Leonard to the family:

Dear Alec June Susan and Carol

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mum and Dad

Leonard to the family:

Dear Alec June Susan and Carol

Thank you all for the very interesting letter and drawings received this morning usual post although the actual delivery is later at the moment because of illness with postman perhaps. Glad to hear Carol is better and hope no one else catches the complaint. Mumps are in fashion here at present so perhaps it is the same over most of the country. Hope you keep free of this trouble also.

Noted dancing classes are resumed but that the girls treat it as a game*. Should not think dancing mistress would mind as long as the money is forthcoming but both Susan and Carol ought to be making some progress now.

Weather has been up and down here – some days delightful and others not so good but the winter is moving on and so far we have escaped the horrors of last year’s snow and ice.

Noted you have had tyre repaired to act as spare. Also that your tires have separate tubes. Frankly I do not see any advantage of tubeless tyres over the more well-known type but I suppose there must be something to commend them. Yes I know the arrangement for letting down the spare tyre from the boot – ours is so fitted and I use starting handle to release the tyre compartment.

Yes it was only on Sunday that I heard Charlie Rust was retiring. The Staceys arrived that day unexpectedly at about 3 p.m. and gave us the up-to-date information. Apparently Charlie is finishing late March but job already advertised. Understand he has had enough and now they have put the whole of the Parcels Department under him and the two top men there have both retired together. Perhaps it is understood that before long the Booking Office and staff will come under the Station Master so no wonder he is calling it a day. The staff problem to is pretty bad and deteriorating fast. Stacey (Passenger Yard Inspector) himself is also seriously thinking of retiring now – he is 62. One can only feel sorry for the next Station Master there.

Sorry to hear you and your colleague have not been identified with the jobs you are doing but hope things will work out satisfactorily for you both. Are the posts open to you for application – which you mentioned – in the same line of work i.e Work Study? Good job you had your increase so recently. Hope your optimism that the ill wind might blow good will come off.

So you were able to get over to Headstone [Lane] for Sara’s birthday but what a jaunt chasing timber for Geoff. It really beats me why he has not yet got a car for himself. So handy for the short journeys shopping etc. No need to get into the real traffic. Noted you will be going over there on the 23rd. Also noted that even Geoff now feels he cannot do as much as he used to do. He has certainly worked hard on the garden at 169, so much so that there can be little to do now. Having heard from Don it is now my turn to write both Don and Geoff which I must do later in the week.

That timber firm at South Ruislip not very cooperative in shutting up in face of customer.

Glad to hear June let you are feeling better after Doctor’s treatment and hope you will continue to improve and if possible avoid operation although if latter necessary do not put it off too long – the sooner it is done the better.

Shall expect a letter or two from Carol then soon if she is getting on well with her reading. We had a line from Sarah this morning thanking us for remembrance of her birthday. Geoff also enclosed a brief note giving news of Charlie Rust.

Bad luck your TV giving out at start of ‘Steptoe and Son’. This was a good skit and very laughable. Programmes generally not too good these days but we have now lost the Welsh interludes – thank goodness – as from yesterday. They have their own Channel now viz. number 13. You are very fortunate to put your set right. Ours is giving no trouble at the moment but as you know we have spent quite a lot on it one way and another. Don’t think I should buy again but rent a set.

Well we have still not done a lot on the garden – both of us are still under the weather. Last Thursday however Bushell came over and wheelbarrowed all the rockery stones from outside the garage to the site near pond where they will eventually be set and then moved concrete blocks also from outside garage to a heap just behind the kitchen wall. This was very good of him and he has promised to give me a hand with greenhouse when I start moving it. Actually we are not expecting to have to move it in a hurry. Heel told me this week he had heard there was trouble between Hawkins and Robinsons regarding the price Hawkins wants and in any case Robinsons’ surveyors have left the district without taking any surveys of our various plots. This weekend will indicate however who is at this precise moment the actual owners of the land. If money not forthcoming I can see some fun.

Mum finished out the week sleeping next door but the baby did not arrive and in fact has not arrived up to the moment of writing but doctors and nurses are in attendance so it will be any minute now. We had little Ruth in with us yesterday for six hours and she was very good. As mentioned earlier mum and myself not too good and we did not go outdoors during the weekend and Monday morning I went to doctor. He gave me a good pounding again and took blood pressure. Gave me some pills to take and suggested there might be some infection of the sinus causing the continuous colds and prescribed some drops to let in. However I hope it will clear up in due course.

