Sunday 28th February, 1960

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Alec to his parents:

Dear Mum and Dad

Thanks very much for Dad’s letter received as usual first post on Saturday morning. Yes it certainly was Carol’s turn to get into mischief last week but touch wood there have been no serious scares this week. The prams certainly get full use now they have moved to our side of the fence. They resemble two very tasty bones between two hungry dogs. I am afraid they fight over them but they do that about everything now. Anything that happens is always Susan’s fault ( according to Carol ) and vice versa. I expect Mum will be glad to cease cooking breakfast for Miss Weekes. However genuine the cause it gets a bit wearing after a while I am sure. Nice to know that the premises next door are at least being partly restored if not fully saved from ruin, I expect Aston was pleased with his window frame both for its use and history. Sorry to hear that his eye is still so bad. Mrs Aston certainly made a good job of it. Can’t believe the story about the rake. As far as I recall the allotments behind Moggs were well worked and very good soil. The ground was particularly well drained due to the slope of the hill. There is also a certain amount of protection from the wind so he should do well for crops. Did not see Sooles engagement in Telegraph but then I do not usually read through the Court Circular Births Marriages and Deaths Columns. Now I do not go to Reading I find that there is more material in the paper than I can get through in a short train journey. Note the position of the repairs to the Sea Wall but for how far along the wall do these alterations extend? If two lorries can pass it must now be a massive thing compared with former years. Not much point in strengthening only part of the wall. The broken spring in one of the arm chairs was in it when passed over to us from the Greys. I padded out. the arm with newspaper and cardboard but it was still noticeable. The chair was so large that its absence makes the room seem larger. Not enough places to sit down now but more room on the carpet. Trust Ted Caple to see truck fall over the wall. I’ll bet he hears the first Cuckoo. Glad to hear that your neighbours are getting better also Mr Cummings. I am afraid that Miss Baker is not so well. It appears that she was allowed up or got up during the week but had to go back to bed again. Did not know Randle. Did he live where Miss Newey lived or next or next but one to Aston. Shall be very glad to have some Chrysanthemum cuttings if you can spare them. We have one sort only and I allowed them to winter outside. They seem to be O.K. and are throwing out many shoots. You will be able to have some of ours for stock. Shall be glad of the window. The original intention was to fit it to shed but as shed will be replaced by garage in due course, will make up a garden frame. You did say you might be able to find us some more string although you said supply had temporarily ceased. If none available it is not greatly impor­tant. When selecting the plants and things to bring up don’t forget the roses. You remember we said we would like some cuttings. Had a bit of a sore throat on Monday and Tuesday but thought it was to pass off. By Wednesday it had developed and by Thursday both Susan and I were in the throes of bad colds, Carol qualified on Friday although she must have had it for a couple of days prior. She woke up during the night of Friday and had to be taken in with June, I went in with Susan. On Saturday night June went in with Susan and I stopped in our room with Carol asleep in cot. Apart from talking in her sleep she lasted the night out and has been much better since. We collected Susan from Sunday School and then went to West Drayton in car, Carol was as good as gold all the way until we got to the Fire Station (around last corner) where she was sick. Within one minute we had arrive at car park and she was right as ninepence after. Coming home she slept a great part of the way so no crisis. Have done nothing to the garden yet but have obtained a few seeds. Before soil completely dries out I shall have to fork it over. The borders are in a mess mostly because Carol will walk on them. They both got covered with mud this morning when allowed in garden. At one stage Susan was filling an old saucepan with ashes from the border and dumping ‘pies, on the garden path. What was the rock garden at the back has now become a highway and all the Hyacinth bulbs that were there have been stamped on as soon as they reached the surface. There is less activity at the front so shall have to transfer most of the valuable plants there. I think this is the worst year as Carol should be better behaved in garden next year, Susan is a lot less damaging than she used to be. I enclose latest literature from Horticulture Society, but would like the price list back also the ‘Spring Show’ leaflet after you have read them. Hardy was at the Railway Clearing House during the week and discovered the Guillbaulde is working on his report there. The current rumour from that place is that the lowest will get 10% and the highest 15%. As the out of category staff are not included in this review presumably that means us. There were interviews for the class two’s on Friday and two of the traffic analysis team had good interviews and a fellow from the S.Ms Office Newport. Latter has already experience in calculating bonus for the Carriage Cleaning Staff at Ebbw Jcn and the other two have worked with us on several jobs, I hear there was one fellow from Victoria S.R. Your guess is as good as mine. You did not say that Norman was up for one so presume he heard nothing, I do not know whether I told you but the strongest of inside tips is that W/S will go to the Divisions. I hear that MacDonald from the Commercial Officers Office has got Development Assistant to Phillips. That accounts for three, Wilkinson Bham, Burt Btol, and now this one, Have not heard yet who has got Cardiff, Our two clients have not clicked for anything yet. There is still time but there cannot be many jobs of great interest left, I hear they are both very unpopular at Birmingham. Well there it is for the present. Hope you are both still well as we are now. Love from June, Susan, Carol and Alec

Thursday 25th February, 1960

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Leonard to the family [on the reverse of Table 60, Southern Region via Reading]:

Dear Alec June Susan & Carol

Many thanks for your letter received on Tuesday with all the news. Apparently it was Carol’s turn to get into trouble this time by tipping over the milk – what a good job it was not hot. How nice of Mrs Grey to pass over the two dolls’ prams. To Susan & Carol they would be worth their weight in gold and I expect they are both delighted. They will have such a lot to show us and talk about when we see them. Easter Sunday is seven weeks from next Sunday the 28th inst.

