Tag: Clevedon

Sunday 11th March, 1962

On By Sue JenkinsIn 1962 lettersLeave a comment

Alec to his parents:

Dear Mum and Dad

Well thank you very much for two letters, one received on Monday and the other on Friday. I will work through them in date order.

Glad you like the drawings from the girls. Susan’s pictures get better and better especially now she is able to put some titles to them. (How did you like Mr Krooschop – worked it all out herself, we did not know she had done it .) They are both pretty fit again now.

Regarding the weather, yes we have had ‘best mixed’ for a while now. At the moment it is raining lightly, but practically all yesterday it was a very heavy. If you have been able to go through the winter on 25 cwt of coal you must not have done so badly. Perhaps a few logs would help out. Must watch the river again in the summer for flotsam.

I would not have thought the east wind would have made a lot of difference to the inhabitants of the Swiss Valley, as it does not blow from that direction all that often. Note you comment on our house roof having come through the storms intact, but we have other troubles of which more later.

We are getting no trouble with the envelopes now – all arriving in one piece.

Should not have thought there was much future in the St. John Ambulance Brigade. Perhaps your neighbour knows better though.

I am not surprised that Mogg does not remember the incident of taking me around a corner in a gale. It was mid-day, and I do not think he was very pleased at being called from his dinner.

Have not touched the lawn since last writing, but shall have to do something pretty soon as the grass-growing weather is now arriving.

I think I know what caused the tyre to go flat. The Sunday before I tested all tyres to see if they wanted pumping up. All except that one were okay, but oddly enough that particular tyre was reading about 10 lbs more than it should have been, probably due to miss reading the airline meter at the filling station. I promptly let out some air to get pressure back to normal, and my guess is that the valve must have stuck open a little and let all the rest out gradually.

I have not been having any wine lately, but hope to resume shortly.

I agree about being only in the fringe of Work Study. It has a tremendous future and the great thing is to go with it for the time being.

Glad your hand is now better, and in good condition to use the new typewriter.

I do not know what is going on next door about moving but Dorothy was at Bristol again yesterday, and I think they are still looking for a suitable place.

No they still have not found that small boy who was missing from Hayes. When I came past the canal at Hayes on Friday afternoon (returning from Reading) I saw half a dozen police with a boat raking through the reeds etc.

I note all the comment on the improvements proposed for the seafront, but I do not understand why they have written off that part from the Pier to the Flagstaff as having no potential for improvement. I would have thought what that there was a long stretch on the pier side of the bandstand that could be improved.

Sorry about the box in the church. It must be the same person all the time, as cannot think there are many who would help themselves.

I did not hear that Dawlish Warren had been washed away again, but as we had trouble this week in the area I cannot think there can be much left now.

The tooth question so far as I am concerned is not serious. I try to go regularly, but six months is a bit too regular for me. Had not been for quite some time so as the girls and June were having theirs seen to I thought I would have mine done as well.

We have selected our gas heater, but it will be a few weeks before we order it. We ordered a water heater for the kitchen on Saturday and hope they will fix it in this week.

I would not be definite about the Esther Reeds as, although I have not seen them, they may well be rooted underground.

McDonald tells me that the Acton Yard Report has had an impact on all who have seen it. Remains to be seen what it provokes.

Had the car tested on Wednesday, and it passed okay. The man at the garage said the brakes were good, but had quite a bit of travel on them (same as last time) and they had to lower one of the headlamps. No extra charge.

Interesting about Bushell’s motorbike. Should have thought Puddy would have had the sense to keep his mouth shut.

Sounds as though your church party went off well despite the absence of the vicar and Curate. The new hall also sounds to be a good place. We must see it when  next in Clevedon.

I saw the article about the man washed up at Clevedon in the Daily Telegraph towards the end of this week. I see that they have identified him.

It sounds as though you have got a good buy for your typewriter. For the price you certainly have not been robbed.

Well for news from this end. On Thursday having a heavy cold, and some trouble with my neck (more later) I did not go into work. By the time I had had my dinner I was not feeling too bad. Susan had gone to school, and June and Carol had gone out shopping when I heard a faint tap tap coming from somewhere. Rushed upstairs and found that water was pouring through the ceiling in our bedroom and cascading on the bed. It was also pouring through the ceiling of the landing and running down the wall of the little back bedroom. I rumbled that the cold water tank had burst, and nipped smartly down and turn off the main. This of course had no immediate effect and by the time I got up again with bucket etc. the lights have come on. Dragged the bed and bedding to one side, turned on the cold water taps in the bathroom and down again to turn off the electricity. Back with more buckets and swabs to mop up, then down again for the ladder out of the garage. By this time June had arrived home, and water was already downstairs in the front room, Carol started to cry and got the wind up properly so she had to be taken next door. I got a rag to jam in the cold water tank to stop the flow, and promptly put my fist through the bottom it was so rotten. Managed to stop the flow there, although by this time the whole of the floor of the loft was covered to a depth of about half an inch with dirty black water which was sleeping through at every crack. By the light of three candles and a dim torch we mopped this up, and the flow through the bedroom and landing ceilings gradually ceased. Of course everything was soaking wet, so put oil heaters on the landing to start drying things out. After a while I took a chance and switched on one of the electric circuits. The one I had put in. It held so we put a couple more electric heaters on. This also gave us some light as we could move your standard lamp up into the girls room, and had the TV lamp ourselves downstairs. June and I slept on the studio couch in the front room. Next morning the ceiling was sufficiently dry to chance putting on the other electrical circuits, and they were then alright. Plumber arrived at 8:15 a.m. and put in a new tank. Apart from stains on wallpaper that has to be replaced anyway, we have only the bedroom carpet that is the worse for wear. The insurance people will pay for them to be cleaned so we shall be only the price of the tank worse off. What a life.

Regarding my neck, for some two months I have had a swelling in a gland on the left side, and although I have been attending an ear nose and throat clinic they have been unable to do anything about it. They are not certain what is causing the trouble and I shall go into hospital later today for a minor operation on Monday for them to discover what it is. I have asked June to hold this letter over until Monday so that she may have some later news for you. it appears that the gland is inflamed due to some infection but they cannot find anything wrong with ear nose or throat yet. There is no pain, but it has become large enough to hinder turning the neck, and it looks a bit unsightly. We have told the children I am going to see the Station Master at Bristol, and they are going over to Grandma Bakers this afternoon while June and I go to the hospital.

By the way, while we were waiting for the plumber to ring on Thursday night, the man to do the work in our kitchen turned up. He is so-called starting this weekend but, but we did not see him yesterday.

Well there it is again for another week. Will leave a bit of space for June. Love from us all.

Wednesday 7th March, 1962

On By Sue JenkinsIn 1962 lettersLeave a comment

Leonard to the family:

Dear Alec June Susan & Carol

Many thanks for letter and excellent drawings received once again on Monday but I wonder what happened to the one you should have had on Saturday – my guess it was wrongly sorted and arrived on Monday with an extra postmark on it. We make a practice of posting for the 1:15 p.m. collection on Fridays. Anyhow in case it might happen again this week we will post on Thursday. Hope the last one did eventually turn up safely.