As I was going up to doctor I passed Ted Caple walking down the road so stopped to give him a lift. He said you have heard of my accident? I said no as not been out recently. Apparently the previous night he had knocked woman of 75 down and broken both her legs. His car was in dock smashed up. The same night and account appeared in the local evening and I enclose same for you to see. When I got back from doctor (10 a.m.) Bill Aston was waiting for me to take him to St Mary’s Hospital to fetch Mrs Aston home after operation. Had a coffee and away we went arriving at the hospital at 10:35 a.m. leaving about 10:45 a.m. and home by 11:10 a.m. then we heard that a Mr Pope (one time in accounts section Bristol) now living in Saint Andrew’s Drive and a church warden had had a heart attack on Sunday afternoon and was seriously ill. This is the husband of the woman who fell over a dog on Boxing Day and fractured her arm. No more news of the young man who lies unconscious in hospital.

I think I told you that a week ago last Sunday I had asked Stan James for a quick estimate for a building a concrete block garage adjacent to shed. As I did not go over bellringing etc. Sunday I have not seen him so am still waiting for my ‘quick estimate’. Whilst out in the sunshine last Thursday and Friday we brought up all the geraniums and put them in the porch. The same night there was a frost but no damage done. Have now cut off the heat in the greenhouse as nothing there now to hurt except a few dahlia tubers which are covered up with paper. Not worth keeping heat on for.  A letter from Mrs Richings (Weston) this morning said a grand-daughter was born during the weekend named Judith. They are going to Reading this Thursday to see her and well probably look us up the following Thursday.

By the way I understand all trains including excursions at Weston now I have to be dealt with at the General Station as Locking Road is being dispensed with and the ground sold. The Midland Sidings at Bristol – the Chilton West Sidings and the Clifton Bridge Sidings, all used for coach stabling – are being dispensed with and the rails taken up. A sign of the times? The Assistant Chief Controllers at Bristol are now in Special B and Griffiths – Chief Controller – is first stage outside category. There is a possibility of the three Chief Inspectors at Bristol Temple Meads being done away with and three Assistant Station Masters appointed.

So you would not mind having a course at Woking? Or even another spell at Watford? Should think one of the most interesting things about these courses is in meeting other people from various parts of the country.

I do not think Bushell could have done much more than he did with the plum tree. The real trouble was the big head on the tree and the danger of silver leaf if pruned during the winter. Anyhow it is upright again now but no wind since to disturb it. No news of Cornish this week but he is still doing his rounds on his bike.

This afternoon this afternoon Mum has been bringing up apples from the garage to a big box in the kitchen. These are the remainder of the Jersey Beauty apples, the last of the fruit – shall have to buy next year.

Glad to hear your brakes are holding since the attention from Jackson and that Peter’s car also is in good order again. Did you see Marples has a scheme to charge additional fees for cars passing into and through large towns etc?** Soon be cheaper to go by air. There were some awful pile-ups though in the fog recently on the M1.

Yes I knew Geoff was having every Saturday off now but did not know how he had arranged this.

Have you noticed I have tried to clean the type of this machine to ensure a better impression? I do not like the black ribbons but must make them do for the time being.

This morning I went down to plot beyond hedge to get some cuttings of greens for dinner and was surprised to see what a jungle it had all become since we abandoned the place. Should not like to clean that lot up again. A couple of bulldozers will however alter that outlook very quickly. Even the garden where the currant bushes are is overrun with weeds now and the latter are as high as the bushes.

Well once more am nearly at the bottom of the page so will close with all our love to you both and lots of kisses for the girls. Mum and Dad.

*I’m at a loss to know what else it could have been when we were eight and six years old.

**Presumably this was the first whisper of the later ‘congestion charge‘ system.

Alec to his parents:

Dear Mum and Dad

Thank you for letters and paper received as usual. Very sorry to learn that you have had it so rough for the last few weeks, and hope you have been able to shake off effects of cold etc. by now. Glad to say that Carol is now okay to all outward appearances, and so far no trace of June or Susan catching it. Carol has not yet gone back to school, but hopes to do so on Monday. She was well enough to go dancing yesterday, and his sufficiently well to be her usual naughty self, so cannot be much wrong now. I gather from conversation overheard yesterday that there is mumps about round the local schools so expect we have that one to contend with next*. Did not have it myself, so hope we do not start that game now.

