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.

Wednesday 1st April, 1964

On By Sue JenkinsIn 1964 lettersLeave a comment

[Continued from Tuesday 31st March, 1964]

Letters to hand this morning – many thanks for all the news etc. Some journey then back to Paddington on the 22nd ulto. but not so much behind schedule in actual arrival. Yes I expect you were a bit tired and possibly hungry. We thought of you several times during the afternoon.

Both Susan and Carol have told us they like the books and we are glad they can make good use of the dictionary – as mentioned before it should help them a lot during their schooldays. Your comments on the visit to the school duly noted. If Susan is doing fairly well on the three subjects you might be able to concentrate on the other – arithmetic – and bring that one up to standard. Sounds as if she gets into arguments with her teacher if she tries to talk to her as an equal. Did the teacher give you any idea if she (teacher) objected to such approaches?

Yes the shirt is quite satisfactory and I wore it on Easter Sunday. Mum had also given me a new tie to go with it.

Both Susan’s and Carols letters are good again this week and Carol has reminded us that it is only a fortnight to her birthday. Have you any idea what she would like this time? Also what Susan would like for her birthday?

Yes we are pleased with the decorations and alterations in the house so far but now find that we must have a Venetian blind (plastic) in the kitchen or all the colour will be scorched out by the sun in the summer. Stan James will undertake this later. The cooker has not yet arrived although it was promised by Easter. Just another failure on the part of Traders to fulfil their obligation. Noted you have had similar trouble your end and now it is Jackson who is neglecting his work. Years ago such treatment would never be tolerated – the traders and workmen really fighting for work. What we are suffering now comes – unfortunately – from the fact there is no shortage of work. A spell of unemployment would soon alter things.*

I’m surprised you could not get the Dulux paint required but it must have been of an unusual colour surely. Noted you have been busy with your home decorations and that the fire (electric) has been fitted in dining room and that it meets all requirements. Something for us to see when we come up up at Whitsun. Also noted odd jobs done in greenhouse to seal up the cracks etc. Whatever is done in that direction it is bound to make a difference in the temperature. Pity about the design in the carpet but who is going to worry over that?

So Susan and Carol had a couple of days with Grandma Baker. Hope they did not tire her out too much.

Peter patronising B.R. then for his journey to Bridgend. What is being done to his car now? He seems to have a good number of minor repairs to it. Hope you soon have your own car attended to and the accelerator put right. Yes our car is proving very satisfactory and now we are using it more locally it has come in for a deal of admiration. Even Ted Caple saw it yesterday outside library and commented ‘very nice’ after examining it inside and out.

As mentioned on previous page we are not going to Lyng on Sunday because of illness there. Hope they will soon get over the flu but these cold winds are not helpful to anyone with weak chests.

No reply yet of course to my application to Council and I fear my plan was put in the day after the monthly meeting in which case I’ve had it for about a month or six weeks. As you know I could not possibly have put plans in earlier as had to have the printed front and side elevations from the firm.

Noted no activity in loft lately but that you will be able to improve the furnishings there by the carpet from girls’ bedroom. Cocktail cabinet sounds good – must bring some homemade brew up to stock it with.

Suggestion: – if the paper in the dining room where fitting of new electric fire has been spoiled why not have another pattern on that wall only, like we have in our dining room. Go contemporary for a change. A couple of rolls of paper would be sufficient.

Not surprised that Susan will not want to go to the Annual General Meeting again. Is it always held at Ruislip Manor? If so then it must cover all the Brownie units in Ruislip.

I see they had some fun and games at the American base over the Easter and another incident was that of the girl committing suicide by burning**. Do not know where the park mentioned is though.

Mum says she put Mrs Richings’ parcel of sweets with your other things to take back. In any case they are not here now and Mum says in reply to me she has not eaten them herself. One of the mysteries of the holiday?

This morning I have been taking good earth out of greenhouse and making up the flower border at far end of lawn ready for restoring same to grass. Am going to have difficulty in getting greenhouse apart in due course as I remember putting in long screws as well as the bolts when I put it up. These screws are now rusty and as soon as I put screwdriver to them the heads are coming off.

Bottom of page again. All our love to you both and lots of kisses for the girls. Soon be Whitsun.

Mum and Dad

*This deeply unattractive sentiment seems to suggest he feels that people should be glad to serve, and neglects the fact that with greater general prosperity workers actually have more alternatives for employment and also to better their conditions. Allied to the dismissive comments about Ray Mogg’s change of employment – effectively stepping out from the furniture company to become his own boss, which may have been on his mind all along – there is a strong element of expecting people to know their place and stick to it, and especially not to inconvenience him along the way.

**Have been unable to track this down, unfortunately.

Tuesday 31st March, 1964

On By Sue JenkinsIn 1964 lettersLeave a comment

Leonard to the family:

Dear Alec, June Susan and Carol [sic]

As it was Easter Monday yesterday we did not expect the usual weekly letter today but I thought I would start ours in anticipation of yours arriving on Wednesday morning. I suppose the chief topic with most people over the holiday would be the weather. It has been dry here all through but so cold and the wind is still in the north-east. What a good job you did not come down and also that we did not come to Ruislip. The only comfortable place has been in front of the fire. Two or three times Mum and I have tried to do a little on the garden but a few minutes outdoors has been sufficient on each occasion. In the garage however I have now completely stripped down the bench and stacked the timber from same along the side ready for use in new garage when latter ready. Most of the articles on the shelves have also been removed and the place looks really empty except for the car, table and chest of drawers. The plans and covering letter to the Council I took up personally last week and although I’m still waiting their reply I understand there will be no objection. Not that I was expecting any but it’s just as well to take the Council with you on any big job near house. Stan and James says he will lay in the base when I have had written reply from Council.