Sorry to hear Carol under the weather again but hope it was of short duration and – the winds are still very  treacherous. One day I can work comfortably in garden and the next has to be spent in greenhouse or garage but however bad it is here I’m sure it is worse in your area. Just heard on 1 p.m. news that the south coast has had another battering and Dawlish Warren has been washed away again. I suppose the better weather will come soon.

Note your visit to dentist and latter’s method of getting the girls confidence that makes a wonderful difference. Sorry to hear you all have a bit of bother with your teeth. It was in 1939 when I last had trouble and then had the lot out – good and bad. A bit awkward getting used to false dentures but everything alright since. Mum can tell you what trouble she had today we all get it at some time or another. Susan was a good girl then when it came to her turn – she sent us some nice drawings again and gave them titles as well. No doubt about it she is improving quickly.

Did you finally make a selection at the gas showrooms? You must have warmth in the house during these icy blasts. Is not the trouble with the electric heater that so many are using electricity for the same purpose heating that the generating station cannot properly cope?*

Noted re: Forsythia and Esther Reeds – will try and take cuttings off former and have plenty of roots of latter to replace – shall have to start another list of things to bring up on our next visit.

Very interested in your Acton Yard anticipated savings per annum – what was Phillips’s reaction? Should like to have seen his face when he went through the report. I see the South Wales people are kicking up a tremendous row over probable loss of passenger services on the Eastern and Western Valleys. Presumably the cut in the West Region passenger service came into operation last Monday but I have had no reports about it yet.

So Notley has got a job in Costing Section of B.T.C. – he has not done so badly since he came back to the railway service after completing his National Service.

No more trouble with car then – that was an extraordinary occurrence for tyre to go completely flat without apparent cause.

Have not heard from Geoff since our last letter to you so we do not know how he is progressing. I believe he is doing a bit of travelling in connection with a committee he is on.

Your kitchen waits then for workman to turn up – hope he does not arrived on a washing day. It is a bit of a nuisance though to be left wondering when the job will be done.

Fancy car due for another test already but this time there should be no query about this or that.

So Leslie Morgan did not relish Raymond’s economy drive? Some of those individuals have been having a right royal time and obviously do not like being cut off without – as it were – the proverbial shilling.

Our neighbour – Bushell – who recently obtained a job with the St John Ambulance people in Portishead bought himself a motorbike to do the journey and a few days ago his uncle – who is is Puddy of the East Clevedon Garages – chivvied him about it and said he would have sold him a car for £10. Anyway Bushell went back to him and asked to see the car but he said he was only joking about the price. Anyhow having quoted £10 he let him have it – a Morris 8 1936 in good condition and with a test certificate. Bushell says it is in good condition as and as he himself has already learnt the trade of fitter he can look after it properly. I think he has got a good buy.

It was the parish church and St. Peter’s annual social last night in the new Pavilion at the community centre. It is a fine structure and will certainly be an asset to Clevedon. Should think there were nearly 200 people at the party which started at 7:30 p.m. and continued until 11 p.m. but we left about 10:20 p.m. Not a bad do really. Mr Palmer was there – his operation due that day having been postponed by surgeon for a fortnight.

Frantic efforts are being made by river board to rebuild the sea wall behind us before the high spring tides are on us – a matter of days only. Fortunately at the moment the wind is southeast and this would not affect the wall so much as if northwest.

No typewriter yet as you can see but I have to go down to Houghton’s house in Coleridge Vale at 7:30 p.m. tonight to get the one he has picked out. Cannot tell you any more about it at the moment but may add a P.S. to this letter. I hope it is one that can spell properly.

In the Mercury to you with with this letter – there is a paragraph under heading of Spade and Plough about homemade wine thought you might be interested to read it.

Presumably no more news from your neighbours removing to West Country. Hanson the Town Clerk told us at party last night quite a lot of non-townspeople were having houses or bungalows built here and were going to occupy them themselves – the last few months having seen a remarkable increase in such building.

Vicar and Curate still absent owing to sickness and neither could be present last night. Three retired clergyman took charge of proceedings and made a very good job of it.

Did you notice in national press and exhumation of a body in the Clevedon Cemetery had been necessary to establish the identity of a man missing from Radlet (Herts). He was washed ashore here last November. **

Not much local news again this week – gardening still subject to weather but I did manage to dig up up up a small plot yesterday morning. Greenstuff  getting very scarce now – the east winds having shrivelled up what little there was. Broccoli should however be soon turning in but they will be very small.

No more now hope this letter arrives on time. all our love to you both and lots of kisses for Susan and Carol

Mum and Dad

P.S. the typewriter is an Oliver – Four Bank – Model 21 in excellent condition £6 but source of origin must not be disclosed or Houghton might be in trouble. I am very pleased with it. Dad.

*I don’t really know whether or not this was ‘a thing’ at the time although we did sometimes have ‘brownouts’ which June insisted were caused by excessive use of the system – everybody making a cup of tea at half-time in the football match, or after ‘Doctor Who’ for example; the same was also said of the gas supply, and was reputed to be due to ‘low pressure’ – especially on Sunday lunchtimes when ‘everybody was cooking their dinner’. It’s not impossible that the demand for these services occasionally exceeded the supply, and it’s also difficult to convey to what extent – at this time – everyone was presumed to be doing exactly the same thing at exactly the same time; anyone who actually didn’t cook a big Sunday lunch or watch ‘Doctor Who’ for any reason would really have been considered an oddity!

**I have not been able to track down any further information about this poor man, whoever he may have been.

Eva to the family on the remaining three quarters of a sheet of Leonard’s paper:

Dear Alec June Susan and Carol

Many thanks for letter & drawings which were very good this week. it has been blowing us nearly inside out again, hope the sea wall will stand it it. We saw on TV about Cornwall and Torquay, dreadful. Wonder if Aunt Lydia’s bungalow is alright.

We have the typewriter at last this evening, but Dad had already written his letter. I must get into practice to as I mean to use it.

The party was very good considering that three retired clergy had to stand the racket. The hall is really an asset to Clevedon. It was designed by Mrs Plant of Tickenham one of the W.I. members. We each had a sausage roll, roll and butter, an iced cake and cup of coffee but it was an awful scramble to get it. I grabbed the eats while dad got the coffee and Mrs Cornish waited, there were 200 or more there. Of course the object was to bring the churches together but I noticed that St. Peter’s kept down one end of the room while we were at the other end.

The council want to make a roadway behind Joe Reed’s place down to the end of allotments but Cox whose property Joe Reed’s house is on is kicking up about it.

The lorries are going along the seawall at back from early morning till dark filling up the breaches in sea wall.

Lots of love from Mum and Dad.

Eva’s drawings are enigmatic; there is what may possibly be a washing line, a woven mat, a Wellington boot, and three oddly shaped shoes, with stiletto heels, labelled ‘winkle pickers’. 

Wednesday 25 October, 1961

On By Sue JenkinsIn 1961 lettersLeave a comment

Leonard to the family:

Dear Alec June Susan and Carol

Many thanks for your long and newsy letter duly received yesterday morning – also thank you Susan and Carol for your lovely drawings and Susan’s little letter about the comic. Grandma and Grandfy thought you would both find something to interest you in it. Hope you are feeling better now Susan and able to go to school again this week. 

