Category: 1964 letters

Sunday 10th May, 1964

On By Sue JenkinsIn 1964 lettersLeave a comment

Alec to his parents:

Dear Mum and Dad

Once more thanks again for weekly letter and paper. Last epistle from this end – we hope – before your arrival.

Slight change in procedure this end this week as I am just starting the letter at 6:28 p.m.. It has been a nice day and we have been out in the car. The girls had a picnic in Pinner Park, and in the last few minutes have been stuffing their faces full of ice cream.

Not surprising that you were able to get both the records for the girls. They issue a list of the most popular ten every week in the papers, and I suppose every stockist who has any sense stocks the ten most popular. The two the girls wanted were on the list. Of course Sealey’s do have a good stock in any case. If you did not get them played over never mind. You will think that what is one miss amongst so many after you leave here.

Has not been too bad this week for weather here. We had some rain in the early part of the week but now it is dry and oddly enough we want rain badly. The soil is either fine powder like ash or like concrete. The soil beneath the grass is hard and tending to crack. Should have cut the lawns this weekend, but although they begin to look as if they need a shave, nothing much comes off with the mower now. I did manage one lawn, but have left the others. There are several dandelions on the front lawn so at least we have some flowers.

Glad you managed to get down to Lyng again and do an odd job or to in garden. Odd for Geoff to have a meeting at Taunton. Funny place for a meeting*. Not much change to report from Don then, but your visits were rather close together so plenty of time yet. Dr. of his does sound a bit of handful. Re: visiting of course we should like to go down if everything in order at the time we have our holiday. We will leave the date open to be filled in as convenient.

Yes I know where to get records, but there will not be much popping out in the lunch hour for them if I can help it.

I do not know what I told you about my leave arrangements, but I shall be off duty all day on the Wednesday, so no point in going back until the Thursday unless you have an appointment on that day. Do not worry about the ‘harvest festival’ – all understood this time.

June’s tooth much better now out, but gum still a bit sore. Had a trip to dentist myself on Saturday with not too good results, but more of that when I see you. I also had a puncture in Greenwood High Street on Friday night after the club, but again more of that when you come up.

Still no news of Bristol TM but there is a rumour that Dent may be involved. I cannot believe this myself as he must already be at the same salary and would have been integrated for at least three or four years. I confirm that Jenkins who is now at Taunton is the man who used to be at Stapleton Road. The job certainly has been hanging fire a long time.

Some game with Bushell then, how did he propose to get home from Portishead? Or did you collect him too?**

No more earth from number 17 as yet and I understand it is going fast. However spotted a chap dumping earth on the field just before we went out this afternoon and told him we could do with it. Left our gate open, told him where to find the place and left him to it. On our return I find he has dumped me a barrowload, so it all helps. June is planning to grow some camellias and will tell you the tale when you come up. Note you have no details in your books.

Not a bad move to offer the garage to the builders men. They might find a good use for it, and it would save them the bother of putting one up.

Typical of Cornish to get himself in a row with the Surveyor. I do not know if he really knows what is going on at all. The birds have flown from Cornish’s then and all rods poles and perches gone with them. I wonder what old man Hicks would have had to say about it all.

The girls were only talking today about the ‘walk up and jump down’ (the old mounting block) and I had to tell them that it had been taken away***. However we have a photo of them on it. We shall not recognise that turning at all.

Well will cut it short this time, or will be out of news when you arrive??? So hope you have a good trip up and get here lunchtime Thursday. I will see you on Thursday evening. Love from us all once more. Alec 

*Assuming there really *was* a meeting and Geoff hadn’t just manufactured it in order to check on his brother, of course. After all, he travelled by train free of charge and it was really only a question of arranging a day off and travelling in his usual business attire…

**Did Alec maybe miss the part where there was a bus service?

***It was later reinstated at a different location and is still an important part of family lore.

Tuesday 5th May, 1964

On By Sue JenkinsIn 1964 letters, UncategorizedLeave a comment

Leonard to the family:

Dear Alec June Susan and Carol

Yes, here we are once a once more replying to your letters and drawings received this morning – thank you all very much. Noted you now have music when typing your letter to us although a couple of doors separate you from the actual ‘noise’. However it is a nice pastime for the girls and so long as they are listening presumably they are not getting into mischief. Strange to say we got both of the records they have asked for at Sealey’s in Hill Road – had them in stock. I understand they keep a remarkable selection but of course this is the first time we have had occasion to buy. We did not have them played over so that treat is to come.

Sorry about your weather. We have been more fortunate this end and have had some really good days. Unfortunately the wind has been boisterous and rather spoiled some otherwise excellent days. Saturday night it rained heavily but cleared up fairly early Sunday morning. You must have had the rain that morning. Yes you were lucky to get grass cut and I might say I was also most fortunate having cut the lawns on the Saturday with motor mower. Grass very long and mower had to work hard to keep moving – in fact I had to assist for the engine would have stopped frequently. However it is all right now and a mowing later this week and possibly one middle part of next week will see us over the Whitsun.

Have not much further news from Lyng to date but am going down tomorrow (Wednesday) to do a few odd jobs outstanding in garden etc. and shall see how Don is after our earlier visit ten days ago. Geoff I think must have called there last Friday following a letter from me. He was telling Don he had a meeting at Taunton and would like to pop out to Lyng for an hour in the afternoon. We have not yet heard from Geoff although he said he would write as soon as he got home. A letter from Don this morning says he went to Dr yesterday (sorry – last Thursday) and again asked if anything else could be done for him and Dr apparently replied without looking at from his desk ‘No’. It is the warmer weather he wants badly and he may then pick up a lot. Before sealing this letter I will try and include a note as to how I find him on Wednesday. I will certainly pass on your sympathy and thanks for the game.

Yes the turning at Pawlett is at least six miles this side of Bridgwater and in point of fact could be a rather pleasant alternative route under normal conditions. By the way Joan mentioned that they hoped you would all visit them again during your stay with us in August and I said we would like to go down. Don was quite definitely taken with the car and mentioned it again in his letter when he wrote a couple of days ago.

So you know where to go for records then if any special ones are not available elsewhere. Pop out in the lunch hour.

Thanks for confirmation that Thursday 14th inst. will be alright for us to make the journey to Ruislip and we are certainly looking forward to seeing you all once more. Thank you June too for suggestion re: dinner and we will reach you about 1:00 p.m. all being well. Shall probably get away from here around 7:30 a.m. and have a good break at Marlborough including a call for coffee. If we go over to 169 on the following Tuesday evening for an hour we could then start the return trip on the Wednesday morning if that also is convenient to you all.

I’m afraid there will be very little of a ‘harvest festival’ this time or in the future as we are not producing the fruits or vegetables. Noted Alec how you will be working during the holiday or rather how you will not be working. Nice to have some time with you. Also noted to Friday does not clash with your radio night.

Sorry to hear June has some trouble with her teeth resulting in a wisdom tooth having to come out. Horrible jobs where dentists start probing about inside one’s mouth. Hope you will soon get over it.

Yes electricity people properly messed up the order but it’s surprising they never trip up in sending in the account. This arrived within a week of having the cooker installed.

Still no news then of Temple Meads. The quickest we shall hear will be by the appointment being announced in the Bristol evening paper. Time a decision was made. I think Charlie Rust finishes this month.

Glad to hear you have car put right with the odds and ends of jobs necessary. Price quite reasonable too. Ours is going fine. Had an unexpected trip to Portishead last Saturday. After dinner I thought I could hear a motorbike being revved up incessantly and went out to see and Bushell was there with his motorbike trying to put something right. Apparently he had started for work and got so far down the Avenue when the bike failed and he pushed it back inside gate and had a go at it there and then but without result. Meanwhile Mrs Bushell had gone to telephone to tell his mate he would be late as he would have to catch bus. I told him I would run him over to Portishead. It was then 12:45 p.m. and he had to be there by 1:00 pm. He clocked in at 12:57 p.m. and I got home at 1:15 p.m. He has been over this morning helping carry some heavy articles to a safer place this side of the Iron Curtain. Some of the plum trees he took earlier this year from our field are in flower but whether he gets any fruit is another story.

You mentioned strawberries going growing through from next door. If you want some please say next letter because I can get some real good rooted cuttings already in flower from our ground which we have to lose. No difficulty in bringing them up. Query anything else you can think of – now is the time to mention it. Pity about the rhubarb but I’m afraid ours is not suitable yet for splitting. Must tackle Geoff – they seem to have a nice lot.

Noted you have had another load of earth from Eccleston Road. Wonder what June has in mind regarding camellias. Have looked through my gardening books but have none on this subject. I have seen articles in various issues of the Amateur Gardening but these are not now available.