Yes Ron Sprod’s father was parcels porter at Clevedon many years ago – has been dead now I should think for about ten years. No further information about Mr Trimmer and we really have no contact with anyone who might know how he is progressing. Will bear it in mind though. Miss Weeks told mum yesterday she thought she would be able to manage by herself starting next week. No more news of Mr Bishop but he is still in house. There has been some activity next door (Cummings old house) this week. The gas men were there one day disconnecting gas from main so it looks as if the next occupier will be ‘all electric’. Yesterday the Metal Agencies van from Bristol called there with – I think – a new fireplace – and a couple of men were on hand to receive it and take it inside.

We understand the old chap Soole is now in a hospital in Bristol – probably St Mary’s where he has been a patient before. The hospital incidentally is in his old parish of Clifton so he is well known there. Aston’s eye is still as black as ink – a real beauty. He came over yesterday and I gave him one of those large windows out of Marsh Jun. box* so that he could make a garden frame. He has just taken on a small piece of allotment behind Lionel Mogg’s house at bottom of avenue.

Note Carol better in car last weekend – let’s hope they both get over the car sickness soon or it will be no pleasure for you to take them out for a run.

Someone at Bristol sent me through the post a page torn from the Daily Telegraph of Thursday the 18th inst in which Soole’s engagement was announced. I don’t suppose it caught your eye.

Sorry to hear very little – if any – improvement in Miss Baker – this weather is enough to upset everybody. Yesterday was the limit. Rained most of day and with a bitterly cold wind. The previous day (Tuesday) was quite good and I was able to do some more rough digging. Today it is rain again but much milder and this afternoon we had one of those heavy mists come in from the sea – quite dark at times too. I put 106 shallots in last Saturday morning and now waiting opportunity to get in some peas but unless weather improves they will not go in this week.

Note no interviews for vacant posts in Work Study Section yet also that nothing in the offing any good to you. Expect the powers that be are now waiting for the Gillibaud report to come out.

Should like to have seen Susan & Carol with the cuckoo clock. Don’t expect Carol would have been shy for very long once she had got used to it. We like the sound of your acquisition of the bureau bookcase. Quite a useful piece of furniture but it was news to me that there was a broken spring in the arm of one of the chairs in front room. Cannot say I noticed it at any time.

The lorries are still bringing stone to the sea wall and have nearly reached the end of the same. Was told by Ted Caple who lives in St. Andrew’s Drive & who was off sick with lumbago last week that he was watching them through a pair of field glasses and saw one of the lorries tip over onto the field. Took Binding & Payne’s breakdown outfit most of day to get it back on bank again. I think the road on top of the bank is being made more for maintenance purposes (i.e. sea wall maintenance) and there is no thought of making a short cut to Weston-super-Mare.

Heels are about again but not on garden yet – he came over Tuesday morning and had a look in greenhouse etc. and this morning Cummings (convalescing after goitre operation) called round for a chat. He is getting on satisfactorily but Dr will not sign him off yet. Randle – who lived in corner house opposite to where Cummings lives now – moved out on Monday. Gone to Corsham as bank manager. The incoming people are from Sheffield but I cannot say if he is in business or coming here to retire – the house is empty at the moment.

Nothing much to report from garden this week but in the greenhouse I’ve taken some more chrysanth cutting and also sown some ten week stock seeds in a seed box. Some of the previous chrysanth cuttings have taken root and accordingly have been potted up separately in 3″ pots.

Shall soon have to think about the things we are going to bring up to you. So far can remember:

  • Window (out of Marsh Jun. Box
  • Buddleia (rooted cutting)
  • Dibber
  • Smallholders (twelve months)
  • Country Lifes (ex-Lyng)
  • ? plants of various kinds if ready in time

This is not complete I know but shall be glad if you will remind me of other items.

No more now – all the best and lost of kisses for Susan & Carol.

Mum & Dad

*Not absolutely certain but I think this may refer to Hallen Marsh Junction signal box. The thought that railway employees were able to take bits of old signal box home with them is an attractive one.