Yes we had a nice run home on the 16th but with the mileage up a little it takes a drop more petrol. No doubt about it we had the best weekend for weather in spite of fog on the Sunday. It has been rather poor since our return – gale force winds and frequent heavy rain storms but there it is – we were fortunate for our stay with you. 

Sorry Susan a bit off colour but presumably alright again on the Sunday. We thought they were both looking and feeling very fit – they improve every time we see them and my word we can see a difference – they are both growing up fast.  

Glad to hear Mr and Mrs Baker with Peter and Pauline reached home safely on the Saturday and that you were able to make the journey to West Drayton for June’s mother’s birthday. It was Geoff’s on the 23rd and we dropped him the usual – he was 53 this time. Says he –”another 7 years to do”. Sounds like a sentence for some crime. 

It was excellent news that you had had an interview for the lecturing job but I quite agree with your comments. On a job like that you are not getting any practical experience, which experience must count for very many higher positions. One thing about this incident however indicates that you were recommended by your own department otherwise I do not think you would have got as far as an interview. Keep it up, you will get something one of these days which will be worth having. Do you know if Jeff has heard any more about his recent interview for another job? 

Noted also you have had some interesting meetings at Reading – query with what results – also when do you find time to write up the minutes or is this a job for others to do? 

Grandad Atkins was born at Beckington Somerset, a little village that is at the crossroads made by the Warminster-Bath and Frome-Trowbridge roads*. When visiting Salisbury regularly during the war with Mr Pole for meetings with the Southern Region we used to always pass through Beckington. 

Did you see in London papers last week a Clevedon boy named Prescott aged 14 was missing from home? Disappeared on the Wednesday because of some alleged trouble at school but was found at Tickenham on Sunday in a pretty pretty distressed condition because of the rough and wet weather. His father is in Parish Church choir, he was actually a member in my time but left the town and recently returned. He has a younger son aged 12 who is in Wells Cathedral Choir. Quite a rumpus here for a few days. Now we hear on wireless there is a 13-year old girl missing at Glastonbury. 

The chimney sweep arrived at 6 a.m. on Monday – raining in torrents – but mum must tell you more about this. I stopped in bed out of the way. 

No work on garden this week so far – the ground is soaked and more rain coming down. Last weekend managed to lift all the gladioli corms and put them in the frames to dry. Also made the first picking of runner bean seeds (the ripest) but there are plenty more to come. Now is the time for broad bean seed to go in but ground conditions just hopeless at the moment. 

Have put the 35 chrysanths in greenhouse after taking out all the tomato plants – the fruit is ripening off in drawers in garage – as mentioned in last letter your chrysanths are in full flower quite a nice reddish bronze colour. 

We are still picking runner beans to eat and I think they will continue wearing until frosts finish off the plants. Will let you know no final total weight for tomatoes and runner beans in due course. 

No more mice about in garage and for time being think we are free of them! It is quite possible some of them made a nest in the old wireless set – strange to say it was one place I did not investigate when trying to trace them. 

The wine I have tried was the one other than the parsnip – a cloudy wine which I thought was the Jungle Juice but which you suggest is Rhubarb. It was not labelled but tastes very nice. The grape wine continues fermentation but not quite so vigorously as when we came up to Ruislip. Have racked off all the others into sweet jars for storage purposes – the best tasting at the moment being the Blackberry. The liquid yeast you gave me seems to be working very well but I have have no further winemaking prospect at present. 

Have not used any of the leaf mould yet but have tipped it into a box to keep. It is most valuable stuff being mould from beech leaves which – with oak leaf mould – is the best you can possibly get. When in the vicinity at any time you should get some to dig into your soil – bound to improve it. 

Last Friday after a dry night – about the only one for a week – I managed to cut all the grass with the motor mower. It had got very long since previous cutting but it came off very easily. May have to have one or two more cuttings before closing down – as it were – for the season. 

The clock goes back next Sunday so it will be pretty well dark by the time Susan comes home from school. Any more driving lessons yet June? Or is weather getting too bad for this year? Since our return from you we have only been out twice – shopping and library. May pop into Weston one day next week – weather permitting. 

You will hear about Stonehenge from Mum in a minute or two. By the way it was not by side of road we took but well over to the right on a branch road in the direction from Ruislip to Clevedon. It was certainly adjacent to the branch road one I think leading to Devizes**. Do you remember this? 

No more now dash all our love to you both and more kisses for two little girls from Mum and Dad.

*As formerly mentioned, Tom was born in the Workhouse at Westbury, Wiltshire, and raised by a couple at Rode/Rode in Somerset, although Road and Beckington are pretty much side-by-side and there must be some doubt as to where one starts and the other ends.  Either Tom and/or Leonard were deliberately not told the whole story, or the story had become garbled over the years.  On reflection it is quite possible that Tom grew up having no idea who his mother actually was, only that he had a sister named Mary.  His marriage to the fiercely moral Emily may have ensured that this particular aspect of family history was ruthlessly suppressed thereafter and never mentioned again.

**A quick look at the map suggests that Leonard and Eva were travelling west along the A303; the ‘branch road’ described no longer exists – it would have run past Stonehenge to join up with the A360, but now seems to be solely an access/service road for the ancient monument itself and its visitor centre.  The A360 does indeed – eventually – find its way to Devizes.

Eva to the family on remaining three quarters of a sheet of Leonard’s writing paper:

Dear Alec June Susan and Carol

Many thanks for letting us and drawings which were very good. We looked into Charlie Drake’s Bingo tonight, and Michael Aspel mentioned there was goings-on at Ruislip and they were supposed to be going down there, he was a scream. 

The sweep came 5 minutes early had gone at 7. He said he had to go to Mrs Cummings next but didn’t think she would be up because he believed his wife had mixed the dates. Anyway I saw her today and he had only come a fortnight too soon, still she had it done – she has the old people from Cornwall there too. 

I should think we have had enough rain since coming back everywhere is soaking so gardening is out for the time being. 

Lots of love from (Grandma and Grandfy) Mum and Dad

[NB: there was of course no reference to Stonehenge but Eva did contribute a drawing which I was going to attempt to describe but to be perfectly honest my powers of description failed me.  It is attached below, together with a photograph of what probably inspired it.]

Sunday 8th October, 1961

On By Sue JenkinsIn 1961 lettersLeave a comment

Alec to his parents:

Dear Mum and Dad

Your latest letter to hand at usual time, for which many thanks. Glad to say that both Susan and Carol are now much better, and but for an occasional runny nose, otherwise O.K.. Yes Susan can write lots of words now, and is beginning to show great interest in reading as she asks all sorts of questions about all and any writing she sees, including such things as posters, sauce bottles etc.   Simple words of three letters are beginning to click into place, and with the present interest should start the ball rolling for the rest. 

Last Sunday, as has been told already, a number of the bigger girls were whisked off to the primary section of the Sunday school. They had to form a line as their names were called out. When the line was complete Carol shouted out “you did not call out my name”. This from the teacher afterwards. I think to avoid disappointment for the children whose names were not called out the remainder were formed into a line and were taken round in a circle.

Yes we realised that the drawing represented mice in the garage, but had to have a crack at the artist. They always come in at this time of year, but gather they get a hot reception. 