For weather we have had some nice days interspersed with some not so nice. Yesterday it was really lovely in the morning, and sun was out just like a spring day. Temperature in the lean-to went up a bit as you can imagine. Have had the heater back in operation this week but despite that the glass went down to 30º [F/-1ºC] on one night. No plants appear to have been affected although I had given each a drop of water last weekend. Your previous trip down to the greenhouse on 8th January was certainly some time ago, but you have not much to worry about there with the heater and thermostat doing the work for you. Still it was a long time. I went up into the loft last weekend and found that my last entry in the log was 17th January, which surprised me.

Yes the Watford jaunt is over, but I should not be surprised if I do not go back some time in the future although it may not be for a year or two. I would not mind going on one of the Woking courses. These are for management training, and last about three months.

Re: car, I decided to have the tyre mended yesterday (puncture that is) and although the outer tyre was split could keep it as the spare and if any trouble with any of the other tyres it would probably enable me to get to nearest garage if I put the spare on. I did not have a tubeless tyre, the tyres on the car all have tubes as far as I am aware but I have not checked. The starting handle is not necessary to change wheels, in the accepted sense, but it is necessary for screwing down the spare tyre from below the boot so that it can be removed by hand. The top of the screw is inside the boot, and is engaged by the end of the starting handle. If I did have to change a tyre on a journey I could not do it for the time being as I have no jack. The one retained from the Austin does not fit this car as there are no lugs under the floor to take it.

Note you had some adverse effect from central heating at Bristol. Doubt if the concentration of heat there was anything like that at Watford. Apart from the heat when working, it was present all the time went off duty and sleeping, and opportunity to go outside in fresh air was strictly limited.

Talking of Bristol I see Station Master’s job advertised on this week’s list (ceiling £1875**) and assume Charles Rust is now retired.

Some problems at Liverpool St. at the moment. Neither Unwin nor myself have been identified with our jobs, and we have been given a closed list of jobs for which we can apply including our own. All the ones other than my own to which I would have a chance are at Liverpool Street, so no matter what the outcome, the status quo would be maintained insofar as salaries and locations are concerned. It could be that we would neither get our own job nor any of the others, in which case I believe they then offer a short list of three other posts, one of which you will get. Weighing all things up and despite assurances from Russell that he will look after his staff it looks very much as if Unwin and I will be out and the two redundant Work Study Assistants from the now defunct Lines will be in as they are currently engaged in a higher percentage of the future work of the section than we are. For all this I think there’s no call for pessimism as this looks like a situation in which an ill wind might blow a bit of good. We have to select our jobs in order of preference and hand in applications by next Friday.

We ran up Stella on Friday – Sara’s birthday – to say we would bring present over in the morning as June had only been able to get it to that day due to being confined to the house with Carol. Duly dropped over at about 11:40 a.m. after taking girls to dancing and found Stella on her own there. After about ten minutes Geoff arrived with some timber he had just bought, and regretted he had been unable to get some board for his skirting. Offered to take him to a timber merchant in Rayner’s Lane and if no luck there would go to South Ruislip to Murray and Willis. For some reason we went right past Rayner’s Lane yard, and as it was an awkward double back I decided to go on to Ruislip. Well we got outside the timber yard just as they were closing up the gates. Man said they had what he wanted, but they are now closed. All for nothing then and we had to go all the way back without. I left him at Rayner’s Lane in the hopes that he could find them open, and then proceed on the bus. I had to double back pronto to pick up June and the girls from dancing so did not know how he got on. We shall be visiting them on Sunday 23rd. I gather Rebecca is now okay.

Don losing a bit of his land then and Geoff says he is thinking about doing likewise. Says he finds he cannot do as much as he could.

So far as the girls and the dancing is concerned they treat it as a game, and do not behave very well down there. I am afraid the dancing mistress is not going to stand much more of it. We do not get any more complaints about school dinners now. They have given that one up as a bad job***.

Should have thought Bushell would have anchored down his plum tree a bit better than to allow the wind to uproot it.

Can imagine Cornish going on a spending spree with his cheque when he gets it. Zero Hour approaching very fast now indeed. Mutt and Jeff still at it then. Could write a pantomime based on their activities.

I should imagine the surveyors from Robinsons would not take long to get their survey done as no doubt they are doing that type of work all the time. What arrangements are you making to have the greenhouse moved, and do you want any assistance? Time running out now, and you have not mentioned how you intend to tackle the job.

