Tag: Clevedon

Thursday 7th July, 1960

On By Sue JenkinsIn 1960 lettersLeave a comment

Leonard to the family (on the reverse of Table 105-continued: Cardiff, Newport, Cheltenham Spa, Gloucester, Swindon and London, and Table 131: Cardiff, Coryton, Caerphilly, Senghenydd and Rhymney):

Dear Alec June Susan and Carol,

We were very glad to hear you reached home safely on Sunday and in such good time. Hope Susan and Carol both had good journeys and enabled June to take things a bit easy. It is a fortnight ago today you arrived – how time flies. We had the best of the weather apparently for it has been very different this week. Plenty of rain and a cold strong wind which would have made things most unpleasant on the sands at Burnham or on the lawn here. At this moment (late afternoon) it is emptying down again and work outdoors impossible. We hope you enjoyed your holiday –  Mum and I certainly did and of course we were delighted to see Susan and Carol looking so well and obviously enjoying themselves. Several of the neighbours have since told us what lovely children they are. It was so quiet here for a day or two after you had gone back but I think we are more or less normal again now.

I’m sorry to say we have not had any response to the advert in the ‘Mercury’. I walked up around the hill last Sunday about 11:30 a.m. but with the long growth of grass and weeds it’s like looking for a needle in a haystack. It does not look as if we shall recover the necklace now June and we are very sorry it was lost in such circumstances. On the same day (26th June) Alec Parker (one of our bell-ringers) met his wife after ringing for evening service and took a stroll around Poets Walk. They sat down on one of the seats near churchyard and as seat was very hot Mrs Parker took off her cardigan and sat on it. Whilst there Alec Parker told his wife they would walk slowly over the hill and see if they could spot the necklace of which I had just spoken about. They started off and in less than five minutes Mrs Parker realised she had left cardigan on seat so back they went but it had gone and although they retraced their steps through Salthouse Fields they could not see anybody carrying it. Loss was reported to Beach Supt. without result. The case was not to be compared with the necklace but it just shows there are some light-fingered people about. 

On Monday this week Mum and I went to library and on return – about 11 a.m. – Fire Brigade passed us  and when we turned into Tennyson Avenue the crowd were at the end of the road watching fire on the hill immediately behind Moggs’ house in exactly the same position as a fire last year which I mentioned to Alec in the week. I also noticed last Sunday on the far corner of Wains Hill (seaside corner) the shrubs and grass have been burnt to the ground for a considerable distance and understand Brigade had to turn out for this.

I filled the pond up on Monday but it leaks about half an inch per day and is now nearly down to the level of the shallow part. I’m leaving it alone for the time being to see how far it will go.

Tell Susan I am missing a young lady who last week used to open and close the front gates for me. I have to see to them myself again now. We hope you were able to get out on Monday with your friends and have a good time. It was a bit cloudy here and we had a storm or two during the day.

Had a letter from Don and I quote extract below:

“Glad you got back safely last Monday. Quite a car load. Was very pleased to see Susan and Carol once more. They are certainly fine children and growing fast.”

Put car into garage for servicing and attention on Tuesday and it is still there. Understand too small pars have to be replaced and these have to come from Bristol. Must get it out for Sunday in order to meet Geoff and family at Yatton. Hope it is fine for them the few hours they will be with us.

have been busy on garden weather permitting this week as you may imagine. mum has picked more raspberries and blackcurrants and we have sold 3 pounds raspberries to neighbours at bottom of field. had a small feed of runner beans this week but they will turn in quickly now the ground is soaked.

Well I think this is all except to say thank you both very much for such a lovely time and for the various articles including hosepipe and couplers which you gave us. So far as hose concerned before rain came to anything this week I  made good use of it.

All our love to you and lots of kisses for Susan and Carol.

Mum and Dad.

P.S.: thought June might see the funny side of the enclosed cartoon.

Thursday 16th June, 1960

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Leonard to the family (on the reverse of Table 121 – continued: BRECON, MERTHYR, DOWLAIS and NEWPORT (Week days only) and Table 123: PONTSTICILL JUNCTION and MERTHYR (Weeks days only, second class only); and Table 125: TREHERBERT, PORTH, MERTHYR, ABERCYNON, PONTYPRIDD, CARDIFF, PENARTH, BARRY and BARRY ISLAND):

Dear Alec June Susan and Carol

Many thanks for both your letters received on Wednesday – glad June’s reached her safely – always a risk with loose notes. Now we are looking forward to seeing you all in a week’s time. Tell Susan that Grandma can always do with a little girl’s help to wipe up the dishes etc. so she must put in some practice. (Better break Mother’s before Grandma’s.)*

You had a nice time out June with Pauline etc. – hope you arrived home sober.