Sunday 21st February, 1960

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Alec to his parents:

Dear Mum and Dad

Thank you both for your letters received this week. I am trying to refresh my memory of what Mother wrote in hers but the children have only left me the second page and that has been torn. However note that Ron Sprod is getting married. I well remember him. His Sister was going to school when I was and his Father was a Parcel Porter at Clevedon when I joined. I had not heard about him for many years. Sorry to learn that Old Man Soole is in Dock but I can not say I know him and would not recognise him if I saw him. Hope Mr Trimmers case is not very serious. Perhaps you can let me know if it is or not. Note also that Mum still lighting fires in Miss Weekes house. How long is that going on and is there any hope that Miss Weekes will be able to do it for herself. Has she no relatives to stay with her? Surprised to hear that Soole and Miss Richards getting married. The news had not reached us previous to your letter. Cant say I altogether blame them. Old Bill Aston seems to have sprung a right old booby trap. You will have to tell him that it was done with malice aforethought and could only happen to someone only half awake. Strange that there are a number of people interested in Bishops house and yet so few were after the one next door to you. They are both of the same vintage and the difference in standard can always be made up in cash. Now on to Dads letter. Yes we do have to keep rather sharp eyes on the children or they would really be in trouble. For all our carefulness they do get into some mishaps all too often. There have been no more fire alarums, but Carol did manage to tip a saucepan of milk over herself during the week. Fortunately it had only been on gas a few seconds. It was enough to put the wind up her however. We cannot quite understand why Carol should be sick in the car. On Saturday we went to Ealing and she was as good as gold all the way there and back. I saw all the Railway Programmes on the television since the strike and quite agree that the railway union representatives were too big-headed by far. I suppose they think it smart to be seen to flout authority. I did think that Robin Day made a poor show of things. They should have given the job to Elliot. Note you have dodged most of the snow. We seem to have done the same but as said before I think, we do not get very bad weather in these parts, I hope that your digging operations are not premature having regard to your recent op. It is quite a pleasure to be out of doors when the sun is about even this early in the year. Glad your husbandry proving effective even in times of famine. I should think you can make the spuds last until the new ones come in now. After all these years at it I expect you know pretty well how many to plant to see you through the Winter. Gather that the Hewett episode has passed off O.K. Things much easier these days with the advent of T.V. you can always switch them off by switching on. If the sea wall gets made up to road status and extends to Weston, it will really open up the West End*. At the moment it is a quiet dead-end on the way to nowhere but if a road is built many new things will automatically follow in train. It may have the effect of increasing the value of your property if not the rates. It must be interesting to watch the developments there and I shall be interested to hear of progress. There have been no interviews for any of the Class Ones or Twos that were advertised a few weeks ago, I have no idea who will get them but could probably account for the Class Ones. The Class Twos are open field but I have heard that many of the office staff are after them including some of the Traffic Analysis boys. I do not know of any jobs coming up that will be of any use to me. There seems to be a dearth of suitable vacancies. We went to Ealing on Saturday as stated so that Aunt Eda could see the girls and we all could have a chat, She is confined to bed and does not look too special. It appears that she has had one or two nasty falls when out of bed as she passes out without warning. The old lady with her seems nice enough but we did not have much time with her as she went out of the room when we came. Carol was very shy at first but got over it. Susan was much better but not very interested. It was rather cold in the room so we did not stop very long. I took the girls down to see the Cuckoo Clock and set it going. Susan was very thrilled but Carol hid behind me every time the Cuckoo came out. We have acquired a Bureau/Bookcase and I am at the moment typing this letter on the shelf of it. It is not new but is quite a nice piece of furniture. The bookcase part locks up and we have transferred all the books from the left hand side of the fireplace to it. That will stop the kids from pulling them to pieces. (One of their spare time interests.) There are eight pidgeon holes and a small drawer in the writing desk part and this part also locks up. Two larger drawers running the whole width of the bureau are set beneath but unfortuna­tely do not lock up. To-day I have put up three shelves in the kitchen made from the wood from the original bookshelf in Lounge. There is more wood left to enable me to complete the cupboard in the little back bedroom. The article was purchased in West Drayton and when it was delivered the carman brought over a bed from 155 which we have set up in the small bedroom. We managed to dispose of one of our large armchairs from the lounge. It was the one with the broken spring in the arm. The rag and bone man took it. As you may expect these alterations have made a difference in the appearance of Lounge and Kitchen. A further inovation occurred this afternoon. Doug asked if Susan would like Christines old Dolls pram and also gave Carol one that he had made for Christine many years ago and which they had kept in the loft. It is a well made thing and she is thrilled. This all helps to fill the house up. This afternoon we all went for a walk after picking up Susan from the Sunday School. Of course two dolls prams were well in evidence but we had to push Carol’s most of the way. Did not wait outside the Palace last week, thought she could manage without.** Well thats all for this week hope you are both keeping fit, Love from June, Susan, Carol and Alec

*This did not happen, but the West End did ‘open up’ considerably in the following decades. To those who remember Clevedon as it was before, this may not be considered an improvement.

**This would be for the birth of Prince Andrew.

Thursday 18th February, 1960

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Leonard to the family (on the reverse of Table 60, Southern Region to Reading):

Dear Alec June Susan and Carol

A few more lines to follow up Mother’s letter which you should have received yesterday.* Whatever will that Susan get up to next? Just shews you have to keep your eyes on them all the time. Let’s hope that episode will be in the past as far as fire is concerned. Don’t expect she liked being put to bed. Sorry to hear Carol still upset when out in motor but perhaps she will grow out of it as apparently Susan has. Sounds as if they all had a ‘smashing’ time at Christopher’s home but I expect they enjoyed themselves.

Yes we were glad to hear on the wireless that the strike was off as we were beginning to wonder how you were going to get to and fro after your earlier experience a fortnight ago. Am afraid the trouble is not over by any means as there is sure to be a row over the ‘differentials’. Did you see Panorama last Monday? I thought it was a disgraceful show on the part of the representatives of the three railway unions – just shows the calibre of the men in office.

