought these were automatic once you were in a certain scale until you reached the maximum of that scale. Could understand the amount being variable according to merit etc etc.

Whilst I think of it how did your typist fare on the train for Gidea Park on the evening of Friday the 13th December? You said you thought she may have been travelling on it.

Yes we understand the police visited all houses in Clevedon searching for clues to the fire raiser but all is quiet again now. A special notice was given out on TV the other night to viewers in Somerset to be sure and lock all doors before starting the evening’s programmes as there were numerous burglaries in the area.

So the girls have had their party at Sunday School at last and we hope they enjoyed it. A pity about the weekday school dinners though. They must get used to them and I expect they will when they find it is that or nothing. Fancy Susan writing to ‘Junior Points of View‘. Whatever did she say to them? We generally look in to the children’s programs – most interesting at times.

Runner beans did you say Alec? Must see if can find a little room for at least one row but until the garden rearrangement has been effective there will not be a lot of gardening done. Incidentally the garage if moved will not be near the house. It will have to be sited about three feet clear of the shed on the lawn side which will enable a path to be made parallel with the shed to get to garage. In fact the opening of the garage will be in line with Bushell’s garage.

Noted June has seen the doctor but you did not say with what results. Wonder what treatment he has prescribed? Perhaps you can get a little rest during the day with the girls away at school June. Noted too Alec commenced his three weeks at Watford. Not a nice time of year to be away from home. Presumably you go home on Friday afternoon and back again on Monday morning.

What a strange coincidence meeting with someone who knows Clevedon. And he has to reach you via the I.C.I. and Scotland. Well you were on common ground for a chat and this quickly throws out any strangeness which would otherwise be noticeable.

Peter seems to be getting a lot of trouble with his car again but hope with Jackson’s attention things will be better. What a game getting it on the move to Jackson’s place and for latter to run it to Maida Vale on the handbrake. Must be a good driver and have fair knowledge of all makes of car. Glad to hear your car now in order and hope it will keep so. I have not had ours out for a week for reason given earlier in letter and went down to garage this morning and started it up for 10 minutes. No trouble fortunately. I like to start her up for a few minutes alternate days if we are not using car much – saves a lot of trouble in the long run.

The curate returned the crocks last Saturday afternoon.

Last Friday afternoon we saw Hawkins (builder who has taken over land from Plumley and Weston) in the Avenue and later on Bushell came in and said Hawkins had been to see him asking if he would be interested in selling him 160 feet of his ground measured from the bottom end and offered him £550 [£13,700 in 2024 money]for it. Bushell said he would think about it and let him know. Hawkins said well don’t be long or shall not be interested further.  Hawkins then went to the other three houses above Bushell with the same tale. Bushell’s trouble is that he has the place on a ground rent so could not immediately reply to Hawkins. Moreover he was not altogether in favour of selling. However he saw his solicitor yesterday (Monday) and latter told him the ground rent business could be got over but said that £550 was not enough and he should ask for double that amount. I think Bushell will now sell if he can and he certainly holds the whip hand so far as the other three householders are concerned. If Hawkins will not pay him £1000 [£25,000 in 2024 money] for his piece of land then he will not sell and the three other plots are no good without his because Hawkins could not get at them. What a turn up for the book!! Only last week Bushell was taking trees from our field and planting them on his side. Now it is possible he will have to dig them up again and cut them up for logs. We understand the other three householders are all agreeable to sell their land and have told him so of course. This will mean that the road coming along at the back of our place will now be extended as far as Moores. A great pity now that there is no possible exit into Old Church Road near Mrs Gardener’s bungalow. I should have mentioned that the other three houses have the land freehold and only Bushell is on the ground rent.

Well the Hewitts duly arrived at 4 p.m. (instead of 4:30 p.m. as requested) last Wednesday and departed at 11:10 p.m. A wrestling match was being shown on TV at about 10:30 p.m. and I thought this would get rid of them but oh no they stopped and thoroughly enjoyed the programme. Fortunately it was a lovely night and I did not have to get car out to take them home as I did last year. have not seen them since of course but the week is young yet.

[Letter continues Wednesday 15th January, 1964]