Sorry to hear about Miss Baker but I expect her age and infirmity is affecting her now. It’s the trouble with old age and there is no cure for it.

We wondered if Susan & Carol had been told of their visit to Clevedon as we know you like to keep them quiet until the actual morning of any special event. We saw the Mobo toys in full working order on Whit Monday. Mum and I had a walk round the Fair on Salthouse Fields and on a little way along the Front. The Mobo toys were in great demand and we commented that it would not be long now before Susan & Carol would have a go. The toy or rather model train** was also working and being Whit Monday it was fully loaded each trip including one or two mothers with very tiny children.

The weather here has been remarkable good in comparison with what you describe. Apart from the rain mentioned in last letter it has generally been fine except for the odd shower. Hope it keeps up now for your visit although it means me carrying water to greenhouse.

Sorry about your car number – just shows I was seeing double or nearly double during that weekend. Noted your intended route – looks as if you are avoiding main roads as far as possible. If you travel at not more than thirty m.p.h. you should make fairly good progress. Actually when we set out from here to come to Ruislip we cannot maintain the 30 m.p.h. until we have been on the road for two hours, i.e. after getting through Bristol and Bath. Be careful at Bibury – it is a lovely village but there is a sharp left hand turn over a very narrow river bridge – only one vehicle at a time I believe allowed over. I think I will make Cirencester and wait on the London side of the town near the place where it indicates Cirencester. Can then decide if to proceed to cross suspension bridge or not as I think the best move – if running over Bridge – would be to take a right turn at Yate on the Aust road and then turn towards Bristol on the main Gloucester to Bristol road. It would be much easier than trying to cross Bristol just to get to the Bridge. Alternatively we could run direct from Cirencester to Bristol via Downend and along Temple Way as mentioned in your letter***. Let’s hope it will be a nice day and that Susan and Carol will be alright.

Note your further alteration to shed and as you say this leaves the ground clear for concrete base of garage.

The broad beans may last till you arrive but it’s a bit doubtful. As you know they are past their best when the eyes are black. Today I finished the cutting of the rough grass in field or rather finished all I intend to cut. Have cut a way down to river and cleared the bank at the river end so when I’ve picked up the grass it will be possible to walk down in the dry.

We are both delighted to think you can stop until the Sunday – gives us all that couple of days extra together. I wonder how much of the place Susan will remember? I expect as soon as she sets foot inside the gate most of it will come back to her and she will soon find her way round. This time Carol will be able to run about too.

Had a card from Mr & Mrs Palmer this mornig – they are on holiday at Southsea. Mr & Mrs Aston are at Eastbourne and due back on June 25th. On the 21st of this month we shall have lived in this house for 32 years – do you remember the day we moved?

The new car at Lyng is good and most suitable for their requirements but personally I prefer a passenger carrying vehicle in its entirety – not a half and half job.

No more now. All our love to you and lots of kisses for Susan & Carol.

Mum & Dad.

P.S. Thank you Susan for your lovely drawing.

*It’s almost impossible to express how revoltingly patronising I find this attitude. Not only must little girls be encouraged to help elder women around the house – because Heaven forbid that any *man* should ever do domestic chores – but the assumption is that they will be quite useless and cause a lot of breakages. Well, if you ask a (barely) four-year-old to dry up, the responsibility for any breakages is yours – not theirs.

**I’m surprised at Leonard here – and actually pretty ashamed, too. As he should have known, the railway at Clevedon was neither a toy nor a model but a proper practical miniature railway which is still – although not in its original form – in existence today.

***Again, this man is 37 years old and is assumed to need a native guide to cross a city he is thoroughly familiar with. The ridiculously patronising “I’m an adult and know everything, you’re a child and know nothing” attitude was perpetuated into the next generation; Alec could never understand that his children eventually became adults, and it’s easy to see where he got that from.