Mum had a long stint in next door house then. Much longer job than she expected, and pity about the lack of sleep. Must remind her that you cannot sleep in the evening in front of the T.V. and then expect to sleep at night as well. Man from housing the quarry is still in a very bad way to all accounts. it must have been a really bad smash he had. Cornish and the test eh, well I can’t say I give much for his chances.

We are in the same position as you with regard to the boiler. We should have had the thing descaled some time ago by have never got round to it. We are supposed to be a hard water area too but it is not as hard as yours.

Gather June reported to be a lot better by doctor on Friday and she does agree she feels a bit better. Treatment to be resumed if necessary in future. Carol getting along a bit better with her reading now. June has been spending a lot of time with her and she is at last beginning to pick up something. Sara looks a big girl now. She is not the size of Rebecca of course, but is very tall. Geoff was saying that he does not work any Saturdays at all now. He has got four O/Cs under him and makes them rotate on Saturdays. Not a bad ruse – hope they appreciate it.

Had some more trouble with the TV last week. On Monday June said ‘did you hear that popping noise?’, and I must confess I had not heard it. However I did not fail to hear it the following night just us ‘Steptoe and Son‘ had just started****. The pops were loud and quick, and suddenly the sound went altogether leaving a good picture going strong. Had the back off and looked for any possible clues, I was suspecting valves. There was a rough diagram on the inside of the case so traced which valves applied to the sound only. Found one of the valves on the speech side was identical with one on the picture side so swapped them over result perfect sound but no picture. This diagnosed the faulty valve, and by turning up my books found that I could get a replacement for 8/3d [about £10.25 in 2024 money]. Normal shop prices would have been about 12/6d [£15.50] to 15/- [£18.75]. We are now back to normal thank goodness as we have not yet had the bill in for the last job on it.

Had a quick look around the yard yesterday but not much on the move yet. The grass is very long, but no new stuff seems to have started coming through yet, and this is needed to cover the layer of earth I put down at the bottom end in the winter. There is still more earth to come from number 17, but have not had chance to get over there for some time. Peter’s brakes still holding up after Jackson’s attention. So for that matter are mine.

Well there it is for the time being, hope as said before that you are both well recovered from flu and knocking garden etc. into shape. Love from us all. 

*Luckily we both managed to avoid mumps for at least another four years.

**Approx. £46,725 in 2024 money. Glassdoor quotes a range of £44,000-£69,000 in 2022, and we can assume that Bristol Temple Meads would have been right at the top of the range both then and in 1964.

***Some hopes. School dinners were *always* awful and just got worse as we got older.

****A surprising choice given that June loathed Wilfred Brambell: she thought he was ‘a disgusting old man’. Perhaps, though, this was early enough in the show’s history that she hadn’t yet learned to dislike him so much.

Leonard to the family:

Dear Alec June Susan and Carol

Well here we are again with letter duly arriving first post as usual these days. Very sorry to hear that Carol is poorly again but what can one expect this weather – they have both done very well since Christmas. However we hope she will soon be over the worst of it and able to get downstairs to play etc. Not very nice to be penned up and be able to listen to Susan enjoying herself on the swing.

We have had some mixed weather again but I suppose this is only natural just now. Sun out lovely today and both Mum and I have done a little bit outdoors – the first time for several weeks. Last date in greenhouse was 8th January so that gives you some idea of the time we have been more or less housebound. We have of course been out in car to library etc. but not to do any work in garden.

Glad to hear you have finished up Watford and I expect June is too – much better being able to get home each day.

You seem to have a jinx with your car but it is fortunate you have been fairly near home when trouble has appeared. Sorry it means more expense for a tyre but there again it is absolutely essential to have a spare wheel on the car. Assume you have the tubeless variety of tyres. Have not had any trouble with valves myself but as you know had to have a reconditioned tyre last year or rather in 1962. Cost just under £4. [Almost £100 in 2024 money.] Is the starting handle necessary to change wheel? (Yes of course for jacking up car – had overlooked this.)

Sorry about the catarrh effects but central heating does have just this as I found out over the years at Bristol. Hope it clears up now you are back at Liverpool Street. What it really wants though is the nice springlike weather to come along that we should all feel the better for it.

Noted plants in lean-to going on all right and that you have been [able] to get a couple of rose cuttings started. I was given three slips of the rose ‘Peace‘ last Autumn and these are growing so you must have one later on if you would like same. (Have changed ribbon in machine as you can see and it is full of ink at the moment. However the metal letters could do with a scrub.)