Mum has been weeding some of the flower beds on lawn and has had several bonfires. We have burned quite a lot of rubbish of one sort and another. There have been no more moves by the purchasers of the land today but there is still a strong rumour that no extension of Tennyson Avenue is now contemplated.

As you know we were going down to Lyng this coming Sunday but a letter from them this morning says Don is in bed with flu and that Joan although not in bed is also suffering from it and has a job to move about. Consequently the visit is off for the time being. Doctor is attending Don and calls again next Thursday. There was news also of Joan’s brother Jim aged 52 who was rushed off to hospital on 16th March with thrombosis after spitting up a lot of blood and he has to remain in hospital for a month and then have two months’ convalescence. It would appear he has had a narrow squeak but that it was taken in time. The letter asked me to let Geoff know what had happened and I sent Geoff the actual letter this morning. Perhaps we shall have better news of them for you next week. It was only a couple of letters ago that Don and Joan had not had a cold all the winter – now this.

Ted Caple has had another mishap with his car. Coming home from Exeter last weekend from a fortnight’s convalescence following his previous accident he got as far as Yatton and this side of the station turned right to come over the Moor Road and about 100 yards along right at the left hand bend he saw a lorry coming towards him from the opposite direction and pulled into his proper side of road for it to pass. Driver of lorry did not see him and took the corner sharply and struck his offside wing. He is still pretty shaken after the affair when the old lady was killed and this job has not improved matters.

Well we had a good day on Easter Sunday. I was ringing at 6:30 a.m. for 7 a.m. service which Mum and I attended and then rung for the 8 a.m. service while mum came home to get breakfast ready. Then ringing for the 11:00 a.m. service which I also attended and at 4:00 p.m. Mum and I went to Christ Church for the christening of Jane Elizabeth Bushell. We got back about 4:45 p.m. and went into Bushells’ for the tea. I left mum still there at 5:45 p.m. to go over ringing again but found that sherry and cucumber sandwiches are no good for ringing or singing. Anyhow it was a very nice do and I should guess about twenty people were there. Bushells had their friends down from Birmingham and they have a little girl called Susan – about five years old. They returned to Birmingham this afternoon.

A little more information regarding the Ray Mogg episode. Mrs Marshall says that Mrs Mogg told her that Ray’s colleague had had a nervous breakdown and he himself was being called upon to do more work than he could tackle and so gave it up altogether. A likely story indeed but I suppose the truth will leak out one day*. It is a fact he has taken over a shop in Coldharbour Road selling sweets, newspapers, cigarettes etc. where two or three assistants are employed. (The number of assistants is Mrs Mogg’s figure). In any case it is a comedown I should think from what he was supposed to be at the Avalon Furniture Company, Yatton.

*It seems rather churlish not to accept Ray’s word on the matter – this does appear to be a perfectly reasonable explanation – but maybe Leonard knows something we don’t!

[Letter continues Wednesday 1 April, 1964]

Sunday 29th March, 1964

On By Sue JenkinsIn 1964 lettersLeave a comment

Alec to his parents:

Dear Mum and Dad

Once more back to the routine letter after a very short but pleasant weekend with you. Thanks very much, and also for letter received on Saturday. Not too worried about non-delivery on the Friday. We had a delivery that day, but your letter although posted in time did not make it. Glad you like the shirt, and hope it fits okay.

Yes I got back safely all right, but after some trip. They said at Bristol that owing to engineering work in Box Tunnel we would be 15 minutes late arriving at Paddington. This of course involved us in going round by Bradford-on-Avon, Melksham, and Thingely Junction, a section of line I have not been over for many years. We arrived at Swindon about the time we should have arrived at Reading. At Wantage after two stops, the second rather a long one, we were shunted onto the Down line, and went over the wrong line right into Foxhall Junction. The engineers had a trench-digging machine at work on the Up Main, and it had dug a trench about a foot wide and two feet deep all the way from Didcot to Wantage. This was the last of the tangible delays and we seemed to be running very much out of course, but surprisingly enough we were only about 20 minutes late at Paddington, this no doubt due to recovery time. Found Eileen still here when I arrived very tired at number 84, and she left shortly afterwards. It seems she enjoyed herself, but I do not know what she did whilst here.

Yes the girls certainly liked their books, and Susan has read a great deal of hers and some of Carol’s for her. The dictionary in particular was very well received, and already put to good use.

I think this is the first and last Annual General Meeting for Susan for the time being. After all the palaver, getting there and getting her collected, she said for about three-quarters of the time they were making speeches which she did not understand, and only at the end did they show a film or something. However she was in the mood to say she had missed something if we had not let her go so now she knows.

We went to the school on the Monday evening, and arrived there at about 7:15 p.m. before the 7.20 p.m. allocation. There were two or three people already in the room, and the teacher was attending to one couple. We signed in on the blackboard, and were taken in turn, and in the meanwhile wandered round and looked at all the work on boards and in desks. Susan’s desk was a proper muddle. We had a short talk about ten minutes or so with Susan’s teacher who appeared to be quite pleasant and capable. She told us nothing we did not already know about Susan, but it is reassuring to hear our own opinions voiced by the only other person who has as much contact with her as we have. It seems she is very good at reading, writing and composition, but not so good at arithmetic. Her behaviour seems to have improved a little, but she still tends to want to discuss matters with the teacher on an adult/equal basis, rather than the true position. (The teacher’s words, and a fair summing up.)

Glad you liked the girls’ letters this week. Carol is now making an impression on the reading, although she cheats a lot by memorising passages, and tries to kid you that she is reading them.