Friday 29th January, 1960

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

Dear Alec June Susan & Carol

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Lots of kisses for Susan & Carol –

Dad & Mum.

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

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

**Fat chance!

Saturday 15th August, 1959

On By Sue JenkinsIn 1959 lettersLeave a comment

[On reverse of timetable paper table 179 Wellington, Wolverhampton, Dudley, Bewdley, Kidderminster, Stourbridge Junction, Birmingham, Stratford-upon-Avon and Leamington Spa]

Dear Alec June Susan and Carol

Many thanks for your two nice newsy letters received on Tuesday – glad to hear you are all keeping well and that the children continue to progress satisfactorily. A really good effort by Carol to walk so far as The Fairway*. Thought of you on Thursday evening when you were having an evening out – expect you both enjoyed the break. We also had a good day on Thursday this week – left here 9.0 a.m. and arrived Bournemouth just before 1.0 p.m. with one stop for twenty minutes at Castle Cary.** Mostly a dull day with some rain on forward journey but dry on arrival at destination and remained so until about 4.10 p.m. when down it came. Anyhow return journey started at 5.15 p.m. and after a break at Warminster (return journey via Salisbury) got home about 9.30 p.m. We hope to go to Exmouth in our own car on Monday calling at Heavitree to see the new stone Uncle Joe*** has fixed on the grave. Don & Geoff have both seen it – actually both on Sunday the 2nd inst. Neither knew the other was going and they did not meet: understand it is a first class job and looks well. Before I go any further must tell you we shall be packing up a carton of plums and tomatoes to send you early in the week – will get Norman to arrange dispatch from Bristol and phoned Paddington 29 [?] as to actual service forward. No good sending greengages the rain this week has spoiled them and I rescued the last six pounds for wine making. Your comment on number of trusses on tomatoes – it is only usual to have about four when grown outdoors but as far as I know there is no limit under glass but I pinch them out when they have reached the roof. Incidentally they are ripening better now and selling well. Runner beans too and the plums are bringing in a few shillings. Note your improvements in garden – will give you more room I should think when alterations completed. Whereabouts did you fix swing? Can quite understand Susan and Carol making tracks for bottom of garden – something different to take their attention for a while. The climbing shrub (fastest growing in the world) I told you Don had at Lyng covering his garage is called POLYGONUM BALDSCUANICUM **** and he sent me the enclosed leaf from a gardening paper for you to see. It would soon cover up any flimsy screen you could erect at very bottom of your garden and blot out the view of those people whose garden comes end to end with yours. Should almost think it could be grown from slips taken off existing creeper – will ask Don. I notice June has been busy helping with the bonfires – it will unfortunately soon be time to pack up outdoor work for another season except for odd intervals. Hope you are successful with rose budding. I tried several years ago without result and gave it up as a bad job. The house next door has been sold at last. A man named Kingcott has bought it for his daughter and future son-in-law – latter doing his military service in Hong Kong at the moment but Kingcott himself – so he tells me – is going to renovate the house and do something to weeds in garden if only to put Sodium Chlorate down. More winemaking continuing satisfactorily apart from starting off a gallon of greengage have nothing to report in this direction this time. The snag with the garden frames was that I had taken width for length and this caused quite a bit of work sorting things out – anyhow it’s alright now and ready for making up with earth from bonfire heap. Have now started to prepare site and timber for a compost heap – a large frame, open, with two sections – one maturing and the other collecting. It will help use up the old timber I have lying about and be a tidy place to keep garden refuse. No railway news this end but during week I had a magazine sent me from East Africa and a letter and other enclosures from Charlie Conlon [?]. Am enclosing some of the items for you to see and think you will find them very interesting as I did. The magazine will try and put in carton of plums etc. Please keep them all for me to have later on (the literature not the plums).

Have pretty well exhausted the news for another week so will finish up with all our love to you and lots of kisses for Susan and Carol.

Dad and Mother

P.S. Mother will no doubt reply to June’s letter and write one for Susan – after our trip to Exmouth Monday.

*This part of South Ruislip was built on a former golf course with the road names ‘Long Drive’ and ‘The Fairway’ reflecting that.

**Clevedon to Bournemouth in four hours with a twenty minute stop would still be good going today. Google Earth suggests three hours and forty-nine minutes on the non-motorway route – not including stops.

