Tuesday 6th August, 1963

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Leonard to the family:

Dear Alec June Susan and Carol,

Here we are again – no letter this morning but that is not unusual on the mornings following Bank Holidays so shall be on the lookout tomorrow. Wonder what you were doing over the weekend? We took it very quietly and did not go into the town or even to the Salthouse Fields. Spent most of time pottering about and in the deck chairs on the lawn. Sunday not very nice in the morning – very close and thundery but the air freshened up in the late afternoon. Rain also in the morning nearly put paid to the annual cricket match between Clevedon and Somerset County. Monday quite a nice day and by all accounts there were a lot of people about. Mum and I stopped home but the usual influx of visitors were here. This afternoon we went to the library and noticed the beach was full of people. It appears there are a good many staying in Clevedon for a while.

Had the misfortune to break my gardening trowel this morning and had to go to Hill Road for another. The broken one had been repaired before but this time we had to write it off altogether. Have now started to define the surround of the proposed rock garden and yesterday and today have been putting in the edging for same Cannot proceed much further with it until the flowers in the plot have died off and I can get them out. This will be done I hope in the autumn.

For edging I am using concrete blocks – this saves time and trouble of mixing concrete. Went to Cranes last Friday and found these blocks available at about 1/- each which is cheaper than the proper garden edging. They imagine 17½ in. by 8½ in. by 4 in [45 cm x 22 cm x 10 cm]. I ordered 100 of them and a bag of cement. May work out cheaper than 1/- each by buying so many.* I intend, at some time, to put in edging around the oblong garden plot on the lawn and convert the two circular plots to smaller oblong plots and edge them also with blocks. Perhaps we shall be able to then to keep the grass under control. At present the grass intrudes into the garden part of the plots and makes them untidy. The 4 in. wide border (blocks) will take the wheel of the motor mower and I should be able to make a good job of cutting the lawn.

The pond is full of water still and holding well. Have grubbed out those tall daisies (called Wirral Supreme) which we had on the garden side of the golden privet hedge and shall burn the roots. They got out of hand so quickly and took up more room than they were worth. Mum’s butterfly gladioli are in flower and make a good picture. Not quite so big as our usual ones but they are still too big for what mum had in mind viz. for vases in church.

Had to cut all the loans on Monday – the recent rains had given the ground a good soaking and everything looked fresher for the water. Saved me using hosepipe for a day or two but must get it going again tomorrow unless there is rain tonight.

No more news re: land and I have not yet seen Cornish. Heel has visitors and is out with them most days so I have not had any further chat with him. You will see in ‘Mercury’ enclosed a reference to some ground Mrs Marshall is selling for building purposes – this directly joins the ground (owned at present by Mr Pearson) which is our proposition for sale. Apparently Mrs Marshall can only sell ground this side of the river. The new sewer has to be laid in on the far side and until that has been done the Town Planners cannot get to work on any scheme for that side of the river. It seems that land for building purposes is very scarce in this area and any they can get hold of will be developed early. Our hopes rise with all this interest in the land around us and we patiently await the next move.

Our neighbour Bushell was working over the Bank Holiday but at the moment he is cutting the hedge between our two houses which will help me considerably. He has just borrowed the motor mower to cut his lawn. A case of one good turn deserves another – he keeps the machine in good working order for me.

Not many more days now and you will be on the move towards Clevedon. Apart from some storms it does appear as if the weather has much improved these last few weeks and we can hope for a nice holiday together. We are looking forward to seeing you all.

Harvested 65lbs shallots this week so there will be some for you to take back for pickling.

Wonder if you have heard from Geoff since you last wrote? It is the end of this month I think they go to Spain again. Have you worked out any ideas for next year yet?

Not much more local news for you this week and I will reply to your letter on next sheet.

*So just for the blocks this would be £5 or £127 in 2023 parlance – let’s say roughly the equivalent of £150-£175 for the whole job. The nearest equivalent on the B&Q website comes in at £2.19 each, or £219 for the blocks alone, with cement being about £6 a bag on top of that. I’d say Leonard got a bargain.

[Continues on Wednesday 7th August, 1963]

Monday 5th August, 1963

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Alec to his parents:

Dear Mum and Dad

Well here we are with the last but one before the date. Thanks very much for yours, duly received on Friday. Sorry the last week’s letter arrived late, but postman failed to post on the appointed day.

We had and enjoyed the hot weather at Ruislip, but it did not affect me as much as for the greater part of the day I was in the office which is quite cool. These large old buildings do keep fairly cool in the hot weather although they are not so good in the wintertime. It certainly was hot as I found at lunchtimes. Up in the city it is a roaster, and after the walk back to the office it takes about ten minutes to get any energy back.

The last couple of days – August Bank Holiday – has been poor to say the least. We have not done anything special, and good job too as it has poured all day on Friday, and most of the day on Saturday. We did go out for a breath of fresh air on Saturday afternoon, but soon got caught in the rain so got a breath of fresh rain instead.

Not surprised you downed tools in the heat as it was pretty bad. It would have been nice to find the time to just sit in it and enjoy it, but it never seems to come at the right times. We have been using the hose rather a lot lately, and the lawns and garden certainly have needed it. The runner beans are forming well, and should be ready when we are at Clevedon. The usual story. The broad beans are well advanced now, and I picked the first lot this morning. The sunflower is taller than I am, and still going up. The flower head has formed, but no flower yet.

I have arranged the sweet peas around the sunflower and the plum tree you gave us so that they have something to grow up. it will be rather interesting to see the sweet peas growing up the sunflower – there is plenty of room for climbing. Good stunt that, saves space, and saves pea sticks. The tomatoes are doing well now, and have lots of flowers on. I should imagine the blackcurrant wine is racing due to the warm weather and being enclosed in the garage which itself must be like an oven.

I should think your problem of the birds dusting themselves in the plots by the pond has been solved with the arrival of the rain. They will not want to wallow in the mud, and when it dries out it should be caked hard. At least you will have plenty of water in the pond when we see it. Have you retained your filling arrangements with bath etc?

Pity old bird brain is holding up the decision about the land. I am sure he thinks he’s being done, but has not the wit to think how. If he does not sign of course that puts paid to that unless the Council think so much of the idea that they move into the realms of compulsory purchase. It might frighten him to know that if that happens he will get what he is given and will then have to lump it.

Do not worry about the cider. Iif you feel thirsty drink it up, there is always another time. Just the drink for the heat. Glad the flower seeds okay they may still be flowering next week. The rain should have given them a new lease of life.

Bad news about Stephens then he must have made less recovery than most from that trouble of his. I agree that poor old Hewitt has had a pack of trouble – it seems to dog some people. Did we tell you that Iris has been in Hillingdon hospital with a haemorrhage and under observation? Fortunately she was only in there for a few days – according to her brother Tony – and they let her out again. Said it was due to strain and worry, and take it a bit easier. She has had a basinful too, one way and another. We have not heard from Tony for a couple of weeks so do not know if she is going on all right.

Interesting to hear that Frank had been around in the week. Abbots Leigh always struck me as a nice place and quite high up. We went there on one home Guard do. we were inspected by Field Marshal Lord Birdwood. I do not remember how we got there though.

I do not know what is going around here nowadays, but both Carol and Susan had it last weekend. Had to get up in the night to Carol but she was fairly well in the morning. The following day Susan had it again and June had doctor in. He said his usual piece about catarrh, and in due course she recovered.