With regard to your visit on the 12th, please note you will be expected to lunch. It does not matter what time you arrive, nothing will spoil. It is not a very good idea to have a picnic lunch en route this time of the year, as it may be raining or a bit cold for hanging about. June will have something this end for you to eat so please do not bother about the grub.

I am not worried about taking time off. I do not think any obstacle would be placed in the way of my having extra days if genuinely wanted, but the main difficulty is finding a convenient time to be away. I have five meetings lined-up for next week already and that excludes Thursday and Friday. I would have had one on Thursday, but the man I want to contact is on late turn. 

Hope the articles to be brought up do not weigh down the car too much. 

I left the honeysuckle cuttings out of their coverings last weekend and all seem to have suffered a slight setback as a result. I think they are all still alive, but a distinct flagging is noticeable. Gave them a drop of water as the earth seems very dry. Probably the cause. Should imagine the rose leaves are being cut by bees or wasps. They are in tatters now. I think there will be a rose for you to see, also one or two remaining dahlias. 

Some figures for your produce, can imagine at the potential there if only you have a reliable outlet. Yes I thought I made it clear in my last letter that I understood that spring sown broad beans were more likely to suffer from blackfly. Must have got the sentence crossed. 

I saw a comprehensive plan of all the motorways a few days ago, and think that the new one you took off will be very useful to us. The drill would seem to be to follow the South Wales motorway until it joins the Ross Spur, then along that one and onto the West of England one. Distance probably the same as now, but could save up to half the time. I would say that to double the average speed would not be unreasonable. I should think that when the motorway is completed the peace and quiet will have departed from the neighborhood.

I cannot tell what the next moves are with Beeching. It is difficult to get a true appreciation of the position as people with vested interests are giving alternative views on his comments. Someone in the G.M.’s has told me that Curry has made a report that certain people are too obsessed with incentive schemes. (? McD)

Paddington Yard is on ice for the time being until I can get a hand-ou done for the staff. So many things on the go that only the most urgent can be tackled. 

Note Don’s resignations, but we had the opposite effect at Maidenhead. One of the carmen had sent in his resignation, and was working out his time when the incentive scheme was introduced. As a result of what he learnt from the other men, and his bonus of the first week, He has withdrawn his resignation and wants to stay on. A checker who handed in his resignation at the same time is holding fire for the moment to see which way the scheme for shed staff goes. 

Pity Don only got £25. Having been mentioned in the list it might as well have been for £5,000. Still he can now get 25 more if he wants to and increase his chances of. Susan and Carol have one each but so far no luck.* 

No more practice with the L-plates this week although we did go out again in the evening of the day previously reported to you. Gear changing is improving, and occasionally we were able to get right up into top gear. 

Of course Tiverton had to write when it was too late to do anything about it. Had they written before you could have delayed your visit to us for a week and fitted both trips in. We are of course glad for our own sake that it brings you here sooner. 

Susan’s drawing of the L-plate was unprompted but I got the blame for it (of course). 

The decorators finished at West Drayton a long time ago – probably 2 months. It was only one man (inside) and he soon went through the rooms. Outside there were a couple of men engaged on repairing the wall. 

We have written to the G.P.O. to ascertain what they want from us to keep the phone on. Still can’t seem to make up our minds if it is worth it. 

Well will not overdo the news etc. in view of your impending visit so will look forward to seeing you on Thursday – to lunch. 

Love from us all. 

*Sixty years later the position is still the same. See this Wikipedia article for a rough breakdown of the likelihood of ever winning anything!

Sunday 1st October, 1961

On By Sue JenkinsIn 1961 lettersLeave a comment

Dear Mr Coleman,

We are interested in having a radiator, located in the bathroom, fitted to our existing hot water supply, which is operated by a ‘Crane 20’ type boiler. If you can undertake this work, and can advise on radiators, cost, and fitting charges etc., would you be kind enough to call one evening soon to discuss the matter. It is desired that the radiator be operating before the colder weather sets in. 

Yours faithfully, 

[I have no recollection of a radiator ever being fitted in the bathroom, so maybe it didn’t happen. I’ll be looking out for any ensuing developments.]

Alec to his parents:

Dear Mum and Dad, 

Thanks once again for weekly letter. Glad the drawings etc. still up to standard. I noticed from Mum’s drawing that you have horses in the garage. Carol has been doing little drawings, mostly of the straight-line variety, but sometimes in resemblance of a piece of string. We do not usually enclose those for you, but as soon as they have any definition I expect you will be getting her efforts as well. 

As I read your letter I see that last time we reported that Susan was poorly. We have almost forgotten that, as since then Carol has been well and truly out of sorts. She has had, and still has, heavy catarrh with an attendant perpetual cough. It gives her no rest, or us either. Have tried the very last drop of cherry wine, but there was not enough to make much difference. Will try to find another that has the same effect. The present working remedy is juice of lemon with honey or sugar. She had a fit of the miseries yesterday at lunchtime. Would not eat her dinner as she said it had cauliflower with it. (A few greens, but no cauliflower.) Did not fancy any pudding, so was taken to bed protesting. She dropped off almost immediately and slept until about 3:30 p.m. She is lively enough out in the garden today, but still has the cough.

Seems as though you had a fine time with Arthur. Have formed the impression that he is on the scrounge, and probably not very appreciative of what is done for him. Take all his stories with at least two pinches of snuff, and have very many doubts about Madge the Millionaire. I expect you gave a sigh or two of relief when you saw his train depart from Weston. I would not be surprised if his tale about the horsepower of the cars was not far out. I believe they have a different horsepower rating, and in any case the average car there is known to be extremely highly powered.

Sorry you do not take to Susan’s idea of a blackberry bush in your garden. I agree that if you have a thornless blackberry in a place that you can spare, it would prove a profitable line. I have in mind the fact that in succession it would come after the beans and tomatoes had declined.

Thursday 12th October will do us very well for your visit. If you are coming up in the morning, I will have half-day only off on Thursday and a day off with you on the Friday. All this subject to any crisis arising.

You are not alone in having a poor apple crop this year. I was talking to some people yesterday who were making the same point. I suppose the weather early in the year was the cause. Took off the polythene bags all together yesterday, and find that the cuttings are all in good order. On each however there was a deposit of mildew on the outside, and also on the woodly part of the stem of one. The new growth is not affected however and all look healthy enough. there is another flower bud on the rose you gave us, so you may see it in bloom. The leaves have been riddled with holes over the last few days – could it be slugs?

Nice to have increased your African violets. Will the new ones be the same colour, or is there a chance of variety? It looks as though you will finish up by having more tomatoes (by weight) than runner beans. a situation I would have thought improbable to say the least. The production of tomatoes seems to be rapidly overtaking the beans.

Odd that you should get another crop of broad beans. I have heard that broad beans planted in the spring are less resistant to blackfly than those planted in late autumn. You may have avoided much trouble with yours, as  I have not heard any mention of it from you.

It sounds to me as if the motorway will cross the main road near the Moor Road that passes Hollands’ Pottery. Too near for comfort, but all good for trade I suppose, and it will certainly be handy for you.