***The only ‘Uncle Joe’ I’m aware of is Eva’s brother, who was a World War I pal of Leonard’s. (They were cousins of some sort.) I wasn’t aware he was a stonemason, though, so more research is indicated.

****Russian vine, or ‘mile-a-minute vine’, referred to by The Guardian as ‘a swine of a vine’. I don’t know if we had it or not – but those who have seen the house at Ruislip recently say the garden is now very overgrown and full of badgers, so maybe we did!

Alec – ‘the early years’

On By Sue JenkinsIn UncategorizedLeave a comment
This picture is labelled ‘Clevedon Infants School 1928’. Alec is the child with the model boat, standing at the left-hand side; he would be five years old here, so perhaps this is his class’s ‘intake’ picture when they started school in September of that year. The only other people named are Harold Dax and M Ellis-Barret (both on the back row), Frank Brooks, Roy Binding and Barbara Shopland on the middle row, and Gordon Stone and Harold Marshall at the front. I also love the lady in the cloche hat peering over the wall; I wonder if she was one of the mothers?

‘St. Andrews Clevedon Parish Church Choir, outing to Weymouth c 1934’ Alec is the child in the school cap, second from left on the front row and being affectionately strangled by a pal. He would be roughly eleven years old here. The vicar (far right) also turns up in the next picture without his dog collar, which caused some confusion for many years because he has a distinct resemblance to Leonard. I could imagine, though, that the Home Guard did not appeal to Leonard; his work was too demanding, and he had of course ‘done his bit in the last lot’ and was probably only too happy to stay out of it.
The label on the back of this one tells us everything we need to know: ‘Clevedon West End Platoon Home Guard, 7th Somerset Light Infantry, c 1941. ADWA [Alec] 2nd row 1st inside from right’. [i.e. next to the chap with the Indian-looking appearance.]
I’d be interested to know when Alec began wearing his glasses full-time as he is definitely ordering a pair in London in 1944; his diary records as much.
The only other thing to be said about this particular picture is that here Alec looks far more like his second daughter than his first … but since we were both more than fifteen years in the future at this point there is no great significance to this observation.
The vicar, of course, is in the back right hand corner next to the eaves of the building, and there is a very good chance that this was actually taken in or adjacent to the churchyard.

Saturday 27th June, 1959

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Eva to Alec and family:

Dear Alec June Susan and Carol

Many thanks for the letters sorry about Susan’s letter last time. I won’t forget this one.

Hope June’s backache better. I expect you try to do too much in one day & especially being up with Carol too, anyhow you will get a change if not all rest down here.

I booked your haircuts right away & it’s Friday at 9.30 a.m. We thought that would be the best time, the children are fresh then.

We have been very busy on preparing for another cement path. I have carried loads of stone to be cracked up & dad’s done the cracking. It is trying work but we had plenty of the stone about so we had to use it up. We have two paths done, don’t know if this third one will be completed before you come.

It has actually rained at last. Yesterday in Bristol they had violent thunderstorms but we didn’t have any. It was sweltering here. The lawn is going a nice shade of browny yellow.

I am going to get cracking on the cake this week end.

Cummings went out on Tuesday & we hear the house will be up for sale. Mr C. told us that a party were interested in it who are now living in a caravan. They lived in Yorkshire till recently when the husband got a job at Caperns Seed place. I think the girl worked in the booking office during the war, her father is Spencer in Knowles Road, however they may not have it, it is in a shocking condition inside & out. Alice Horsey’s old cottage has be[en] resold & we hear it is an elderly couple called Warwick are there parents of the girl Spencer’s husband. Moses have gone out of their bungalow they lived opposite Gardeners, well almost, they have gone back to Westward Ho.

I made a big bonfire yesterday morning and got it going nicely when there was a terrific bang from it which shot a big bird in the air. Turned out that I must have let one of my batteries fall in it and it burst.

Fancy Carol cutting four teeth at one go, she is trying to catch up. You may not want many times like that.

Well I think this is the lot now as I have to do Susan’s.

Love from Mum and Dad

Friday 26th June 1959

On By Sue JenkinsIn 1959 lettersLeave a comment

Leonard to Alec and family:

[On the reverse of timetable paper, table 61 – London, Reading, Didcot, Oxford, Swindon, Chippenham, Bath Spa, Bristol and Taunton, and table 62 – London, Reading, Newbury, Westbury, Frome, Yeovil, Dorchester West, Weymouth and Taunton.]