Jumble sales did you say. When I took Mum down with all the ‘stuff’ it just bucketed down and I had to park car some distance from YMCA. The net result I believe is about £17 [equivalent of about £425 in 2024 money] clear profit. Mum must tell you more about it and also reply to the questions on the Grandfather Fewingses.

Have had quite a good week on various jobs around here. Now got out all the hedge roots – some of the most difficult. Have also dug out one narrow trench 18 ft long x 6″ wide x 6″ deep for one side of the greenhouse on its new site. Today I have got place ready for runner beans i.e across the garden just inside position of new boundary. Have rammed in 8 iron stakes for carrying wires instead of using sticks and this will be the permanent home for the beans in future.

The surveyors from Robinsons have been here again this week and measured all the ground over again but no alteration in the measurements already available. I tackled Robinson’s chap and showed him the old garage and asked if the firm might like to buy it for a workshop on the ground during their stay in Clevedon. He looked garage over and noted the flooring was 1″ boarding and said he would mention it to the firm when he got back this weekend. I told him I was going to advertise it in local paper but if they care to make me an offer I would consider it.

These surveyors have found a flaw in the measurements on Cornish’s patch and there is another first class row going on with Cornish. Heel told me this over fence this morning. The extension of Tennyson Avenue is definitely on but Robinson’s man did tell Heel that if they had the dealing with the plots in the first instance they would have avoided such extension but it was too late now to alter plans that had already been passed by all concerned. We also understand that they will start work in August and commence at our end and this presumably to work outwards towards the road. Shall have to get busy after Whitsun with the rest of the move or shall find fence across garden.

A big lorry arrived outside Cornish’s yesterday and during the afternoon some fowlshouses were loaded up and taken away. Three of the five proposed houses on the Church Hill plot have already been sold and the old stable and mounting stones outside have already been removed and the place absolutely opened up. The house adjacent to The Nest occupied by Joe Reed has lost a lot of its garden by the road which will sweep round into the new cul-de-sac. Things are moving rapidly as you can see.

There was another memo in last night’s paper re: Yatton Furniture Co. to say a Mr somebody had been appointed in Mr R. Mogg’s place who had resigned to go into the furniture business on his own but it was noted he would be able available to the firm in a consultative capacity. Sorry paper destroyed so cannot send you cutting. Our earlier information (from Mrs Marshall) was that he had taken on a sweet shop.

Unless there is something special to tell you this will be the last letter prior to our arrival so until then you must assume we shall be on our way. Unless of course you may have to write us asking to put off visit but we hope not. Let’s hope it is nice weather so that we can enjoy ourselves together.

We liked the crack about only having a calendar with your cooker – perhaps you had to even buy that one. I have the old alarm clock in new gGarage so that I do not overrun the time for dinner – as if I ever did. I started putting up shelves in garage but where oh where am I going to put the rest of the stuff? The big table is now in shed with the floor underneath and the table top fully occupied.

All our love to you both and lots of kisses for the girls. 

Sunday 3rd May, 1964

On By Sue JenkinsIn 1964 lettersLeave a comment

Alec to his parents:

Dear Mum and Dad

To the strains of music from radiogram in the front room, we are back again with another small budget of news. Thanks for paper and letters duly received. Also thanks for cuttings, I suppose mum now going for a job down at Hales to show them how to cook. Atkins Home Bakery with all-electric cooker etc.

Note Mr Mogg has left the furniture business for domestic and personal reasons. Make what you like about that. I cannot see anyone voluntarily leaving a good paying job for either reason unless there is a better job in line*. However we shall hear all in due course no doubt.

Weather again must be the first topic. As I write it is pouring and the skies are grey, and it looks set in for the day. Yesterday was similar and very cold. Odd that Friday seemed full of promise early on, but clouds came up in the evening. Myself and neighbours either side got mowers out on Friday evening, and remarks were passed then that it was just as well to get grass cut as it would be sure to rain next day. How right. I must admit the garden at the back is now looking quite neat and tidy, probably for the first time since we have been here. The new mower does make all the difference.

Very sorry to hear the disturbing news from Lyng. Far worse condition than I imagined. If I know the form though I doubt if he will consult a specialist or go to Bristol or elsewhere. He is very determined, and when his mind is made up it is unlikely to change it. For all that, the condition must be distressing and painful. Perhaps it is not a bad thing that he has had to quit the job, as although interesting it must have been taking something out of him. Very kind of him to let you have the game for me. I know he does not want me to mention it to Headstone Lane or even write and thank him. This rather makes the point that he would rather we did not write. However I am sure you will see him as often as you can and write so that you can let him know it is appreciated. Can only hope the arrival of the warmer weather may do something to relieve him, but as you say something fundamental must be done before next Winter. I think we understand the situation, and hope you will keep us informed of any change.

All right again with the record player as you say, and no trouble since. They have a bit of a job to get it going sometimes as they are a little impatient, but no more scares. It is still grinding out the ‘pops’.

I can well imagine the state of the countryside now is very fresh. Hope you had a pleasant trip over to Lyng. I think I know the turn off at Pawlett and that is quite some way this side of Bridgwater. Glad car went well.

Hope you have no difficulty in getting the records asked for as selection at Clevedon may not be quite the same as this end. There is a large record shop at Liverpool Street where one can go down into basement and see and hear about everything that has been recorded. Hideous noise.

Date for the visit ideal. Please come on the Thursday, and come to dinner. It does not matter what time you come as June will do a casserole or something similar which will keep ticking over until you arrive. I shall not be off that day or the Friday, but will have the Saturday, Monday and Tuesday with you, the leave for Whitsun being for all practical purposes only Whit Monday.

We all seem to be fairly well again now, but June had a wisdom tooth extracted on Thursday and is still feeling a bit sore. They are large things wisdom teeth and leave a bit of a gap when out.

Nice going with the electricity people. I should have thought that there would never be a case where salespeople were in any doubt as to whether they had made a sale or not. However we live and learn.

No news from the Western Region about Temple Meads. I should have thought they would have filled the job by now. Maybe they will readvertise if they do not get the man they want, or maybe they will be trying to get a young man into the job and have to move someone else out of the way first. Dan Mann who put in the Work Study schemes at Bristol has been selected for training for higher management, and this is the sort of job they could slip him into if the way were clear.

Note the bench for the garage now completed and installed. You will have a lot to tell us when you come up, and a lot for us to see when we get down in August. All right about the fire station. Have to paint the car red now as well. 

Lucky for Haskell. I am not all that sure of the safety belts. I suppose they are useful in certain circumstances but they would have done him no good in his case.

Re: car repairs took a car in on Thursday and it was finished same day. Had accelerator mended, front number plate put on with a couple of new brackets, new wiper switch, dash panel fitted, and new bracket arm made for dynamo and fitted. Charge for the lot £2 12s 6d [about £65 in 2024 money] so feel I have not been robbed. Also feel that with Jackson it would have been about £6 [£150] at least and had to pay for petrol for him to get to his place and back.

Had nothing from the rhubarb we brought back last year from number 17. It is looking very spindly and there are still not enough leaves on it for a meal. Found strawberries growing on our side of the fence on the lawn yesterday. It seems they were some left by the Benns but Les turfed them out as they did not produce any berries. Some must have reached under the hedge though as they are coming up in the lawn now. Shall have to pot some up and see what can do in the lean-to, or they will be mowed with the grass cuttings.

Had another load of earth last week from number 17 and patch at the bottom is rapidly filling. Also put in the cuttings from the grass box there so all adds to the amount.

So Mum’s cacti coming into flower. No sign on ours, but the rat’s tail is going pink at the ends so presume that means it is growing. All cacti looking distinctly larger, but no real sign of flower yet.

On the subject of flowers, June has an idea to put to you about camellias when you come up. In the meantime if you have any books on the subject and would like to bring them with you when you come up (to take with you when you go of course) matter can be discussed with some supporting data. So far as Radio Club is concerned, do not worry about it. I would not go if it clashed with your visit which it does not. At this time of year it is every other Friday, and as it is this Friday coming you will arrive in the intermediate week.

Thanks for the pictures you will be bringing up, I really shall have to get the place looking like a room rather than just a few boards over rafters as it is now. I have carpet and lino, but cannot lay yet until I get the rest of the flooring.

Noted the changes at Taunton. I seem to remember the name Jenkins around Bristol but cannot put a face to it. I remember old Godwin who used to be at Stapleton Road.