So Susan is staying with Grandma Baker for a few days. She went on Thursday and will come back on Saturday. She would have gone on the Wednesday but was too ill. We went over to see them on Saturday, and found she was enjoying herself. We have a phone chat each evening for five minutes or so. It was the intention to send Carol over for a few days after Susan (grandma could not manage both at once) but she says she does not want to go, so we will not press the idea.*

We went to Horsenden Hill and it was very hot. So Susan was off colour, and moped while there, but did brighten up for half an hour, then seemed okay for the rest of the evening. I think the girls enjoyed themselves wandering around the woods and over the hill. There was some new-cut hay to play around with, but it had a lot of thistles in it.

Very kind of the Grays, they gave me a Nenette brush for the car in recognition of the taxi service. There was no need of course, but now we have the wherewithal to clean the taxi. Must try it out sometime.

The agapanthus flower is still in bloom although some of the flower heads have died off. Odd that there are three such, halfway up the stem on one side only.

I had never heard of Unwin’s place, but there are hundreds of little villages etc. around Suffolk and Norfolk and do not know the country anyway so it is not surprising.

Okay about the typing then. Like you, the only practice done nowadays is the weekly letter, and very easy to make mistakes.

Okay about Long Sutton and Pitney. We can go that way if you like, and I have a film in the camera so we can take a shot or two if convenient.

No we have not heard from Geoff. We do not have any contact under normal way, and only hear when the annual visits are due. As it is overdue and we have not heard, I wondered if anything was the matter.

Not much new in the broadcasting line. Mostly local contacts now. The conditions will improve in the winter so will not expect much until then. The temperature up there has not been too bad, up but on a couple of occasions it got a bit much.

I gather mum is very glad the soft fruit season is over. You must have been hard at it for a while. Good job you have all day to do it in.

Have seen no wasps here yet this year. I suppose they are waiting for the plums.

Cannot quite picture the effect on the Green Beach of the removal of (or part of) the Haven. That was the only building on that side from the old Pavilion – now pulled down – to the Pier. I forgot the cafe and the Beach Attendants’ Hut. If they get rid of those that would indeed make it a very wide sweep of grass etc.

Well bottom of page, so will close again with love from us all here. And Susan. 

*Notice how this theme develops over time: two children together are ‘too much’ for any individual, so one is quietly pushed aside so the other can have priority. One will do as they’re told, but one will refuse. Now, guess who was always labelled the awkward or disobedient one? Hint: it wasn’t the one who stubbornly dug her heels in and refused orders, it was the one who did her best to obey them. The Scapegoat/Golden Child scenario began early in this family.

Wednesday 31st July 1963

On By Sue JenkinsIn 1963 lettersLeave a comment

[Continued from Tuesday 30th July 1963]

The postman duly called this morning but it was nearly 9:30 a.m. but we were glad to see him and receive your letter. Poor Susan – what has she been up to now? Query overdoing the party on Saturday. That was a good do apparently and father and mother had a hectic time. Should like to have peeped in on them and also at the school sports. Good for Carol getting near the front in one race. Wonder if you went to Horsenden Hill after all. I expect there were hundreds there trying to enjoy the summer weather.

Yes in spite of the hot spell the grass continues to grow fast and I had to give ours another cut last weekend. Today I have been trying to trim on one of the hedges around the lawn but it was very hot work and most of it has been left for another day.

I think you must have had a very good time at the sports even if the competitors were so young. More enjoyment perhaps than with older runners. Noted Susan has a lot to get hold of in the Brownies but it should do her good. I’m enclosing a cutting from last night’s paper for her showing some Brownies having a paddle at Weston.

Noted Mr Gray now at home and that you were able to provide power for visits while he was in hospital. They got me out of bed day after operation and had it not been I was having a second for another purpose I should have been home just as quickly. Our kind regards to him (and Mrs Gray and family) and we hope he will soon recover normal health.

Your agapanthus should be left to die back naturally and then cut off the dead flower. Never mind about a cutting this time – you have done well to get a flower so early.

Note Unwin’s home town or village. Had never heard of it before. For really nice of him to bring in a little surplus of vegetables. How long does it take him to do the journey to and from Liverpool Street?*

Your typing quite all right Alex – as long as we can read it mistakes do not matter. The only typing I do of course is the weekly letter to you and the less frequent ones to Don and Geoff so I am not so hot on the machine.

No sign of loganberry wine yet – Mum picks them too often for stewing and we both enjoy them like this.

Hope your photos will turn out all right and don’t forget to bring camera with you on the 15th prox. When I write Don later this week I will make Wednesday 21st August for our afternoon visit there. How would you like to go via Long Sutton and Pitney** station that day? You have seen it once but perhaps June would like to see where we lived once upon a time. Always weather permitting of course and the condition of the girls.

You do not mention Mrs Baker this letter so perhaps with your big party on the Saturday you did not manage a visit during the weekend. Yes we guessed you would wish to call on the Benns’ at Weston some time during your stay here and as you say this can be arranged by phone after you get here.

Surprised you have not heard from Geoff as he said when here at Whitsun he would get in touch with you soon and mentioned something about a visit of you all to them. There was no news of Rebecca’s examination result when he last wrote us.

What a lovely prospect of a sea trip to Holland. Quite understand it is all very private just now.***

Noted the lean-to not yet arrived and no information as to delivery date. What happens if it turns up when you are away? You will certainly want to get on with it soon after your return from here.

This afternoon we saw the Town Surveyor and his henchman arrive and go into Cornish’e’s where they stopped for two or three hours. Heels were away in the car for a day out so we do not know what has transpired. Heard this week that he (Cornish) is still running around saying he’s not going to sign – this in spite of what I mentioned on previous page. What a man!

Assume the girls have broken up for the holidays now and that June has them all day long to keep her busy.

Thanks for the Eastcote gardening bulletins Alec – useful information in them. How is the broadcasting going on? Or is it too hot up under the roof these days? We have our bedroom windows wide open at night and can hear the tide moving over the other side of the sea wall. The atmosphere is very close though until round about 2 a.m.

A fortnight tomorrow will see you on the move in this direction but it is too much to expect this weather to last. Perhaps if it is a little cooler it would be more enjoyable.

No more now. All our love to you both and lots lots of kisses for the girls. Mum and Dad. 

*A train from Ipswich to Liverpool Street takes about an hour and ten minutes at the present time, and absent a few very notable exceptions (HSTs etc.) railway travel in the UK in general probably took about the same amount of time in the 1960s that it does now. There is no station at Copdock, though, so Unwin would have had to find his way to the station in Ipswich – and he was probably able to do this by bus. If he was also able to do some work on the train and/or eat his breakfast while in transit, this doesn’t seem a particularly onerous arrangement – especially given that he would have had a free travel pass and thus got to and from his home for only the minimal cost of his busfare to the station.

**Back in the distant past various relatives were employed at Long Sutton and Pitney, although I have yet to work out which ones. It was generally known in the family as ‘Long Suffering and Pity Me’, although whether it was generally considered a miserable posting, or it was just a convenient name, I have no further information.

***I admire Leonard’s optimism, but back and forth across the Channel repeatedly for a fortnight on a ferry in October doesn’t sound like a tremendously attractive prospect: a single crossing on a nice day might be good fun, but constantly heaving about on the ocean with noise, smells, other passengers and unreliable food would be my idea of Hell, quite frankly, and I would personally be going as far in the other direction as I could! N.B. journey time in 2023 is a little under seven hours, so presumably one would work through one and sleep through the other each day???

Tuesday 30th July, 1963

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Leonard to the family:

Dear Alec June Susan and Carol

No letter this morning so we’ll start the reply with items of local news and use second sheet tomorrow when hope to have your usual budget. Incidentally our post delivery this week so far has been in the region of 9:30 a.m. but have no idea of the reason*.