Dear Alec June Susan and Carol

First of all Very Many Happy Returns of the Day on Sunday Alec and best wishes for another successful year ahead. Mother has sent off her parcel but am afraid to send mine through post for fear of damage or even breakage. Am waiting a reply from Norman as to whether Aubrey Mably [?] is going to Paddington on Monday for the bid meeting [?] and if so will try and get him to bring it. Both parcels (Mum’s and mine) are sent with best wishes and we hope the articles will prove useful.

Now to your letters. It is nice to hear from both of you and you give us all the news especially about the children and their little ways. Needless to say we are looking forward to July 9th. Very glad to hear Carol much better after her teething troubles. We both had a good laugh over Susan’s request at tea party & of incidents en route to Chessington last Sunday. Hope you are feeling better too June – your last letter said you had been having trouble with backache.

Your garden must be looking quite nice now with so many plants making headway. Have had to syringe the runner beans here owing to black fly which of course is directly due to the long spell of dry weather. Anyhow I think I can keep in reasonable condition. Broad beans are over now but in addition to what we had ourselves managed to sell 21lbs. Also doing well with sweet peas and Sweet Williams at 1/6 a bunch. The cherries are just ripening – not a good variety though unfortunately – so if we had some brandy we could make Cherry Brandy. The elderflower practically ceased fermentation after nine days and started to clear. It tastes ghastly at the moment but am hoping it will improve. Have sealed it off in two of the sweet jars June’s father let me have. Next brew will I expect be blackcurrant – ours ripening fast at present.

Staff changes noted Alec but I do not know Cecil Moore or John Allen. You will have to push your colleagues into something later on but I’m thinking there will be a lot of economising taking place with the Railways in such a bad financial position.

Mother says she will write separately in reply to June’s letter. And a letter from Lyng this morning in reply to one I wrote Monday (22nd) having had no reply to my previous effort written three weeks ago. I see you had a copy so you know position for Sunday July 12th. Incidentally we hope Pauline can make it and also get Monday morning off for return journey.

Concrete paths have dried out nicely and I’ve now prepared site for the second one to run parallel to greenhouse. This afternoon have had a go at pond as am trying to stop the leak. Found one crack right across it including the two sides measuring up to ½” wide – this I blocked up with cement and Compo Seal then brushed over the whole of the base of the shallow part with the same mixture. I wonder if it will put matters right.

Cummings moved out yesterday to house on end of Avenue where Croft the schoolmaster once lived. Am thinking the house vacant will remain so for some little time.

Our potatoes are not turning out quite so prolific as last year – dry weather somewhat responsible – but are just as nice. It is the same kind as those we brought up last September.

Well I think I’ve just about finished once more so will conclude with best wishes to you and all and lots of kisses for Susan & Carol.

Dad

PS. Up to time of posting this have not heard from Norman but if he can get parcel up by Aubrey Mably on Monday will phone you. Dad.

Sunday 21 June, 1959

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Alec to his uncle and aunt

Dear Don and Joan

Regret your last inadvertently destroyed since reading but will endeavour to answer the main points. Yes definitely we would like you to stand as God parents in spite of advancing years, It was always our intention to ask you in view of the fact that you were geographically barred from Susan’s. We have moved the mountain to Mahomet and are also arranging for Pauline to come down for the week end to act as a Godmother. June of course will make the third. The difficulty of providing young Godparents from my side of the family is that there are no young people who would be qualified for the job. I should not worry two hoots about it if I were you because we would like you to attend (if convenient of course) whether as a participant or as a spectator.

Again yes, the typewriter is my own, purchased second hand a few weeks ago. It is a portable. Olivetti ( Lettera 22 ) I confirm that July 12th at 3-30pm., is the date and time of Christening service. Sorry to sound a bit disjointed but am putting these things down as I think of them.

I hope that you have been having this good weather your end. It has been really enjoyable and the only time I have regretted it was when carrying cans of water for the garden. My gosh does it need rain. Apart from a few spindly weeds nothing appears to have moved in the last month. I understand that most of the farmers round the outskirts of London have got all their hay in already. I expect it is the same your way.