Things moving on the building site then. All the place will look changed next visit. Great pity you cannot use the greenhouse, but you have enough on your plate at the time. A good job done is the garage and you must be pleased that it is out of the rain. I wonder what you think of it now that it is up and finished. The ramp is only a minor detail, but as the difference in height is 6 inches it needed to be done as soon as possible.

Our hedge is showing reluctance to get growing again after its pruning a couple of weeks ago. However it should not be long now before it gets going.

Carol apparently fed up with records now come into see what is going on in here. May have something for Grandma and Grandfy to see.

Very good business the transaction of the sewing machines. As you know June did all right from hers.

Which was the Grandad Fewings who died in 1924? Surely not the father of Great Grandad Fewings who died in the 30s.

Hope the jumble sale went off well. Came home with clothes all clothes intact, and not sold in error. Lucky to get a clock with your new cooker. We only get a calendar with ours. I suppose if you turn another knob you can get the Light Programme. Have they found a new way of cleaning the things out after use yet?**

Apple just coming out in blossom, but still no sign of anything on the plum you gave us several years ago. I wonder if it will come into fruit at all. I have forgotten how long ago it was since we have had it. It must be about five years at least. I do not prune it much and in any case it is a bit sheltered by one of the large palm bushes from next door now.

Well there it is again for another week. Only one more to go provided all goes well and you will be coming up. So love to you both once more from us all, and looking forward to seeing you. 

*How about if your boss is a disgusting a-hole who wants your job for his teenage son? How about if the work has changed to the point where you actively hate getting out of bed every morning? How about your grandma died and left you a legacy, so you can finally get working on the long-term ambition of having your own business? There are a million reasons one may prefer not to be stuck in a dead-end job where one isn’t appreciated, but what they all have in common is the sense of freedom involved in being able to make one’s own choices. An employee is not a slave: they have the power to get up and go any time they like, and employers would do well to remember that.

**Technically yes, ‘they’ had. The first self-cleaning ovens were introduced in 1963.

Sunday 26th April, 1964

On By Sue JenkinsIn 1964 lettersLeave a comment

Alec to his parents:

Dear Mum and Dad

Once more many thanks for the weekly budget. Also paper duly received, and arrangements for new building in the West End noted. Some fire etc. at Battersea Power Station. We had no trouble here but had a ring from Grandma at number 17 to say her lights T.V. etc. had all failed, and were we all right. As she was alone in the house at the time it was not very funny. I understand that part of the Central Line (underground) between Northolt and West Ruislip was without power for a short while. Sounds very fishy to me as regards the timing, and the extent to which the emergency power arrangements were also put out of action at the same time at Iver.*

Glad you have better news from Don. He seems to have had quite a spell. He probably feels very weak, the aftermath of flu as you say. You are on your way down there now I should imagine, as according to your letter you are due to go there today. First long run in the car I suppose.

Radiogram going full-tilt again this morning and we have had a session or two in the week. They like it alright. We had to go and cash a record token that was given to Carol by Doug and Ethel yesterday so she bought a – you guessed it – a Beatle record.

Had a bit of a scare in the week. I would not at first allow them to touch the thing unless June or I were in the room, but Susan proved so competent at that rule was soon waived. Carol also seemed to learn fast so we left them to it. However on Friday I got home and they were able to tell me the thing had been broken and would not play. They had managed to retain a piece of brass no bigger than the fingernail that had fallen out or been knocked out but I could not find out how to put it back. Luckily it was Radio Club night and I put it to the experts. They said it was the stylus (modern version of gramophone needle) that wanted to be put back and showed me how to do it. Next morning we were able to put it right very easily, so scare over. The old records are very scratchy and the radiogram seems to accentuate the scratches. In addition the records are now made of different material which bends but does not seem to break. Just as well did you say? Noise is not too bad. It can be controlled to quite a low level. Even at full blast it is not the sound one expects from the full-size radiogram. Just enough in fact.

We have not got the tent for Carol. The idea is that they have one between them and they have already seen the one they want.

We have had a good bit of rain in the week and wet has again crept into the lean-to, but as temperature keeps high it fairly soon dries out after rain stops. I have been watering quite a lot and the cacti especially are really moving now. It is quite warm in there, and good place for a deckchair if only there was room.

You are having a lot of trouble with the cooker. Fancy them saying that you had not really ordered it. What a way to carry on a business. What does one have to do to order the thing.

Still no news about Temple Meads. All right about the ill wind etc. in regard to Bowyers. The whole country could do with an overhaul and really get organised on economy lines, if only one organisation were acting as agency for travel whether by person or baggage. All these facilities could be done by the Post Office who could sell tickets, stamps, (rail and post) half of the agencies making a fat living on percentage would then be unnecessary and so would booking offices etc. Similarly there should be an organised roundsman service for delivery of things such as bread, papers, post, possibly milk and groceries. Anyone coming up with that idea and having a bit of capital would provide a necessary service.

Re: Russian radio, there are literally thousands of them also in Poland, Hungary etc. They are a bit of a nuisance as they lie like a screen across Eastern Europe and it is difficult to hear or work stations beyond like Japan etc.

Re: new mower, it had to go into action again this weekend as the grass has grown tremendously after all the rain we had. It was even quite hard to push. Comparatively speaking though it is a king compared to the old one. June told the man in the shop that I was a bit concerned that he may have got the wrong impression of the value of our old mower from conversation in the shop. However he said to her that if he offered £1 for it he knew what he was doing or words to that effect. In any case it was put on show the same afternoon in front of the shop with £1 label on it and sold that day. Must be mugs about.**

Did not hear the tale of Mum’s sewing machine. I knew she had a new one and it was mentioned when I came down, but did not realise a part exchange was involved. Remember the original one we had, but I wonder if that is the one you part exchanged or if Mum had had one since the old one I knew. Anyway we are most more than satisfied with the [lawnmower] deal.

Hope the hedge soon fills out as it looks a bit of a wreck at the moment with bare branches sticking out. Top is fairly level now thank goodness.

I bet the builder wishes he had never seen the plot. Hope for his sake he did not make a miscalculation of his costs. Should have thought someone would have mentioned the fact of the rock. It stands to reason that that seam of rock runs all the way around the hill.

Sounds as if your friends the Cummings have had a very [late?] escape. Would not have liked to have been them. On the subject of car still no sign of Jackson and I managed to fix up for garage to take car in on Thursday next for all sorts of bits and pieces. I shall not go to Jackson again. There is more time wasted waiting for him and wondering if he will come or whether to go over and see him, that it is just not worth it. I must admit though he did a good job on my brakes, and also with Peter’s, but presumably other people can do as well if you find the right ones. The foreman at the Ruislip Garage tells me that after this week he will be unable to take on any major repair work as his last fitter leaves this week and he has been unable to get a replacement. I think we know the story here that wages are not enough for the job. Mr Bushell found that out.

Peter off to Hinkley Common near Leicester this weekend with the Territorials. They go off every second weekend. Different place each time. He has had quite some hair cut too. If he had any more off he would look like in monk.

Your best bet will be to use wedges to put your bench in. Make it just a loose fit as a free standing bench and put it in position and wedge in tight. I do not think you need to worry too much about fitting nails etc. Should imagine the painting is a tedious job especially around the windows. Shall look forward to seeing the finished job. Note the greenhouse is the next on the list to move.

What is the idea of the toy balloons on Cornish’s post? Shall have to rename him Gagarin.

So you will be going over to see Geoff and Stella on the Monday. Hope you are not involved within a theatre trip as that seems to have been the cause of the last lot of bother you had when you came up. Bit of a long time to wait for your Christmas drink.

We cannot get BBC2 as our set is too old. Most of the sets sold in the last couple of years have had built-in equipment which allows them to be adapted for BBC2 but before that time the equipment was not put in, and it is not economic to do it in old sets.

Susan and Carol still go to their dancing classes on Saturday mornings. They were allowed to stay on their own this week and I went to fetch them at 12:45, the finishing time. However they messed about and I did not get away until 1:15 p.m.. I had to go in and fetch them out***. Have told them that is the last time I shall fetch them, and they can go on their own if they go again.

We have had some new potatoes. June got some a couple of weeks ago and they were very nice. I suppose you are referring to old potatoes when you say a lot of those you get are bad.

Funny about no news from Tiverton. Perhaps they will wake up and ask you to call when you have already made plans for something else.

Sun now shining here for the first real time this week. It was dull yesterday but quite warm at times. It went off a bit cold. It started dull here today but looked as if it would improve.

Well there it is again for another week. not much news from this end. The girls (all three) have had bad colds but luckily so far I have dodged this one. I think they are all on the mend now though.

Getting near now to the time of the visit, and the girls already marking the days. So there it is, with love from us all here we will close.