Returning to your improvements, I must say they make a vast to difference to the old place, and I am sure the kitchen when completed and the new cooker installed will be fine. I gather the work by Mr James is finished, but what about the cooker, is that in position yet? Our efforts here not going too satisfactorily. We spent Friday and Saturday putting on the gloss paint on the woodwork, and that is in not in too bad a shape. Yesterday also we started to put the paint on the ceiling and walls, but ran out of paint in the afternoon, and we cannot get further supplies without ordering. We tried five shops that sell Dulux paint, but none of them stock the particular type we want so we have to leave the job unfinished with two days of the holiday left going begging. All of the ceiling has been done, and the wall and the drop all the way down from the door, round via the fireplace as far as the window, but the stretch under the window, and the wall next to the hall remains to be done. The whole room looks a lot cleaner, but will have to be repainted before long. We have ordered a new carpet for the room, but the only design in the quality of carpet we wanted which was acceptable still does not match up with the colour content of the furniture etc. However can always sit down with our eyes closed I suppose. We have returned the cotton carpet back to the girls’ room and that was done this morning. June now busy straightening that room out.

We took the girls to Ealing yesterday to spend a couple of days with Grandma. Uncle Pete has gone to Bridgend to see his girlfriend for the Easter holiday. His car is out of action as he is having some work done so he had to go by train. We gather he was up at 6 a.m. Saturday. Our car is still untouched by Jackson. He has not been near the place since he said he would call. I can manage to do short trips but shall not attempt anything other than local runs until the accelerator is fixed. Hope your car proving what you wanted. I must say it is a nice looking car, and obviously in very good condition. For the price I am sure you have a bargain.

Note you have moved the bench from the garage. That must have taken some doing. Have had a clear out of the lean-to this morning as painting came to a full stop. While at it I made up some cement, and went round inside and outside with it, filling in the gaps and in between the bricks and the bottom woodwork of the lean-to. I rather fancy it is a little warmer in there already, but it could be imagination. Thinned out the accumulated pots and tins, and have put outside the pots for cleaning. It is to be hoped that the girls leave them alone.

I hope you find Don and Joan in good order when you make your visit next month, and hope you will give them our kind regards.

Heel having fun and games with his roof then. Frank James is doing fine with the work from Tennyson Avenue.

I hope you can get an earlier reply from Town Clerk about your plans. I believe the maximum normal length of time involved is about (just under) two months. Plans are usually submitted at the next Council Meeting following receipt by the Clerk, and if a meeting has just been held, the next available date is in about one month’s time, and then you have to wait for a reply. I was lucky with mine, as by chance, my application was received about one day before a Council Meeting, with the result that I heard fairly quickly.

By the way we were lucky on Thursday with the weather as it was a beautiful sunny and warm day here for the first day of our holiday, but every day since has been cold with a piercing wind. There are frequent short showers of rain, but no sun. I had it in mind to do a spot of outdoor work in the garden, but will have another think tomorrow. Les next door busy putting his place to rights, and a nice job he seems to be making of it.

No activity in the loft for a while, but as I now have the old carpet from the girls’ room shall have to see about putting it down. Next to come are the armchairs, cocktail cabinet etc.

Can never seem to get authentic news of Ray Mogg. Most rumours have to be sifted for the truth. Some house by the sound of it. I shall be interested to hear more.

So there is to be a Launderette in the town. I suppose Mum now wants to sell the bath as much easier to hire a machine.

Glad to be able to report that all healthy here once again. Our new fire in the dining room is quite adequate for the job, and much more heat available than the last one. Jack Stevens fitted it on the Friday I was with you, and we have since settled his bill for the lot. Quite reasonable. Reverting to dining room fire, the fitting of it made quite a mess in the dining room wall, with the result that the dining room now wants to redecorating. And on ad infinitum.

Well not much more to pass on this week as you had most of the news when I was down. By the way I suppose you realise that after mentioning about Mrs Richings’ present for the girls we came away without it. I clean forgot about it, but the girls did not, but fortunately they soon got diverted by the books and that was the last we heard of it. So will close once more with love from us all.

Wednesday 25th March, 1964

On By Sue JenkinsIn 1964 lettersLeave a comment

Leonard to the family:

Dear Alec June Susan and Carol

Just a few lines this time to thank you all very much for the birthday card duly received in the parcel and for the shirt Alec brought down on Friday evening. Also to say thank you for the unexpected letter from June and the girls which arrived on Tuesday morning our usual time for the weekly budget. It was nice to know that Alec had got back safely and that the books etc. were ‘appreciated’ as Susan put it.

What a jaunt you had on Friday June having to go to Ruislip Manor to fetch Susan home but I’m sure you did the right thing. It is wrong for children so young to be out on their own at such late hours. Nice to have had Eileen with you whilst Alec was down here – company for you and helped to pass the time if such was needed. Sorry Carol sick in bed and hope it was only a temporary upset – seems so as she was able to go dancing on the Saturday. Not surprising Susan was yawning after so late a night and then to lose an hour Saturday night. We all take a little time to get used to the change.

Noted you went over to Ealing on Saturday and we hope you found your mother in good health and a little more settled in at number 17. Wonder how you got on at the school on Monday evening on Susan’s progress during the past twelve months?

Both Susan’s and Carol’s letters this week were exceptionally good and Susan is really getting hold of some really hard words now and is using them correctly. Carol too making good progress and it won’t be long before she will be well away with her reading.

It was nice to have Alec with us for a couple of nights and we all made the most of the time he was here. You have had all our news up to date June by now and can see that we have been very busy one way and another. Alec has told us that you what you have been doing and that things have been a little upset whilst the alterations were going on but I’m sure you are all pleased with the progress made. Frank James finished the kitchen here on Monday afternoon and then he was called in by Heel to stop the rain coming in the roof over their bedroom. Rather he was called into find where the trouble was. Yesterday (Tuesday) was a shocker it rained continuously all morning and Heel had to go down to the James place especially and get them to come up at once, which they did and fiddled about on the roof with the concrete flashing around the chimney.