The roads are pretty well jammed with cars at week ends. It is quite some way to the coast from here and I should not like to do much driving under those conditions. Next door neighbour has gone off to Broadstairs in Kent for weeks holiday. He motored down but does it in easy stages.

Both children doing well. We all went to Chessington to day to see June’s cousin and small son (8 months). Journey took from 9-30am to 11-45am and had to start back at 3-30pm. Two changes and about four escalators to negotiate. Not a trip to be taken regularly. Shall have to pack up now or shall need cats eyes, hope to see you with more news soon.

Alec to his parents

Dear Mum and Dad

Just the usual line to let you know the events of the past week. Still no rain and continuing sunshine. Doug and family to Broadstairs yesterday for one week. From the look of it the weather will continue fine for them for a while yet. I hope we don’t use up all the good weather before we get down to Clevedon. Glad to hear that paths as good as completed but sorry to learn that you found it very tiring, I expect the ready mix took the worst out of it though. Susan was invited out to tea by a neighbour last Friday and gave away all our secrets as usual, and asked for a boiled egg for her tea. Carol got four teeth all at once, no wonder she complained about it. We all went over to cousin Joan’s at Chessington to-day (what a jaunt) – left here 9.30 a.m., arrived South Ruislip station 9.45 a.m. Susan to Ladies – missed a Central Line train and had to wait for the next – arrived about 9.55 a.m. Arrived Waterloo via Tottenham Crt Rd, at 10.50 a.m. and caught the 11.5 a.m. arrived Chessington at 11.35. At the house at 11.50 a.m. Of course we had to start back at 3.30 p.m. and repeat the dose. Oh for a car, could have been there and back in an hour. The girls were quite good on the trains. On the Southern we travelled 2nd, on privs but had compartment to ourselves each way. Good thing too Susan used her pot at Vauxhall, did not fancy carrying loaded pot out of train at Chessington so slung contents out of window. (Non corridor stock). Two of Geoff’s Dahlias have now come up making four in all including the two which already had shoots on them. No sign of the rest but have watered them well and not given up hope. Have planted out French Marigolds, seed of which I bought when you were up. The seedlings were about 1.25 inches long. They flopped at first but soon recovered and about 95% have taken and grown on well. Clematis now on the point of flowering and there are a great number of flower buds. Am going to bud a few roses next month. The briar stock I have will be just the thing to provide a vigorous base and I must select a good bud from one of the better roses. The big rose which we all thought was dead was severely pruned about a week ago and I see that there are quite a few leaf buds forming so all is not yet lost. The apples are getting bigger and now are attracting the attention of Madam who keeps on saying that she must not touch them but I see one or two about on the ground where they could not have fallen. Must give her the benefit of the doubt though as they do fall at this time of year. Third lot of Mesembry, doing well. They are about in fourth leaf and very sturdy, I think the first two lots must have been killed by leaving them out in the rain. Still one or two buds on the Syringa. Quiet last week with Barnes away but very busy, did not get as much done as intended. Wilkinson has been appointed Development Assistant to Divisional Traffic Manager B’gham and Cecil Moore has got Staff Assistant to Ditto at Cardiff. It is rumoured that John Allen (Chief Clerk Paddington D.O.S.O.) has got Staff Assistant to District Traffic Manager Bristol. It is also stated on good authority that neither Baynton-Hughes nor Barnes have got anything. Shall have to persuade them to apply for other jobs. Wilkinson job may not be advertised if it disappears under the new set up. Shall await events with renewed interest. Must point out that although we looked could not find a letter for Susan with your last, Thank you both for your letters, Dad need not worry if he cannot compete with typewriter, it does not have to run into several chapters. Clock gained about 10 minutes last week, shall make a small adjustment when winding. Well shall close now and until next week.

Alec

P.S. Thank you for making the arrangements with the Vicar, and note that all as planned. At the moment of going to press, Pauline will be coming down for the week end. Probably having Monday morning off to travel back.

Wednesday 17th June 1959

On By Sue JenkinsIn 1959 lettersLeave a comment

Eva to Alec and family:

Clevedon , Wednesday 17th June 1959

Dear Alec, June, Susan and Carol

Many thanks for both your letters.

The vicar called up yesterday morning and said all set for Sunday 12th July at 3.30 p.m. and he is looking forward to it. We haven’t heard a word from Lyng although we invited them as well to be here.

