Tag: Car

Sunday 3rd May, 1964

On By Sue JenkinsIn 1964 lettersLeave a comment

Alec to his parents:

Dear Mum and Dad

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tuesday 28th April, 1964

On By Sue JenkinsIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

Leonard to the family:

Dear Alec June Susan and Carol

Many thanks for the usual weekly budget of news and drawings received first post this morning. Seems as if you have not had such nice weather recently as we have. Last Friday for instance it was really glorious – rain on Saturday and we wondered what it would be on the Sunday but it turned out lovely again. Good again yesterday but showers today clearing up later afternoon.

Glad to hear you had no trouble with the Battersea Power Station out of action but noted Mrs Baker was cut off altogether for a while. Looks rather fishy as you say but will the authorities ever find out the true cause? We saw in paper that West Ruislip and Northolt rail lines were affected and thought then that perhaps you escaped.

Yes we went to Lyng on Sunday and had a lovely journey both directions but I’m sorry to say we found Don in a very poor state. He has great difficulty with his breathing or rather the trouble is in not being able to expel air from lungs. The medical diagnosis is emphysema and you can look this up in dictionary or medical book*. He has had to finish with the printing job and can hardly move about without gasping. He has got thin and, in my opinion, has lost the will to fight it. Says himself that he has ‘had his chips’. Apparently there is no disease which is confirmed by two or three X-rays but doctors tell him nothing further can be done. I have suggested in the letter sent yesterday that he ask to see a specialist privately even if necessary coming to Bristol to see one who specialises in Chest complaints. Moreover if there is any possibility of relief by undergoing treatment or an operation then to go to St Mary’s where I went. I am really worried about him and wrote Geoff last night and said that he ought to go and see him as soon as possible. Joan told us she has had to bath at him and dress him and also at times wash his false teeth which just shows the state Don is in. The illness is the after-effects of the flu and it is just possible he may improve with the arrival of the warmer weather but something must be done before next Winter or he will never get through it. Incidentally he gave me a party game he bought for himself at Christmas (this has been a habit of his now for many years) but finds that it is not quite what he wanted and he said let Alec have it when you go to Ruislip but please do not say anything to 169** about it or write Don. He asked that you would not acknowledge it so I thanked him for you. It cost 37/6d [roughly £46.75 in 2024 money] he told me but would not accept any money. Have had a look at it but it takes some working out. Hope you get some enjoyment out of it.

The girls having fun with the record player then – fancy losing the ‘needle’ or what takes place of the needle. Good job they kept the piece and you were able to put it right.

Yes the car went very well on road to Lyng and I noticed that it is very quick on the acceleration. There was a diversion at Pawlett via Puriton to avoid the beginning of Bridgwater and it brought us into Bridgwater via the back road. Lovely country and everything looking fresh and green.

I see Susan and Carol have given us the title of the records they would like and we must now try and get them to bring up. Yes we are counting the days now to our visit. Shall we suggest the first day before Whitsun visit the 14th prox. to come?

No we are not going over to 169 on the Bank Holiday Alec. Geoff and Stella returned that day from Exeter but we may give them a ring that night and fix up something for the next day. No theatre this time thank you and I hope to enjoy myself for once. So far as keeping free of coughs and colds hope you all will soon get rid of yours and keep free too.

Notice you have not yet purchased tent which will be shared by both young ladies. Perhaps we shall be able to see it when we look around the shops.

In previous letter we went to Weston on the Wednesday (lovely day) and of course first point of call was the electric showrooms where the person we dealt with on previous occasion tried to make out the cooker had not been ordered. When finally we got him stone cold on it the wires were buzzing all over the place to find the kind of cooker we wanted. He could not contact anyone just then and so we told him we would come back in an hour. Lines still red hot when we got back but not much definite information could be obtained so I told him to write me that night and report fully as to what was going to be done. He said I will do better than that I will send the Sales Manager to see you first thing in the morning with all the dope – and he did. The result is the cooker was connected up this afternoon at 4:30 pm so I shall be suffering from indigestion for the next week or two***. The way the chappie wriggled at Weston was amusing but he knew he was not going to get away with it.

noted still no news of Temple meats. Dom tells me a relief man is still covering dust and. I like your idea of amalgamating the delivery announcements jobs – what about floating a firm for the work? so the Russians and poles etc are plentiful in the short wave radio work then.

Yes it was the old sewing machine you knew here that fetched £5 when we exchanged it for the electric one. Not bad seeing it was made in 1897. Your mower must have been worth £1 to someone for it to be sold so quickly. Our grass here was so long that I got out the push mower for it on Saturday but yesterday whilst still waiting for some timber to come from Staddens (for bench in new garage) I used shears for the long grass under the trees. Too much rain today or would have had the motor mower out. Instead I finished off the bench in garage and have made quite a good job of it considering all things. It is firmly wedged in now and no nails used to fasten any part of it to the garage itself. Have also started making the ramp approaching the garage doors – have to rise about six inches to the actual entrance. The painting is finished and two or three people have asked me if it is a fire station because of the red paint. Never mind I have used up some paint which almost had whiskers on it.