*”When you hear hoofbeats, think horses – not zebras.”

**Because nobody could possibly know better than Alec on any subject, of course.

***And how were we supposed to know he was waiting outside, when we were expecting him to come in?

Tuesday 21st April, 1964

On By Sue JenkinsIn 1964 lettersLeave a comment

Leonard to the family:

Dear Alec June Susan and Carol

Many thanks for all your letters received first post this morning somewhat to my surprise as imagined delay would result in the postal sorting offices consequent on the Battersea power fire last night. Very glad to hear Alec all right again and that the upset was not serious. A letter from Don yesterday says he is still very weak and breathing difficult when he tries to move about. Apparently breathing satisfactory as long as he is sat down. These are more or less the same symptoms as I experienced earlier this year following attack of flu so I think in due course he should pick up again. Mum and I are going down next Sunday the 26th and we shall then get a better idea of his condition.

Well we were glad to hear Carol had a good birthday and that both Susan and Carol like the record player and have a good number of records to go on with. Yes I expect your old record sounded a bit ancient mixed up with the present rock and roll sort etc. Both girls are going to get many hours of enjoyment out of the playing of the records but I wonder if you both will be able to stand the continuous noise. What about the neighbours, especially those in the end house which is semi-detached with yours? Do we understand you have already got the tent for Carol or is that to come. Query is only one tent intended for the two of them or are they to have one each?

So you are still troubled with the wet in lean-to are induced this can be remedied. Noted temperature well up these days and plants etc are all growing satisfactorily. I actually put in one row of potatoes last week a few Mr Heel gave me after he had finished planting. I have not bought anything at all this season so far and am fully occupied otherwise as you know.

We will keep the piece of needlework Susan sent us last week with the other items we have unless she particularly wants it back. it is a very good piece of work as I expect June will agree. Noted no further developments re: serving hatch. Does not sound like a do-it-yourself job.

The cooker is conspicuous by its absence but we are going into Weston tomorrow (Wednesday) weather permitting and the S.W.E.B. will get a visit and a rocket.

Very interesting to hear of your efforts to trace trouble with your broadcasting and it looks as if you can carry on with just a little regard as to which of the bands you operate on at any one time. Fancy John Saunders also interested in the subject – expect he was surprised to hear from you. He obviously got his license after I retired – there was never any mention of it whilst I was in contact with him. Noted no news yet of new S/M for Temple Meads but can appreciate it may be a rank outsider.

Clevedon Station became a halt as from yesterday and I understand all the windows have been boarded up. The S/M is still there for a fortnight watching points to report success or otherwise to Bristol. He has been offered about six different posts but has not made up his mind which to take. He is 60 this month and this may have a bearing on the matter. Expect you saw in Mercury the other week that Bowyer’s the travel agency in Clevedon are trying to open a bureau near the station for the benefit of rail travellers. It’s an ill wind etc. etc.

Bad luck your radio set deciding to fail when you had visitors – did you find fault whilst they were with you? What did the chap in Russia have to say? Rather strange the Russian people allowing private individuals to have their own receiving and broadcasting stations.

Yes I think a personal explanation of the Watford course ‘Critical Path Analysis’ would be a lot better than trying to get it down in a letter. Must remember this item when I see you.

Very pleased you have got hold of a new mower – just the job for your pieces of lawn. Not bad either getting £1 for the old one which cost nothing to you. Like mum getting £5 on her old sewing machine which dated back to the last century. Have thought once or twice about getting another (new) motor mower. The one we use is quite good but like your machine has just about had its day. Bushell fortunately keeps it in order and I am only too glad for him to use it on his own lawn. I believe Geoff has a Qualcast Commodore motor mower*.

You have been busy then in gardening trimming hedges etc. The place will look quite smart by Whitsun. The contrary will be the case at Clevedon when you see it in August. The greenhouse will be the next big job to be tackled but I have enough to get on without the moment.

Yes plenty of rock where the new houses are going near the church and the builder is understood to have said he wished he had never set eyes on the site. Costing a lot to get the rock out. The men have been working overtime on Saturdays to try and keep up with their timetable. Anyhow he is asking enough for the houses so I suppose it will be worth his while to go on with them.

We understand Hawkins had a stroke on the Monday evening for which he did not recover. Cremation was at Canford, Bristol so we saw nothing of the funeral.

Mr and Mrs Cummings (who used to live next door) had a narrow escape last week when returning from Bristol via Failand late at night. They had been to theatre I think with Wendy and Mrs Gardner and near the turning for Wraxall a car coming towards them pulled out to pass some cyclists and misjudged the distance. Cummings had to swerve but the other car just caught him and buckled up a wheel. Something also became detached and flew among the cyclists throwing two off their machines but with only minor injuries. Cummings’ car now in dock. All escaped with a shaking but from what I hear if he had not swerved he reckons they would all have been very seriously hurt if not killed.

Well now let’s continue with last week’s serial. After two very fine days (Monday and Tuesday) when we got garage up and car undercover the rain came on the Wednesday at which time all the necessary work could be performed in garage and with car in it as well. Stan James finished up on Friday but left me with the inside and outside painting and the fixing of the window catches etc. Managed to paint over inside or outside according to the weather and as the wood was very dry I have put two undercoats on and now have to go over everything with the gloss coat. The painting of the windows was rather tedious as Stan put in the glass before he finished.

Am left with the problem of putting up a bench. Nails cannot be used and I tried drilling with a Mason’s drill assisted with a Rawlplug tool and hammer but a crack or two appeared in the post so had to give that idea up. Looks as if I shall have to wedge a bench in somehow without actually fastening it. I have to make up the entrance to garage as floor level is about six inches higher than the asphalt path. The highest part of the short drive was taken for a level for floor so I have to make up to that highest level with rough core and gravel – but all in good time. The first and most important jobs are the painting and window catches plus bench.

Roy Hewitt on one day in the week to see how we were getting on and Bill Aston looked over yesterday when he could not get on his own garden because of the rain. Cornish is still keeping out of sight but he still has a couple of toy balloons flying from a post in his garden. May be going up in orbit any minute.

You will see in this week’s Mercury the plans have been passed for 132 houses on 13 acres [5.26 ha] of ground in the West End. This is the 9½ acres of Mrs Marshall’s and the 3½ of the four houses in this Avenue. Looks as if an early start will be made.

Had a letter from Geoff over the weekend and he says that he and Stella are going to Exeter for Whitsun but will be back again on the Monday evening. They want us to get in touch with them then to arrange for a quick visit across there before we return to Clevedon. As you know they are holding a few bottles of wine for us which we ordered last Christmas and we must collect these. Apparently Rebecca and Sara are going off separately – latter to Hull I think but have forgotten where Rebecca is going – possibly with her friend as she has to work on the Saturday.

Mum has been working in garden quite a lot looking after the flower borders etc. We have had a good show of daffodils and polyanthus and a few of the other spring flowers.

How about BBC2? Can you get it or have you to have set adjusted. A proper wash out last night with the fire at the Power Station. A day the BBC will never forget.

What is the latest with Susan and Carol and the dancing classes – still improving we hope. Pity the new carpet now the record player is in use.

No news from Tiverton** this spring. For a couple of years they asked us to go down to Tiverton and then on to the bungalow at Exmouth for the opening of the season. Also at the end of the season. Quite a good speculation if you can rely on someone on the spot to keep an eye on the bungalow for you.

Bushell has been over today for some Japanese honeysuckle rooted cuttings for hedge-making between himself and the house beyond. Had plenty down in the field where I had started putting a hedge around a ‘nursery bed’. Gave me some sweet pea plants about two inches high ready to go in ground.

Mum is buying potatoes for eating now and most of them are very poor – quite a lot have to be thrown away. Shall have to buy more at digging time this year as apart from the odd row mentioned above shall not be growing any. There is a farmer at Clapton in Gordano who brings them round on order and they are very good and clean.

No more this time so will close with all our love to you both and lots of kisses for the girls. Mum and Dad. 

*To be fair, Geoff’s house in Pinner had a much larger area of garden than ours in Ruislip, although Leonard in Clevedon had – until the sale, at least – far more than the other two combined.

**This would be from Eva’s brother, Joe – who was also a good friend of Leonard’s as far back as the First World War – and his wife Lydia.

Sunday 19th April, 1964

On By Sue JenkinsIn 1964 lettersLeave a comment

Alec to his parents:

Dear Mum and Dad

Thanks for letters and paper, and also of course the remembrance of Carol’s birthday – more of that a non. To begin with then, your letter. Had a chill the previous weekend, that seems to have been the trouble, started off seemingly all right on Saturday morning, but after a couple of visits, began to feel cold then hot in turn, although head and tummy more or less okay. Later felt very tired and could not keep on my feet. Woke more or less normal condition on Sunday and that was that. No repeat thank goodness.