Geoff and family duly arrived on Sunday for their flying visit. It was a grand day. After lunch we went for a stroll on the front which was crowded. After tea Dad took them back to Yatton to catch the 5.1 train which was running late, however not too late for Dad to go singing after he got back.

I hope Carol has got back to normal again. I should ask the doctor if you could give her a half or a quarter of an aspirin. Mrs Cummings used to, to keep Wendy quiet. Some of it might be the heat.

Dad and Norman at it now on the path. Hobbs delivered the cement at 9 a.m. so they ought to do the two paths in one day. It’s a grand day for it but we need rain badly. Birds are nipping off the buds of our dahlias and the strawberries are drying up. We have had several pounds though and made a little jam.

Mr and Mrs Saunders at Yatton are coming to tea on Thursday. He is still off but going on A1. We hear Mr Rust has a new job but what we don’t quite know as he applied for three posts. Cummings are going out on the 23rd so I don’t suppose anyone will be there when you arrive.

My leg has got alright again except for red mark.

Someone I know here had an operation for her leg for varicose veins. She had a boy and girl but didn’t have the operation until they were about 10 and 8. She walked with a stick for some time after but is A1 now rides bicycle etc.

Well I must stop now and have some dinner ready.

Love

Mum

Leonard to Alec and family [handwritten on the reverse of Timetable 184: Whitchurch, Oswestry, Welshpool and Aberystwyth]

Dear Alec, June, Susan and Carol

Just a line or two to include with Mother’s letter – wish I had a typewriter to run it off as quickly as Alec can. My hands are very shaky after a big effort yesterday in putting down the concrete paths. Norman came round about 9.0 a.m. and the ‘ready mix’ arrived just afterwards and from then until 1.50 p.m. we were hard at it. Norman then went home and after only a fifteen minutes break for a quick dinner I started again and eventually finished at 4.30 p.m. Looks fairly well this morning but shall give it another day to harden. Very sorry to hear you are both having such a hectic time with Carol – it must be her teeth as June says for otherwise she is usually very happy and cheerful. Note you too have been busy in garden – it will be a great improvement but it’s all hard work to get it right. You ought to get a snapshot of Susan rolling the lawn. Never mind about her picking the flowers. Grandma Atkins used to tell me that when I was about Susan’s age I picked my grandfather’s prize pansies* which he had taken special care of in anticipation of an exhibition or rather flower show. He was apparently very cross. I do not think those dahlia tubers of Geoff’s will come to anything now – should unearth one and if no sign of growth uproot the lot and burn. The ‘witches brew’ (Elderflower) is still working but it tastes very bitter at the moment – may improve in due course. Hope it will be alright when you come down. Of course it is alright for Thursday July 9th and assume you will arrive by 1.15 from Paddington through to Yatton – have not checked with summer timetable. Will meet you at Yatton. Mother has told you christening arrangements now confirmed by Vicar. No news from Lyng now for nearly three weeks when we last wrote we extended invitation to lunch on either 5th or 12th July as case may be and are still waiting reply.

Will Pauline be down for the weekend? We hope so.

Flowers in garden now plentiful and the orange blossom is a picture. Have cut grass (scythe) in the field as far as the fruit trees are concerned but have not yet tackled the open space behind the potato plot except to cut a path alongside [Huls ? ] fence down to the river. Incidentally I fell into that hole you and Frank Hessel dug many years ago when going down to assist Hul in getting a cow out of his field about 9.45 p.m. one night.

Must close now – Mother waiting for me to take her into town and I want one or two items myself.

Cheerio for now and lots of kisses for Susan and Carol.

Dad

*Leonard’s reference to his grandfather is interesting. He would never have known his grandfather on the Atkins side, as his father, Tom, was ‘born out of wedlock’ as they used to say in those days, so this can only refer to Emily’s father John Beacham. [IIRC!]

Sunday 31st May, 1959

On By Sue JenkinsIn 1959 lettersLeave a comment

Alec to his parents:

Dear Mum and Dad.