Yes Cummings and family had a narrow squeak and now here is another one. Haskell of the old West End Post Office was driving in Bristol the other day and did not use the safety belts provided in car and very fortunate this omission turned out. He saw a timber plank flying through the air and coming straight for his windscreen which it smashed and passed through and went out of the window in the door on driver’s side. He ducked and the plank missed him but had he been wearing the belt he could not have got down out of the way. The plank fell off a lorry and a court action is pending for an insecure load.

I am enclosing a cutting taken from Evening Post of yesterday where in you will see the official reason for Ray Mogg leaving the Yatton Furniture Co. We have heard no further information on the subject.

Glad to hear you have done elsewhere for car repairs etc. Also noted position regarding fitters in the car trade.

So Peter is away again with the Territorials – quite a nice experience and a chance to see various parts of the country.

Have not started on greenhouse yet as this may have to wait until we return from Ruislip. Plenty of minor jobs to be cleared up in the meantime and a bit of gardening to be done. Not to mention the lawn again.

No sign of Cornish since I last wrote and I do not know the reason for the balloons which by the way are very much deflated now.

Yes I really thought you would not get BBC2 on your set. Some of the programs on the TV generally are poor stuff and we often switch off altogether.

Sorry the girls kept you waiting after the dancing classes but I expect Daddy will fetch them next time just the same. How are they getting on with it?

Fancy new potatoes – you have had them before us this time. Saw them in the shops when we went to Weston and I know Elford has them for sale but we have kept to the old ones to date. The rhubarb we brought back from 169 in October last is cropping well and we have enjoyed it. Broccoli also turning in and if any available when we take the road on the 14th prox. I will put them aboard.

Mum has been helping the afternoon in transferring a few things from the old to the new garage. A bit more room now that I have not to keep the tools on the floor but I but believe me I shall not have enough room to store all that is to be put back in the place. Shall have to make more use of the old shed (near back door) for articles which will not be affected by wet washing hung up. Can put tins of paint and suchlike in there alright. Have already got the chest of drawers in and the next move is to try and fix some shelves without nails. Mum’s cacti here are doing very well and several showing signs of flowering.

Incidentally I notice that Fridays are your Radio Club nights so please do not cancel the meeting for the 15th May just because we are at Ruislip. We shall be bringing up a few pictures – mentioned when you were here in March – for display in the radio room at 84.

Still no news of the Richings – wondering what is the matter with them. Expect they go often to Reading these days when he can get away.

Don told me the Taunton Station Master is now working as a clerk in Taunton Goods having had a breakdown in health. A man named Jenkins now Station Master and I’m wandering if this is the chap who was at Westbury formerly at Stapleton Road.

The builder on the church hillside is still using the drill to get down low enough for the foundations and it is noticed that some equipment has arrived on Mrs Marshall’s ground for the Robinson firm.

Heels were away over the weekend – to the Midlands somewhere – and they had some really good weather. They are also going off at Whitsun so the Avenue will be somewhat deserted that weekend. No need to get anyone to come over and look after the greenhouse stuff this time. It is a pity it is not in use but there is no help for this year.

Well I think this is the lot once more so will close with all our love to you both and lots of kisses for the girls.  Mum and Dad

*N.B. Don did not smoke, but his father was always ‘bronchial’ and there is no doubt some genetic component to lung insufficiency as it has been an ongoing affliction throughout the family. Note all the references to catarrh etc. elsewhere in these letters.

**Headstone Lane, i.e. Geoff and Stella.

***There is of course no possibility of a woman, any woman, ever cooking well enough for any man.

Sunday 26th April, 1964

On By Sue JenkinsIn 1964 lettersLeave a comment

Alec to his parents:

Dear Mum and Dad

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tuesday 21st April, 1964

On By Sue JenkinsIn 1964 lettersLeave a comment

Leonard to the family:

Dear Alec June Susan and Carol

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tuesday 14th April, 1964

On By Sue JenkinsIn 1964 lettersLeave a comment

Leonard to the family:

Dear Alec June Susan and Carol,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sunday 12th April, 1964

On By Sue JenkinsIn 1964 lettersLeave a comment

Alec to his parents:

Dear Mum and Dad

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tuesday 7th April, 1964

On By Sue JenkinsIn 1964 lettersLeave a comment

Leonard to the family:

Dear Alec June Susan and Carol

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Cornish: Having a house built then?

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

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

Cornish: No and I’m not likely to.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.