Re: the Yard Scheme, we have now got the reluctant agreement from local management to the proposals with the rider that they do not think it will work. We have tactfully leaked the details of the proposals to the staff side, and told them that local management says it cannot be done. That was good enough for them, just the opportunity for them to show management how wrong they are once again.

Beeching has been to Paddington and Phillips has met him. I gather that in the G.M.’s office, they breathed a sigh of relief that he was a much more reasonable man than they had been led to believe. MacDonald had a meeting with Curry,  Beeching’s man seconded from the I.C.I. Work Study section, and McD came away in buoyant mood. It appears Curry thinks we are well ahead of the other regions, and his own ideas on the subject coincide with McD’s expressed views which have hitherto fallen on stony ground.

I think I told you that when we were on our car rally, we took a trip over the M4 motorway (as much of it as has been built) which bypasses Maidenhead. It makes for easier driving as there is plenty of room per car and nothing to stop forward progress at the speed you desire.

No slip of the typewriter. Peter’s new girlfriend, Pauline by name, did arrive as detailed in my last letter. Have not seen or heard of her since mind you, but I believe the earlier arrangement has finished. Yes you have got the right Hawkeswood. Mrs H said her husband knew you.

Grass growing on our lawns to such extent that I think we need a herd of goats to reduce it rather than a mower. It is all very wet and has not dried out for a long time now. This morning started wet but weather has improved a lot with sun and blue skies just now.

So Arthur took some pictures of Mogg’s place did he? Pity he had not come here some years ago when he could have taken a picture of Gull House along the seawall*. It has been pulled down now I believe, but it was inhabited in our time. The last person to live there was the eldest son (with beard) of the person who used to live in the left-hand bungalow situated across the river and lying between the picture house and Binding and Paynes garage. Almost opposite St John’s School in fact. I believe the old man’s name was Heaven, but I have forgotten the younger man’s name, but I know it was not the same. A bit religious, think they were mixed up with the Hessels.

Who are the newlyweds who are celebrating their first anniversary? Seems double Dutch to me. Perhaps it is the people next door or maybe Michael Ritchings?

June had her L-plates up this morning, and we went out on the first road lesson. quite a good start. It is all a matter of practice after all. Pauline is here for the weekend, and has taken the children out before a walk.

Ken Lay off sick this week and likely to be for a while. He has hypertension with palpitations. I am afraid he lets the job worry him.

Well there it is again. One more before you come up. Love from us all for the time being. 

*There is something that looks like demolition rubble visible on Google Earth on the edge of the Clevedon Golf Centre’s land at Gullhouse Point, south of Clevedon Pill and overlooking Blackstone Rocks, grid reference 51.42636, -2.880945; this area does not seem to be open to the public, although information is elusive. However the 1841 Census definitely shows a family named Hancock living nearby; in 1861 they are still there but the house is described at being ’41 Old Church Road’, which is a bit of a stretch but I can understand why. By 1911 it is ‘Island Cottage, 112 Old Church Road’. Demolition had clearly occurred, though, before the 1950 County Series OS Maps were prepared, so given both Alec’s and Leonard’s memories it must have been some time before or during the Second World War. Maybe its derelict remains were flattened to give effective sight-lines for coast-watchers?

Sunday 24th September, 1961

On By Sue JenkinsIn 1961 lettersLeave a comment

Alec to his parents:

Dear Mum and Dad

Thank you once again for a very interesting letter. No hold up with post this week. I must say we were looking forward to hearing of the doings of Uncle Arthur plus your reactions etc. 

I did not think you would have been able to save much of 1960 cherry wine for long. Of course the 1961 lot is fairly new, and it would be a pity to use it up before it has had time to mature. Nevertheless we are quite prepared for some of it to mature at this end if you have any to spare. 

Pity you have not heard from Tiverton about the proposed visit to Exmouth, but shall I expect you to make up your mind about us at short notice anyway so don’t worry about it. There are a few mists about early these days but they do not develop into much, and clear well before midday. I think it is still a bit too early to start thinking about fogs. The weather will have to be much colder for the really bad fogs to form. I think you are fairly safe to travel up till about mid-November and would be extremely unlucky to come unstuck. 

Glad you were able to write to Mrs Godfrey, I thought you would want to do that. 

So you had another trip to Kingston on the blackberry lark. I thought that Friday was the day you had to pick up Arthur at Weston, did he not want to come with you. I am not a bit surprised that there are thousands of berries to be taken. It will probably be the cheapest way you can make even including the elderberry. At this time of year too, apples should be plentiful, particularly the windfalls, and imperfect ones. I believe you had a go at some on a previous occasion, but you may think to try some more. As an idea, blackberry and apple, as in the pie, might make a good combination. 

Yes still slugs and more slugs. I saw the paper-boy put his heel on one about 6 inches long on the front path this morning. It is quite risky walking down the hill some mornings as they come out of the grass and cross the path (for some reason query same as the chickens) to the hazard of all passers by. 

I do not think that Susan has seen the comic Wonderland yet. She was off-colour last Wednesday and stayed home from school. I brought a couple of comics home in addition to the two they normally have, but did not see the one you mentioned. There are lots of comics for all ages these days and it is a job to get the right age group now. 

So far, although I was aware that the polythene bags should be turned every couple of days, I have not done so.  The bags are in position as I placed them over a week ago. I see there is moisture on the inside and in all three pots the plant is throwing out leaf buds. I cut one right back if you remember and took off all the green leaf but the other two retained varying amounts of leaf.  It seems to make no difference as all the old leaves are still full of life, and the cutting without leaves is also throwing leaf buds. The pots are out in the garage right up to the glass level at the bench end. I expect it is a bit early to hope that they have rooted?

Sorry to say I was not aware that there would be any motorway anywhere near Clevedon. Something must have been said at some time or other, but I cannot recollect it. I cannot picture the Water Station at Twickenham or the football ground. Is it at the bottom by the star or even back in the direction where we saw the dahlias, or is it further on where the road divides for Failand and Nailsea. Perhaps it is a little way along either of the last named roads. Fancy it going through Kingston Seymour. It looks as if this road will provide the route that has been wanted for so long, one direct from Clevedon to Weston along the coast. 

The trouble with motorways is that they limit the number of access roads, and you may find that although it passes through Kingston, there may not be a roundabout or slip road which will enable you to get on it. However it is bound to cut the running time and possibly petrol consumption if you can get on one as near as Congresbury. Shall be interested to learn more of this project. 

Pauline went to Italy not Spain. Language, climate and food very similar, but not the direction. 

Not surprised that Geoff has not been lucky in contacting us by phone are you? 

You should remember that in America everything is done on the “grand scale” and a mere weekend assumes the proportions of a week. Nice to hear that some distant connection of ours strike it rich, but it won’t do him much good now poor chap. Presumably the party mentioned must have been an elder sister to Great-grandmother Fewings unless her son came to an untimely end in 1912. The sons and daughters of Grandmother Fewings mostly lived another thirty years, and several are still alive. 