Well I suspect you have had a taste of this very hot weather at Ruislip. It has been terrific here in spite of fact we are so close to the sea. I have downed tools after dinner both yesterday and today and shall continue in like manner until things are more normal. Pity to complain about the heat after such a very long spell of the worst kind of weather but the change is too great to be comfortable. Perhaps by the time you arrive we shall have got used to it.

Since last writing have put the shallots in the garage to finish drying off. (We had a storm of rain about Thursday which made me scramble them undercover as they were almost.) The hose-pipe has been in daily use since and the runner beans have needed the water badly. We started picking last Saturday and will be on the market with them this weekend. The tomatoes too have started to turn quickly and these too are now on sale. Broad beans finished except for what I am keeping for seed for stop. Have a row of lettuce but they are all running up to seed. Fortunately I have some more in one of the frames which I think maybe right for a fortnight’s time.

The blackcurrant wine is working fast in the jars under fermentation lock – the garage is very hot these days and this I expect is helping the yeast to do its work. The pond is still holding but there is a lot of evaporation just now and I keep it topped up daily when watering the garden. Mum has put in a lot more pansies in the flower border but I keep the wire guards on to keep the birds out. They are little terrors and make full use of the water for drinking and washing purposes. We have had the deck chairs out each afternoon and had a rest on the lawn until about 5 p.m. when I get the hose going for over an hour.

There is no more direct news of the land but I did get a word with Heel earlier this week and ascertained that both he and Cornish are still in favour of the scheme so as I know Pearson and ourselves are agreeable it seems the plan is going forward. May take some time to materialise but the fact that both Cornish and Heel are with the scheme is highly satisfactory. Just as well perhaps for I have done nothing in the field this year and it is looking more like a jungle than ever. Have not yet seen Cornish to speak to but he passes by with a good load up on his bicycle most mornings – taking produce out to customers. When on the bicycle his legs are about a quarter to three and it is quite an effort for him to get along. I suppose he will come over one day to see what is going on.

We have had no more rodeo incidents with Baker’s cows getting through from Mrs Marshall’s field. Think the animals have been removed for the time being.

Roy Hewitt called round again one day last week but his leg continues to give trouble and now he tells me he is waiting to go into hospital for same operation as I had four years ago. He has had a packet of trouble one way and another in his lifetime.

Do you all like beetroot? We have just had some for supper and it is lovely. Have one good row right across garden near runner beans.

I’m afraid Don’s rough cider is going fast these days – have got through one gallon since we were down there on the 18th. Already we are accumulating Watney’s Pale and mum has one or two of the bottles in cold storage.

The roundabouts are here again and the small side shows are already working. They will be on the  move again unfortunately by the time you are here. I’m sure the girls would have liked to look round them and have a ride on some of the smaller roundabouts. Never mind we will find somewhere.

Had another letter from Stephens this morning. He is still in hospital at Hereford following his stroke of February last. Hopes to be home soon and the hospital authorities are going to let him have a wheelchair for a while. This does not sound too good but he writes quite cheerfully.

The packet of Viscaria seeds the girls gave me at Ruislip we put in the border just outside the porch of back door and they are all out in flower at the moment and giving quite a nice bit of colour. Hope they will last for another week or two so they they can see them.

Frank Hessel called on Mrs Marshall the other day and asked after several people around here but he did not visit us. Understand here is now living at Abbots Leigh and still employed by the Portishead Power Station people.

[Continues Wednesday 31 July 1963]

*The postie went on holiday and you’ve got a replacement who doesn’t know the route: get your head out of your own navel for five minutes, ffs!

Sunday 28th July, 1963

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Alec to his parents:

Dear Mum and Dad

Cannot think what has gone wrong with the machine this week. It looks as if the keys are missing the ribbon. Sorry about that I have found the trouble. The ribbon had become detached from the central carrier, and was not rising and falling with it as it should.

Thanks for the weekly letter, arrived on Friday as usual. Hope you find the type more to your liking this week. Susan and Carol were both all right at the time of our last letter, but today Susan is a little off-colour and runs a slight temperature. Nonetheless, the weather being fine – at the moment – we intend to have a picnic on Horsenden Hill this afternoon*.

Susan has qualified for the Brownies, but there are many things that Brownies do that she still has to learn – mainly in the ‘helping other people’ line. I expect you she tells Carol all about it. We hear of new games played and snatches of new songs sung, so something must be sticking.

Yesterday was a wonderful day here compared with the previous weather. It started fairly cool but with plenty of sun to indicate warmth to come. Just after lunch we managed to have five minutes in a chair in the garden and the sun was terrific. Five minutes only was the word, as we had a party for the girls in the afternoon. The first of the guests arrived at 3 p.m. and the last ones departed at something after eight p.m. The party was billed from 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. – some hopes. Anyhow nine kids sat down to tea and Delph was present and also June’s friend Vi. The time passed fairly quickly – fortunately – but it was a bit hectic while at lasted. Christopher was here, but he did not seem to want to play with the others. Later on he got more involved, but was a bit of a slow starter. Some eight more than others, but there is plenty for Dads to finish up in the weeks ahead.

All the lawns want doing again here**, and they only had the treatment last Tuesday. However the bashing they got yesterday will set them back a bit together with the hot sun, so that I shall not cut them, but give them plenty of water.

Last Tuesday was the day of the school sports. I had a half-day off to watch, and by a stroke of luck the afternoon was very fine and warm. We all sat on one side of the running course, and the school sat on the other. Approximately 100 yards of track with people packed on both sides. I suppose about a dozen races of various types were run. Carol ran in two, but Susan only ran in one. Both ran as if dreaming, and took more interest in looking at the spectators than at the tape. However in a race called ‘Leading the Dog’ Carol (with a sash around a boy’s shoulder who walked on all fours) brackets managed to come second. I think she had a very useful dog there, and think he did most of the leading. Of course they were only ‘token’ sports, and no apparent record was taken of who won or lost. Towards the end of the session they had a toddlers race in which all the under fives who had been trying to get into the act since the start where allowed to run. This group included everything from babes only just out of arms to those almost ready for school, and about thirty started. Of course they all went in different directions, circles and reverses, and lost their mothers etc., so there was a fine shindy. It was quite amusing while it lasted. Susan was nearly last away in her race and finished about the same.

Had several trips to Harefield with Mrs Gray and family. We were surprised to hear that they had released him on Friday exactly one week from the date of the operation. He had his first lot of stitches out on Wednesday and the second lot on Thursday. I suppose they want the room, but it is rather quick going to my way of thinking.

Our agapanthus now in full bloom and much admired by all who see it. No sign of any further growths from the base so we are like unlikely to be able to take any cuttings this year. What do we do with it now cut it down? or let it die back? Yes the broad beans are now doing rather well. Having nipped the tops of the plants to get rid of the blackfly and give them plenty of cold water from hose at every opportunity.

Unwin lives near Ipswich at a little village called Copdock. It is not far from the coast of Suffolk, and it is between Ipswich and Colchester. He has brought in some cabbages, peas and lettuce for which we have been very grateful.

So sorry about the poor typing these days. I do not do any at work and it is getting pretty poor. This machine has the letters spaced fairly close together and much closer than a normal machine. It is quite difficult to select the letter wanted.

The birds seem to be much more of a menace to the crops nowadays than they ever used to be. Have to get the mind onto the subject, as anyone who can find the answer to that one is made for life.