Yes water still on way into the lean-to and we have had ample demonstration of that fact overnight. I think I can see what is the cause, and only wants a dry day and the inspiration to put matter right. Temperature inside remains quite high now and averages in the 50º [F= 10ºC] mark. Cacti and cuttings are all on the move, and the geraniums should be put outside now.

Tent is all the rage now and Carol’s £1 gone towards her share of it so far. Thanks for the offer for same for Susan.

You may remember I brought some records up here from Clevedon some years ago (perhaps you brought them up) but having nothing to play them on I loan them to Doug. He has a large collection of all sorts of records accumulated over a number of years. I told him at the time I would have them back when we got a record player so tackled him this week, and he returned most of them together with a lot more of his which he no longer wanted. I am afraid mine were old wartime ones and the sound bears no comparison with those of the present day. However I have played them over and they do a trick. June and I each bought Carol a record for her birthday and Doug and Ethel gave her a record token which has yet to be changed. Altogether they now have 14 modern records with one to come. There being two sides to each they have plenty to play over. Susan soon mastered the knack of switching on and off and manipulating the record so they can amuse themselves in the front room by the hour. They are there now, and I can hear strains of music coming out. There is no doubt as to the popularity of the move. The only drawback seems to be that they want to dance on the new carpet*.

Hope you have heard a satisfactory report from Lyng by now and perhaps your visit has been arranged. I should think Susan means you to have the sewing to keep, but as I did not see it I cannot say. I should put it with the other stuff in the collection. When the fit takes her she can turn out some surprising results.

No more on the hatch situation but we have to follow that one up. Still time to change your mind about cooker then if delivery has not taken place. Could still go one better than Headstone Lane. Why not have two cookers? I agree about not suspending radio activities indefinitely, but before approaching the G.P.O. it is best to make sure what the trouble is and how it is being caused. Had a test last Monday with neighbours both sides and June watched our screen. Apart from slight patterning which did not detract from enjoyment of picture the results were negative on either side for the lower three out of the six bands I can work on. As the upper six bands are daylight bands and not very suitable for use at night that is no loss. As a result of this I shall carry on, and not bring G.P.O. into it.

Had a couple of chaps call on me unexpectedly yesterday morning, and while trying to make some contacts part of the transmitter packed up. Had to get it all out of the case and found some re-soldering to do. Everything back to normal now and on the air again. Put out a call on the key this morning and back came UW3BK in Moscow.

Very interesting about the birds discovered when cutting back the bushes. Nice of them to oblige so quickly by clearing off. Must have known they were not wanted. What happens to them next year? I suppose they will have to find new bushes.

Have heard no news of Charlie Rust’s successor, but the last I did hear was to the effect that job would probably go to someone off the region.

My trip to Watford came at an awkward time so far as birthday is concerned. The subject of the course was Critical Path Analysis which means nothing to you I suppose, but will explain when you come up. The whole thing is designed for the tight planning of large projects and getting them completed in the quickest possible time. It was invented by the Americans to develop the Polaris missile in the shortest time.

Your progress with the garage noted. Looks like someone going short of some part of their garage all right if you have some of the pieces. Perhaps you will get a call for them.

It seems you have got quite a bit done and in fact nearly finished garage at time of writing. How come the windows need painting? I am surprised you have had difficulty in putting the garage together. We had little trouble with ours but our greatest difficulty was in deciding what had to be done next. All the details were supplied and all the materials as well. Bad luck you missed your tea on the one day. Yes I can see how you will get the old garage out. Have you done anything about offering it for sale?

Nice price to pay for shop in Coldharbour Road. I hope for his sake he sees his money back. No trouble in selling the old house though.

I am not surprised they found rock behind the old church. After all the whole of that stratum is the same as the quarry at the end of Tennyson Avenue, and theoretically they could have extended the quarry right along there if they had wanted more rock. Pity old Cornish is kept out of the way, he might find a quicker way for you to do job.

Very sorry to hear that old Mr Hawkins died suddenly. Seems he was fairly well and it happened suddenly.

Well just a note on gardening. Had a go at the front lawn in the week but the mower was very heavy going, and nearly tore my inside out just doing that. Said to June it is about time we had a new one and she was able to tell me that they were offering 10 shillings [equivalent of £12.50 now] on old mowers at Cato’s so decided to get new one before doing the back lawns. We selected a Qualcast without a roller and the chap actually offered us £1 off old mower (without seeing it) told him he ought to see it first, but on confirming that it was in working order he paid up. The long and short of it is that his boy brought round the new mower and collected the old one and that’s that. New mower for £4 [or £100 in 2024 money] not bad. As Geoff had given us the old one about three or four years ago I do not suppose we can grumble. I told the boy if the boss is not satisfied with the deal to see me, as quite frankly I cannot see anyone buying it for £1. The new one cuts like a Rolls Royce. After years of pushing the old one I did not know what I was missing. The new one is so good that Susan can push it over short grass. In addition the new one is a 12 inch which does job that much quicker. We now have all lawns done and looking very green, and also we had a go at the back hedge which looked like a row of badly-kept teeth in that bushes were of different heights. Now we have levelled off all the bushes at the height of the front edge of the lean-to, and that will let in more light still into lean-to and house. The sides of the hedge were cut back severely so that we can see right through again, but we hope this will quickly fill in.

Have you made any moves with the greenhouse now that you have settled the position of the garage. I suppose the first thing to be done is to put down a base for the greenhouse. As you both say Whitsun will not be long now will it and we shall soon be seeing you.

By the way someone handed me a list of radio amateurs on British Railways the other week and I find there are 36 of them. In the list I discovered the Station Master at Newton Abbot so I dropped John Saunders a line enclosing a copy for his interest. He tells me he got his licence in 1958 when at Westbury having been enthused by a railwayman at Weston. I had a nice letter from him.

Well to the strains of The Beatles coming from the front room I will bring this letter to a close. Love to you both once more from us all. 

*For the life of me I cannot possibly understand what the objection to this might have been.

Tuesday 14th April, 1964

On By Sue JenkinsIn 1964 lettersLeave a comment

Leonard to the family:

Dear Alec June Susan and Carol,

Many thanks once again for such a newsy letter and quite a budget from the girls. What was the matter over the weekend Alec? – you did not say but sufficiently off-colour for your Saturday programme to be curtailed. Hope all right again now.

Weather since our last letter very good and especially this week during local building operations. The wind however has been strong and keen and my cheeks are burning.

Sorry about the water still coming in your lean-to. Obviously requires further investigation and attention. Noted your plants therein are growing well just now and the water can needed more often. Ours as you may imagine is derelict and waiting final dismantling in preparation for its move to new site.

We sent carols special birthday letter off yesterday in anticipation of the postal strike on Thursday (now called off) and we are very pleased to be in on the tent you have in mind for her and will remember this again next month for Susan unless something else is wanted by the young lady who now says the frying-pan is out. Also noted you’ll have now obtained a record player so that the girls can use their records. Quite a good idea. We liked the one we saw at Geoff’s and Stella put on several records for us. I think it was one called ‘Elizabethan’. I’m sure you will all get many hours of enjoyment from it and it is pretty certain the girls will just love it. Incidentally much better to get a new one – it is an item I would avoid if secondhand but I suppose there are good and bad as with many other things. What a surprise you are going to give them when you produce it for the first time.

No further news from Don so can only assume he is progressing satisfactorily. Probably the next letter we receive will include an invitation to go down there.

I’m afraid I am a bit hazy about the charm chain but evidently Susan knows all about them. What a lovely piece of sewing she sent us this week – magnificent and not a stitch out of place. Does she want it back or can we put it with all the letters and drawings we have collected from them.

Noted you have been in touch with Ruislip Motors for the necessary repairs to car. Is this the firm from whom you purchased car? Hope the job will soon be completed.

Yes the cooker Stella has is one up on the one we are still expecting. It is almost an identical cooker but has one or two extra fittings but nothing of importance. Have not had a chance to get on the phone to the South Western Electric people at Weston this week for reasons explained later but they will get a rocket as soon as I can get down to Mrs Marshalls to use phone. Fortunately we have been very busy and no time to worry about cookers.

So we shall not see the serving hatch on our Whitsun visit then. Never mind perhaps later in the year we can run up again as in 1963. These hatches must be very handy especially when catering for three or four or more people.

