Tag: DIY

Sunday 7th May, 1961

On By Sue JenkinsIn 1961 lettersLeave a comment

Alec to his parents:

Dear Mum and Dad,

Thank you very much for your last letter duly arrived at breakfast as usual. Yes I heard about Phasey but did not know that you knew him or knew of him otherwise I would have mentioned it.

Susan still being taken to school, and this seems to be the rythm of things for the time being. The party duly took place last Saturday afternoon but there was no invitation for Carol so we had to run her over to see Grandma and Grandad Baker. When we dumped Susan off at the party Carol wanted to go but we managed to weather that storm.*

The weather yesterday was not too good but to-day it has been much better so that assume your week-end at Exmouth was similarly favoured.

Glad your horse is still surviving. The children are looking forward, to seeing him when they come down, While on the subject, it will not be very long now will it? Re horse it did not take him long to find out that the grass is always greener in the other field, Note we shall ave to make a circular tour when we visit the field or alternatively first find out which way the wind is blowing.

Most of the carpentry in the front room was completed to-day. The table-cum-platform-cum-cupboard is now fixed in position but we intend to get a sheet of hardboard to cover the top and then paint the whole thing. It does not look too bad although I say it myself.

No trouble since with the car, and this week-end it has had quite extensive use. It seems to lose about one pint of oil every 100 miles. Does this accord with the rate when you had it please?

Glad your decorating work has turned out to our satisfaction, I expect the electricians left the house in a bit of a mess. By the very nature of their work this must be so. At least it will give Mum a chance to get new curtains etc.etc.

Note you have cut your lawns but I am afraid those this end are still uncut. Torrential downpours during the week have left everything sodden but the drying wind overnight and to-day has improved things somewhat.

June likes broad beans and so do I. I cannot remember if the children do, but we can cope with any number available.

When we are with you, I am sure Susan and Carol would like to see some birds nests but if there are none there is not much you can do about it.

Our Elections passed off very quietly so far as we are concerned. When I was about to get the car out and go round to the school it started to pour so that was that.

There’s not much point in putting more yeast in a must that is already fermenting as you do not know how near it is to finishing. Best to put one oz. in right at the start. By the way my latest carrot whisky – made about end of first week in April has ceased to ferment and is now in a new gallon storage Jar – bought yesterday. I bought the packets of powdered yeast pellets from a firm in Harrow called “Heath and Heather Ltd”.

Last Sunday’s journey was quite interesting but there was not in awful lot of traffic on the roads. At the time we went there is not too much about.

Did not know that the Spencers house had a small kitchen, I supposed that it was the same size as yours was before the alterations.

I am not surprised that Weston is a bit fed up with the hooligans. We get a lot in London as you know. The latest craze is wearing leather jackets.

On Friday night we went over to Highgate to Norman’s flat. I drove over to Greenford from where we all went in Roy’s car. The route is the came as the one that I passed over the previous Sunday. It is not too difficult driving in London, it is a thing that you get used to doing. On Saturday we had an early trip out to get the meat then later to take the girls and June to a hair appointment in Eastcote. In the afternoon we went over to Yiewsley and this morning we went over to Pinner Park as the sun was shining. It was quite warm there first thing but it clouded over later and we returned home by 10-0am. This afternoon I went over to Hanwell to play a round of golf with Eric and Ted Rouse. Apart from one sharp shower of rain and a high wind it was most enjoyable.

Ken Lay and go to Maidenhead on Thursday to hold a consultation meeting for the purpose of introducing investigating staff into the goods there. I gather that I am intended to do this work. I seem to be collecting all the staff and now they are handing over all the work. I feel sorry for Lay as he is obviously unsuited to be the Assistant. He keeps saying that he wished he had not got the job and anyone can have it etc. Also says that he has only a few years to do and would prefer a quiet time.

Got the first two reports on the Parcels Office through McDonald on Friday and they are being typed this week. He seems to be quite pleased at the way things are going and so far we have managed to keep one jump ahead of him. We had a small strike at Kensington last week (which please do not publicise) over the Bonus scheme for cartage staff there. They were told they could not retain their vanguards if they wanted to retain the bonus scheme. They have since returned to work but were to have held a mass meeting to-day to decide what to do next. We have the parcels handling staff lined up for an appreciation course this week. Have started the handling staff at Acton a couple of weeks ago but will see the L.D.C. Staff Sec on Tuesday with a view to starting the Yard Staff. Have given an undertaking to do the O.O.O. Signalmen in about four weeks time so all in all shall look forward to my holiday.

Notley has been in Venice this last fortnight amongst other places. I had a card from him.

Well there is not much else I can think of at the moment so will end again for another week. Love from us all.

*Here we go again. There is a difference between treating children equally and treating them fairly; one of these options Alec and June managed, but not the other. For many years they were unable to distinguish between their daughters and did not allow anyone else to do so either, so everything had to be tailored to the lowest common denominator. When they finally learned how to tell the difference between us they decided they had one ‘useful’ and one ‘useless’ child, and proceeded accordingly.

Sunday 30th April, 1961

On By Sue JenkinsIn 1961 lettersLeave a comment

Alec to his parents:

Dear Mum and Dad

Thank you for your letters again this week. Sorry I was unable to complete my last in time for your Tuesday morning delivery but gather that June finished off all the news. No more serious accidents at school to report thank goodness but there were a couple of grazed shins which the teacher dealt with on the spot.

As you say Susan is not very forthcoming about her activities at school but occasionally, as if by accident, she drops out a little bit of news. Susan has pals everywhere, she seems to attract them. She has an invitation to a party of a girl she met at this school. It was a nice little formal card, and we shall let her go. She was so independent minded that after a couple of days she was allowed to go to and from school on her own, but now she wants June to take her again. I suppose these fads will come and go according to circs. , but anyway June is now taking her and she finds her own way home.

June’s cold is much better now thank you, and I am happy to say that for the time being at least this one seems to have passed over.