Nice to hear that there is a possibility of making loganberry wine. Our plant is now huge and although cut back a while ago it practically covers the square at the bottom of garden. It is branching out in all directions but there is no sign of flower yet.

I seem to remember that I have some elderflower wine knocking about here so must look it out and try it. Also have a number of others that really want attention.

Bought a film for the camera yesterday and took a few pictures of the party, but do not know if any good, as always a little rushed under difficult conditions.

We shall not have many if any tomatoes this year. Our plants have not made much growth. There is no sign yet of any flowers and they will have to move some if any fruit is to come by the end of the season. 

Very Interested in Don’s new job and the details you gave. Shall have to give him my order for QSL cards. I got the last lot from Atkinson’s at Looe, but I’m not all that struck on the design.

O.K. on your suggested visit to Lyng. I do not think we have made any firm dates to visit anyone yet so that should be in order. We shall pop into Weston to see Eric and Dorothy but will probably ring them up on the phone from Clevedon.

Runner beans now up to top of garage and plenty of flowers on the stems.

Glad to hear that Don finished up on a good note with the railway. I must say he has done the wisest thing. When all is secure financially and pension-wise, not much point in hanging about in this present rat race.

Have not heard news of any moves going on the Western lately so cannot report. No news of Geoff, and it would appear that we shall not get an invitation to Headstone Lane this year. I wonder why.

The mention of Holland by June was in connection with a proposed job of mine that is lined up. The new vessel on the Harwich hook run – the Avalon – was received on 25th July and named by Mrs Beeching, and we have to conduct a survey of this ship covering all the facilities, amenities, layout, crewing, etc. This will mean at least a fortnight living on board and crossing twice per day – once over and once back. After that if there is anything resulting that would indicate a full-scale investigation would pay dividends, we shall put teams in. It seems as though the job cannot be started before October now, as the crew has to shake down, and there have been engine troubles. On the first trip over, it just about got there. All this is very hush-hush at the moment, and we are not to discuss it.

No more news of the lean-to, and the firm have not told us when they will deliver. Have told Ethel we have some concrete mixing lined up for Doug. I saw him in garden yesterday, and met Christine coming back from library with a supply of books, so he is well set up.

Well must have a shave etc. before the picnic this afternoon. I must say Susan looks more like going to bed than to Horsenden Hill. She will no doubt perk up a bit when I tell her she can have typewriter to do a letter on. She says she has croup??

Well there is again for another week, soon be into the last fortnight. Love from us all once again.

*You will enjoy yourself, whether you like it or not!

**He makes it sound like Woburn Abbey or something, rather than a suburban semi-detached!

Tuesday 23rd July, 1963

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Leonard to the family:

Dear Alec June Susan and Carol,

The postman duly brought the weekly budget from you all for which many thanks, and we are very glad to hear that both Susan and Carol are all right again and hope they will keep going now for the rest of the summer. So Susan has now qualified to be a ‘Brownie’ and we think she must be very thrilled. No doubt she will tell us all about it went down here next month. In the meantime you will probably hear snatches of conversations with Carol telling her the details of their evenings out. It will surely get Carol interested in the movement.

Your remarks noted re: typewriter ribbon – probably correct – but I have never come across a ribbon quite as heavy with ink as the one you are using appears to be.

The weather over the weekend was great and again yesterday and to a lesser degree today the real summery weather has continued. It was much too hot both yesterday and today in the afternoons to do very much work outdoors but this morning I did manage to mow all lawns again and my word they wanted to doing. It is only about a week since I last went over them but the grass was certainly long today and in spite of the heat was a little moist.

Glad to hear your neighbour going on all right but he must have had a rough time in the operating theatre. Please give him our kind regards when next you see him and wish him a speedy recovery to normal health. One thing about it when he does get going again he will feel remarkably well and fit.

Glad to hear that Carol seems to be overcoming her car sickness – she should of course grow out of it as Susan did but it must be a bit disturbing to you all when you have this trouble en route anywhere by car. Obviously she did not like being left in the corridor when you visited the school. It would have been alright if Susan had been with her but she had more important things to do that night. We are looking forward to them coming down with you both in just over three weeks from now. I suppose we must now hope that this good weather will not be all used up by then. Certainly those people now away are having some of the best of it.

Very pleased to hear of the agapanthus in flower but we did not have any flowers halfway up the stem, only at the top.

Sorry I mentioned Cook’s work – it seems to have been in the abstract. No doubt things will sort themselves out in due course.

Your gardening report noted and we do hope you will be able to have a feed of broad beans of your own picking. Your colleague Unwin evidently grows his own vegetables – where does he live? Have an idea you told me once but I have forgotten. Very kind of him to bring in a little surplus.

Yes I am glad I was able to get some blackcurrant wine going for there will be no cherry wine this season by the look of it. The birds have stripped all three trees and every time I go down the garden I throw a lump of earth into the first of the trees and about forty birds rise at once only to wait for me to leave the vicinity to return to their activities. There is a possibility I may be able to make some loganberry wine. Mum says the bush is absolutely crowded with them and she is having some for bottling and for stewing (they are lovely stewed with sugar and cream) and I shall probably get enough for at least a gallon of liquid. Have never heard of elderberry pie and do not think I should like to tackle it as it must be very bitter. This is a bit early for the berries yet but may have some for a brew later.

Noted you will not be bringing down any wine. We can have some of the stuff I have been hoarding. I still have that elderflower wine made several years ago – perhaps we could try it again? Yes you must bring camera with you for some snapshots. Could wish we had a coloured film at this moment for our carnations in the oblong on the lawn are just one mass of colour. Mum counted, I think, twelve different colours and they are all out in full flower. Really a picture.

Noted you have a party on Saturday for the girls. Hope they have a good time and that the weather is kind. Makes all the difference if they can play outdoors.

I think you can delete any idea of having a Bakewell tart whilst you are down. Mum made two or three experimentally for the T.G. but did not enter for the competition. Apparently there were only six entries so Mrs Hewitt did not have a very big job.

Our soft fruit is nearing the end of the season and I think Mum is ready to sing the doxology. Next will be the plums but these as with apples are bigger to handle and a less number are required to weigh 1lb. The first of the tomatoes is turning colour so this means that the others are not far behind. It was the 13th July when I first picked last year so you can see we are behind this time.

We went down to Lyng last Thursday and it was a very good day – lovely and sunny. Left here 12:45 p.m. and arrived home 6.45 p.m. Don had finished up that day at Durston by taking his half day. He started with the new firm of printers the following morning and we had his first report yesterday morning. I give below an extract from his letter so you can see what he is doing in his own language: –

About 60 people in the Works and another 20 in the office. I am not on proof-reading except for very small stuff but I’m part of the production team to keep the machines going. My part roughly is as follows: – a firm sends say an order for 50,000 labels the same as last time with alterations enclosed. I have to run the previous order to earth, stick an old label on a piece of paper, make the necessary corrections and then start making out a sort of questionnaire which covers the whole progress of the order through the Works, the final entry being how much the firm has to pay. Before this form comes to me someone has registered it and attached a card estimating the hours that works staff will take and what machine is to be used for the printing and also decide how many runs for the machine e.g. for 50,000 labels the setup might be for four labels so that the machine only runs 12,000 times. Everything goes on this form – I have to show the sort of paper to be used, how many inks and the colours and how the printed labels shall be bundled up for dispatch!