The plans for the garage came from Thorns on Tuesday midday and this morning I took these and my own ground plans with covering letter up to Council House and handed them in personally with a dig at the clerk there that I wanted a reply quickly. This morning I have been busy dismantling the bench in garage and it was some job as when I put it up I never intended it to come down again. Mum is doing a bit on the garden, digging out a lot of the old chrysanths in the border nearest to the French windows. Much better weather today but a lot colder – wind up North.

As Alec already knows we hope to go down to Lyng on the 5th prox. to see Don and Joan. I’m hoping Don is going on all right but that he has enough sense to remain home for a couple of weeks more to thoroughly get rid of his illness.

Well I think this is about the lot – not much to tell you since Alec’s visit. Oh there is one other item. Enclosing an extract taken from ‘Mercury’. We are told it is Ray Mogg’s house advertised and that he has taken on a sweet shop in Coldharbor Road, Bristol. Rumour is that he has finished with the Avalon Furniture Co. at Yatton but we have yet to have confirmation of this. Thought he was doing well there too.

Once again many thanks for your remembrances of the 21st March*. All our love to you both and lots of kisses for the girls.

Mum and Dad.

P.S. Forgot? no delivery of post on Friday or would have posted Wednesday. 

*Leonard’s birthday: he would have been 67 years old.

Sunday 15th March, 1964

On By Sue JenkinsIn 1964 lettersLeave a comment

Alec to his parents:

Dear Mum and Dad

Thanks for paper and letters, arrived here punctually once more. Imagined you would have the car by now, and hope you like it. More of that anon.

Glad to be able to report all in health here again. Apart from usual catarrh nothing of note to complain of. I am afraid my latest must have been bilious attack, it went the usual way. No recurrence and returned to work on the Monday as normal.

Odd I should mention the dust on the top of the greenhouse, but we have had two days of continuous and heavy rain on it, and now as I write it is trying to hail in the middle of it. The rain does not have a cleaning effect as there is a kind of sand deposit brought down from the tiles that washes all over the glass and stays put on the surface like a lot of soot particles. When the weather is a little more settled I shall get the hose on it and clean all that off to let the maximum light in. Talking of the lean-to, there is more water in the bottom now than I have ever seen there. The direction of the wind has something to do with it also the continuous nature of the rain. However there is a minor flood in the front and right-hand side, and some coming down the inside where the pane was broken. This will all yield to a cementing job later on I hope, so must attend to that. You could do with borrowing a wagon sheet or tarpaulin from the station (nearest staffed one) to cover up the oddments you have to put under the hedge.

Although small the lean-to does take quite a bit of heat to maintain the temperature above 32 degrees [F/freezing point], and I am sure the larger heater we have in mind to put in there will do the trick. We did report in the last letter that we had a good man to call on for electrical jobs. Well call is one thing, but come is another. He said he would do the job on Saturday (yesterday) but he has not been near the place. We got the whole place clear to so that he could come in and have immediate access to everything but he did not call. In addition we made sure that someone was here all day, which meant that June had to do a little shopping without the aid of car. We think he may come today now, the but it is already 9:30 a.m. and no sign. However it is still early I suppose.

Good way of getting rid of your barbed wire. I suppose it was Norman Baker’s in the first place, so he had his own back so to speak.

Have been to see doctor again about the varicose veins as instructed by hospital. It was a different man this time, (the boss) but he just looked at it and inquired how it felt etc. and said well let it settle down and come and see us again in three months time. Usual business, you cannot shake them off at all when they first get hold of you. However the leg is generally much better, although not completely right. I have to do an awful lot of sitting down all day, and this must affect it a lot. With luck and the summer when one can get about a bit more, it may pass off.

Yes it was the orchestra that I was canvassed for, not the Opera Club. I do not recall that it was in existence when I was living at home. I seem to remember that Dodge played a cello or something of that nature and size.

I suppose the taking of Riching’s phone was all part of the economy drive. I wonder what they saved on that.

Talk about working things out for yourself in reference to Susan and the seeds, we had a quick crack from Carol last night. I picked up the Lego* (a kind of plastic Meccano) and started to build a kind of square building for them. Halfway through Carol said ‘what are you building, a public laboratory?’ Not much respect for my design apparently.**

Re: the new houses by the church, I do not think they will have all that bother selling the houses. The things still have a scarcity value and the prices keep up. A good thing if you have one to sell of course.

Have had a look at the trains and find there is now an awful service. Particularly the train back on Sunday, and have still not made my mind up which is the best. Will write on the end of this letter time of arrival at Yatton on Friday.

The site of the caravans at Exmouth is at Sandy Bay which we seem to recall is out beyond Orcombe Point. Should imagine it is quite nice out there.***

Yes Inspector Belcher’s daughter must have joined the office after I left Bristol, and I certainly do not remember her.

Gather that the Surveyors have been working at your place already, and no doubt it will not belong before the builders and their gear arrive. Good idea to tell Robinsons that Bushell’s etc. land is available as I doubt if this information was passed on from Hawkins after they had been unable to buy it.

By the way I thought to mention Bartlett in connection with the South Africa chaps when I wrote last week, but somehow left it out. Yes he certainly went out there after being assistant at Gloucester and then Bristol. I remember we bumped into him and Wills in the Salthouse a few years ago.

There were no other girls at the party besides ours but I expect the four of them made enough commotion from Mrs Pearce. They came home complete with bags of cakes etc.

We do not know how we shall like the caravan holiday. People have advised us to get a size larger caravan than we need, which in our case would have been a sixth berth one, but we have to be content with what we got, namely a four berth one. I gather it makes all the difference between feeling cramped and not.