Re: Paddington Yard report, had a meeting with Bryant on Friday (Goods Agent).  He had some of his inspectors present and NH. Bryant sent his District inspector. It was very fiery for about two hours, they called it all things under the sun, including murder, – and said it could not be done, – the drivers would not have it, the shunters would not have it, – the L.D.C. would not have it, etc. The chief inspector with two months to go offered to resign on the spot etc etc. Told him I could not comment on that one as it was a matter between him and Mr Bryant. Once we had sorted out all the issues raised that were the prerogative of other people to raise, they were left with the straight issue, – could all the work be done with one engine? They agreed, but said that insufficient staff had been provided to do the work. That of course is a matter for the L.D.C. staff side to comment on, so in the end subject to one minor provision, Bryant will recommend the report is passed onto the next stage. 

Regarding your query about the route, I believe the route you describe is the right one, but I cannot remember how we came back. I think we got a little lost in that area, and we wandered about in the outskirts of Windsor before getting back on the trail. I think that when you travel the layout of the roads will be a little different from those which we travelled on, as the M4 motorway has since been opened. This road bypasses Maidenhead, and will eventually pass Slough, but at the moment it stops short on the west side of Slough and you have to go on the A4 to proceed. Coming from the A303 through Englefield Green you will have to cross the A4 to get on the Iver Heath side and I am pretty certain you do it at the lights you suggest, also crossing the railway line by Dolphin Junction signal box. 

Susan suggested that perhaps Grandfy might like to grow a few blackberry bushes in his garden, but I told her you had spent the last thirty years trying to keep them out. I do not think my reply was understood or appreciated.*

You query what happened on the day of the school strike – Susan was sick as I said earlier but there was no strike at her school although some of the others in the area did close. I gathered that the parents had received letters informing them of the intention to strike. 

So sales have increased since dad join the choir. all good for trade apparently. 

Nice to know that Michael Richings has passed his B.A. At one time it looked as if he would not I think. 

Should have thought you could have made an edible hat, but after all you have prepared a few edible boots in the past. (reply awaited). 

So Arthur has gone on his way rejoicing by now. Hope the visit was a success for all concerned. After all they do live and act differently in America, and I suppose we should not judge them by our standards, or by any other for that matter. It is just a question of finding out how much one has in common apart from the language. 

Have not cut grass and may now leave it for the winter. We go out to tea this afternoon so it will be all rush and tear soon. Last Sunday we went over to West Drayton, Peter dropped the first bomb by bringing in his new girlfriend, and soon after the second one exploded when Mrs Hawkeswood and daughter walked in.

Tried to start the car yesterday to go shopping in the morning only to find that the battery was down flat. Borrowed Eric’s charger and in about half an hour had it on the road again. Doug was in bed with a heavy cold otherwise we could have pushed it into the road and tried coasting down the hill to start. Could not manage it on my own. Getting fewer and fewer dahlias now which is a pity as I had hoped you might be here to see them. We may have one or two left if your visit is not long delayed. Well there it is for this week once again, no doubt the girls will contribute a drawing or two. Love from us all for now. 

*Ya think?  After all, by the age of five a child really ought to be able to identify an invasive species.  /sarcasm.

Wednesday 6th September, 1961

On By Sue JenkinsIn 1961 lettersLeave a comment

Leonard to the family:

Dear Alec June Susan & Carol

Many thanks for letter and Susan’s drawing to hand as usual yesterday morning.  A very nice drawing again Susan, and we are glad to know that daddy waters the garden. Soon be school time now and I expect you will be pleased to go back. 

Note newspapers duly arrived. Norman Allen got the proof for us from Evening Post people and we may order one each for you and ourselves. Susan would have looked better on a horse or tricycle but it was a case of grabbing hold of the first thing available or not being in picture at all. Hope Grandfy and Grandma Baker liked it. Have not been across Salthouse Fields since taking the tomatoes to Mrs Hillman but I believe the donkeys are still earning their keep. Can hear the train whistle from garden especially Saturday and Sunday afternoons. 

Yes there were several high tides and we went out again on Saturday evening but the sea was like a millpond so no excitement of waves splashing over the promenade. This week it has been a little different, quite a strong wind and several storms, atmosphere very heavy but we have had no thunder. 

Have never heard of dahlias being moved once they were in flower but you seem to have succeeded so hope you continue to get a good show. I did not plant any this year. Last Friday Percy Thrower on TV said that next to the rose the dahlia was the most popular flower in the country and that the more you cut the flowers the better, for it will continue flowering until frosts come. 

Presumably June means runner bean seeds. It is broad beans we plant in October and at the time of coming to you it is doubtful if the runner bean seeds will be sufficiently ripened to gather in – we shall see. In any case can let you have some in due course by some means or other. to date have picked 270lbs of runner beans and 140lbs of tomatoes. Elford called up the other day for runner beans so I reminded him I had tomatoes as well; he took 6lbs of latter and I picked 12lbs runner beans. I managed to pick just sufficient elderberries to make a gallon of wine – the birds have had the rest. Only got about half a pound from Cornish’s garden and three-and-a-half from our own making the 4lbs required; it is now in a violent ferment. Yes may have to consider larger quantities sometime in the future. 

Noted distance to Burnham Beeches and back about 40 miles. More success then with the heather and one of the little beech trees – if you had a bigger garden you could get more in it. (Have heard this before bracket.) We very much liked the idea of the dog or poodle skin rug outside toilet. It was one of those narrow brown long-haired mats, you’ve seen it before. Fancy Susan remembering little things like that. She enjoyed herself here alright and so did we but naturally we both had a little bit of catching up again after her return home. As we have said before she was splendid considering it was her first time away from her own home. 

The twelve results was 100-1 one shot so missed £5. Nowhere near it last Saturday because of so many freak results. 

There is plenty of time to plant snowdrops but once in you can forget them all together they will come up yearly and increase quickly And give a nice little show in early spring. 

Fancy Susan and Carol choosing their own books at the library. We often see children in our library here –  a room is set apart for children’s books adjacent to main library. Mum and I go up on an average once a week. 

We were not aware that your neighbour at 94 had a house at Westgate and that your other side neighbours had used the premises. Let out I expect as Joe and Lydia let their bungalow at Exmouth. By the way we have not yet heard from them re: visit, neither have we any more news of Arthur which seems a bit strange. Things will happen all together in the end probably. 

Glad to hear car satisfactory and that Jackson will touch up the rear wing for you. Ted Caple here had another mishap with his new A40 last week. He was going along Elton Road towards Six Ways when a motorcycle shot out of Seavale Road to get across to Victoria Road and ran into him broadside. Ted Caple told me Sunday it is probable the police will issue a summons against motorcyclist for driving without due care etc. Meanwhile car is in garage for repair. This is about the third time this new A40 has been involved in accidents, none of which were Caple’s fault. 

Geoff and family should be home again by Thursday evening this week. Had a card to saya good time was being had by all. 

Very interested in your work report on Paddington yard, also that you have another application in for promotion. Best wishes for this one. How is McDonald’s possible move progressing? (Having trouble with my Biro so have just fetched the one I keep in garage.) Why should McDonald “not think much of your application”?

So you did not hear anything of previous application then, gone too long now for any news presumably.  Keep us advised. 

Norman Allen had an interview last Friday for position as assistant investigator Work Study (Class 2). His second child was christened in Old Church last Sunday afternoon. 

Not much local news this week but we did hear there has only been one fire on Church Hill this season and that this had been put out before fire brigade arrived. 