I am sure that Peter and Brenda will look you up if they take a trip your way. I think it quite likely that they will come as he seems to like taking long trips.

Hope your week-end at Exmouth goes off O.K. From the weather point of view though it needs to brighten up a lot. To-day went according to the B.B.C. forecast (cloud early – turning to rain).

Carol does not mind at all being on her own all day. She is quite a good little girl, and for the first time we are seeing her outside of the influence of Susan. We are quite sure that left alone she would be much better behaved. She did say on Friday “Susie stop home from school to-day and play with me” but did not press it. She will stay quiet on her own for a long time just looking at a book.

Don seems to have stocked you up well with cider this time. Accord­ing to my reckoning you had six gallons, and that must be about half his supply. I hope we shall be seeing something of them when we are on holiday but will not make any definite arrangements until we find out the most convenient date all round.

Why not accept the invitation to go on the office outing? I know you have been there before, but it might give you a chance of a natter with old friends, and if you do not want too much refreshment you can always claim “Doctors Orders”. I wish I could give you copies of the Railway Gazette to read and pass on but ours has a long distribution list. The one you had was one I took home and forgot about go long that it was easier for it to vanish.

I notice that Nos 1 and 2 bays also 3 and 4 bays in the green house are fully utilised, but you do not say what is the occup­ation of the Main Line Platforms. Perhaps it is because you have no through service. *

Note you are again planting runner beans in bulk. Hope to sample some of those in due course.

Decorations are causing you some disturbance, but at least the waiting for the men to start on the wiring is over. Note the horse still in good order. ( What about preparing a hot-bed, and forcing a plant or two?) Is the river fenced off so that he cannot get out? We shall have to go on the hill to fly the kite I expect otherwise he may take fright. Why not suggest that Mother takes a toasting fork down – it was effective against Felix. Incidentally, what inspection does Mother do to the fruit trees, and is it effective?

Note your Parsnip wine still under fermentation lock but working slowly. You will find that if you use more yeast you will speed up the process. In each of my last gallons I have put in a whole one oz. packet of powdered yeast with the result that there is a terrific fermentation started almost immediately, and it comes to a full stop at approximately three weeks.

Note you had a good trip to Bristol and that there seems to be another in the offing.

Yesterday I set about making the low cupboard in the alcove behind T.V. so that we can dispense with the T.V. stand. After most of the day on it, apart from afternoon shopping, managed to get most of it done, the original cupboard with the glass fronted doors now rests at an angle of 90 degrees to the diagonal of the room with the right hand end ( front corner ) touching the corner of the chimney breast. All the space between the existing cupboard and the wall has now been filled in with the wood taken from the old bookcase on the right hand side. This is supported on battens fixed to the wall with plugs and screws, and the whole assembly screwed together. Due to using old wood of a fixed length it was necessary to leave odd shapes out if the best possible utilisation was to be obtained, and these shapes have since been filled in rather like a jigsaw puzzle. One remaining side, that adjacent to the bureau, has to be fitted but as I am now out of wood altogether, that will stay until next week-end. The surface is fairly level and with the application of a plane and sandpaper plus some plastic wood for the small cracks and a coat of paint, it will look quite passable.

To-day we went over to Tufnell Park to visit friends of June’s. The last time we were there we had not long been engaged. We went via the Western Avenue to the North Circular Rd then turned of into Archway Rd (A1). The forward journey took 21 miles and 90 minutes. The delay was due to having engine failure when on the Western Avenue. I had had trouble getting away and this I thought was due to some dirt in the filters. I thought if I could get out on the main road and rev the engine up for a bit, the trouble would clear. This seemed to work until we got almost into Greenford when the car stopped and would not go further. I managed to push it back about 10 yards into a layby with June’s help. After taking raincoat and jacket off and rolling up my sleeves and generally looking important and getting nowhere, a chap offered assistance. We tried the plug wires which I suspected but they were all in order, so was the feed. All the trouble was caused by a loose connection on the coil. This tightened, off we went without any further to-do. Coming back we crossed over Hampstead Heath and went by way of Cricklewood, Harlesden, Willesden, Stonebridge Park and Wembley. This journey was only 17 miles and about 50 minutes.

Note Mother has been doing some clearance work on the long grass. Could do with her assistance ( or that of the horse ) on our lawn as it has not been cut for over two weeks now and looks it.

So Mum is delivering the Church Magazine, I thought they would get her on it in the end. What is the commission?

We got a few barrow loads of earth off the field the other night to make up the levels a bit and hope to get some more when convenient.

Well that’s all for this week. There was something from Susan floating about, but the output has seriously fallen off since school started. Will get Carol to take over as soon as possible.

Love from us all.

*Railway humour, arf arf!

Sunday 16th April, 1961

On By Sue JenkinsIn 1961 lettersLeave a comment

Alec to his parents:

Dear Mum and Dad,

Thank you for your letters, must give you all the latest news on school and Birthday but first to reply to your long letter. I agree that in some senses it does not seem so very long since you were here – time went in a flash and has done ever since, so not know if there is anything from Susan and Carol this week, they have been very active but in other directions this week.

We had one very bad day this end for weather but I fancy it was not the Monday. It poured all day and was certainly a day to forget. Bad luck you were unable to find the grass sufficiently dry to cut but no doubt by now it has been cut.

Front room does look better now we have given it a face lift. The large armchair went conveniently to a jumble sale on Saturday, and its replacement will be taken in hand. We bought a very nice pink lampshade on Saturday in Eastcote. It is a circular shade made of pleated linen, the circular wire support at the top is slightly smaller than that at the bottom. It goes well with the stand and also with the wallpaper. Ten minutes after installing it Susan tied her shoes to the wire supports by the laces and could not get them off. – What will she think of next. The children were joyfully pleased with their altered bedroom and tended to high Jinks the first day but that inclination was squashed. Have practically no trouble with then at nights going to bed but Susan had a restless night the first day after going to school – dreams we think.