The weather here has not been too bad really – very little snow which soon cleared but several sharp frosts and persistent cold east winds, these latter keeping me off the garden most of the last week. I was however able to do a couple of hours serious digging yesterday morning. It was a lovely sunny morning and wind had dropped so started the plot just beyond the bottom hedge of lawn. Ground still very sticky and I picked up a lot on boots. Our stock of potatoes is holding out and the greenstuff growing in garden keeps us supplied but I believe there is a general shortage everywhere.

Expect you have heard that Soole (Asst. D.S.O. Bristol) is engaged to Marjorie Richards – latter personal support to Edwards for many years. Both are over fifty years of age I should guess. Heels (next door) are still confined to house with bronchitis and Mum continues to go over to Miss Weeks daily to light fire and prepare breakfast. You have heard that Mr & Mrs Roy Hewett came to tea on Monday. Fortunately the T.V. was interesting and attracted their interest. They have not one of their own – satisfied apparently with wireless.

The workmen are still tipping hard core on the sea wall and it is so wide now that in places two lorries can pass each other. Understand a road is going to be made on top.

Mr Ashton had one of his eyes nearly closed on Tuesday. A rake had been left leaning up against house with the teeth outwards and he stepped on it. The handle caught him a beauty and it will be two or three weeks before effects wear off.

I sorted out my runner bean sticks on Monday and found about 160 in fairly good condition and usable which means I shall have to get about another 40 from hedge beyond garden running alongside Heels ground. The hedge is his but I can get enough from those overgrowing on our side. Comes in useful occasionally. It will soon be time to prepare the trenches for this year’s crop.

Have told Norman to keep his eyes open for future vacancies and ‘have a go’. Is there anything coming up in this series any good for you?

No more now. Hope you are all keeping free of colds.

Lots of kisses for Susan & Carol.

Dad & Mum

*This letter has apparently not survived.

Sunday 14th February, 1960

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Alec to his parents:

Dear Mum and Dad

Dads letter duly received for the week-end. Sorry ours delayed before posting, makes it a long time to wait for the news. Note that Dads trips with Mr Bishop were only to the Cottage Hospital and not to Bristol – made it a bit simpler. Also note re Clevedon Guide to which I failed to refer in last letter. Will write in due course to see what it is like. Well the strike is off and I do not suppose there is a handful of people who really knew what it was all about, I had brought some work home – enough for a few days, and as my present assistant lives at Ickenham we would have been o.k. Yes I did hear the full tale of Geoffs Chimney Sweeping efforts, he must be hard up. We took the girls over to Greenford this afternoon to see Christopher. It is his second Birthday to-morrow (15th). They had a rare old time but I am afraid its a question of the survival of the fittest. Susan did manage to upset a cup of tea over my best? flannels. They really need a five acre field for their activities and Delphs Lounge needless to say was a bit crowded. We had snow on Friday and there was a mixture of snow and slush on the ground on Saturday morning. It soon went however and did not hold up our shopping ritual. When Carol saw it she said “Oh look – snow”. Obviously she had remembered it from the last time several weeks ago. She has been wakeful at nights but in no apparent distress. She does give a call or two or a cry but soon settles off unless it is getting towards morning. I am afraid she disgraced herself* by being sick in car again on Saturday on the way back from Eastcote. I can not understand it as we had only travelled a short way after all. This is Susan all over again. She is quite good now (touch wood) and only the sight of Carol affects her. (That is when Carol is ill.) Susan was sent to bed this morning. While June and I were out of the front room she removed the inner fire guard and was feeding rolled up pages of a magazine into the fire, June caught her at it and the occasion was duly celebrated**. Dan Mann was successful in getting the vacant Special B in our section, I am afraid it is a bit hard on Ted Stevens but hope he will get the next one. Have not had much news of office matters lately, Barnes has been over in the main building all the week working on Arrangements for the Strike. (Wasted effort.) He had to come out nights this week so suppose he is not disappointed. Ethel told me this morning that Susan said to her that “Mummy is making me a party frock out of a pair of Daddy’s old trousers.”*** Don’t know where she got that idea from. By all accounts you have had some severe weather in the West. Strange that the really bad weather has waited so late this year. We have not had an opportunity of seeing Aunt Eda and understand shes not too good – up one day and down the next. The folks at West Drayton are all well but Pauline has a cold and was unable to attend the party today. Well there is not much to tell you this time so will close wishing that you enjoy the best of health.

Love from June, Susan, Carol and Alec

*’disgraced herself’ by throwing up – and her a big girl of twenty-one whole months who should have known better!

**this of course means a walloping; I’m not at all sure what people expect when they leave a child of not yet four in a room with a fire; clearly we were supposed to have been born at the age of thirty-five.