Don says all the staff are most helpful stop they have thousands of orders and their filing system is marvellous. Incidentally they are looking forward to our visiting them some time when you are here and unless you have any other idea I suggest we go down on the Wednesday afternoon and leave after Don gets home at about 5:30 p.m.. He leaves work at 5 pm and takes about 15 minutes to reach Lyng.

I’m afraid there is very little to report from the home front again this week. I did notice the runner beans are forming and one is at least 10 inches long and several 6 and under. Shall soon be able to pick. The broad beans are nearly over but we have had a good crop.

I emptied the pond as just mentioned last week and then partly refilled with the hose. After a couple of days I filled up to the level it normally stood when it last was last in use with fish etc. and so far is his holding and we are keeping our fingers crossed. The birds are dusting themselves in the flower border next the water and scattering the earth into the water which is not good. Have had to use some of the wire pea guards to protect the earth but even so they seem to find their way in. It is really my fault. I wanted to have some good soil in there so put it through a sieve. It would have been better if I had left the soil lumpy. The next problem is how to arrange the surround to the best advantage but shall leave that until after you have been down when perhaps you can make a few suggestions to go with the others.

I don’t know about water lilies but yesterday I wrote to the editor of the ‘Field’ for certain information particularly for information about any publications there may be regarding the stocking of ornamental ponds with fish, and plants also water snails etc.

Referring to Don’s new job again he says it is pretty certain he will get a rise after he has been there for a few weeks. Incidentally the reply from Exeter to his retirement notice was received by him in an unsealed envelope so you can guess he gave them a good ticking off to finish up with.

Now let’s get on to June’s letter. Sorry Peter has no spare days owing to him so that he could have brought Mrs Baker down and stopped a couple of days himself. I’m afraid it was our suggestion re: the Bank Holiday weekend*, this being the only available time before you come down on the 15th August but we do agree it is the worst time for road to travelling. Anyhow it will be much better later on in September and we shall be very pleased to meet Mrs Baker at Weston if she decides to travel that way.

What is this mention of Holland? Something up Alec’s sleeve for later dissemination? Wrong time of year for the bulbs.

Sorry to hear Mrs Baker still busy clearing up behind decorators – what a job. Presumably the girls will still be on holiday until the middle of September so that you can go over and stay at Ealing? Any news of your lean-to yet? And how will they deliver? Query by road**. As you did not mention it assume you have not done anymore to the base for lean-to. Good job to get Mr Gray onto when he comes out of hospital.

No more now. All our love to you both and lots of kisses for the Girls.  Mum and Dad.

*At the time, the first Monday in August would have been the Bank Holiday – in this case, it would have been Monday 5th. The move to change it to the last Monday in August did not occur until a couple of years later, and in some places there were actually two Bank Holidays in August for a while. The move was probably intended to spread the days out a bit more, as otherwise there was a long winter gap from early August to late May/early June (Whitsun) with no Bank Holidays. Making May Day a public holiday and moving the August Bank Holiday to the end of the month did reduce the gap a bit, but probably not enough! N.B. there is a lot of confusion between ‘Bank Holidays’ and ‘Public Holidays’ which are more or less the same thing, but not identical. Christmas – which is of course always on the same date – and Easter, which moves about – are not technically Bank Holidays although there may be Bank Holidays attached to them. Confused? You will be!

**It’s difficult to imagine what alternative Leonard had in mind, maybe a helicopter?  But it’s possible he thought the thing would arrive by rail and have to be collected from the nearest depot, which even in 1963 was beginning to be a very outdated procedure.

Sunday 21st July, 1963

On By Sue JenkinsIn 1963 lettersLeave a comment

Alec to his parents:

Dear Mum and Dad

Thanks very much once again for weekly letters. Glad to say both Carol and Susan are O.K. now and we can report a clean bill of health once more.

I do not know about the letters of the typewriter wanting brushing, I think the blotching is only due to the newness of the ribbon. The ink or whatever the ribbon is loaded with is coming off heavily. I have had a look at the type and it seems to be in order.

Thank goodness to we can report two good days of weather. Yesterday was fine and today is really smashing already.

Doug went into hospital in the week for his operation. It was reported that he had a strangulated hernia (a bad form I believe) and they whisked him off there on Tuesday. He had his op on Friday and I ran the family over to Harefield last evening. He was not looking too bad but said he was very sore. He said they found three hernias. Nothing like doing the job properly. I gather he was in the operating theatre for about three hours. When we saw him last night he was sitting up and was fairly cheerful – said they would have him out of bed today.

We did not go far in the direction of Rayner’s Lane last Sunday. That was only the direction of travel. You may remember the large elevated field on the other side of Field End Road from us. It leads into the outskirts of Rayner’s Lane, but still a very very long way from Headstone Lane.

Yes time is going on rapidly, and we shall soon be down for our visit. We went over to Ealing yesterday and Carol was quite okay in car. I think that she is over the car sickness stage, but if off colour the motion of the car can still upset her.

We went over to the school on Wednesday night, and of course we had to take Carol with us as no one to leave her with. They do not allow children into the classrooms when this business is going on so we had to leave her in the corridor with some books etc. Unfortunately by the time we got back back she was in quite a tizzy and blubbing away in some form. However all went well. I left immediately to pick up Susan from the Brownies where I discovered she had been enrolled. it seems there is a complicated initiation ceremony and they gave her the works. I can’t get a lot of sense out of her as to what actually happened, but she is now a Brownie and entitled to wear tie, badges, uniform etc. They gave her a nice silver tie-pin but whether it is hers, or on loan, or if she has to pay for it I cannot ascertain.

I do not know if Susan is any good at the sports stuff, but she is always running about here and doing high jumps etc. I have to stop them running full pelt down the concrete path as it can only end in broken knees as there is not enough room for that game here. However they will be able to do all the running they want in a few weeks time.

Our agapanthus is now in flower. It has a large bunch of blue flowers at the top and a couple halfway up the stem. It looks quite nice and worth waiting for. I think it is one of the first pot plants we have been able to get to the flowering stage.

June has some news for you about Mrs Baker’s proposed visit so we’ll leave it for her to tell you.

I heard about the Bristol Scouts ‘pilotman’ plans over the wireless and have since read about it in papers. Very good idea too.

Cook’s work at Liverpool Street – don’t make me laugh. He only found work to do, and some of the things he did were not necessary so they will not be done. We have had no instructions from Russell as to help to proceed now Cook has gone. The job has not been re-advertised, and for all intents the job might never have existed. Of course we are assuming nothing, and neither are we taking any initiative in asking Russell what he wants done. I told Unwin that he will soon shout when he wants something, and the first move is up to him.

Had a look at our broad beans and it looks as though we may get one or two after all. There are some beans forming and if we only get one meal it will be worth it. Unwin has been bringing me in some lettuces (him his are going to seed) and this week he brought in some peas and a very nice cabbage. He’s going away the fortnight before us, and so we might as well have the surplus rather than let it go to waste.

You certainly seem to have had a bumper crop of soft fruits and glad you managed to get some turned into wine. I suppose you have had a good crop of elderberries too. I wonder if one can make such a thing as elderberry pie, and also what it would taste like. Shall not be able to bring you any wine this time as have not made any for a long time. However may bring you down a jar or two if I can find room.

Not bad to get £11 per week for proofreading, and very likely before long he will find ways of supplementing that.

Our lawns want cutting again very badly and this of course is only due to the rains we have had. I must say they are all looking nice now. The sunflower is taller than Carol, and the buddleia is several feet above the top of the wire at the bottom fence. The cutting we put in last year is not growing very fast, but it is alive which is the main thing.