Glad you liked the plum wine and sorry supplies dwindling. Will try to member to put one in when I come down. There is nothing to pay for the sweet jars – did not intend that there should be anyway. Yes there are no now apparent effects of the injection hanging around far as Susan is concerned. She has not mentioned it since going to School. We have had reports from Susan re School but as you will learn when reading on, its a bit like the curates egg.

The children are interested in the report of the horse and will look forward to seeing him when they come down. Hope he does what is required of him in all senses. I do not suppose the “donkey” arrangement is going to be all that popular with holiday makers or Clevedonians either. They are O.K. on sand as they can run along sea washed sand which is smooth and also the sea obligingly cleans up after them which it cannot do if the performance takes place in Salthouse Fields.

You will have to have a louder bell fitted to telephone apparently so that Richings can be sure of a reply.

Note the colour of your parsnip wine. My earliest finished up by being a sort of off-white cloudy liquid but the second effort finished up a light gold colour. The taste of the latter however is too strong. Have almost finished the cider now. The last half pint is left. Did not like this bottle quite so much through leaving it a day or two it developes an oily film on the surface which I am sure is bacteria. Moral do not leave it long enough for bacteria to form. If you want to sell tomatoes in any quantity at a time when the price is worth it, I suggest you put in some plants to augment your own sowing.

June and I saw the Hales van in the same place again on Saturday. I expect he has a regular run.

Sounds as though the bungalow at Exmouth is going to pay for itself. Be interesting to know more about the economics of that sort of business. Sorry I do not know Chettiscombe or Chevithorne other than that they must be small towns or hamlets outside Tiverton. I did not go out into the surrounding country on any occasion other than one trip to Bampton and another to Molland with Grandad. I remember going through Halberton on a bus from Tiverton Jcn and looking in the shops there, but did not get around to the more distant places.

Have to change young Richins name to Michaelangelo Richins if his future wife is going to gad about on trips to Italy.

Quick work with the skirt Mum made. Our front room was easy this time as we had only to paint it, and that can’t take too long.

Gather the horse is supposed to be in the garden to eat grass not sugar. If you take away his appetite for grass you might as well send him back to Norman Baker.

Well lets get round to Susan’s school capers. She was duly taken round by June and escorted by Carol. The Mothers had to listen to a half hour delivery by the headmistress welcoming them and giving out the rules. When Carol saw Susan disappear she burst into tears but was soon quite happy singing to herself in the garden at home. Susan was fetched at midday and everything seemed in order – she had played with a Wendy House and had been given paints to play with. In the afternoon she managed to disgrace herself, and also to fall down ( she said she was pushed ) in the playground and scrape the skin off both her knees – one so bad the teacher had to put plaster on it. The next day there were no tears from Carol and again Susan played with the Wendy House and sand and water and paints. She was kept home in the afternoon for not doing what she was told to do, and that was the second day. On the Thursday she had a day off for the elections and back to normal on Friday. She seems to like it. Her friend Gillian from the Sunday School is in her class and there is another Susan sitting next to her. She has already picked up some school phraseology such as ‘giving out’ for issuing. Her teacher’s name is Miss Smith – hope no one lisps. The milkman who brings round the milk every day is called Mr Baker. It seems they have stories read to them by the teacher and paint and play with the Wendy House in varying order each day.

We had Chris, over from Greenford for tea with Carol on the occasion of her Birthday and we have had a right good lot of goings on. After tea it has been a job to calm them all down and it was a relief when they went home. Carol appreciated her presents and cards and thanks you for yours. She has been singing “Happy birthday to me Happy Birthday dear Carol happy birthday to me.” She has two dollies almost identical which we call the twins – lots of money – a bell for her bicycle – some little Noddy books – a Noddy eggcup shaped like Noddy and a Noddy hat with a bell on it for an egg warmer. We did not hold a party as such – what we had was quite enough thank you, but there was trifle, jelly, ice cream and and a cake with three candles on it for her to blow out. At Sunday School she sat in the Birthday chair and blew out three candles, so she has had quite a day.

Your mint not showing through yet but should not be long now. Some of the roses have had their leaves eaten off by the slugs and only the stalks remain but most of the others look healthy enough. The clover is growing so we shall soon have a decent lawn again.

Well there it is for the time being – more of the school saga next week no doubt. Love from us all.

Wednesday 8th February, 1961

On By Sue JenkinsIn 1961 lettersLeave a comment

Leonard to the family:

Dear Alec June Susan & Carol

Many thanks for another nice letter received on Tuesday and we are very glad to hear that so far you have escaped the flu and hope you will avoid it altogether. According to this morning’s paper the epidemic has now reached its peak and from now on should decrease. Mum and I are both feeling a lot better but not by any means 100% yet. We don’t want any more of that kind. From what you say it would appear to be very similar to that which you had in 1957. Anyhow enough of that for the time being. Note several absentees from your office and hope they will soon be back.

Have not had very much inclination for wine tasting but we were put on to a very fine pick-me-up called Vibrona 13/9 a bottle at Wine Merchants* – quite a kick in it.

We can both remember the school in Field End Road – it’s quite close to the Clay Pigeon. A nice looking building from outside and I should think it is quite up to date. Let’s hope Susan can get into it after Easter.

You are in for a number of meetings then by the sound of it – keep you on your toes. In a letter from Don this morning he says that last week there were no less than 25 Class 1 vacancies advertised for Work Study on W.R. – presumably some of these will come to your dept.

Norman Allen called up after his interview last Friday and said he was with them for about 20 minutes. Apparently Gallagher & Mann were two of the panel and a lot of questions asked which he thought he had dealt with alright. I asked him how many were interviewed and he said 30 for four vacancies. This seems ridiculous. Anyhow even by an interview he said he had got further than he thought he would.

Your accommodation at Paddington is pretty bad comparably with other areas but I suppose it will be remedied in due course. Did your requisition for coach equipment go forward or was it slashed? And did you manage to secure the coach you had your eye on at Westbury? It is all very interesting to be although not directly concerned now-a-days. You will have to have a fairly large staff to cover all the assignments in mind. By this time you will no doubt have settled one or two things with McDonald i.e. if he has returned to duty. His Swiss holiday did not do him much good going off so soon after his return.