You had quite an interesting time then at Watford and presumably have gained knowledge by your stay there. Shall be pleased to hear of any later news of reorganisation at Liverpool Street since your absence – expect your colleagues will have some for you this week.

Yes you did mention some time ago about the boy with the catapult – hope you have been able to stop this further effort before serious damage is done .

Noted you have heard nothing further from Geoff regarding visit – just as well at the moment with Carol off colour. We had the expected letter from Don this week but not a lot of news. The County Council are cutting off about six feet of the front garden for road widening purposes and Don expects them to start on this work very soon. His front gate then I understand will be at the side just before you enter the yard through the big gates. About time something was done there – a most difficult place to negotiate. He is still at the printers and enjoying the work.

So two little girls make themselves useful on Saturday mornings to make sure the dancing classes are on – quite a good idea and I bet they are only too eager to get on with it.* Do you get any complaints about the school dinners now or has that gone quiet?

Your comment about Easter noted but don’t worry about it. Unless you are all 100% (and also ourselves) it will be just as well to put the visit off as much as we should like to see you.

As mentioned above we have both been able to do a little outdoors this morning – surprising how hard the going is after so long being inactive however little by little does it. Brought up all the chrysanths and put them on path alongside Heels and mum brought up the geraniums and put them in the porches. I also dug up one sleeper that had been laid (with others) as a path edging. Two or three more to come up from same position in due course. These sleepers are in excellent condition and worth having. Incidentally one of the plum trees Bushell took and planted in his garden blew over one day when the wind was strong and he had the job of resetting it.

Bill Aston called round just now and said Mrs Aston was in Saint Mary’s Hospital undergoing an operation this morning – not a very serious one but necessary all the same had not seen him for a week. Roy called last Saturday as usual but did not have much news for us this time. He had been to Dunwear near Bridgwater the previous Thursday for the funeral of his brother-in-law. Thought you would be interested to read of the proposed new motorway in this area and of its close proximity to us here.

Further to Cornish’ hi’s driving licence etc I should have told you that he (Cornish) told Bushell that when he got the money he would not bank it but spend it. I suppose two or three nights out with the boys in [the] Salthouse would soon make a hole in it. The latest is that Heel saw him and another man walk onto his (Heel’s) land at the bottom by the river so he (Heel) went down and ask them what they thought they were doing on his ground and intimated that the proper entrance to his property was via the gate. I don’t know what happened after that. Cornish has since cut a large piece of the hedge between himself and Heel so that he could look through onto Heel’s land and see what is going on. I spoke to Heel this morning for the first time in weeks and heard all this from him.

The surveyor (Rawbone) from Rickmansworth called round last Wednesday for about two minutes – made himself known and said he would like to come in the next day to make the survey. This was agreed but we have not seen him since. They have been working down the road inside and outside of Mrs Marshall’s ground and alongside the West End House. There is some trouble about the entrance to the new Estate but I expect Robinson’s are big enough to get over this. Incidentally their surveyor has told someone around here that they expect to be here about a fortnight and then go to Brighton to survey another 40 acres which Robinsons have bought.

Mrs Pearson came over one day and said she had heard that it may not now be necessary to cut the road down between Heels’ and Cornishes’ but this I take with a pinch of salt although if the entrance cannot be at the West End House site then it might be about halfway alongside the field of Mrs Marshall’s in Old Church Road. In these circumstances I can visualise it would then not be necessary to cut through in Tennyson Avenue. Anyhow there is enough to keep us all guessing these days.

Late last week we had another letter (registered) from Solicitor saying that the purchasers of land now wished to take up the option of the second piece of ground which would mean that the lot will be sold by the 15th instant at which date we should be off the ground complete with garage and greenhouse. This is just impossible as I have told Jack Bishop. It looks as if Robinsons have no second thoughts about having the whole piece but it is still their obligation to move garage and I want that moved or at least dismantled before I touch greenhouse. Moreover the heater is on in the latter and just at the moment it is not convenient to move plants etc. You can see a lot of work in front of us before long.

As a point of interest I have asked Stan James for a quick estimate (within £10) for erecting a concrete block garage next to shed and if this is a reasonable figure I may after all decide on this in order to get the whole work completed as early as possible.  The whole situation is changing weekly and our ideas must change as well to keep up with it.