You are soon in trouble then with your next door neighbour when you start broadcasting work. Perhaps he will take notice of a G.P.O. official and by a decent set. You cannot suspend operations indefinitely for his benefit. I noticed the test was taking place on Monday so perhaps he has heard the worst by now.

The bushes I am taking out are those on my side of the new boundary and I had reached the pole (carrying electric cable to garage and greenhouse) last Thursday when I suddenly disturbed and nearly upset a thrush’s nest with two young birds in it almost ready to fly. I abandoned work pending their departure and noticed they moved out early on Sunday morning. Monday I started off again and the first root out was the biggest so far. In fact I could not alone lift it and mum had to help ease it out of the hole and it is yet lying alongside said nothing done in that line since because of other work.

Before I posted your last letter I had read about Radio Caroline in the London papers and so now understood what all the fuss is about. What are they trying to put across the English people?

Great joke here about the parcel from Mrs Richings but if contents are still eatable it will be brought up at Whitsun. By the way we have not yet had a further visit from the Richings.

Query any news of Charlie Rust’s successor? Pity about your further trip to Watford. What is it all about this time? Query a continuation of the last visit.

Yes the lad from the quarry house must be regarded as improving but he is far from right and I doubt if the ever will fully recover. He has the utmost difficulty in walking and his legs are spread wide with each movement. His Talk is slurred too but he understands what people say and can discuss (in a way) items of interest. I believe his mother is ill now – and no wonder –

We have been exceptionally fortunate in the weather this week and have made good progress with the erection of garage. The layout for base was finished by Wednesday midday but ready mixed concrete could not be delivered until Thursday morning. In the meantime I kept car in old garage and waited events. Two big loads of ready mix arrived at 9 am and 11:45 a.m. and these were quickly wheelbarrowed into position and levelled out. Bushell came in and took one wheelbarrow and I had another. Stan James pushed the concrete into position and after dinner he and I (Bushell gone to work) kept pulling a long piece of timber backward and forward over the wet mass to get a nice surface. It was then agreed that we would leave it to settle over the weekend. Kept car in old garage all this time and until yesterday morning when I made a ramp up and over the now settled concrete and ran car onto the short bit between side of new garage and the front gate. Stan James arrived later and the work of erecting started in earnest. Mr Heel came in and helped (Bushell at work). No sign of Cornish. During the morning Stan said ‘what are these sloping pieces of precast concrete for’? I could not identify so we checked on the details given on invoice and found we should have 111 (including four spare) standard size slabs and eight smaller slabs. A count revealed that we had a total of 135 slabs so someone is short at Bristol or Bridgwater. Well by the end of Monday we had got the two sides and back end of garage fitted together and I was able to run car in on the concrete slab. This morning I backed car out again onto short piece of drive and operation started once more – Mr Heel coming in again. The roof is now on and window frames in position and most of latter have the glass in them. The doors go in tomorrow and the odds and ends dealt with. Should think Stan James may finish then. Fine weather as mentioned before but the wind!!! We kept our coats on most of the time and Heel wore his overcoat.

Our first impressions of garage as it takes shape of good but it is not nearly the size of the old one. Although it is supposed to be quite easy to put together believe me it is not so easy. In several instances improvisations had to be made but all difficulties were overcome. By the way when the old garage is finally dismantled and moved away in sections these can be carried through the normal path between porch (outside back door) and shed. Both yesterday and today we finished so late that tea was cut out and one meal (combined tea and supper) was taken about 7 pm. Have painted the window frames with white paint left over from previous jobs and for the doors I found a tin of scarlet flat paint which has been on hand many years and promptly used this for the first coat. May cover this with Cardinal Red for gloss coat.

Today I got Stan James to call at Mr Palmer’s on his way back from lunch to pick up a garden seat (4 foot long) Mr Palmer has made for us. Quite a good job and will cost much less than one bought elsewhere. It is now in old garage waiting a coat of paint and the time to put it in garden and use it. I ordered this many months ago and left it to Mr Palmer to make it as and when he had the time.

Understand Ray Mogg has sold his house and got the price asked. People from London apparently who probably thought they had a bargain when comparing the prices in London. The shop in Coldharbour Road we are told has cost him £11,000. No more details of circumstances of change.

Noted you saw Robinson’s advertisement in Mercury. From this it looks as if an early start will be made. The site near the church where five expensive houses are to be put up is causing some difficulty as rock is being encountered in excavations and blasting is necessary.

Now a bit of sad news. Bill Hawkins (St. John Ambulance) died suddenly last evening. He had been on garden most of day. He was retired but had until recently gone back to his firm (Co-op) as a tailor’s cutter two or three days per week. I have not seen him for several weeks.

Since our last letter Cornish has kept out of and I’m sure he would be only too pleased to come over and tell us how to do it.

I think I told you about a man named Pope whom you met in the church last August. Had a heart attack a little while ago. He is much better and came round one day last week for a chat. Has to go along quietly of course but he has certainly improved.

Sorry you had to give up the typewriter to the girls last Sunday but they must have a look in. I’m sure we are going to see a big difference in them both at Whitsun. Feel it in their letters to us.

We are looking forward to coming up – only four weeks this coming weekend.

Bushell had a go at motor mower last Saturday and got it to start first time after the winter. He wanted to use it and so I told him to keep it on his side until I could rehouse it in the new garage. Shall have to have a go at our own before long.

Near bottom of page again so will close with all our love to you both and lots of kisses for the girls. Mum and Dad. 

Sunday 12th April, 1964

On By Sue JenkinsIn 1964 lettersLeave a comment

Alec to his parents:

Dear Mum and Dad

Yours to hand once more for which the usual many thanks. Note you have had some thick fog, and this is something we have been fortunate enough to do without. However we have had a mist or two but that was some time ago now. I wonder what caused that*. We had not a bad day yesterday for weather, but it has rained in the night and revealed that what I thought was a good job of concreting in the lean-to was no such thing. There is a very large and wide damp smear across the floor again this morning, so it seems that I have not found all the ways the water gets in. I intend to do more on the outside later on so that might do the trick.

About Carol’s present, I agree she has all the dolls she needs and also more or less all the books she can cope with. I think that a bit later on when she really gets going on the reading she will find books interesting, and then perhaps we can get her some more. More than a little truth in what Susan was saying about the tape recorder etc. Someone (I forget who) said they would give her a record of The Beatles for her birthday, but we had to explain that we had nothing to play it on. However this is an object we have had in mind (record player) for a very long time – almost as long as we have been here, so we decided that now is the appropriate time. Unfortunately Carol has got it into her head that it will be her record player and we have to keep reminding her that all she is getting is the record, and the record player will belong to us. It is a nice difference, and I think that to her it is all one and the same. To cut a long story short I had been looking for a second-hand radiogram for some time but could not see value for money but did spot a good looking one in a sale and made a few enquiries. The thing turned out to be not so good on close inspection as someone had been mucking about with it and drilled some holes where no holes should be. Not far from this one was a new one of the same model in perfect condition, and on finding out the price was only about two pounds more decided to have it. It needs some lugging home I might tell you despite the size 17 inches by 14 inches by 12 inches. It works all right, and when the girls were at dancing class yesterday I tried it out. I shall try it again this afternoon when they are at Sunday School so that June can hear it. At the moment it is in the little back bedroom under lock and key.

The girls have decided they would like a tent for their respective birthdays and we have one in mind for them. It is not an expensive one, and will be something for them to crawl in and out of on lawn in the summer (if we get one). Your one pound for Carol she wants to go towards this etc. etc. **

Glad to here that Don much better and allowed up. You did not say he was confined to bed, and I suppose I should have realised that this was so. Glad also to know that Jim is showing signs of recovery. Should not have thoughts his style of life was prone to that affliction.

The gold frying-pan, first I have heard of it, but I know what she means. One can buy little gold or silver charms from jeweller’s to attach to chain bracelets of either metal. June told her some time ago she would start a charm bracelet for her but nothing came of it. One can get all sorts of things for them such as old boots, clocks, engines, signs of the Zodiac etc. June has several on hers which if you remember was made from the old ‘bullock chain’ passed on to me from Granddad Fewings. I think she had about ten on it but has not worn it for a long time, and no new charms went on. A number got lost as the links opened or the solder cracked and the charms must have dropped off.

I have contacted the Ruislip Motors about repairs to my car, and was to have taken it round yesterday morning for inspection, but was a bit off-colour and did not get round.

So no cooker yet then. They are messing you about a bit. No doubt you have blown someone up over the delay. What is this that Geoff has got, is it a bigger or smarter one than Mother’s? You say they have gone one better so I suppose this is so. Next move is to employ a cook. Nothing like keeping up with the Atkins.