Note you were at Ealing last Saturday but not much time for window gazing. We thought in the meantime before we come up that you would like to look at some lamp shades hence the suggestion. Put another coating of polish on standard this morning. Its raining in torrents and impossible to do anything outdoors. Quite nice yesterday and Mum and I dragged some of the apple prunings from the field to quite near garage for breaking up. Still some more to come when it is next dry again overhead. In the afternoon I put in three rows of shallots – working from concrete path – so that little job’s done. The gulley in the field between greenhouse and bungalow at the bottom is as full of water as I’ve ever seen it.

Fancy Susan wanting a paddle this weather! How are the prams getting on – plenty of exercise I expect when weather suitable.

We hear Roselands has been sold for £1800 [roughly £41,850 in 2021 money] – a more reasonable figure than first anticipated. Hamlin the hairdresser in Knowles Rd has bought it – expect you remember him from schoolboy days. Now we hear Spencers (Ian’s parents) are moving to Southampton and their house in the Avenue is up for sale. I remember the Hoys who used to live near Elfords many years ago.

So far as John is concerned I think he has done this on his own but no doubt Joe & Lydia would know what was happening. I’m sure he has made the right move otherwise he might have been an Irononger’s Assistant all his life. In a way both he and Pat have been fortunate inasmuch as they have been able to make their homes in their home town.

Arthur is supposed to be coming to England again this summer and he has said he is going to call on us this time. Must have some money to keep touring like this.

Am expecting my National Health contribution to be increased in April but am hoping to draw from them in just over a twelvemonths time to make up for it. Obviously I’m not going to get any increase in railway superannuation but the fact that some increase is being given to certain colleagues is interesting and as you say shows somebody is waking up at last.

We thought of you last Sunday afternoon going over to Headstone Lane – not altogether a nice day and I should not think the children were able to play on the lawn but we hope you all enjoyed yourselves. I went over ringing morning and evening but we did not go to Church, neither did I go over Monday night to ringing practice.

I see Ruislip getting a lot of newspaper publicity in connection with the alleged spying on behalf of Russia. Where are Cranley Gardens? Cannot seem to remember seeing the place. According to one account the person concerned used Ruislip Manor Station.**

Heard this morning Mr & Mrs Aston both ill with flu. Cornish looked over yesterday – first time for about four months – looking as artful as ever. He and Heel the other neighbour walk the sea wall after heavy seas and secure anything washed up. I call them Flotsan & Jetsam. They generally come back with something even if they have to drag it through river (at low tide) into Heel’s field. The people who bought Mrs Drewett’s house are there every day at some time busy with redecorating it but there is no sign yet of them moving in.

Quite a lot of the early spring flowers are out including snowdrops and crocuses so we must look forward to some better weather soon. Gardening will be all behind this year but it’s useless to get on the ground at present – more suitable for paddy field cultivation.

I will let you know if Norman hears anything further but it is possible you may hear before me via your Bristol contacts. Don’t worry about car when we come up – ours can stand in the ‘drive in’ if necessary but if anyone should have a garage vacant for a few days then we would like to take advantage of it.

Now I think this is the lot for another week – hope you are all keeping fit and well.

All our love to you both and once again lots of kisses for dear little Susan & Carol.

Mum & Dad

[*Not cheap; this would be £16 in 2021 money!]

[**This was the infamous Portland Spy Ring, which operated from a bungalow at 45 Cranley Drive. According to Google Earth the distance between the two houses is just under two miles, although this is a journey distance and not ‘as the crow flies’. 45 Cranley Drive is tucked away from any main travel routes so it’s most unlikely that Leonard would have been anywhere near it.]

Eva to the family on the remaining two-thirds of a sheet of Leonard’s writing paper:

Dear Alec June Susan & Carol

I saw the writing on the underside of envelope & think it was Susan writing Queens Walk. Did you have a nice time at Headstone Lane last Sunday, it was not a very nice day here.

Norman has just rung up to say he was not lucky with any of the jobs.

It has been lovely here today but very windy. Shall soon have to think about gardening I suppose.

Lots of people are selling their houses down this area. Mrs Harding in Westbourne Avenue is going to Hallam Rd to live with her mother & selling. Her son got married the other day & the daughter married a Spencer some time ago. You can see the furniture vans about every day at some place or other.

You can see nearly every house in St Andrew’s Drive now our trees have been severely pruned. Mr [illegible] has been doing drastic cuttings on his estate, he couldn’t see the wood for the trees. We may not get so much fruit now in consequence.

I expect Carol will want to go to school when Susan starts. Were you successful in getting her in? I think I can remember the school.

Ruislip was well in the news columns of our paper yesterday describing the place & people a nice set of bowler-hatted gentlemen who like “doing it yourselves” to keep their thoughts off the city. Lots more besides.

Lots of love to you all,

Mum & Dad

Thursday 19th January, 1961

On By Sue JenkinsIn 1961 lettersLeave a comment

Leonard to the family:

Dear Alec June Susan & Carol

Many thanks for a very long and most interesting letter received yesterday – had to read it a couple of times to take it all in. You have certainly had variety one way and another but first let me say we both hope June’s foot is healing up satisfactorily. Apart from her own discomfiture it must be a bit difficult for her to keep up sides with Susan & Carol. Surely after this time – about a fortnight – it won’t turn septic now. I don’t wonder post arrived before you were up – you’ve got to get your rest in somehow.

Hard lines on the Dr but he is not the only person who has to be ‘on call’ and as you will have seen from the papers a few months ago one or two of them have been criticised for not turning out when called. People do not call Drs in the middle of the night for fun.