I wrote the AA for route to Ruislip – Barrow Gurney – Chew Magna – Farrington Gurney – Radstock – Frome – Warminster – Amesbury – Andover – Bagshot – Staines – Datchet – edge of Slough – Iver Heath – total mileage 142¾. Is this the route you had in mind? 

I see railway accidents continue, the latest at Wootton Bassett yesterday morning. They are are much too frequent nowadays. 

Saw Bill Aston over the weekend and understand that despite the diet he is on he still gets severe stomach trouble at times which makes him feel miserable. I don’t know what he can do about it if anything. Cornish came over yesterday morning and helped me clear  guttering out around house; you will remember during heavy rain the water came out of guttering just on a level with window in front bedroom and rattled down on to zinc covering the window of front sitting room. It was surprising the amount of silt which had collected. Had this done around his house so we ought to be alright for a month or two. 

How about your kitchen chimney since you had it attended to – is it watertight now? 

No more this time, hope you are all keeping well. All our love to you both and lots of kisses for our two little girls. Mum and Dad 

Eva to the family on  the remaining half-sheet of Leonard’s writing paper:

Dear Alec June Susan & Carol

Many thanks for drawing and letter. We laughed at Susan’s description of the bedroom rug. We have had them for years and they were Grandma Fewings’s before that, but I have always taken them up before you came thinking the children would fall over them, but forgot it when you came the second time. We have been on the garden again and there are plenty of jobs to do. In the middle of it this afternoon Stanley James came to see if Dad could ring as there are some visitors from Colchester, but not enough for the bells. It has been quite cold this last two days, almost needs a fire. I suppose Susan is really ready for school again. I’m looking forward to October. Love from Mum and Dad. 

Underneath drawings of fruit and veg headed ‘guess these’:  pumpkin grapes turnip carrot banana potatoes cherries and something that might be beetroot.

Tuesday 4th July, 1961

On By Sue JenkinsIn 1961 letters, UncategorizedLeave a comment

Leonard to the family:

Dear Alec June Susan and Carol

Many thanks for another long and newsy letter. Glad to hear birthday letters arrived safely and that you will find a good use for cash. 

Mum and I have just been up to Hill Road for a few odds and ends and recalled in at the new cafe on the front for an ice cream – hope your mouths won’t water. 

It is so hot here again today but Saturday night we had thunder and lightning and rain from about midnight until 3 a.m. – the rain continuing until about 11:30 a.m. since when until today it has been much cooler. It was a lovely drop of rain though and has done a lot of good. You apparently had the rain Sunday morning. Incidentally I expect you guessed it was Mum who got hold of birthday card for you but we both thought it was good.

Note your efforts with concrete posts for fence etc and Susan’s valiant struggle with the ‘oil can’ – she was only helping. Yes it is a messy and tedious job putting creosote on strips of wood – I suppose you got more on your hands and clothes than on the wood. Assume you eventually got posts upright with the 4×2 and cross pieces.

Have been having more trouble with pond. I noticed one morning last week the water level had gone down about 2 inches in shallow portion since the night before and the weed in places was high and dry. I put hose on and raised level so that all weed was floating again but next morning it was well down again. Then decided to take weed out and see how far water level would drop. The shallow part is now dry but deep portion full and holding. Looks as if the pressure of water has forced out loose filling somewhere and we have to start all over again to find leak. Noticed one live eel only and he has got much bigger assume he is now in deep portion. When weather properly settled again may have another try at sealing shallow apart. I imagine that when we feel cash when you were here dash and accumulation of dust dirt and leaves had got into the crevices and temporarily sealed same.

Have had one or two trips down to river but have never seen any more fish other than eels. nor more logs requiring rescuing.

Just been looking at Susan’s painting thank you very much Susan but don’t start using daddy’s creosote as paint or you will soon be in hot water.

The Drewett episode was given us practically verbatim by Roy and Mrs Hewitt who of course live about three doors from Iris.

Surprised you have not since heard from Geoff – query not even for the 28th ulto? Note you had a card from Lyng. Don is 60 on the 27th inst and we have asked them to come up to lunch either the Sunday before or the one after to celebrate – can always have a glass of cold water.

Yes it was bad luck to find coal dumped in yard but everything is in order now and we should – with what we had left over from last  winter – have enough coal to see us through the coming winter.

You are quite right about the Exeter to Clevedon trip in the first car they ever had dash query OD2280 – a hot dinner here waiting for four of them and they were stranded at Wellington. Well we had a lot to eat as a result for a couple of days but should like to have seen their faces when they realised Wellington was as far as they were going to get that day. The Dawlish episode though I think was scandalous. An engine will fail but to turn out another dud at Westbury which could only get to Patney & C* is terrible and I expect someone heard all about it.

Note your back garden now looking up and that at least one of the rose cuttings still survives. it has been a most difficult time for all garden plants. I’ve had to use hose nightly for about two hours to keep things going. the runner beans are beginning to form and it won’t be long now before can pick. Mum has been busy morning and again late afternoon picking raspberries – these two have had daily attention with hose. The cherries are turning quickly now and this morning I picked 6lbs for a brew. According to Bravery this quantity requires 4lbs of sugar which I’ve just covered with hot water into which I also put a bunch of lemon balm. The other mixture, blackcurrant and rhubarb, still working quietly and next week will go under fermentation lock. Note you have not yet tried the Elder Flower – awaiting your report on this before dishing it out here to my friends or enemies.

So your films generally speaking are pretty good – bound to have one or two not quite up to expectations. I like the sound of the one you took of group in front of greenhouse truly rural.

Mr Aston gone to a Bristol hospital today for X-ray and has to go in again next week to hear result, seems to be getting a lot of pain after meals. I still think it is only an ulcer but he will soon know for himself.

Not much local news this week – the place is fairly full of visitors and charabancs bring in the daily ones regularly. Too wet to go for our usual jaunt round the Hill on Sunday so had a rest instead.

I’m selling lettuces to Elford now at 4d each to sell again at 6d and have plenty in garden for him if he wants them – something like 130 and more seed in.

Heels visitors went home last Thursday having had a wonderful fortnight for weather. Our neighbours and next again (Mrs Drewetts) are still busy painting outside of houses and we hear Spencers are moving out shortly and Mrs Rees Barrett comes in on the 12th. New people have taken over the Triangle Post Office.**

No more now – all our love to you both and lots of kisses for Susan and Carol.  Hope you are all keeping well.  Mum and Dad

*After some head-scratching and consulting the invaluable British Railways Pre-Grouping Atlas and Gazeteer Fourth Edition, published by Ian Allan, price 25/-, we were able to read this place name as Patney and Chirton. This suggests that the first engine on the train – which was presumably heading to Paddington – managed roughly 90 miles before being removed and replaced at Westbury, whereas the replacement keeled over after only 12. That being the case, it’s almost a miracle that the replacement engine had the strength to be shunted onto the consist in the first place!

**Clearly Mrs Rees Barrett was held personally responsible for (if not actually guilty of) the theft from the Triangle Post Office earlier in the year. See https://wordpress.com/post/onthetrack.home.blog/1647 . Whether the door was left open accidentally or deliberately, and whether the money was stolen then or on another occasion, must be a matter for conjecture.