Gather your car is what you want although it is an earlier model than you wanted. Periwinkle blue, eh, what next? Shall look forward to seeing it when I come down. Glad the report from the expert is favourable. When you get these good offers, it is best not to turn them down even if perhaps not quite what was wanted or convenient as to time. Good about the two new tires on the back and on the spare. Also good about the mileage which is not bad at all. Bit of a joke about Cornish having a look in the garage for himself, got more than he bargained for no doubt. Bit of luck if he gets your old car. Hope he drives it a bit more carefully than his old bike.

I am not really surprised to learn they are considering putting the road into Old Church Road on the town side of West End House. That to me seemed the obvious place to put the road junction. I should think the man who wanted to put the junction on the other side of the house should have his head read. Of course the buying of that little bit of property by the Council was essential if the road was to go through there.

Be interested to hear how you get on with the Thornes and what sort of price they ask for their garage. Don’t quite get the point of the driving of nails into the walls, as assume the right way to go about things would be to use Rawlplugs. No trouble to use them and less likely to split the precast concrete and nails.

What was the occasion of the visit to the Regent? Were you celebrating the last of the Choirmen, if so should have asked Les Garland. I do not recall seeing the hotel or catering part of the Regent but many times I saw the bar etc. It was not a bad place, and the only drawback at the time was the presence of Mrs M as part-time barmaid. I think she must have served at most of the local pubs at one time or another.

We understand that the jaunt on the Avalon**** is timed for the second week in June, so we have something to look forward to.

Yes we noticed that they were going to make the local station an unstaffed halt. The place certainly changed. At one time it was under Yatton, then it was a station in its own right, then back under Yatton, then unstaffed altogether. Beeching’s idea is to have what are known as ‘bus stop’ stations. Stations only to have the same facilities as a bus stop, and he has a point.

Well getting towards the end of the page so will call a halt and see you on Friday. Love from us all once more.

*Lego only really took its present form in 1958 and according to this article it arrived in the UK in January 1960, but apparently was not manufactured here until British LEGO Ltd. began production in 1962. This would explain why Leonard may not have been aware of its existence and would need to have it explained to him, as it was a relatively new phenomenon at the time.

**On the other hand, recollecting the design of the public lavatory near South Ruislip station at the time – a nondescript small white building with a red roof – this was probably a reasonable observation.

***He’s quite right about the location but, considering that the Devon Cliffs Holiday Caravan Centre is now a ‘Haven’ establishment, I’m not at all sure about the ‘quite nice’ aspect of things these days. We accidentally booked a night at a Haven with our motor caravan last year and will never make that particular mistake again – it was one of the few sites where we close the blinds and never stir a foot outside until morning!

****I have no idea what this is, unless it’s the cross-channel ferry he was talking about a while ago. No doubt, when we get to June, we’ll all find out together.

Tuesday 10th March, 1964

On By Sue JenkinsIn 1964 lettersLeave a comment

Leonard to the family:

Dear Alec June Susan and Carol

Many thanks for letters received first post this morning but what have you been up to again to be under the weather? June with tonsillitis and Alec a sick spell. Thought we were all pulling out of illnesses now the Spring is approaching. However we do hope all is well now. Was it a bilious attack Alec?

Weather today just grand although a cold wind – not quite so fierce as the previous three or four days. Sharp frosts at night. We quite understand about the later posting of last week’s letter and sorry to hear the reason for it. Can be very painful June.

Yes I suppose your greenhouse would collect a lot more dust than ours here being situated in a built-up area. The hose pipe should do the trick all right. Sorry about the broken pane of glass – a job for a quiet Sunday afternoon to replace.

Bringing stuff up from the garage etc. seems to be an endless task. We do a bit daily but that is still a lot more to come. where to put it now is the problem – the shed has nearly reached bursting point. Anything that will not suffer from rain we are parking outside alongside the hedge running parallel with Bushells’ place. Just leaves room for car to get in and out along the drive.

Note your idea for heating greenhouse next Winter – it is necessary to have sufficient heat if the greenhouse is going to be of any use to you. Just enough to keep out the frost. Glad to hear you have a good man to call on for your electrical jobs – and living so near top. Christmas gift for the dustmen-oh no. A little while ago I wanted them to take away some barbed wire (recovered from the field) but they left it bracket behind. Got rid of it eventually when Norman Baker came to pick up the fence posts he had used here by throwing it up in his lorry.

Not a bad suggestion that lubrication might ease the lungs – must try it. Had not heard though that varicose veins are caused by lost elasticity. Glad to hear you have had some benefit from the injections and hope matter will rest there and operation may not be necessary.

We had a real good evening at the Light Opera Co.’s show. Lidbury’s daughter still lives a Portishead and is not married but she belongs to the Clevedon Operatic Co. Dodge still plays in the orchestra I think. Anyhow he appeared to be prominent there the night we attended. Did not know that you once had an invitation to join. Must be very enjoyable if one is interested.

Have not seen Pope since last writing but understand he is progressing all right. It is going to be a long time before he can take any risk of doing even light jobs. Mr Palmer still waiting to hear results of his examination at Southmead Hospital.

Yes the baby is getting on fine and Ruth is two years old today. She is walking about with a badge pinned to her dress ‘I am 2’. They are having a party for her this afternoon. No sign of the Richings – incidentally they have had their phone taken out of Station House. Could not get B.R. to pay for it as it was so near the station.

The builders are getting a move on with the plot near the church. Have broken through the wall and now levelling the ground inside and removing sufficient to lay in the road. Good job it is nice and dry otherwise they would have had a pretty good mess there. The proposed price for the houses is disgraceful – and to cap it with a ground rent of £10 10s [approx. £262 in 2024 money] is robbery. I wonder how they will get on with the selling of them?

No we do not miss the telephone Alec but I agree it is very useful and would be especially if one was living on their own.