Yours accounts of Susan & Carol not to mention Christopher were very amusing but at the time you must have felt very angry. Just fancy those two girls pulling out the knobs on the panel of car etc. and causing battery to run down – must have watched how Daddie did it when out driving. Query a good job garage doors closed or car might have been out in Queen’s Walk. Upset your Saturday morning arrangements and – by the sound of it – your neighbours. Am surprised though that both of them took it for a six volt battery. Now I suppose car doors are all fastened up when car in garage. I reckon Susan & Carol just about enjoyed themselves and then you had the three of them at it when Christopher arrived but what a blessing none of them suffered injury from the broken glass.* Can imagine you saying to yourselves “What next?” One thing is certain – there is nothing ‘namby pamby’ about any of them.

Nearly forgot to say thank you Susan for another nice drawing – you know grandma keeps all the drawings you send her.

Now for the rest of your letter. Note you started your new job on Monday last and shall be very interested to hear how you get on with your new colleagues. Quite an upheaval in staff duties to get the Cardiff scheme under way again. Very nice of Pattison to entertain you to lunch – did he say what future prospect were. Should think he would be another person to keep in touch with for possibilities. Note your remarks about O.O.C.

Sorry the latest development will prevent you visiting Cardiff again with a possible run over to Cleveon but there it is. Mum had been getting one or two things ready in anticipation. Now we must look forward to Easter – not many weeks off really and then you say Susan starts school – another red letter day in the family. I’m sure she is going to do well and enjoy her schooling.

Roselands is the house on the far side (from here) of Elfords. Understand there is no bathroom but one could be fitted.

Noted the coats are a bit big for Susan & Carol and hope they will come in useful in due course. Susan will no doubt find this useful later on at school.

We have been having some trouble here with the electric lighting. Last Thursday morning when we got up it was noticed light in little bedroom was on and no matter which way we turned switch it remained on. Took bulb out and left it for time being. On Friday I renewed flex and checked up on switch and connection in ceiling – everything alright until I put bulb in when up comes light again irrespective of position of switch. Took bulb out again and left it as it was getting dark. At about 7.0 p.m. I went upstairs and found light in middle bedroom on and remained ‘on’ irrespective of position of switch. By this time I thought there must be a jinx in the place. I took bulb out and on Saturday morning phoned Bell who immediately asked when house was wired. This of course was nearly 33 years ago and he said the wiring was obviously perishing and causing the trouble. He came up yesterday and examined the lot – said it was very bad and there were traces of burning in the roof. Have asked him for an estimate to rewire. Shall have to go round with the hat. Just shows how appliances etc. wear out.

Norman Allen called up on Tuesday and asked if you could give him any ‘dope’ on questions that might be asked at interviews for the class of Work Study jobs advertised last week. He has put in for one of the Bristol posts. His information is that there are not many local applicants because of the travelling involved. Anything you can let me have to pass on will be appreciated.

No rain for a day or two now has enabled me to do a bit more rough digging but unfortunately it turns over very wet and heavy. I only dug up the dahlias yesterday and spread them out in a frame to dry off. Yes it should be possible for you to take cuttings of the chrysanths – nice to know they are surviving the cold weather. Have manage to get the flex through the standard lamp and already given the woodwork three or four coats of polish – coming along quite nicely.

Is there any more news of the housing position for June’s father & mother? You have not mentioned it lately so have assumed no alteration. Note you ran over to Yiewsley last Sunday and the Carol was poorly on the way back. How did you find Mr & Mrs Baker? Quite nice to meet the uncle & aunt from Southend.

Not much local news this week but we saw in last Saturday’s Mercury a little boy of eight years of age was knocked down and killed by a motor vehicle in Kenn Road opposite Lillies the oil merchants premises. He had been playing in the road with a toy motor.

Had forgotten the Amateur Cup match until you mentioned it but I’m afraid it will be the last game in that competition for Clevedon this year. Anyhow if you go should like a report in due course please. No more now – can hardly hold pencil* after gardening. Hope you are all keeping well.

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

Mum & Dad

[*The letter was written with what Leonard called a ‘Biro pencil’, i.e. an ordinary Biro or similar cheap pen.]

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

Dear Alec June Susan & Carol

Thank you for nice drawing, you are getting a clever girl.

We are glad June’s foot is progressing if slowly. The new skin would be very tender & of course it does itch badly. They don’t tell you a lot to do in medical books but at first aid classes they said always cover the spit & keep the air from it then according to size of burn or scald soak in tepid water to which bi-carb of soda is dissolved which takes the pain away.** You can only do this with a fairly small burn or scald not big patches of the body as if it had been a fire then they spray something on the place to make a fake skin which is done in a hospital.

We had a good laugh abt [sic] the lights can’t be up to them can you. Can’t think how they found which knobs to turn suppose they tried them all. I’ve put on the panel & radio lights but never tried the side ones or front lights.

We had a good afternoon at T.G.*** two lovely films one of Madeira and the other Isle of Man. I should love to go to the first one.

I got fed up with the weather today so cleared out the shed. Saw Mrs Cummings & she was moaning about the school fees going up again they went up to £5 last year [just under £120 in 2021 currency] & she says Mrs Ball who lives on corner of St Andrews Drive says that if rates go up again she will have to sell her place.

The T.G. are going to Pantomime (Dick Whittington) on Feb 16th a matinee at the Theatre Royal. I would rather have seen a play but there it is, it was a popular vote. Did I tell you in the competition to how many words found in ‘Townswomens Guild’ the winner had 1100 2nd 1000 3rd 900. I was a long way back with my mere 365.

Well this is all news for now. Lots of love to all.

Mum & Dad

[**This is not exactly the same as modern advice (for which see https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/burns-and-scalds/recovery/) , but it should be remembered that Eva’s main first aid training occurred during the First World War and although she was also either in the Red Cross or the St John Ambulance later on she does not seem to have had much in the way of hands-on experience.]

[***Townswomen’s Guild.]

Thursday 15th December, 1960

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Leonard to the family:

Dear Alec June Susan & Carol

Many thanks for letter received at 9.0 a.m. on Wednes. Am very sorry our last did not reach you until Monday & will try and improve this week by posting today. The Christmas post couple with the foggy weather is already affecting the transit of mails and I suppose one must make the best of it for a few weeks.