***This sounds like June’s idea of humour to me; I can just imagine the conversation. “Will you make me a new party frock, mummy?” “Oh yes, I’ll cut up a pair of dad’s old trousers.” And then expecting a not-quite four year old to understand sarcasm…

Friday 12th February, 1960

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Leonard to the family; reverse of Table 60, Southern Region via Reading

Dear Alec June Susan and Carol

Many thanks for both your letters received this morning also for Horticultural pamphlet which I have not had time to read yet as thought would like to reply to you for you to have letter in Saturday morning. We are very glad to hear Carol is improving and enjoying herself again. It must have been an anxious time for you while she was poorly. Let’s hope she will continue to progress now and as June says – keep nearly up to Susan. Carol will be two years old on the day preceding Easter Sunday when we hope to be with you once more and by a coincidence last year we were with you for Susan’s third birthday which was the day preceding Whit Sunday – both birthdays on a Saturday. We are looking forward to coming up and seeing you all again. What a horrible journey Alec trying to get to London when the one day strike was on and again on your trip home from Kensington but it was a good job the mishap occurred at a time other than when you were out with June and the girls. Just one of those things but they can be a frightful nuisance. It was ironical however that you might have reached Paddington far quicker on the Monday by rail.

Have not yet put my car in for attention but may do so any day now. Just at the moment the Heels (next door) are home and both laid up with bronchitis and mum and I have been running a few errands for them in car. Mr Heel is in bed but Mrs up and about indoors only. A nice end to their five or six weeks holiday. Mum still goes over to Miss Weeks every morning and lights her fire and prepares her breakfast and occasionally takes her over some cooked dinner. Have not seen Mr Bishop this week but he is still about. Incidentally I did not take him to Bristol daily – only to Cottage Hospital here – this is where Mrs Bishop was. Have not heard if he has yet made up his mind what to do. Sorry to hear that Miss Baker is so poorly but unfortunately age is against her especially at this time of year when weather is so bad. Anyhow we sincerely hope she will soon be better. June having more dental trouble then but all well again according to Alec’s letter. Teeth are a nuisance coming and going. More real cause of surcharge on the Mercury* – shall know what to do now but I did not think our local rag weighed so much.

Yes we heard you had popped over to Headstone Lane as had a letter from Geoff earlier in the week. Cannot understand him doing all that interior work himself – should have thought any time to himself could have been better employed but there it is. Did he tell you how he swept the chimney? Good enough for Comic Cuts. Fancy Carol enjoying her walk on Sunday after Susan’s Sunday School was out. We have not seen her on her feet yet. It is going to be a surprise for us. Your garden is like mine – wet and unworkable. Can just manage to get on it to cut a few greens and I even did a little forking over of soil from one of the new concrete paths but nothing else. Work in greenhouse quite up to date but a nice dry spell of weather is needed now to enable one to get busy outdoors. Last year this time I was digging the new plot at bottom of garden beyond hedge – ground much drier then. Cornish has finished covering in his trench after relaying of water pipes but this morning I see a gang of men digging a trench in the path outside his and Mr Heel’s fence and understand they are relaying gas pipes. What a mess and until a little while ago sleet was falling. I asked the men if they were coming along in front of our place and was pleased to hear them say no.

The South Western Electricity Board and River authorities have started to do something in the field across the river at bottom of our land and we hear it is almost certain now that the river is to be made three times as wide as at present – the widening taking place on the opposite side to us. Query any fishing later on. We heard during the week that John Saunders has gone to Newton Abbot but we do not know if Richings will be an applicant for Westbury – have not heard from them for several weeks. John Saunders will now be right in the running for Temple Meads when it becomes vacant – a job he has had his eye on for years. Must tell you we went to Mr & Mrs Hewett’s to tea on Sunday – a visit we have been avoiding for years but there was not so much claptrap as we expected. The return match is on Monday next.

Railway situation not too good at time of writing but lets hope they scale it to avoid a strike although I think the N.U.R. ought to have a severe shaking for trying to force the issue as they are. The increase is in the bag with back pay if only they have a little more patience. The upset a strike will cause is incalculable and will most certainly result in a further permanent loss of traffic to rail.

No more now – all the best to you and lots of kisses for Susan & Carol.

Dad & Mum

*This would be the Clevedon Mercury, a weekly local newspaper, which was later incorporated into the North Somerset Mercury. It was the usual catalogue of small-town news – car parking in the town centre, fatstock shows, weddings, sales of work etc. It sounds as if the difficulty may have been Leonard trying to send them as ordinary mail whereas there were proper ‘newspaper wrappers‘ available with the stamp pre-printed on them; once he was informed about these and stocked up on them, the Mercury began to arrive regularly in London!

Monday 8th February, 1960

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Alec to his parents:

Dear Mum and Dad

My regrets for one days delay in the weekly letter. Just skid 24 hours thats all. Thank you both for your letters duly received. Had a good game on Monday last. Started off at 8-0 am and picked up Hardy in Cornwall Road, then went to Harrow to pick up Dan Mann. Roads very heavy with traffic, but all moving well. We had not gone 100 yards after picking up Mann when we ran into the jams. Took about three changes of lights before we could get across a main road then we got into a big queue which must have stretched to London. We stayed in this queue until about 10-0 am and in one measured period of twenty minutes we had moved about 100 yards. Several cars ahead were pulling out and turning back. It was so bad that after each move nearly all the motorists turned off their engines, then when things started moving about 12 cars ahead they started up only to move about one yard and stop, I got fed up with this and we cut out of the queue and across to Wembley to the Harrow Road. After moving with the traffic until it froze in its turn we decided to give up the attempt as if we arrived at all it would have been about 12-00 noon and time to come back and possibility of finding parking space would have been dim. We all went back to Wembley Central and had a cup of coffee in Lyons preparatory to ringing up the office from Wembley Central L.M.R. When we got through we found that practically everyone else had got in – by train. It appears that the Central Line was functioning normally or at least with a reduced service and the Main Steam Line into Marylebone was also O.K. The line worst hit was the Met, and Piccadilly all in the Harrow area. Of course we then had to dump the car and get on to Central Line. As I was working at Kensington that day I got out at Shepherds Bush and walked. It was not too bad coming back from there at about 4-30 pm. Had to start at Kensington at 6-00 am on the Tuesday Wednesday and Thursday mornings last week so took the car up. It was quite an experience driving along the Western Avenue at 5-15 am. There were a surprising number of cars about although they were well spaced out. Had no trouble until the last day. I suddenly found the car was losing power when I was driving home. Could not get acceleration and progress was in fits and starts. Noticed that the thermometer was showing the engine to be just below boiling point. Stopped at a garage (Should almost have said failed to get the car past a garage ) and let in some water while engine still running. Did not completely fill up as I thought I had put in enough to cool down engine and see me home. Well did not get very far from that garage before the engine began to bind again and steam or smoke to arise from the front. My colleague helped me to set back car into a lay-by and left me to it. Of course I did not know what was the matter but opened up the bonnet to have a look see. By the time I had made up my mind that I could do nothing to it it had cooled down a bit and trying the motor again on spec found it sounded normal. Off we went again and got almost to South Ruislip approach when we again came to a full stop. (All this over about two hours ) I waited a little while then made the effort to get car home. By a piece of luck managed to get all the way to 84 and into the sideway this time. Of course imagination found all sorts of reasons for the trouble but had to wait till daylight on Saturday before could find out the cause. There was an inch long slit in the bottom radiator hose so patched it up temporarily sufficient for local runs. To-day I bought a replacement 3/-.

Carol seems to be quite well again but still wakes up several times in the night and has a little bawl. She has fun all to herself standing on top of the piano and hanging on to the picture rail. We have moved most of the furniture which will enable her to do this but she still manages to find something to climb on. On Saturday she got on top of the narrow mantlepiece in the Dining Room. I took Susan over to Headstone Lane in the car on Sunday to take Sara her present. They were papering the ceiling when we arrived so I am sure we were not all that popular. June’s tooth did not work out so badly after all. Today she went to Dentist and he managed to fill it again. At the same time he completed the scaling so Saturdays booked appointment has been cancelled. Aunt Eda over at West Ealing has not been too well lately according to Delph but we gather that she is a little better now. Sorry to hear that Mrs Bishop has since died but I expect Dad not sorry to stop daily jaunt to Bristol*. Hope the repairs to car will not be expensive for you. You will miss it when it is out of action. Have not yet recovered the 6/7 have been too busy at Kensington to deal with it. The weather was very fine over the week-end and had all the gardeners out at work. At least all but one. It is still very wet and soggy underfoot. We all had a short walk on Sunday after Susan came home from Sunday School and Carol insisted on walking on her own. She will not allow anyone to hold her hand and takes a dim view when put back in the push-chair. Understand that John Saunders has got Newton Abbot and has actually moved. Will Mrs Ritchens let Jack Ritchens apply for Westbury? Well hope you are both well. Love till next time. June, Susan, Carol and Alec

*The poor woman’s dead, the poor man’s grieving, but thank goodness Leonard doesn’t have to make an effort any more!

This blog is a year old!

On By Sue JenkinsIn 1960 letters, Fewings, UncategorizedLeave a comment

I’d just been looking at celebrating the 150th post in a couple of days’ time when to my astonishment I realised that it’s actually a year since I started posting!

For anyone who may not have been around then, the justification for this blog is as follows: I have inherited, as well as a lot of family history paperwork, ten years’ worth of letters between (mostly) my parents and my grandparents. I am posting the letters now on the 60th anniversary of the dates they were written, although in due course there will also be some other family history related articles on here. I’m acutely aware, for example, that I’ve pretty exclusively stuck to the Atkins family (as well as their Chinese associates) so far; I also have Baker, Fewings, Mullinger and Macord in my family tree – the last two of which I have researched myself and come up with some fascinating snippets.

I have newspaper clippings, theatre and concert programmes, photographs going back to the mid-nineteenth century, and goodness knows what else. The aim is gradually to reduce the amount of storage needed, which is why I’m posting all these letters online – and yes, destroying the originals. They are valuable not for themselves but for the information they contain, after all.

I’m sorry to have to report, however, that I got short shrift from the second cousin who had previously indicated that she had a lot of family history memorabilia in her loft. She now denies having said any such thing, and reminds me that her father died in 1986. (I knew that, actually.) That was not so much a door closing as a blast door slamming shut and a detonation taking place on the other side of it; there is no route, now, leading in that direction, and although I think that is a terrible shame I have no alternative but to accept it. Her loss, I feel, but clearly this stuff has more value to me than it has to her. I shall at least not feel obliged to consult her about any of this in the future, which is something of a relief.