Sounds as if the work on the pond is almost finished now. We shall certainly see a difference there now. Shall have to  get the camera fully charged to take its picture. We are having a party for the children next Saturday and shall have to get film for that event.

By the way when you get the pond filled up etc., I should not put in water lilies unless you can control the amount of earth that goes with them. That is one of the worst things for discolouring the water.

So sorry about the Bakewell tart. Perhaps we can have our own competition when we get down. If mum likes to make several we can taste them and say which was the best. Might be able to find an odd copper or two for first prize.

What about raspberry wine – have you tried that? Tedious business picking all that fruit, but as you say it only lasts for a few weeks. Admittedly the apple picking follows soon afterwards. Also I believe so does the blackberrying.

Well I will leave a space for June to put in her bit* so we’ll see once more. Love from us all for now. 

*No copy of this has survived.

Tuesday 16th July, 1963

On By Sue JenkinsIn 1963 lettersLeave a comment

Leonard to the family:

Dear Alec June Susan and Carol

Once again many thanks for the budget of news and letters and drawings from the children duly received first post this morning. We are very sorry to hear about Carol – what can the matter really be? Surely it cannot all be travel sickness?* Let’s hope she will soon grow out of it.

Your new ribbon is alright Alec but it looks as if some of the typewriter letters require a brushing 0- Susan’s typing comes out clearly i.e. on her own machine.

Yes the weather has been a mixed bag this week but how glorious today – one of the best for a very long time. Mum went up to Alexandra Road via the front this morning and said there were a lot of people about. Holiday folk no doubt who have had a poor time so far. The air is much fresher too – lately had it has been heavy and thundery. Perhaps this has been affecting Carol.

Noted you had a walk towards Rayner’s Lane Sunday morning. Query over part of the ground when you walk to 169** a long time ago.

So Susan has not rid herself of the sore throat yet – must see what the Clevedon air does for both of them. Only four weeks from Thursday next the 18th and we are looking forward to your visit. If June decides to come by train with Carol you must let me know arrival time Yatton when I can be there to run them in.

How nice for you to take such an interest in the school’s work. It seems to be much better organised nowadays. Hope you both enjoy your visits this week. Presumably this is all in preparation for the summer recess?

We guessed right then regarding Susan’s wedding trip. Hope she passes her test tomorrow – she seems particularly interested in the Brownies. should give her another interest in her daily routine and get Carol ready for joining later. Does Susan do anything in the sports line at school? High jump or ballet dancing?

I should say you have done well with the agapanthus to have it flowering already. After all it was only a little pot plant when you had it from us. It does give one the impression it is going to grow up to the ceiling but ours stopped after shooting up about two feet.

Noted you do did not make Ealing this weekend and so have no information as to whether Mrs Baker and Peter might be down over the Bank Holiday period. You may have news when you next write.

The roads will [be] sure to be heavily occupied throughout August – I see in Bristol paper the Scouts are providing pilotmen on Saturdays at certain points approaching Bristol to take cars through Bristol avoiding the main routes and saving a matter of forty minutes for the motorists. This is a voluntary service and was thought of by the Scouts themselves and the Police, I believe, are very pleased. It has saved a lot of congestion through the city itself.

So Cook has departed from Liverpool Street then and new headquarters is Derby. Have never been to Derby and from what I have always heard about it have no wish to do so. What has been done with Cook’s work at Liverpool Street?

Yes we can still get bottles of stuff from Elfords and at this time of year I generally call on him once per week for supplies of one sort and another. No difficulty in getting rid of broad beans. This week has seen a run on raspberries and currants and Mum gets out early in the morning picking. Was out picking at 6:30 a.m. this morning. It is a tedious job but only lasts a few weeks. There are so many currants this year I have had 4 lbs for wine and got this going over the weekend and today put it under fermentation locks. I filled one glass jar (with the two lugs) and about three quarters filled another so should have a good brew. This is the first time I have been able to have the currants for a complete blackcurrant wine and it should be good for the girls this coming winter. The cherries are ripening but there are thousands of birds making merry with them but I do not mind so much now I have the currant on the brew. We’ll see what’s about later.

Yes it was a surprise to get Don’s letter last Thursday saying he was finishing up at Dustin on the 19th inst. – official date 3rd August. To get rid of the ‘on-call duty’ is worth something especially during the winter. He is to be a proofreader for the printers – similar work to that which he used to do in the Exeter D.S.O. long ago and work we have all had a go at at some time or another. A five day a week job and £11 per week [just shy of £280 in 2023 currency] which will of course help out until he draws the National Pension at 65. I always thought he would finish as soon as possible after reaching the age of 60 provided he could get some other job worthwhile to help out. We are going down on Thursday, arriving there about 2:00 p.m., so shall get more news then.

Noted you had a flying visit from Eric Benn during the week. Expect they have well and truly settled in at Weston by now.

Talking about lawns, I managed to get all ours cut last Friday afternoon and a good job I did too for there was not another chance until today.Iit was long and the mower needed a push now and again.

Do not write off your sweet peas. Ours are only a few inches high this year so far as you will see when you come down but they will flower in due course. Your broad beans should have had the tops pinched out when blackfly first appeared but now I should burn them.

We still have no news about the proposed sale of land and I have not since my last letter to you spoken to either Cornish or Heel. One day last week Mum and I went out in car and we saw Cornish and Heel in a huddle outside Heel’s front gate so it looks as if they are friends again for a few minutes.

We did have a rodeo here in the week. Some cows got through Pearson’s garden from Mrs Marshall’s field and started going down the Avenue. Cornish and Heel conspicuous by their absence but I managed to head them back through Pearson’s garden where they kept going around in circles. Eventually got them back through hedge but I later heard they came through again during the night and Pearson was chasing them in his pyjamas at five a.m. The police brought one animal back from Westbourne Avenue.

The plan of the proposed new boundary is still whith the solicitors but in any case now you will soon be able to see the actual site for yourself.

Have not done much gardening this week as have spent time on the pond. Today I managed to finish the concreting of the paving slabs in their respective positions and am now in a position to empty pond and refill. Mum and I have planted aubrieta, pansies and clary in the border on the lawn side of pond and once I have been doing today is to make spaces along the top of the paving slabs for rock plants to be fixed. There is quite a lot to be done yet but the main purpose at the moment is to get the pond ready by the 15th of August.

Yes you need not worry about a supply of apples later on. Also anything else that may be available at the time but it is a pity you could not have had some of the soft fruit. Incidentally June is there much soft fruit for sale at Ruislip and if so what are the prices please? It should be fairly cheap having regard to the quantity available this season.

Not yet seen a copy of the Western Region News but if it is much the same as the Eastern Region News then there will be no need for you to send on your copy Alec. Not really worth the postage under these circumstances.

I think Mum has given up her idea of making a Bakewell tart for the competition. (Mrs Hewitt is the judge.)

Noted you have now ordered your lean-to from Hall’s of Paddock Wood. It is one of the firms I wrote to when buying the greenhouse which as you know I eventually purchased from a firm at Glastonbury. Who is going to put up your lean-to? Or should I not ask such a question? It will make a big difference to you when all the really cold weather comes. One bit of advice. When the lean-to is erected and before you put in the glass give it one coat of linseed oil. I’m assuming of course you are having a Western Red Cedar type building. All the advertisements say there is no need to do anything to Western Red Cedar but unofficially it still makes a tremendous improvement to give it the one coat of linseed oil. Then you can forget about it in future. I should have done this with the greenhouse but was not told in time and now it is too late because the surface of the wood is coated with dirt etc. and linseed oil is said to improve the look of the wood beside helping it against the weather.