Needless to say we have heard no more from Hawkins or Plumley and Weston but settling date is 15th inst. and there could be some fun if the cash is not available on that day as I understand we could then repudiate the whole transaction.

Mum is still sleeping in the next house where the new Bushells’ baby is expected daily. Mr Bushell is on night duty at Portishead until tonight which is the last for him for a fortnight. He has taken down the short extension of his garage which he used as a coal house but this still leaves him with a building about 14 feet long.

We hear the young motorist (house in quarry) is still not fully conscious but can take food although cannot speak. This seems to be a very bad job as it was before Christmas when the accident happened. Now the wife of the man in the other house in quarry has been taken to hospital seriously ill.

Cornish with a Bentley – that will be the day. Should like to see him taking his test. Probably tell the examiner how to do it etc.

Noted your transmitter still in working order and expect it will get more use again [now] that you are home every evening. I noticed in the Bristol Evening paper that the Bristol Hams have lost no time in getting in touch with the new Chief Constable who has replied to their invitation to join their circle.

We had Arthur Cole’s men in last week for a day and a half descaling the Sradia boiler from which they took nearly a bucketful of ‘fur’. It has been installed for about eight years and at the time it was suggested that the descaling should be effected about every two years because of the hard water in the area. However this is the first time we have had it done. The water was heating up all right but we felt it was time the job was done and I think we were wise as the choking up with the fur would eventually have blocked the lot. Bit of a mess and the inconvenience of no hot water for a short time but all satisfactory again now.

Bottom of page again so will close with all our love to you both and lots of kisses for the girls and hope Carol will soon be better. Mum and Dad. 

*Oh yes, washing-up was a privilege and we always enjoyed doing it. /sarcasm

Leonard to the family:

Dear Alec June Susan and Carol

Thanks for letter and budget from the girls received first post this morning. I see that both Susan and Carol have got the ‘Beatle Craze’.

Yes a mixed bag of weather again this past week and the wind is in the north west today and it is much colder – better than the muggy weather anyhow. Was surprised you went by road to Watford last Monday and not surprised you had fog en route – should have avoided that lot somehow. Noted you got through all right and were back in time on Friday to pick up Susan from school. Presumably car has to stop outdoors at Watford. Evidently working satisfactorily nowadays. No trouble with mine since I put battery on charge for a few hours.

Glad to hear plants did not suffer because paraffin had run out – good job weather of last year not repeating itself yet. Also pleased to hear you are feeling a bit better but take care of the chest – the bronchial/flu attacks can be very dangerous in its effects and I myself am having a difficulty in getting rid of same. Am a lot better but cannot seem to shake It off all together and work outdoors is quite an effort. Mum still under the weather and has same trouble together with ear trouble – popping noises and earache but even this is a little better now.

Anyhow enough about us – sorry to hear that it may mean an operation for June but if this will put her right then it is the best thing to do. Don’t worry about Easter – we quite understand the position and after all it is a bit early in the season*. Actually we were only talking about it yesterday and commenting on the possibility of it being cold and wet. We would rather you were with us when the weather can be more or less guaranteed so that you can get about an enjoy yourselves and feel the change has done you good.

So the girls have been to the shops on their own with their pocket money – growing up fast. I expect they like being able to do this by themselves. They have both sent us some good drawings this week.

Yes I expect you will be glad to finish at Watford – you are on the last lap now. Whatever will the others find to do for twelve weeks? Are they going through the complete course of Work Study?

Very interesting to hear of the identification of individuals with certain jobs and note you may hear something for yourself within the next week or two. Keeps the mind alert in more ways than one. If Ray Mogg does call on you he must take his chance of finding you present but I think he would like to see you again. Assume he is attending the Ideal Homes Exhibition on behalf of his firm – Yatton Furniture people.

Glad TV not too costly to repair and all in working order again but you must have some door handle to play up such tricks. Hope you manage to put right with spare door knob. Pity you could not have included the back door with your lean-to but that would have been a much costlier job. We had this trouble years ago perhaps you remember. Incidentally what was the catapult trouble you mentioned?

Noted re: visit to Geoff’s and reason for postponement. We had an idea they were asking you over early in the year and wondered why you had not mentioned it before. Sorry to hear about Rebecca and hope she will soon be alright again. Have not heard from them or Don lately – the latter is due to write now so may get a line direct from the printers at Taunton.