In spite of fact you had no letter to reply to you have managed to tell us quite a lot of news. So glad to hear you are all keeping well at the moment and hope you will manage to do so all through the Christmas period. It is surprising the amount of sickness about and no wonder with the weather that has prevailed for the past month or two.

You soon had news of Richings’ visit to us last Thursday then – presumably from Belcher who I understand has been on Work Study at Weston. Richings said he (Belcher) was shortly taking up a new appointment at Cardiff. Mr & Mrs Richings arrived about 3.30 p.m. and I drove them back to Clevedon station* to catch 9.19 p.m. home. The cork had already come out of the bottle before we reached station but was replaced and in position at actual departure from there. It was a bit new and had only been bottled on 1st Nov – still it will keep and improve as I told him.

Michael Richings now apparently is going to take up teaching after finishing at Reading University next year. Much the best vocation for him I should think, especially as his young lady (two years older than him) is already a teacher at a school about two miles out of Reading. Richings already knew of course (?Belcher) that you had had another lift and they both congratulate you. Incidentally they brought up a couple of items for Susan & Carol for Christmas.

Note you have been enjoying some of your two years old apricot wine. Have started one of my new bottles of elderberry but it tastes new so must let it mature for months.

So you had a ‘birthday’ with young Christopher and after that you consider Susan & Carol quite good. From what we have seen of them they certainly are good little girls but like all children they must wear you down at times. Why should Christopher be such an exception? Is it because he might be so lonely having no playmates? Query no one living near with children of his age.

How do Susan & Carol like the shops now they are dressed up for Christmas? Thank you very much Susan for the lovely drawing of the Christmas tree. We noticed it was planted in a box with earth and the tree was a good shape and had fairy lights and little parcels attached to the branches. Where did you see one like that?

So you have had a meeting in Taunton – expect you went via B and H line** via Athelney and not via Durston. You have seen snow before us by all accounts if vehicles were coming into Taunton from Exmoor covered with it. The nearest we have got to it is sleet. Rather seems as if we may have a spell of wintry weather before long.

Note your bit of concreting to keep rubbish out of garage – hope frost did not affect it.

The extension to January 31st is not going to help Baynton-Hughes much – only prolonging the agony as it were. How are you placed now? Still carrying on with special job with B. J. C. representatives or taking up appointment with Philips? What is Pattison doing about it now-a-days?

I had written your letter last week before going over to the funeral of the Rev. Soole.*** The church was more than three parts full and as the congregation were leaving we rang some half muffled touches on the bells. Of course we saw Soole and his wife among the mourners but did not speak to them.

On Monday this week (bell ringing practice night) we tried to ring a quarter peal for the 21st birthday of Victor James – elder son of the Capt. – but although we got through it (took 47 minutes) it could not be recognised because for some reason or another the work of the no. 2 and no. 5 bells got changed over accidentally during the peal and it was not discovered until we were finishing off. We shall probably have another go next Monday. The last time we rang a quarter peal was in 1947 when Princess (now Queen) Elizabeth got married. Anyhow it is good fun and exercise.

The horse has not yet arrived in the field – the weather was too bad last week for the fence to be put up but I expect Norman Baker will be along any day now.

Cornish has lost another fowl and the general opinion is that it was the work of one of the pole cats on the hill, especially as it occurred about mid-day when foxes would not normally be about.

The River Board people I understand are going to dredge the river – starting at the sea end – to a further depth of a couple of feet in order to facilitate drainage from the moors. This work will probably commence soon after Christmas.

Still very little work outdoors at present but I did manage to pull up remainder of runner bean sticks yesterday morning, but it was raw and cold and I got inside for remainder of day. Am progressing with the standard lamp but now temporarily held up pending some advice from Mr Palmer or Tinkling. Incidentally I’ve found a good job for keeping warm in the garage – keep sandpapering the shaft of the lamp. It’s surprising how the action of rubbing the sandpaper along the woodwork generates bodily warmth.

Had a line from Geoff earlier this week in which he also said you had all called round there on Saturday 3rd inst.

Since writing the above Mr Palmer has called and given me the advice I wanted for continuing with standard lamp and can now get on with it. The query was whether a stain and polish or polish only. He says the wood is so good that polishing only is necessary.

Had a letter from Stanley Godfrey yesterday – the usual one received about Christmas every year. Quite a newsy epistle and he asked after you and what you were doing now-a-days. Have already replied and given him up-to-date information. He said Woodward was now getting twice as much as he (Godfrey) received during the War years. How times have changed.

We shall be very pleased to see you when you can make journey to Clevedon – wondered whether you might try and get down before Christmas. If you can let me know in time I will meet you at station but bear in mind post very erratic at the moment.

Assume Mr & Mrs Baker have no further news of their housing problem – perhaps it is as well just along now. Note Pauline with you last weekend – hope she is keeping well.

Let’s hope the children enjoy their Sunday School party – should like to peep in on them when it is in full swing.

Well I think this is pretty much the lot once more – must leave some room for Mum to fill up when she gets back from Towns Women’s Guild.

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

Mum & Dad

[*Closed, together with the whole branch line, in 1968.]

[**Berkshire and Hampshire line.]

[***The Rev. W. Bathurst Soole turns out to have been something of a local celebrity. Educated at St Catherine’s College, Cambridge, where he gained his BA in 1902, he was ordained into the Church of England and later entered the First World War as ‘one of the only priest-gunners’. A book of his letters, found in the attic of his old school, is available on Amazon. In May 1960 he performed the wedding ceremony of his son G. H. Soole and Marjorie Richards at St. Andrew’s, Clevedon, (see this entry for Leonard’s attendance and conversations had there) and – sadly – seems to have died little more than six months later. This is a character – and a story – I will definitely be trying to follow up on at some stage.]