Yes the bonfire girl is still at it and clearing up a lot of rubbish.

The card arrived safely last Saturday and mum was pleased with it. No doubt it will be mentioned in her letter. That was a real good one of Susan to suggest a package of seeds for her mum. Getting the most for her money. Shows she works these things out for herself.

Noted all right for us to make Journey to Ruislip at Whitsun and that in the meantime you will try and run down for a couple of nights arriving evening of Friday the 20th inst. and back some time on the Sunday. We shall be pleased to see you of course but if you are at all feeling off colour please stay put for your own safety. We shall understand the position. Let us know next letter proposed time of arrival at Yatton if you do travel.

Very pleased to hear you have been able to fix up for a caravan holiday at Exmouth. Just where is the site of caravan? Query Orcombe Point. Can discuss our possible visit there when we see you at Whitsun but we have been there and back in the day from Clevedon on one previous occasion. What is actual date of your annual leave this year?

Inspector Belcher’s daughter was in the staff office of the D.S.O. but it must have been after you went to London. No news here either of any appointment at Temple Meads – should not think Oxford man would get in there but one never knows nowadays.

Surveying of the land here started yesterday and in the afternoon I found the two men doing the job were in the field on our side so I went down to have a talk with them. They are from the Rickmansworth firm of Surveyors acting for Robinsons and I understand the latter will be the eventual developers of the whole of the land in the area. A new plan is being submitted to the authorities for the layout of the site by Easter and Heel told me this morning that he thought the road between his place and Cornish would be started in early April. I mentioned to the Surveyors yesterday that Bushells and two other neighbours would be interested in selling their portions of land to Robinsons and he undertook to inform Robinsons of this when they get back this weekend. Might do a bit of good but it is just as well for Robinsons to know the land is available before their planning goes too far. They may not bother of course but there it is they can now please themselves.

Thanks for reminding me of Whitworth Alec but the man I had in mind was Bartlett – you remember him. Quite a lot of them went out in the Thirties.

Noted you all went to Mothering Service on Sunday and thanks for the programme which is returned herewith as you may wish to keep it. So the girls went to Mrs Pearce for a party in the evening. They are coming on.

Yes June we too are quite happy about staying put for Easter and shall look forward to seeing you all at Whitsun and let’s hope the weather is warmer then. Glad you were able to fix the caravan – had my doubts as it was late.

I agree it is nice to have a few jobs done after waiting for them for so long. That’s just the feeling we have and we have waited a long time. Now it is difficult to get the workmen on the job always some excuse for not coming quickly.

Well now as mentioned very briefly last letter Mum and I went down to Binding and Payne’s and had a good look at car which Harry Payne was anxious for me to see. It is an A55 first registered in June 1961 and in really showroom condition inside and out – colour blue but deeper than your blue coloured car. It was an offer I could not turn down and made the deal there and then. Bushel has since examined throughout and said it is a ‘Smasher’. It is an earlier make of car than I had in mind but am quite pleased with it. Two new tyres on the back wheels and a new tyre on the spare. The two on the front wheels are in excellent condition also. The windows have stainless steel frames. Have since heard that two or three of Binding and Payne’s staff wanted it as soon as it was brought in but Payne insisted I should have first refusal. It was a one owner job and has done  27942 miles. Obviously been well cared-for. There are one or two minor scratches on the body but you have to look hard to find them. Registration 573 MHU. Did not really want to change car before garage available near house but as mentioned above I could not let this go.

Saw Cornish for the first time for weeks yesterday – he was watching the surveyors at work and he asked how I was getting on removing stuff from garage and greenhouse. I invited him over to look for himself and opened door of garage and his eyes nearly popped out. Volunteered the information he might get a car himself and in fact somebody had already put him onto one but he did not say what it was or where. This morning Heel came through a gap in the hedge (made by the Surveyors) when he saw me sawing branches off the apple trees and so had a look in garage. He could tell me there is an idea now that the road into Mrs Marshall’s ground may after all go in on the town side of West End House. The Council are seriously considering it. It is understood the little cottage near (stone mason’s cottage) has been bought by the council and that it will be demolished to enable the road to be widened. Am in touch with Thorns re: garage and asking when delivery could be expected once an order was given. Shall most probably have one from them unless their reply is unsatisfactory. Have also asked them if nails can be driven into the precast concrete sides as I want to put up shelving and a bench. Nothing like asking but I can already foresee their reply.

Last evening Ern Cole, Mr Palmer and myself had a little do together. We went to the Regent Hotel at 8pm and had a steak supper with a bottle of Sauterne and afterwards some sherry. Came out about 10:30 pm and walked home. It was Ern Cole’s suggestion and it was a very nice evening. The food was wonderful and beautifully served. I was really surprised to think there was such a place in Clevedon.

So there is no more news from the Liverpool Street front then yet. Expect you noted in the ‘Mercury’ that Clevedon station becomes a halt some time in April. Better than closing it altogether but I see the Council people have warned the locals that they should use the service for it might be lost altogether. How true.

Down to the bottom of page again so must now close with all our love to you both and lots of kisses for the girls.

Mum and Dad

Sunday 8th March, 1964

On By Sue JenkinsIn 1964 lettersLeave a comment

Alec to his parents:

Dear Mum and Dad

Once again for letter and paper duly received. Sorry ours did not reach you until Wednesday, but June did not post until the Tuesday as not too well on the Monday. In point a fact she had and still has tonsillitis. Throat very sore and swollen. I am afraid she was none too good on the Monday. This persisted throughout the week, but it seems there is quite a bit of it about around here.