Noted what you say about Susan and do hope she will improve soon – she is certainly old enough now to know that things are done for her benefit and that she should help by responding nicely. How is she getting on with her lessons at school?

So you proposed to give the car a clean then. Afraid ours has not been touched since before we came up to you. Seems to me that as soon as you have cleaned it off the first time out and you are back again to where you were before these days. Mum was only on about it this morning when we went to library.

So you have no news of Clifford or Woodward. I read in Evening Post late last week of the death of one of our inspectors at Temple Meads who retired on the 31st December 1956. Thompson by name and a very good inspector he was. Always worked on Cecil Newman’s turn of duty.

Yes it is a bit difficult to know how Moore lives in the winter but he takes his car out somewhere most days**.Thought you would be interested in the attitude he takes regarding the land for sale. Incidentally things have developed somewhat rapidly these last ten days and one wonders whether we are coming or going.

Following my last report of the contact between Hawkins and Bushell we hear that on Wednesday the 22nd Mrs Bush called in Hoddell to value her piece of ground but when Hoddell arrived at the house he told her that if she wanted it valued because of possible sale to Hawkins not to bother as Hawkins did not now want it. This news reached Bushell the same afternoon so he went straight down to Hawkins and asked him if this information was true as he (Bushell) had already incurred expense by going to his solicitors regarding same. Hawkins evaded the question and Bushell got no satisfaction from him. Then on Thursday morning we had a letter from Hoddell asking if we had any objections to their developer’s client’s surveyor coming onto our land to make their own survey. This indicated that Hawkins had again sold the ground so I called up the solicitors (Jack Bishop) and asked him what was going on only to be told it was a fact Hawkins had sold the land to ‘the big firm’ who I concluded was Robinsons of Middlesex to which Bishop said yes. I told him I thought we were being taken for a ride and that if it were possible I would call the whole thing off. He said however that I could not do that. No wonder Hawkins when he visited the other houses in the Avenue said he wanted a quick reply as to whether they would accept or not. He never intended to develop the site but was out to buy cheaply from them and sell out to Robinsons at probably double the price but when he saw the householders were not selling without referring the matter to their own solicitors he knew he could not get away with it and washed his hands of the whole lot. Our land has now changed hands from Plumley and Weston to Hawkins and from latter to Robinsons and no doubt each transaction has been a profitable one.

Now this morning we have two letters, one from Hoddell and one from Richardson, Son and Knowles of Rickmansworth (on behalf of Alfred Robinsons) saying the latter’s surveyor Mr Rawbones will call on us tomorrow (Wednesday) to make a survey of the ground. I had replied to Hoddell that I had no objection to the survey being made but that the individual concerned should call on me before entering upon the property for the purpose. In the meantime Bushell our next door neighbour wonders what is going to happen now so far as he is concerned. If he gets the chance he will contact the surveyor tomorrow and show him the piece of ground he has for disposal. So much for that.

Now last Thursday a lorry from Worksop pulled up outside our house in such a way I could not get car onto road. The men offloaded a shed and placed it right up against our front wall blocking our view from front window. The lorry remained in position all day but the men went into Heels’ field and opened up the sewer on instructions from the Council to find out where the blockage was. The Worksop firm had some T.V. gear with them for inspecting the sewer and were there two days. The lorry was taken away at night but brought back again in the morning. I complained to the man in charge who said he would have lorry moved but in fact he did nothing about it so for two days we had to put up with this. The shed remained outside our front wall until Monday morning. It was a tumbledown affair too and when I first saw it I told Mum to come and see the new garage which had been brought us. When the survey has been taken on Thursday I will let you know what transpires.

Mrs Pearson (number 5 Tennyson Avenue) called over this morning and she told us she had already been up to Hoddells and torn them off the strip but I’m afraid it is like water on a duck’s back. Have not seen Cornish or Heel at any time during these happenings but they themselves have been seen talking over the fence.

By the way in this week’s ‘Mercury’ you will see the plan in mind for the new motorway through this area. I see it will pass about a mile away from us as it runs through Kingston Seymour but it will be in the 1970s before it is anticipated it will be available by which time I shall certainly not be interested in driving on it.

[Letter continues Wednesday 29th January, 1964]

*Easter 1964 was the last weekend in March.

**No doubt he has some casual off-the-books gig for the winter months: that would be the sensible approach. My money’s on a bit of pre-Christmas delivery work for someone perfectly happy to pay him under the table!