Eva to the family on the remaining three quarters of a sheet of Leonard’s writing paper

Dear Alec June Susan and Carol

Many thanks for letter and drawing of red girl, quite coming on with portrait painting. 

Well here we are nearly roasted again. I went into Bristol yesterday (Wednesday) with Mrs Marshall who had to see a brother-in-law in St. Mary’s. You could hardly breathe In the city there was not a breath of air going.

Had a letter from Joe and Lydia yesterday as well.  They are going on a 6 day coach tour beginning August 5th to Blackpool (2 days) Buxton (2 days) the Peak District and back to Weston on the 10th when they would like to come here for weekend; they never make up their minds until the last minute.

John starts his holiday on Sat. they are going to Looe; I believe they did last year.  They go with his friend wife and baby. I believe Spensers are moving on Saturday.  I see Ian is home running about.

Mrs Clarke has gone to Weston again for a few days – doesn’t seem to be able to settle for long.

Have been busy washing curtains and blankets, ought to have done it before, and to make a bit more work last night I tipped over a cup of coffee in my lap so dress etc. had to be done.

Well I think this is all news just now so will close with best love from us all. 

Mum and Dad 

The letter from Eva is adorned with pen drawings of the sun, some gibbous moons, and a couple of smiling crescent moons (or possibly bananas?).

Tuesday 20th June, 1961

On By Sue JenkinsIn 1961 lettersLeave a comment

Leonard to the family:

Dear Alec June Susan and Carol

Many thanks for your letter to hand this morning with sketches each from Susan and Carol – back to normal again. Thank you Susan and Carol for your nice drawings.

Yes it will be interesting to see what kind of a journey the AA plot out via Radstock etc. will write them later on. Note you are already making a few journeys out of Paddington i.e. Maidenhead Reading etc. Better remember me to John Snow if you yet have to visit his station. The Kensington job presumably is in connection with the parcels traffic.

The pond still leaks a little but I’ve been putting hose into it nightly after watering garden to keep level of water to a reasonable height. No wonder the fish would not bite they must have known date coarse fishing started. Although I’ve been down to river once or twice recently have not seen anything moving except eels and these continue to move upstream. no sign of anything living in the pond but the weed is thickening at bottom of the deep portion and giving good coverage for any livestock there.

Note cacti doing well on landing window very good place for them. June has been busy then with the paint pot and a good fence between garage and house will make another fine improvement to the property. Glad the films were success – something to look at perhaps when winter evenings are with us again. Shall be interested in your ‘projector’ when we next visit Ruislip. 

How did Susan get on at school after her holiday did she settle down all right? I expect she told a lot of her pals and perhaps teacher of the most outstanding events of her fortnight away. 

The old gentleman who lived in bungalow at bottom of field died suddenly after dinner last Friday and was cremated at Arnos Vale today. We took the widow (Mrs Clarke) to Bristol picking up vicar at the Vicarage. Left here 11 a.m. and were home again at 12:50 p.m. He had two daughters by his first marriage (both married) one living at Taunton and the other in London. They attended at the crematorium but did not travel with Mrs Clarke – some feelings there we think.

Yesterday afternoon Mr and Mrs Hewitt called round so plenty of chinwagging. They had recently returned from a holiday at Bangor in Northern Ireland. Then about 7:30 p.m. who should turn up but Mr and Mrs Richings the former driving a brand new Anglia out for a drive after passing his driving test (second attempt) last Friday. They got away again about 9:30 p.m.

There is a rumour around that Mrs Rees Barrett of The Triangle Post Office has bought Spencers’ house in The Avenue. Apparently since the robbery at The Triangle Post Office some months ago she has not been allowed at the counter. Incidentally no one has been charged with the theft.

Sheila Garland (Les Garland’s second daughter) is being married on Saturday. We are ringing for that one at 11 a.m. and again at 2 p.m. 

Since you went back to Ruislip I’ve been busy putting out plants for the winter and so far have got in approx 40 early broccoli and the same number each of middle and late broccoli also 50 purple sprouting and 50 January Kings (cabbage). No further casualties with tomatoes and growth is pretty fast these days. Have lost a few of the cinerarias already  Actually some of them were very weak when potted up and the strong sun has finished them off. Strawberries practically finished and we picked the first raspberries today. Last Sunday the birds started to play havoc with the currents so we picked the black ones and used netting on the reds. The whites I’m afraid were left unprotected and we lost the lot.  The first lot of strawberries having been dug up released some netting which is now covering the early fruiting raspberries.

I took 20 pounds broad beans to Elford last Saturday for which he paid 6d per pound. Also 6 of those lettuces which were growing alongside the frames for which he paid 5d each to sell again at 6d.  Have at least 80 more lettuces nearly ready and another sowing just coming through soil so I hope he wants some more. The runner beans are nearly up to top of sticks and in flower.

Mrs Clarke told us today she had heard the house at bottom of our field has been sold – it had been in the market for many months. Perhaps the newcomers will clear up the corner around that derelict caravan.

I’m still using the hose nightly but since Mother’s effort have not had occasion to use sprinkler. If weather continues shall want it on lawn to keep grass alive.

Astons returned from Eastbourne on Saturday having had an enjoyable time in spite of the many transistor radio sets being carried about by visitors all of them blaring out one program or another.  I think on one occasion they had one on either side of them with different musical programs going.

Note you saw Norman Allen at Bristol – where did you have meeting? Query Transom House. Have never been in this building but understand it is fairly palatial. Any move in regard to your proposed new offices?

Our neighbours (Heel) have their visitors with them this week & so far it has been unbearably hot. Don’t feel like much work in garden this weather but since the rain last Monday week there have been a lot of arrears to overtake. Hope it is a nice day when June’s friends come over at the weekend. I’m sure the girls will enjoy themselves.

What has happened to the box of sand they took back. They left behind a ball which we found on bench in shed.

Note ring now returned to Stella no doubt she was pleased to have it restored to her.

Well I must close now or Mum will not get in with her bit. Hope you are all keeping well.

All our love to you both and lots of kisses for two little girls – Susan and Carol.

Mum and Dad. 

Eva to the family on the remaining three-quarters of a sheet of Leonard’s paper:

Dear Alec June Susan and Carol

Thank you for letter and drawings was one of them supposed to be Grandma?

Well here we are with more fine weather after a few storms. Mrs Stacey came down for the day yesterday and before she arrived it poured so thought we should have a miserable day but it cleared about 10:30 and she arrived 11. She and I went out all the afternoon and Mr Stacey arrived just as I had got the tea. He is studying cars again but can’t make up his mind. His is a Ford Anglia at present, something the colour of ours and like Richings but they look tinny. You ought to have seen Richings with theirs, they went off with a blare of the horn announcing to one and all to clear the path.

We have started to pick raspberries but have to keep the strawberry nets over them while doing it as the birds are all round.

Did you know Ford the watchmender? Well it is his wife’s brother who has bought Martindale and lives in Birmingham and will not retire for 5 years so don’t know what they are going to do. 

Sheila Garland and her husband Ron Cook will have her home.

Two weddings on Saturday expect the first will be a buckshee ringing.

Well no more news now so will close with best love from Mum and Dad .