We wanted to have serving hatch fitted in time for your visit, but it looks as if we shall not be able to get anyone to do the job in time. We put our feeler for Mr Robinson who did our outside painting, but he is tied up with work for some time and in any case is not self-employed, and only does these jobs in his spare time. When I heard this I said we wanted it done fairly quickly and would ask someone else to do the job, but it seemed I was out of order with…

 [... letter ends here, second page having gone missing.]

*Having had *one* session of ‘A’ level Geography at evening class before the course was cancelled, I want to say ‘dry adiabatic lapse rates‘ because that is the only thing I remember from that hour except a car catching fire in the college’s car park (not mine)!

**I loved this tent dearly, and looked after it religiously. It was an unfortunate casualty of my divorce some 20+ years after the date of this letter, having been inadvertently left behind in the attic of the house former husband (spit!) and I had at the time.

Tuesday 7th April, 1964

On By Sue JenkinsIn 1964 lettersLeave a comment

Leonard to the family:

Dear Alec June Susan and Carol

Many thanks for the budget of news received mid-day post today. Thick fog here this morning no doubt responsible for later delivery.

Yes weather on Sunday was very nice and so was it last Friday but Saturday was bad. Again yesterday morning more rain but from noon it was grand and today has been perfect. I think we have fared better than you in the main but the wind has really been bitterly cold.

Before we go any further we have been considering what to send Carol for her birthday. She has had enough books* for time being and surely she would not like another doll. We nearly fainted when we read Susan’s suggestions that Carol would like a tape recorder or a record player. Not bad for an eight-year-old. We hope you will not mind but we are going to send you – for her – an extra pound and would like June to get her what she wants up to a pound in value and put the other pound in bank for her.** We shall not be getting to Weston for a day or two as you will appreciate from later information and as post will be upset by the one-day strike we think it will be better on this occasion for Carol to choose her own present. Hope you will not mind.

Noted greenhouse now much better since the little bit of concreting was finished. Also noted bonfires in evidence at number 84. We too are busy burning up all the rubbish we can find and still it mounts up. No I should not have approached council for a porch or lean-to but the garage is a bit different.

A letter from Don this morning says Dr allowed him to get up last Saturday but he has to go very carefully for a while. Joan’e’s brother also improving and Dr now allows him to shave and wash himself. Yes very young to get thrombosis and usually it is one thing or the other – no half measures. He was one of the fortunate ones being attended to in time.

No more news about Ray Mogg but there is obviously something fishy about it.

Susan’s handwriting is excellent and her spelling very good for one so young. Her letters are very well thought out. Carol improving every letter she sends us and we are always pleased to have them. Incidentally Susan has suggested she would like for her birthday a gold frying-pan to put on her charm bracelet. Whatever is this? Is it something we can get locally?***

So Peter managed to use his car for the South Wales journey – just as well not having to buy a railway ticket.

So Jackson has not been near you for the attention required to your car. If it was me I should go elsewhere without further delay. No good dealing with people like that.

So sorry I tripped up over your dining room – had forgotten the walls were not papered. We have had another delay – to the cooker promised by Easter has not yet turned up and as soon as I can get to a telephone someone is going to know all about it. Am tied up at present but please read on.

By the way a letter from Geoff says they are having a Belling 60 cooker installed – gone one better than us. Perhaps we should have had a Belling 70 (if there is such a thing).

1960s Belling 60 (c) user Steve on on the UK Vintage Radio repair and Restoration Forum https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/showthread.php?t=157564

Hope your carpet turned up today as anticipated. When do you expect the serving hatch to be fitted? Hope we can see it on our visit.****

So you have been having another long-range go on the radio and improved your aerial facilities to pick up the stations. Most interesting.

Have now completed as much of the dismantling of the greenhouse as possible before taking out the glass and unbolted the sides and roof. This must now wait until garage up and occupied. Since last writing I’ve been hard at it to dig up the roots of the hedge running parallel to lawn with drive. A backbreaking job as huge excavations have to be made before the roots are loosened. In fact when the root is finally withdrawn from the earth the hole looks like a bomb crater. Have now got out about 10 and there are 25 to 30 to come out. Stan James let me a pinch bar (ex-Light Railway) and this helps once I’ve dug down far enough to get under the root. I found out that it is no good cutting the roots off – they will only shoot out again and even push up through concrete.

No further news of building development but I expect you saw in Mercury (specially marked) that Robinsons are advertising for various tradesmen to apply for jobs on the big building site – work to commence shortly. This firm then has its headquarters at Kenton. Am afraid they will hit the local builders for staff while they are in occupation. Looks as if a move will be made in the near future. Meanwhile we must get on with our own domestic rearrangements. Garden not touched yet and this is one item which will be neglected this season apart from putting in cabbage plants later.

What is Radio Caroline? Have not found this one so far. Is it beyond our range?

It is a question of real hard work again here now for the time being. Yesterday morning I went up to the Council Offices and asked them when I could expect a reply to my application for re-siting of garage. Saw the Assistant Surveyor – a very nice person – and he said it had not yet been dealt with by Council. I told him that was a mere formality and the Surveyor was the kingpin in the matter. He again looked at plan I submitted and gave me permission to go ahead. In the afternoon I got on with the uprooting of the hedge and at about 3:10 p.m. had had enough and went indoors where I had to change everything. I came downstairs at about 3:30 p.m. and heard a heavy lorry outside and sure enough it was the garage arrived and I had to then assist the unloading. It was 5:15 p.m. when we finished – had to carry every piece in from the road. One item alone was 111 concrete slabs and I got three in the barrow at any one time. The lorry man carried in as well. When he had gone I then had to find room in the already overcrowded shed for the woodwork – doors etc. – and finally finished up about 6 p.m. Saw Stan James at bellringing practice in the evening and told him I now had Council’s permission to erect and the garage was also on hand in umpteen pieces. He said he might be along today to start the job. However I went into garden at 9:00 a.m. and made another effort on the hedge roots and I had got two out (by10 a.m.) when Stan turned up.

The rest of day and up till 5:30 p.m. we sweating and toiled. First the hedge for about 25 feet had to be dug out and dragged down to field for burning. The loose earth had to be picked up and dumped – this was put on front garden where it is badly needed and Mum came out with rake and spread it around. Then some of my concrete paths outside present garage had to be broken up to provide hardcore for the base of new garage etc. etc. and so on throughout the day. When he went home at 5:30 pm the two long parallel boards were in position leaving me a gap to get car up tomorrow morning so that the two cross pieces can be put into position. Expecting the mixed concrete to arrive in afternoon so another very good day is in front of us. It is a long time since I have worked so hard for any length of time but the sooner it is done the better.

Now a little Interlude. When lorry arrived at  3:30 p.m. yesterday Heel was looking out over his front gate. Cornish was also out but dressed up in his Sunday suit. There was a brand new Austin 1100 with trade plates on outside Cornishes which he was looking at very closely inside and out. He never spoke or looked at me and presently got in passenger seat of car and went off in it. About an hour and a quarter later we were still unloading I spotted Cornish coming up the Avenue and he veered over to our side and came right alongside of lorry. The following conversation took place.

Cornish: Having a house built then?

Me: Yes I’m buying back one of the plots at bottom of field and building there and selling the present house.

Silence for some time. Then just as he was walking away I said ‘You did not break your neck this afternoon then?’

Cornish: No and I’m not likely to.

My guess was that he was out for a driving instruction and about to purchase a new car but Heel said this morning that he did not think this was in mind. In point of fact he said he did not think Cornish would get a license at all as he was over 70. We shall see. Today I saw Mr and Mrs Cornish off out together and Mum says that late this afternoon he was peering through his front garden hedge over here to see what was going on.

First impressions of the parts of garage are good and four spare slabs have been sent to allow for breakages. Some of the concrete posts I could not lift let alone carry but the lorry man soon had them inside garden gate. He had left London in the morning and dropped one garage (bigger than mine) at Whitchurch, Bristol and after leaving me had one for Bridgwater. He is a long distance lorry driver and hired by Thorns for this work. He is not on it always but only if it happens to be his turn. His firm is R. Sinfield of Droylesden. He himself lives at Woolwich.

Incidentally Mum was out while still this was going on and arrived home about 15 minutes after lorry had left. Timed very nicely.

You can imagine from the foregoing that we are up to our necks in it just now but good to think things are moving and we should be more or less normal by the time we come up to you.

Not a lot else to report. I saw the lad who met with the serious accident just before Christmas (lives in one of the quarry houses) on Sunday. He was in front garden watching his father rake over the garden. He can hardly walk and has great difficulty in speaking but the fact that he is home and able to get outdoors is something.