Not much more news this time. The new houses at the bottom of the Avenue must be nearing completion – most of the outside work has been done. Quite a lot of people have been looking over them but Mum and I have not ventured inside.

No more now. All our love to you both and lots of kisses for the girls and we hope they will both soon be alright again. Mum and Dad.

P.S. emptied pond Wednesday afternoon but not yet refilled it. Dad. 

*With the benefit of hindsight, I’m going with lactose intolerance which later surfaced in the following generation.

**i.e. Geoff’s house at Pinner

Sunday 14th July, 1963

On By Sue JenkinsIn 1963 lettersLeave a comment

Alec to his parents:

Dear Mum and Dad

Your weekly letter to hand as usual Friday. You may have noticed that we have a new piece of ribbon in machine as from this week. I got a new one from the office and have given Susan a piece of the old one to put in her machine, and she is bashing away by my side at the moment. I think she manages better with this one than with hers.*

I agree with you that the weather is again well in the news. We had our share of the rain last week and and the week itself has been cloudy and cool. Yesterday was a funny sort of day. June had a few minutes in the garden in the morning, but the raindrops soon drove her off the chair. We went shopping as usual in the morning, but poor Carol gave us another of her special turns. She was sick as a dog poor kid, and had to go to bed in the end. Once up there she steadied down a bit, but had the niggles for a long time. In the middle of the night she had us awake a couple of times, but is reasonably well this morning. We have all been for a walk around streets, and over the high land behind Field End Road in the direction of Rayners Lane. I suppose we were out for about three quarters of an hour. Susan was again poorly in the week and complained of sore throat, but yesterday when she realised it was Saturday she suddenly got better.**

Can’t guarantee the state of the weather we will bring on 15th August. Hope that by that time we shall be having the better stuff.

Susan’s trip to Ruislip Manor for the wedding was as you suppose in connection with the Brownies. The girls who had uniforms were allowed to be in the Guard of Honour but as Susan is not allowed to wear hers yet she was allowed to attend the church. The girl being married was Tawny Owl the local gauleiter*** or something. Susan says that if she passes her next test on Wednesday (tie) she will be enrolled and will then be allowed to wear her uniform. She did not go to the reception or anything like that (nor was Dad invited).

Have really stopped progress on the concrete as no more stones forthcoming, but we have ordered the lean-to greenhouse from Hall’s.

I am not all together worried about Susan’s getting any bad typing habits. There is not any guarantee that she will be doing that sort of work anyway, and perhaps if she does she will have the benefit of some tuition.****

There is a spate of visits to the school about now. June has been twice for the concerts by the various classes, and on Tuesday week there is the Sports Day to cope with. On Wednesday of this week there will be an opportunity to see some of the work of the children in the evening. I shall try to get round to that as found it very interesting on the previous occasion I went along.

Agapanthus now opening its flower. I think it has stopped growing upwards now, but I had a feeling it was going to go through the roof.

We have not been over to Ealing this week due to Carol’s indisposition, and we have been unable to get them on the phone as it seems to be out of order. (Theirs not ours.) As a result we do not know if they will be making the trip to you. June thinks that the Bank Holiday weekend is not a suitable time to travel so it may be that if they come at all it may be after our own visit.

Yes we could have done with some of your soft fruits but range two great to take advantage of your offer. It is a pity all the same. Can always do with some apples when and if you are able to make an Autumn trip to us. We shall be pleased to see you of course, and we’ll leave it to you. Perhaps we can talk about it when we are actually down.

Glad you are still able to get bottles of stuff from Elford. Hope the supplies do not run out before we arrive. It is a month now almost to the date.

Cook finished up on Friday, and is talking as if he were the boss of the new outfit instead of the most junior. The first job they have given him to do is Inverurie Loco Works at Aberdeen. As his home station is now Derby and he still has his house in Ilford Essex I think he is in a bit of a mess*****. I formed the impression that he now has second thoughts about it all.

I gather you have been managing to dispose of your beans fairly easily despite Elford’s lack of memory. Note also the work on the pond – we shall certainly see a difference this time and no mistake.

Note also the position about the land. It looks to me as if it will go through now. News certainly gets around fast, especially when you have a dangerous customer like Cornish to be involved with. I think you may be right about Joe Reed being the source of Elford’s information.

I think that all the copies of the Railway News are the same except for a slight change of the inside pages to suit each region. Not much of a thing though.

Very interesting to learn of Dons job with the printers in Taunton. He was always interested in the subject, and now he has the opportunity to get into the field as a professional.

Shall be glad to see the plan of your new boundary when you get it back, as it looks as if you are losing rather more than I thought at first. However by now you may know much more about the matter, and will be able to tell us all about it when we arrive.

Have not made up my mind about the route for next month but June has already said that she wants to travel by rail with Carol******. It would seem that Susan and I will be coming down in the car with the luggage.

Hope the Bakewell Tart competition goes well for you. It would be a pity to lose and have to practice for the next year’s competition.

I do not think we have any spare jam jars as we get rid of them when empty, but will save any from now until our visit.

As mum says it is a good job the land is all Freehold as you could not possibly sell otherwise.

Hope the weather is a bit better for the holidaymakers now. We had sun for a while first thing this morning, but the heavy cloud has come up and sunshine is only intermittent.

Well not much news from this end this week, no Premium Bonds or football pools up yet. We had a flying visit from Eric on Wednesday night. He was up here this week at a conference and was staying with someone out Rickmansworth way.

Managed to cut the lawns this week and surprisingly well they cut too. The bare patches on the right-hand back lawn are filling up very quickly both due to rain and new seed, and also to June and the girls putting in grass clumps and treading down. Our daisies are out in bloom and we have many already for the vase. Sweet peas are still only about six inches high so can write them off for the season. The sunflower is about 3½ ft high now and growing rapidly. Beans going up the sticks slowly, but the broad beans are gathering blackfly and remain stationary with just an occasional blossom. Shall have to root them out and do not think they will come to anything.

Well hope you are both fit and relaxed ready for our invasion. So for the time being, love from us all once again. 

*Not really surprising as I seem to remember it had a rotary dial and a ‘pretend’ keyboard and would have been abysmally slow to use.

**So Carol’s genuinely unwell but I’m faking it for attention again? Oooo-kaaaayyyy.

***A pretty disgusting thing to say IMHO. Alec just likes to demonstrate his imagined superiority at every turn.

****Bear in mind that at this stage I have only recently turned seven years old.

*****According to Rome2Rio, Ilford to Derby is about 140 miles and Derby to Inverurie is another 410, although this is by road. By train the whole journey would take something like nine and a half hours with four changes under present-day conditions and involves travelling through Central London via Tube. The sensible option would no doubt be a sleeper train King’s Cross-Edinburgh (or Aberdeen) and travelling overnight, and being a railway employee this should have presented no obstacle as travel for work would of course be free of charge – although possibly only between Derby and Inverurie.

******There wouldn’t be a classic golden child/scapegoat dynamic developing by any chance, would there?

Tuesday 9th July, 1963

On By Sue JenkinsIn 1963 lettersLeave a comment

Leonard to the family:

Dear Alec June Susan and Carol

Many thanks for another budget of news received this morning together with a drawing and typewritten letter from the girls.

I suppose the weather is well in the news again after last weekend’s disastrous downpour. Looks as if you had the same rain-soaked Saturday as here at Clevedon. We guessed it by the postponement of the play at Wimbledon.