Can’t say we are able to report any fog, but it has been awfully cold again and we had snow on Friday morning. The sun has not put in much of an appearance although I did notice that the max temperature in lean-to was 60º [F, or about 15ºC]. Needless to say the minimum was 30º [F or -1C] or thereabouts. I seem to remember a little rain last weekend, but this stuff does not clean off the glass roof but only seems to add more such and dirt on it. I shall have to put the hose on it in the warmer weather. We have had a slight casualty with one pane of glass. The clothes prop fell on it and knocked a small chip out of the end and left a rather larger crack down at the front. It will hold it seems, and is not in a dangerous position.

Very pleased to hear you have got rid of your colds at last, and now on the mend. You did have a long session with them this time.

I’ll bet you had a game with the etceteras brought up from greenhouse and garage and put in shed. Note you have heater safely put away. Well worth looking after they are. I am afraid the little sump heater although invaluable in preserving most of our cacti during this winter is not up to the job of maintaining a high enough level of heat in very cold weather for all plants to have a chance of survival, so I am having the large paraffin convector heater next year. We are having a visit from Jack, the chap at number 94, this morning and he is going to do the electrical work we want done. He owns his own business in this line, and we want him to do several little jobs including putting a Radicill* heater in bathroom.

However back to your activities, you seem bent on having the spring clean of all time. I expect the dustman will be looking forward to his Christmas tip this year.

Note the result of the X-ray satisfactory, and nothing much you can do about the elasticity of lungs. Maybe a little singing might put the job right, or appropriate lubrication or both. By the way on the subject of elasticity I’m told that varicose veins are veins and that have lost their elasticity and injections are given to restore same. I must say my leg has been marvellous compared with previously. There is just an awareness that I have a very slight stiffness, but that is all.

So the price of the houses at the Old Church is going to be near £5,000. Who would want to have one there at that price?** I should think they will all have trouble with tree roots there.

Gather you have been ‘going gay’ with visits to the Light Opera Company. Hope the evening was a success. I believe that Dodge has a lot to do with that crowd. When I was playing the trumpet I was invited to join them but declined.

Glad to hear that Mr Pope is doing quite well. Note the Liverpool Street performance rang a bell with him. We have no more news about the various dispositions as a result of the closed lists. I think they are rather taking their time about it.

I am afraid I had a slight mishap in the week up there. Went to work okay on Thursday morning, but had difficulty in getting there. Felt very queer and after a short while had to get my head down. They dug up the Sister and she attended to me, with blanket, easy chair, bowl etc. and for about three hours I was quite ill. I could not risk going on the Underground so they sent me home in one of the cars complete with polythene lined paper bags. Got here about 1.45 p.m. and was soon in bed. Had nothing to eat that day, but had an egg next morning and a fairly full dinner. Everything okay now, but just like old times.***

Your remarks about taking to the air noted. As I am concerned, I wish to keep one foot on the ground.

Good to hear that new baby doing all right next door. I do not suppose you see or hear much of it. Later on I expect they will be quite a handful for them. You do not mention anything about the possibility of Bushell selling his land so assume all now quiet on that subject once again.

I wonder why you did not get your visit from the Richings? Of course they cannot now phone you if not coming. Do you miss having the telephone?

Have had that trouble with my car more than once. The times it has refused to start, and just a touch on the battery terminal does the trick. Had just the same with the Austin. So you have seen new car that you fancy. I expect that by the time you get this letter you have new one all safely tucked away in your garage. Something for the neighbours to wag tongues about. No doubt Cornish will be over either asking or more likely giving advice on the same subject.

I expect the bonfire girl has had a busy time of it. Hope card arrived. Hope also that wine put in cupboard not too potent or else one morning you may find no stairs left. My sloe wine is still fermenting a little. I do not know after how many months, but it is high time it stopped.

Glad to have you up for Whitsun, and you can expect me down on the Friday night sometime for return on the Sunday. I cannot take any more time, as I have already had the last two Fridays off due to hospital visits and sickness, and must go to hospital again next Friday. So far as the summer holiday is concerned, thanks for O.K. on trip to Clevedon. Perhaps we can fix something up for you when we are down at Exmouth. (We are fixed up okay.) It would be rather a long trip for you just to come for one day.

Interesting to find Percy Lidbury’s daughter in the cast of show. I thought he lived in Portishead. Perhaps she is married and lives at Clevedon. I remember Inspector Belcher, but do not remember his daughter being at Temple Meads.

I have not heard of any appointment at Bristol yet although I noticed that the S.M. at Oxford was vacant again, and as the previous tenant (an Oxford graduate trainee by name of Ainsworth) was being pushed by member of area board have put two and two together.

Looks like you are going to keep Frank James as busy with decorating and garage. I doubt if you will get a better price for the job. All the local tradesmen know you have a bit of extra cash now (thanks to Cornish etc.) and they all will want part of it. However his price does not seem to exorbitant by present-day standard so assume you will be getting it done.

I believe that Whitworth was the other assistant you forgot the name of. There was also a young man from Limpley Stoke who joined the army (officer) and later went out there. Campbell also went there.

So Bastin is going now. I am not surprised to hear he is fed up. Local men however high up the tree seem to have little control of things themselves now.

We are going to a Mother’s Day service this afternoon, and in the evening the girls are going to a party. Mrs Pearce’s two girls who live a little way down the road are having one so we shall have a bit of quiet for a while while someone else has the trouble.

Wind blowing quite a bit now. In fact we have had it windy here for the last couple of days.

Thanks for the offer of some chrysanths. We can always do with a few of them. Had some from a chap at the office and put them out in greenhouse in a bowl of earth prior to potting up. I believe they are outdoor variety but can always be grown indoors I suppose. No more plants lost thank goodness, and hope risk of frosts receding, but does not feel much like it out.