And so we enter our second year; I know there are a few people reading this now, and I’m not just whistling into the void, so we’ll keep posting and just see what happens. I feel I have an obligation to the people who amassed all this information in the first place to make some attempt to preserve it and share it with anyone who may be interested. I can’t imagine who you may be, or why you’re here, but I know you’re out there somewhere – to quote the words of a song – and even if you weren’t I’d probably still be doing this because I Am Really Just That Sad. 😎

Sunday 31st January, 1960

On By Sue JenkinsIn 1960 letters, UncategorizedLeave a comment

Alec to his parents:

Dear Mum and Dad

Thanks for Dad’s letter with all the news etc. We have had some of the apples and onions and very nice indeed. The sad and sorry story of Carol still continues I am afraid. She has got catarrah again badly and her poor little nose is streaming. We have had to put her cot back in our room and its like sleeping with a grampus. We had a very disturbed night on Friday and I finished up in back room with Susan and Carol went in with June and was propped up pillows. She was sick in car yesterday when we went shopping and coughed dreadfully all night. To-day she seemed a little better and we carried out a pre-arranged visit to some friends of June at West Drayton. We had not got half way when Carol treated us to another dose of it, messed herself and June up into the bargain then promptly went to sleep*. Although pale she seemed as right as nine-pence when we got there and has gone down well in her cot now we are back. There is no doubt that the catarrah is the root cause of her trouble but cannot see a way to overcome it. Susan went to her party at the Sunday School yesterday but have not been able to get much out of her. She came home with a bag containing a few cakes and said she had had a couple. She liked the jellies but did not have any bread and butter. I asked her why and she-said “well I have that at your house”. She said she played Musical Chairs, Oranges and Lemons and also played with some plasticine which she got from Santa Claus but which a boy took from her later. First week at Kensington now accomplished. We have in mind carrying out all the Parcels handling functions at that point which are now performed at Paddington. If it is practicable it will of course mean re arranging all the parcels train services accordingly also rescheduling such vans as now reach Paddington by Passenger trains. Thank you for sending on the Mercury – pity June had to pay postman threepence on it? ? ? Re the rebate on the charge for sending the apples, that one is still bouncing. I phoned friends in the D.O.S.O. to find out who signs and who receives. He of course said it should have been signed before consignment sent. Geoff was no help as he has not used the system. I filled in the form and sent it under covering note to the general section only to get it back with the suggestion that I try Mr Pinkham but that I should have arranged all this before the consignment was sent. I telephoned an old friend in the Caretaker Staff Office and he said I can get half charges back by writing to staff section enclosing the stamp and signing a receipt for the apples also explaining circumstances of the transit. They do not want the form as “that should have “been filled up etc. before the consignment passed”. It appears that if the form is completed before the consignment passes only half charges are raised in the first place but if claim is not made at the time, it has to go via Head Office then the Chief Accountant then when payment is authorised Briant has to be told. All very involved.** I think the best place to send any future consignments will be West Drayton and by Goods train at that. We can always arrange to go over to see the folks and pick up parcel enroute. Baynton-Hughes is only acting vice Wilkinson. Presumably he will get the job. I understand that he had an interview last week for Assistant General Manager ( Traffic Planning ) and so did Barnes. Where all this will lead to is anyones guess. Budworth who went to York for interview for job of Assistant to D.O.S. Wakefield has been told he has got the job. This is the story of the ten little [Indian] boys.*** Only John Welchman left and there is another job advertised on the L.M.R. this weak which he will be after. If Earnes or Baynton-Hughes goes the field will be wide open. It looks as though Patterson will get Parry’s job as he is already performing his office functions including taking the interviews for the ” Work Study Section. ” ? ? What Norman’s chances are I cannot tell as it seems that quite a few are pushing their favourites. Spent the morning putting up a barricade round our only remaining plot of earth. The children will play on it instead of the lawn and as it has a lot of ash on it you can imagine the state they get in also paths. I hope that it will keep them at bay for a little whiles. I do not know what I shall plant. Probably a few carrots and parsnips and perhaps a few peas and runner beans. You might let me know what you will be growing in quantity so that I can grow alternatives. Note you will be O.K. for the holiday dates. Had got car lined up[ for going to Paddington on Monday but it looks as though the strike may not come about. I am afraid that it is only postponed. I drove up Kensington on Thursday . It takes about 35 minutes against 75 by rail. As I am starting at 6-O am three days this week I intend to travel that way this week. Get expenses for Kensington so its worth it. Some activity in the test match by all accounts. Suppose the West Indians did not like loosing so many wickets so fast****. I saw a Cactus in flower on Saturday. It was very similar in appearance to a Fuchsia. We can always do with Cacti but I am afraid we have no-where safe to keep them (Away from the kids) and when we put them upstairs they die through lack of warmth and water. I opened my tin of Gladioli this morning to find they have been putting out long white shoots. Hope this will not affect their proper growth. Glad to hear Mother has been out on the tiles. Hope she was sober when she came home. Have not been doing any wine tasting lately but did have a look at my Apple ( two jars) Carrot ( one jar ) to-day. Seems to be clearing very nicely and forming a thick firm deposit. Well will close now till next week. Love from us all. June Susan Carol and Alec

*Having been told what to do (take the children out of the unhealthy climate of London) and declining the advice, he is now at a loss. Note, too, the total lack of sympathy for the ill child but the concentration on the inconvenience to himself.