Just a letter to tell you arrived back safely and Mum’s letter since received. We agree that the best date to come down will be on Thursday July 9th for the ceremony to be performed on Sunday July 12th, Perhaps you will be good enough to fix it up with the Vicar. We have asked Don and Joan but as yet have not heard from them. I expect they are waiting to hear the date. This week-end, I have fitted glass to the frame brought from Clevedon and have built staging immediately below the windows to hold seed boxes and pots. This will now hold eight seed boxes in a row and with the other shelf on the other side of the shed I can now house about sixteen boxes at once. Have patched the roof by inserting below the tarred felt the old lino we took up from our bedroom. A couple of roses have come out but the others are not far behind now. One of the Pinks is out, it is a pink one, and Allwoodi. with a ringed centre. No sign of any of the Dahlias Geoff gave me but I expect they will be through any day now. The Spirea you brought up and the two we transplanted are all alive but the latter suffered a severe check. Mother’s Dahlias are healthy but not growing very fast I expect they need some genuine rain. We have Eileen with us for this week-end and Susan of course has been quite excited. I am afraid Carol played up a bit to-day but as she did not get a sleep this morning I expect that was the cause. Grandma’s clock gaining now since I shortened the swing of the pendulum. If I release it a half turn I shall be about right. Carol not walking or even standing on her own yet apart from holding on to a chair or something. She is now walking along by hoisting herself onto hands and feet and going along with arched back. Have not replied to Don yet but must do so to-day or he will be wondering what has happened. There does not seem to be anything to beat the National Savings Certs for simplicity so will plump for that although I see today’s paper warns of a possible reduction in the rate of interest. It seems that Pauline* quite likes the idea of coming down to Clevedon for the week-end that the Christening is held and returning on the Monday morning. Have nearly drunk all the Elderberry Wine. You will have to make some more when the elderberries are next available, I don’t suppose there will be any about at this end. I have not made any more since I saw you last but have been accumulating empty bottles, I have so many now that I shall have to take the board up again and put some out of sight under the floor. Our neighbours just returned from a week’s holiday at the Isle of Wight. They say it is very nice there and nearly all of them are very sunburned. Well hope you are still as well as when I saw you last and not overdoing the gardening. Will close for now.

Alec

*June’s younger sister, at this time working in the shoe department of Peter Jones in Sloane Square and living in Battersea.

Dear Don and Joan

Thanks for circular letter of 25th May. Having ascertained that GWR Savings Bank however attractive is a “no go”, we are faced with the problem of finding an investment that is reasonably safe, reasonably simple in its operation ( from the point of view of the person making the investment,- presumably the Trustee) and having a reasonable rate of interest. The National Savings Certificates would seem to meet these requirements except in regard to simplicity of operation as when the period of the issue expires it will then be necessary to reinvest in the next or subsequent issues. From my point of view this method of investment is satisfactory but I am prepared to accept the decision of the Trustee as he has to carry the can back if things go awry. Nothing much to report from gardening front this end. Everything retarded by lack of rain. Grass which was in good condition early in year has withered already and there are many bare patches and cracks about 2 inches across. Have done a number of “Hatchet Carpentry” jobs lately and you may be interested to know that the spare window frame left over after Clevedon shed was built has this week been incorporated in the South Ruislip shed and glass fitted**. I have practically completely rebuilt shed since arriving here. No new timber has been used. There was quite a lot of poor quality second hand wood on hand when we got here but most of it was only suitable for the fire. However I was able to sort out enough to use. Apart from raising the level of one lawn about 9 inches to the level of the path thereby making the whole garden level, I have no major works to carry out now.

Susan and Carol still thriving, latter almost at walking stage. We have heard from Clevedon that Vicar is prepared to perform ceremony at Parish Church and we are going to ask him for Sunday 12th July.

Perhaps you will let us know if this date is convenient please. Grandma’s clock working well but gaining slightly, I hope to make the necessary adjustment this week-end when winding. Well hope you are both keeping as well as may be expected.

Alec

**One may ask how a window-frame (with or without glass) was transported from Clevedon to Ruislip. Two options occur: 1) it went by train as with all other parcels – entrusted to someone who passed it on to someone else etc. etc. etc. and then presumably brought home by Alec on the Tube, but I think this is unlikely. 2) Geoff – or someone else with a car – was able to deliver it. Other candidates are a) Peter, June’s brother – he was at the time working for a removal firm and may have been in the West Country on business; b) Doug Gray and c) Eric Benn, the other neighbour, who was employed by the BBC and ended up moving to Weston-super-Mare. This is the sort of extremely trivial question to which I would very much like to have an answer.