Letter from Eva to the children, occupying the remaining half-sheet of Leonard’s writing paper:

Dear Susan and Carol

Thank you for your nice drawing of a Christmas tree. I went to a party today but they did not have a tree so there were not any presents. We had a nice cup of tea and fancy cakes. I had a mince pie.

Christopher came to see you didn’t he. I expect like you he has grown a lot. I had a Xmas card from Auntie Eda today, I hope she is well. I saw some little girls on the TV today singing carols & one of them was like Susan and one like Carol.

You can run in the garden now the rain has stopped can’t you and Mummie can hang the clothes out to dry?

Cheerio with love from Grandma & Grandfy xxxxxx

Sunday 11th December, 1960

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Alec to his parents:

Dear Mum and Dad

Thank you in anticipation of yours of this week, yet not to hand. We looked forward to the Postman’s knock but am afraid we were disappointed this time.* Hope you have not had colds or anything which may have kept you from going out.

I gather the Richins visited Clevedon on Thursday and that they were taken out in the car. I also gather that a bottle of Elderberry was taken back but that the cork came off before they got to Yatton. I am not told if it was an accident or deliberate. Today dug into the store and pulled out a sweet jar full of apricot wine that I made about two years ago. It tasted very nice so we all had some with dinner.

Had a small meeting at Paddington on Monday then went to Taunton on the Tuesday for a session with Mann. Have to catch up a lot of lost ground but apart from hints and details of new developments, shall not get very far until I actually start doing the job again.

Had the day off on Wednesday, June wanted to do a bit of Xmas shopping and we had arranged to pick up Delph and Christopher to take back to 84 after lunch, The previous Saturday we tried to do some shopping with the children but it was tactically impossible as you may well imagine. Christopher is very well and growing rapidly but he is very naughty. Ours are bad but he is ten times as bad. It appears there is very little to interest him; to overcome boredom he throws things about**, and piles everything on the floor then looks for something else to upset. By the time he had gone I had had enough. We thought we might get a little reaction from our two the next day but they were as good as gold fortunately.

We have not done an awful lot this week-end. Shopping in the car yesterday morning, and kept the children occupied during the afternoon when June finished off the purchases. Pauline came over in the evening and is spending the week-end with us. This morning I did a little concreting but it only amounted to a couple buckets of sand and an equal amount of cement. I have built up the level of the floor beneath the double doors at the front so that leaves and dust can no longer blow down the sideway and straight under the doors. It is surprising the amount of rubbish that comes in that way during the course of one week. In view of the possibility of frost it is just as well that it is not a big job. It seems to be hardening well.

Have cut down all the chrysants except one, and they all have shoots for next year. I hope they will stand the winter in the Garage, So far no more moves to make any shelves but by removing the rest of the shuttering I have obtained some more useful timber. It all dries off well in the garage. Had a wander down the garden but it still looks a morass. One good thing though the border that I turned into lawn and a border that I propose to turn into lawn will need very little help from me. It looks as though the easiest thing is to remove any plants and just run the mower over it.

Have you had any snow yet? When I was in Taunton some cars arrived from Exmoor covered in snow. There did not seem to be the amount of water lying about this time.

It seems that Baynton-Hughes retains his hold over the Work Study Section until January 31st. What that involves we do not know as yet because the meeting with the Development Assistants did not finish until late on Friday afternoon. I think that will mean a lot of disappointment to the staff.

I want to come down before Christmas but do not know yet when it will be convenient. I am thinking in Terms of the end of next week (Thursday or Friday) but I must let you know. You will be pleased to learn that the children are well; and we have no illness to report this time. There is the annual children’s party given by the Sunday School on Saturday 21st January and of course our two are invited. I can imagine them feeding their faces already.

Well there it is for this week. Without your queries and statements to answer it is somewhat shorter – still look for a bumper report next time.

Love from us all

[*This may, of course, account for the gap in the correspondence; this letter isn’t in the file, although Leonard’s letter of 15 December suggests that it did in fact turn up on Monday 12 December. No idea how he learned that, however.]

[**’to overcome boredom’ … You have to ask yourself why a child of that age (3) is bored, and the answer is simple; it is no use just giving kids ‘things’ and expecting them to amuse themselves so that you can get on with housework or socialising. They do not and cannot understand your priorities, and when they *do* understand they quickly learn that you consider them something of a burden and are not really interested in interacting with them. Bear in mind also that we’re talking about three children of above-average intelligence here, for whom the boredom threshold is considerably lower than it might be for others. And June, in particular, made herself a slave to housework; towards the end of her life, when she had dementia, she talked obsessively about cleaning, and couldn’t understand why she wasn’t allowed to wash the walls of her room in the care home.]

Sunday 4th December, 1960

On By Sue JenkinsIn 1960 lettersLeave a comment

Dear Mum and Dad.

Thank you for the letter duly received, also thanks for reference to to-day’s date, anniversary etc. You will be pleased to learn that the girls are much better again now. Apart from residual coughs they have got over the latest bout now. If mischief is anything to go by, they might not have been ill.

Every time we write these days comment about the weather is most topical, and again this week following the gales and heavy rain the subject is still news. We hear from the wireless that Winford and Tiverton are again flooded, and in addition this time they had 6′ of water in the main street of Bridgend. Having spent some time there recently and seen the River Ogmore racing down the valley, also the Taff, I am not really surprised to hear they have eventually spread over their banks and flooded the surrounding land.

We had a terrific gale here on Saturday night with incessant rain. Front garden has pools lying on the surface and the cultivated part of the back garden seems to have quite a lot. Due to the force of the wind which blew the rain in a horizontal plane, water worked its way under the garage roof and drops fell on the car. Considering everything however the leakage was negligible and would certainly be exceptional.

Your conclusion about Mann’s interview as precisely the same as mine, and apart from any other consideration this was one of the reasons why I did not apply for either of the other three jobs. Incidentally, the Birmingham Assistant’s job (under Wilkinson ) was not filled. The job was readvertised at higher salary due to there being no suitable applicant. Talk about fishing. If they raise the ante much higher perhaps Barnes or Baynton-Hughes will bite. Meanwhile neither Mann nor I are applying. It is probable that the other two will but as they were passed over the last time, cannot see Wilkinson falling on their necks his time either.