**This pursuit is for a sum the equivalent of £7.50 in today’s money, which admittedly is not nothing but there is surely a point beyond which so much persistence becomes ridiculous.

***’Indian’ is the slightly more acceptable variant of the expression originally used. Actually, I think he was probably thinking of the old campfire song “There were ten in the bed, and the little one said ‘Roll over!'”

****”The third day’s play was severely curtailed by a riot, but it was still the decisive day of the match, for West Indies slumped to 98/8.” Whether or not Alec’s view of this could be considered racist is something I must leave to the judgment of the reader.

Friday 29th January, 1960

On By Sue JenkinsIn 1960 lettersLeave a comment

Leonard to the family (reverse of Timetable 60, Southern Region via Reading)

Dear Alec June Susan & Carol

Many thanks for your letter received on Tuesday but once again we are very sorry you are having a bit more trouble with Carol and do hope by this time she has settled down again. Glad to hear a box of apples etc. arrived so promptly and contents in good order – was surprised myself by the weight. Incidentally I do not want the 6/7 sent me – if you can recover from BR spend it on Susan & Carol – it is not very much after all. The two boards on top of box were part of the lot I had from Yatton station some time ago. After I had packed your box I weighed up 28lbs of the same sort and took them down to Elford – he gave me 8d lb for them to sell again and I think he was charging 1/-. Anyhow I was quite satisfied and he also had 12lb onions @ 4d per lb*. Thanks for your account of the cup match and it very much coincides with the views of the Clevedon supporters who made the journey. Hayes must be a pretty good side this season. Yes Alec last Sunday was about the limit for weather – it rained practically all day here and on Monday. I noticed the stripes in the field were full of water but even so we are extremely fortunate compared with places along the Severn Valley. Cannot do anything outdoors ground much too wet but I’m getting on with things in the greenhouse having taken a lot of carnation and chrysanthemum cuttings and sown seeds of onion and brussel sprouts. The cauliflower seedlings and two boxes of sweet peas and a flower pot of lettuce are all in one of the frames.

Strange you should mention Norman putting in for the W/S jobs – he called me up on phone when vacancies advertised and asked my advice as to whether to apply or not. I told him to go for anything advertised. Do I gather from your comment that Baynton-Hughes will get Wilkinson’s job? Or is he only carrying on pending the filling of post?

Mother had a night out on Wednesday. She recently joined the local Townswomen’s Guild and this week it was the 25th anniversary of the formation of the Clevedon Branch and a dinner was held at the Walton Park Hotel. She must tell you all about it when she writes.

Yes we would like to come up and see you for a few days at Easter and can fix actual dates to suit you. I think it would be best for us to return on the day before you go back to work thus giving you a chance to help June straighten up after our departure.**

Fix your holiday in Clevedon in June or July to suit your convenience but let us know actual dates please – we shall look forward both to coming up to you and your visit here. Christmas is a long way off and I think we had better leave any arrangements until later on. In any case you can book up your weeks leave because it is always a nice thing to get time off during that period. Now I shall have to start making notes of the things we must bring up at Easter and if you can think of any please let us know in your letters.

What are you doing at Kensington? Query similar record taking as at Paddington recently. Yes it would be as well to find your nearest Goods Station so that any heavy consignments in future may be forwarded at a cheaper rate. There is no reason why apples for instance if properly packed should not reach you in good condition.

You did not mention June’s visits to dentists this time so we hope these are finished and everything satisfactory again. We like to read about Susan’s and Carol’s capers and note Susan has now a medal for her Sunday School attendance – is she still fond of the jig saw puzzles? Fancy Carol getting your slippers – her little brain functioning alright.

Am still running Mr Bishop to hospital daily & Mrs Bishop does not seem to be making any improvement. Mr Cummings had an operation for goiter yesterday in Southmead Hospital Bristol and we hear this morning – condition satisfactory. Heels are still away and house other side of us (Cummings) still empty although there has been a bit of interest in it lately. I think they are assembling materials for alterations and repairs.

I hear Frank Fowler is finishing in May upon reaching the limit – 65 years. Wonder what he will find to do at Westbury?

Roy Haven looks round occasionally but is still very bad on his feet and continues to use two sticks. I did hear though that one day recently he was seen going round Wains Hill – must have been quite an effort.

Our cinerarias are flowering nicely now but will be over by Easter I’m afraid – they are much earlier this season due probably to seed being sown earlier. The Christmas Cacti plant is full of flower and if you have not one of these must bring up a cutting – they are really beautiful.

Well I think I’ve covered everything once more so will close hoping you are all keeping in good health.

Lots of kisses for Susan & Carol –

Dad & Mum.

P.S. Am now sampling your bottle of sherry lately – very nice.

*In present-day currency this would come to a total of about £26 – not bad going!

**Fat chance!