Sorry to hear the girls have had sore throats and colds and that at the time of writing June was showing signs of the same trouble. Hope by the time you get this letter you will all be much better but it is a complaint which seems to be going about. One or two around here have had something similar. What it is due to is anyone’s guess.

The rain here on Saturday started in the early morning and kept on until late evening. I got down to the garage and stopped there pottering about and trying to make a little room there – could hardly get inside the door.

Yes of course it is all right for you to come down on the 15th prox. and stop as long as you like. The only condition is bring some decent weather with you please. Noted that at the moment you may return on the following Monday week. Meantime we must get a move on here or you will wonder what we have been doing since you were last here. The garden is full of weeds and as for the patch beyond the hedge although I have cleaned it once this year it now looks like part of the field. The wet season has helped weeds of every description to overrun the garden. In that patch I have all potatoes except for one row of peas and the latter could not be seen until Mum went down and cleared the weeds in the immediate vicinity.

Fancy Susan going to a wedding at Ruislip Manor. Query was it in connection with the Brownies as I see Susan mentioned in her effort that you also took Megan Williams* to the Guard of Honour. What a pity it rained so badly.

Noted you have made no further progress with concrete base for the lean-to. You will soon have to make a start or you will have the autumn here before you are ready for it. Agreed the grass must make it difficult to find the necessary hardcore in the field.

Yes Susan makes quite a good job at typewriting but if she ever wants to learn it professionally she will have to start all over again to get fingering right**. You and I and many others manage quite well with the two first fingers but that is a different matter altogether. Carol’s turn will come later on. How is she getting on that school now? Hope she is settling down nicely. She will soon have completed her first term there.

Quite interesting information re: prospects following Cook’s promotion and shall be glad to hear the outcome in due course. Sorry to hear Alfie Greig has passed on. He was a real terror on passenger train delays and he and Godfrey had many an argument on which should take priority – freight or passenger.

So June has been busy again with the paintbrush – is it the smell of the paint giving you the sore throats? It is not very nice for a couple of days when the paint is fresh.

I do not suppose St Swithin makes any difference to our weather but the local weather forecaster here says this rainy spell will continue for another ten days or so. He could be wrong – in fact is more often wrong than right.

Don’t worry too much about a cutting from your agapanthus plant. Let it make good growth where it is for a while or you will lose it all together.

June did not comment on the possibility of the August Bank Holiday weekend. Perhaps she has not yet been able to fix it up and perhaps she was feeling a bit off-colour with the sore throat and cold. Anyhow you can let us know next week if the suggestion is workable.

Our strawberries are over but we are now flooded out with the other soft fruits. It is times like these when we wish you were near to have your fill of the various fruits. Not much good trying to send any through the post. Too costly and fruit likely to arrive in a mess. Later on however the apples will be available and we can bring them along in October or when we come up again.

Not surprised to hear the Longleat visit was a disappointment having regard to the weather but I feel sorry for the people on holiday just now especially in places like this.

Had some fun with Elford about broad beans. When I took him down the first lot I asked if and when I should bring any more. He said ‘I will let you know’. Well last Saturday evening I went down there for a bottle of stuff etc. and Mrs Elford asked why I had not brought in any more beans so I told her. Then Elford came into the shop and I told him he should take memory powder. However he had another 12 lbs today. The first 12 lbs he had he gave me 8½d per pound [equivalent to approximately 90p in 2023] to sell again but they will be down a bit this time. I may say we got rid of all beans available last weekend [and] I could have sold more had they been ready. Shall have a third row of available in about a fortnight.

Roy and Mrs Hewitt back from their second holiday at Llandudno but we hear indirectly that Roy has to go into hospital for another operation on his leg. He has not said anything about it and was here yesterday for about an hour in the morning. Understand his leg is getting more painful and he has difficulty in walking.

Am still getting on with the pond. This week have been filling in the surround with hardcore topping up with half inch gravel. The slabs will lie across this in due course. Have also put some good soil in the border on the lawn side of pond ready for planting. The continued rain has almost filled up the deep portion but I shall soon have to empty the lot and replenish with tap water after cleaning out all debris.

Noted Mr Grey has gone in for photography. Perhaps under the circumstances it would have been better to have bought a stirrup pump.

That was a good contact getting hold of someone at Mountain Ash.

Hope you found everything all right at number 17 if you did in fact make the journey last Sunday.

Not a lot to report on the sale of land project. The only contact I have had since last writing is with Pearson who told me last Sunday they had been pressing him to go to solicitor to hand in his Conditions of Sale. In actual fact however he had called in on Jack Bishop the same day as he received the pressure note. He said it looked as if the prospective buyers were in a hurry to get on with the job. Have not seen Cornish to speak to and have only passed the time of day with Heel since our last letter to you. Let sleeping dogs lie is my motto at present. Am afraid that once we start talking about it the fat may be in the fire again. It certainly looks as if some progress is being made.

Elford tackled me about it one day but I pleaded ignorance. He said Joe Reed had told him. This immediately rang a bell because read is one of Cornish’s drinking pals at Salthouse.

The bungalow in St Andrew’s Drive advertised for sale in the ‘Mercury’ a few weeks back is not now for sale as the occupier (a widow of 90) has decided to stay. She was unwell a little while ago and intended to sell out and go into a nursing home but now that she is better has decided to stay put.

The weather last Saturday kept visitors away from visiting the Old Church but they had one individual there who prised open one of the boxes and took the cash. Not to the first time this has happened but it must be at least a twelvemonth since the last attempt was made. More damage done on the front last weekend too but no police about and no trace of the culprits.

Thanks for the Eastern News Alec. Cannot make my mind up whether it will be successful or not. The pattern of the E.R. Magazine was good and an improvement on the W.R. counterpart.

Have just been down the garden and shut up greenhouse for the night. Blackbirds and thrushes are robbing the bushes of currants and raspberries as fast as they can get at them. The only cure would be a big wire cage. Shall have to see into this once the new boundary is arranged. Actually some of the bushes will have to be sacrificed because less room will be available. Cannot really decide until the alteration has been made. Shall have to find a new home for the thornless loganberry which is a pity as it has made such tremendous growth this past year. The runner beans too will have to have another site as that section will be cut off. When I get the plan back from Jack Bishop I will try and let you have it unless time is near for you to come down here when you can not only see plan but the actual line for the new boundary. That is of course if everything goes on all right.

Have you made up your mind yet which way you will travel on the 15th August? Query same route as last year. Must also agree a date with you when we can call at East Lyng for a short visit one afternoon. Mum and I will probably go down for a flying visit on the 31st. Waiting to hear from Don if date all right with them.

Well I think this is about the lot for another week so will close with all our love to you both and lots of kisses for the girls.

Mum and Dad

P.S. Don on a good thing – see Mum’s letter for brief details. 

*This has solved a mystery for me! We knew three Welsh sisters at this time whom we always referred to as ‘Mair, Megan and Sian’ – Mair was slightly older than us and Sian a little younger, but Megan was round about the same age, and we often all played together. However, as we left the area in 1967, I had long ago managed to forget their surname: I suppose ‘Williams’ would always have been a safe bet, however!

**Well, that never happened. I only ever had *one* typing lesson: my mother booked me in for an after-school class and I went to the first one, but had to leave early because I was also due at a Red Cross inspection that same evening. Then the instructor sent word that I was actually too young and could come back again next year, by which time I had already learned all the bad habits I still possess. I would not call myself a two-finger typist but a very fast hunt-and-peck one: I made my living quite nicely with my bizarre fingering anyway, although typing other people’s words is really not my cup of tea and I’ve almost always had jobs where typing was a component but not a principal part of the work.