Down to bottom of page again. All our love to you both and lots of kisses for the girls. Mum and Dad.

*’Enough books’? What sort of alien concept is this? How can one ever have enough books? 

**Interestingly this comes to roughly £50 in present-day terms, which is exactly what I send *my* grandchildren for their birthdays.

***I was madly in love with Pauline’s charm bracelet, on which she had a gold frying-pan. (Her friend Audrey had a charm which was a tiny little boxing ring with one fighter in green shorts and one in red, and there was a lever you pushed to make them move.) Anyway, I never *did* have a charm bracelet – I’m pretty sure the response would have been “You’ll only lose it!” – until eventually I inherited Pauline’s, complete with frying-pan!

****On reflection, I can understand why these dropped out of favour: they reinforce the notion that one person (usually the wife/mother) is doing all the preparation and everyone else is just consuming the food. Where food has to be carried from one room to another it’s far more usual for everyone to muck in and take something.

Sunday 5th April, 1964

On By Sue JenkinsIn 1964 lettersLeave a comment

Alec to his parents:

Dear Mum and Dad

Thanks once more for weekly paper and letters.  Note you did not expect ours until the Wednesday, and right again.  I suppose books could be written about the weather and particularly about the weather over Easter.  What a shocker, and every succeeding day seemed to be colder than the last. This week has been a knock-out. We have have the lot from sleet, snow rain winds etc to actual sunshine of this morning. I think the latter was the biggest surprise. Well it has been a question of heaters on this end and no mistake all the week. Had taken the newspapers from the windows of the greenhouse, thinking about the temperature was on the rise, but the thermometer has been reading between 30 and 40 [ºF, that is -1ºC to 4.5ºC] for several days now. The amazing thing was the sight of the sun pouring through the window of the greenhouse when I went down this morning. This was unexpected and after a few hours the temperature went up to almost 80 [ºF/26ºC] in there. I left the windows shut as this could not last, and I wanted to keep the heat in for as long as possible. It is now down to about 60 [ºF/15.5ºC] and the sun has gone. However it is quite mild for a change in the garden and not all that bad out. Perhaps we are going to start the Spring now. Of course you have had it slightly better your end I believe. Not surprised you have been unable to do any work on the garden. I did have a quick whip round and pruned a few branches off the shrubs, but soon got inside again. Les next door has mown his lawn, and so have a number of other people around here. I do not think that is such a good idea so early, and with the grass so wet.

Note you have turned to the garage into a barn, and it must look a bit forlorn. Hard luck on getting your application into the Council just one day too late. Perhaps you were unaware of the meeting dates.

We had a bonfire last week and got rid of a lot of paper and stuff the dustman did not collect over Easter. Had the old coal bin full of stuff, paper, boxes, and hedge cuttings etc. set light to it and after fire was going well and working downwards to the bottom of the bin a mouse decided he had had enough and scuttled out of a hole in the bottom.

We have not dealt with the council about our lean-to. Do not consider that to be a big job, and it is not of a permanent nature.

It could well be that no extension to the Avenue will be made. That was only necessary if the original plan was carried out. If they can get into the new road from Old Church Road at both ends, there will be no need for the link with the Avenue, but I can see there being a footpath through though?

Sorry to learn that Don is none to well, and you have had to put off the visit. Just one more consequence of the weather I suppose. Also sorry to learn about Jim. Should not have thought he would be prone to thrombosis, but he was quite a big man and no doubted fed well (feeds). Caple in the wars again. Obviously not his fault this time, but no consolation to him. I would not have said he was the ideal driver, as I remember him as a highly nervous type.

You seem to have had a bout of ringing over the Easter somewhat cut short by the cucumber sandwiches. Glad the christening went off well. Seems the babies were good.

Something fishy about the Avalon crowd, but we may hear the details one day. Some comedown I should think, to turn to a shop*. We saw some of the Avalon furniture in a shop in Ruislip Manor yesterday.

Carol is improving with her writing now, and Susan is helping her. They have put together some letters again this week, and I think they show promise. I think Susan’s handwriting is better now too.

Good idea that to have a nice big window to let the light in the, then have a Venetian blind to keep it out. Very expensive arrangement.

Still no sign of Jackson, you cannot rely on any of his promises. As you say this would not have done years ago. I suppose he has enough trade without mine, and I am inclined to agree with him.

Sorry about wrong information about Peter. I gathered that his car was out of action, and that he was travelling by B.R., but it seems it is a partial re-spray job, and he took car only half-finished. He actually travelled in his car, and I expect the spraying has been completed by now.

Nothing unusual about the colour of the Dulux paint, it was only that it was Eggshell type, and the small men do not stock it but have to order it. It did not take long to get another quart once ordered, but we could have done with it over Easter.

Again an instance of traders letting one down occurs over the carpet**. We were promised to have the carpet delivered on Friday and the man was going to ring in the morning to let us know he was coming. However no phone call, and no carpet, and when contacted on the phone, they said they did not promise it for Friday, but it would come on Tuesday. All my eye of course, and it remains to be seen if it arrives on Tuesday now. Meanwhile the front room remains incomplete. We have put a lot of the furniture back and the underlay for the carpet, but of course cannot overdo it as carpet has to go under some of it.

The little bit of work I did in the lean-to in stopping up the cracks was quite successful and although we had a lot of rain in the week all that happened was the concrete surround got a bit wet in a couple of places inside. We did not get a flood as previously, so obviously most of the cracks are no more. Shall have to do one or two more places later when I find exactly where they are, but the main work is done. I know people who will worry over the design of the carpet, but as far as I am concerned it is quite satisfactory.***

Have not done much more in the loft except make one or two rearrangements of the equipment. Tried to contact a station in Northern Rhodesia (near borders of Tanganyika) yesterday but not lucky. Also yesterday heard very clearly two stations in Uruguay and called one, but not heard. Last two were on during T.V. hours, and did not want to try too long in the circumstances****. Nothing about this morning before T.V. time, and I suppose they will be about in hoards now. Have put another couple of feet on vertical aerial on garage to see if that has any effects.

We have no paper in the dining room on the walls. If you remember we have paint. Full decoration on this room will be done shortly, so the damage done at the fire surround will soon be put right. We have to have serving hatch let into the wall of the kitchen then we can go ahead with the rest.*****

I do not know how many Brownie packs or Guides go to the A.G.M. at Ruislip Manor, but I expect it was a pretty good crowd. I am not sure where the park is where that woman burned herself, but I think it must be south of the Victoria Road somewhere unless I am confusing it with Ruislip Gardens.

A mystery about that parcel of sweets then. All the contents of the bag remained in situ throughout my journey home, and there were no such sweets in it on arrival. I remember Mother saying that she must get them out when I mentioned that the girls had specifically asked me to mention them, and this was on the Friday night when I arrived. I thought no more of it until I got back here, so goodness knows what could have happened. They have forgotten all about it now so not to worry.

You will have a job with the greenhouse then. I had a similar situation here sometime ago. I wanted to take a table apart for subsequent reassembly in the loft, and found that in addition to the glued joints, the cabinet maker who put the table together had screwed in two very long screws as pinions, and had sunk them about half an inch into the wood. No efforts of mine even with the brace-and-bit would shift them and the only consequence would have been to have forced the heads off like you did, so I had to saw through at selected places and when reassembling strapped the sawn parts with a piece of wood of similar size.

Hope Mother has her new cooker now, and his ladling out the goulash in some form. Should think it is quite an acquisition – does it give the Light Programme or Radio Caroline? On the latter, we can just receive it here, but it is very powerful further over towards the South East.

All the painting is finished this end now, and the place does not look all that bad. I expect you have got the hang of your stove at last. They all want getting used to and ours was no exception.

As I said the girls have some letters and drawings for you to put in the Academy.

Well getting on towards 1:00 p.m. social have to clear off and make table available for the grub assuming we have some today. So will close once again we’d love from us all this end. 

*Please note that this snotty comment about a man taking on a tobacconist/sweetshop/newsagent-type establishment is being made by a man whose in-laws only within the last couple of years retired from a very similar business.

**Is this traders letting one down, or one having unreasonable expectations of traders?

***Although he was, of course, red-green colour-blind and would not know a harmonious colour-scheme if it swam up and bit him on the ass.

****Alec’s transmissions were known to disrupt the TV signal both in our house and in those nearby.

*****Serving-hatches had a brief popularity in the 1950s-1970s. The one at Ruislip was similar in size and shape to the one in this article but had sliding reeded glass doors.