I must tell you about our little trip to shops yesterday (the girls and I) to get something with their pocket money for mother. Susan wanted to get some little plastic flowers (which she did in the end) but we passed the flower shop and had a look in. While pricing the various cut flowers, and plants, she realised that 1/3d [about £1.50 in 2024 money] was not going to go very far so she said to me did I think it would be all right if she bought a packet of seeds instead. Not a bad idea if June had no objection to waiting. Florists doing a roaring trade, and all sorts of blooms going like hot cakes. We settled for a couple of pots of daffodils in bud, and they look as if they are about to come out.

No sign of Jack yet, so shall have to root him out I suppose. Now about 12:30 pm so had better close and see what has to be done. Will leave room for any comments from June, and close once more with love from us all.

Alec. 

*I’ve been unable to locate anything online that meets this description, so I can only conclude that it was a short-lived brand name – probably for a wall-mounted heater.

**As mentioned previously, almost anyone! The current equivalent would be £125,000, whereas I doubt you would get much in that vicinity for less than three times as much these days: there’s certainly nothing local under £250,000 whatsoever.

***’Bilious attacks’ were a common feature of our childhood – and, as mentioned before, June was not a good cook. Neither, for that matter, was Eva – and, additionally, food hygiene was not taken anything like as seriously then as it is now. It may be no coincidence that Alec suffered with his gall bladder later in life, or that he had a grandson with lactose intolerance: there is clearly some incompatibility between diet and digestion in operation here.

Wednesday 4th March 1964

On By Sue JenkinsIn 1964 letters, UncategorizedLeave a comment

[Continued from Tuesday 3rd March, 1964]

Letter to hand this morning and we were pleased to hear you had got rid of colds etc. and hopes Susan’s effort on Sunday did not develop. It is a raw wet morning and I had difficulty in starting the car but eventually got it going on handle. Then it gave out again in drive and later twice on the road. The last time I managed to coast down Hillside Road to the car park opposite St John’s Church where I had to go over to Binding and Payne’s for assistance. Could later have kicked myself as all that was the matter was the battery terminal had become so corroded that contact was not being made.

What a time you had at the hospital waiting your turn. However result of specialist examination noted and we hope the injections will do the trick. If not however do not hesitate to have the vein out. Also noted you will have an x-ray on the 25th inst. and again we hope it will be satisfactory. It is well to have these x-rays periodically – a good safeguard.

Have told you on previous page of our efforts to clear timber and other junk from the garage area to sites near the house so will not comment further on that this time. The bonfire has been looked after by mum who has lit up several these past few days.

Sorry Notley did not get either of the jobs – must try again later.

Yes the homemade wine went under the stairs all right but the cupboard is now full.

Glad you had your tank replaced satisfactory – should give good service now for several years.

I did have a word with Harry Payne re: a good second-hand car – probably an 0. The one he took me out all in is a similar model but with the automatic gear. The price of one of these even at second-hand would be too heavy for me but it seems to be the car of the future.

The question of Easter is mutually agreed. It does not seem an ideal time for getting about and it will not be very long to Whitsun when Mum and I will be very pleased to come to Ruislip. Looking forward from October to Whitsun however is a very long time but now that we are nearer to it it will not seem too long. If you can make it towards the end of the month Alec we shall be delighted to see you. We are also looking forward to seeing you all soon.

Regarding your holiday at Exmouth we hope you will be in time to secure the caravan and await your next letter to confirm booking. If we do not stay the night at Exmouth we will certainly run down for a day if you would like us to but further arrangements can be made later on when we see you all at Whitsun. We do hope you can fix the holiday for I am sure you will be ready for it by the time August comes. Noted you may do a bit of decorating over the Easter. We are waiting for Frank James to come along and do out the kitchen. Of course we shall be pleased to have you with us after your week at Exmouth and once again can only hope the weather will be kind.

Perhaps Susan likes the change to the Parish Church Brownies where she finds some of her dancing friends. Also pleased she’s getting the hang of the dancing steps etc. Carol will soon follow suit. After all she is two years younger.

Nice work getting hold of the radio fan in Southern Rhodesia. Shows your set in excellent condition and capable of long distance work.

Well mum and I went along to the Light Opera Co.’s show last night and it was first class. Started at 7:30 p.m. and finished at 10:30 p.m. One of the principles was Percy Lidbury’s daughter. Expect you remember Percy he unfortunately died a couple of years ago at about 55 years of age. During one of the intervals a young lady came up to me and addressed me by name but I hadn’t a clue. Said she worked at Temple Meads at one time in the Station Master’s office. It turned out to be the daughter of the late Chief Inspector Belcher now married and living at Weston. She belongs to the Bristol Light Opera Co. and her party had been invited to the Clevedon show. You may remember Inspector Belcher but I doubt if you will remember Rita, the daughter, as it is possible she only started work after you went to London. She could tell me that Charlie Coulam, who went to the East African Railways (from Bristol Rolling Stock section) many years ago is now back in England retired and living in luxury. He can only be about 50 years old now so has evidently got a very good pension. He went out to Africa with the crowd of Peter Price, Meadows, Cannings, Whittington, and the other senior assistant whose name I cannot recall. I should say they have got out of Africa too just in time.

Noted you have nothing to report from the office this week but that the applications on the closed list may be dealt with shortly. Was told this morning that Bastin of Bristol was retiring in May and going to Medhurst* to live. Another one fed up with the way things are going.

Sorry you have had to move your typing paper to the loft because of the girls using the same. They want to write as well**. Hope you have an electric fire up there – it can be very cold under the tiles.

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

P.S. This morning (Thursday) am seeing an A55 1961 again with Mum. It is in perfect condition inside and out – blue, same colour as yours. ***

*Probably Midhurst!

**So maybe give them some paper, then!

***Ah, the wonderful A55: it stayed around for a very long time, but unfortunately I lost contact with it after my divorce in 1986. It does not seem to be registered currently, so either it’s someone’s project car or it’s gone to the great scrapyard in the sky.