I seem to remember having a meeting lunch in the dining rooms at Swindon but it was a very long time ago now. Sounds as though they held a “Summit” lunch at Bristol on the day Bill Aston went there. Perhaps it would be better to call it meeting of “Past Masters”?

I had left Bridgend before the train crash.* Although we have used the diesel services a lot we have not been the Swansea side of Bridgend so I have not seen the site.

The meeting at Bristol was in the room over the Dining Rooms on No. 9. We had our meal in the same place.

Thank you for the measurements of the shelves (brackets ). I shall be making some as soon as I can get round to the job. Although I would like to make the larger ones, I think a long narrow shelf is going to be the answer so far as my garage is concerned. I am glad we have given you a job with the Standard Lamp that is of interest to you. As you have so much equipment for making things your end, it only needs the right inspiration to start a chain reaction. No doubt after you have finished one, you will want to make others of different designs.

Glad you were able to find the Scotch come in useful, I am a little surprised you had not demolished it by now. What with the weather surely you had excuse enough. Glad to learn that you are both recovered from your colds although still not fully fit. The latest craze is Haliborange and our two seem to like them so June is giving them some regularly. June has not been too good, having had the same as the kids (about one week in arrears) complete with hacking cough, but she is a lot better now thank goodness. Fortunately yours truly seems to have escaped this lot although I can’t think how.

Your visit to Wells was certainly a flying one, should not think you left car at all in that time. We went shopping in Eastcote yesterday after calling on Stella and Rebecca. Both those girls have shot up since I last saw them. It may be an illusion though at seeing a couple of tiddlers every day. Saw the typewriter. It is larger than mine and much more bulky – for a portable.

Bought all the fittings, and put in another point in the front room yesterday. As I have fixed up the ring main it only required a yard of wire to tap in to it. We now have the television on the left of the fireplace. The piano has been removed to the Dining Room and its place taken by the easy chairs. We can get more chairs in position this way.

Must go up to the church to see Marshall’s plaque. (Window.)

To-day we took the children over to West Drayton after Sunday School. They behaved like a couple of show-offs as usual**. They have gone to bed exhausted – just as if someone has turned off the switch.

Did not go out to Cardiff this week and have no immediate plans for so doing, in fact I intend having Wednesday off to get some Xmas shopping sorted out.

There is a meeting this week between Baynton-Hughes and the Development Assistants. I believe he intends to show good reason why he should continue to direct operations and keep the staff under him but I have heard indirectly from Bristol and directly from Paddington that he will be told where to step off. He has written us saying that the status quo will be maintained after 12th December. I can not see that lasting for long myself. My former assistant on the Paddington Terminal Committee is being absorbed into the new Freight and Parcels Service Section.

Well that is all the news for this week. Love from us all – and keep dry.

*24 November 1960: Between Pontrhydyfen and Cwmavon, Glamorgan: Head-on collision between 3-car passenger DMU travelling from Swansea High Street to Barry Island and a runaway steam-hauled goods train.

**Oh, no, confident, happy children – quick, put a stop to it!

Thursday 1st December, 1960

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Leonard to the family:

Dear Alec June Susan & Carol

Many thanks again for another nice long and newsy letter but very sorry to hear about the girls. It must be most worrying to you but obviously the weather is against everybody at the moment and not being able to get out on the lawns must be very irritating to Susan & Carol. Anyhow it is obvious you are not going to pull a fast one over Carol and if Susan can get to the Fayre so can she even if she has to be carried there. Lets hope that December will give us some better weather and that the girls will improve in health quickly. This is one of the wettest autumns of all time and I expect you saw on TV a farmer sowing wheat from an airplane because he could not get on the land. I’ve not been on the garden for many weeks now except to pick greens and as I’ve mentioned before just one occasion when I managed to get broad beans in. At times little pools of surface water have been in evidence on both ground and grass.

Good idea to put Susan’s book away for a while – one to keep for the future. I think I have somewhere the first or nearly the first I had. Susan must shew it to us when we next come up.

No more news then of the housing problem of June’s father & mother? Presumably the search for a house or bungalow is off until another move is made by the garage people? How are they keeping now?

Just a bit of bad luck then in not getting further promotion. Never mind. You have done exceedingly well to date and there may be other early opportunities and Philips may regret he did not make sure of you. He himself did some quick moving after leaving Bristol but I liked him very much. He has risen from the ranks and in his time has worked very hard and I suppose still must. So far as Ackford is concerned I must be getting him mixed up with someone else. Ackford at one time I believe was Guards Working clerk at Plymouth at same time as Doswell was doing comparative work at Bristol.

Talking about Mann and suggestion that he had a rough time at interview presumably because he applied for all four jobs – would the London panel be aware of this? and if so would they also know you only applied for the one?

I can only just recall Sergeant of Swindon accounts section. Note lunches in Great Western Hotel – used to be quite good but it was only rarely we got in there because Dining Room on station was available in those days. I take it when you were at Bristol lunch was served in upstairs room at Refreshment Rooms. Aston was invited to a lunch there last Friday – apparently it was a farewell do for Cotterell the Chief Inspector who retires this week. Whilst there he said he saw dining downstairs – H. J. Peacock, Gilbert Matthews, John Matthews (son of Gilbert), S.G. Hearne and a few others – some anniversary celebration by all accounts – a good time being had by all. I have a feeling Peacock may have been footing the bill as I think he recently celebrated his golden wedding – this is only my idea though and I may be wrong.

You had a rough journey to Cardiff then last week and some unsatisfactory visits to stations. Did you see anything of the train crash? You must be getting to know your way round some of the Welsh Valleys by now. I take it meeting at Bristol was in room over Booking Office – pity they did away with the old Board Room at end of corridor in DSA which was a much better room for meetings. Griffiths did not say he had seen you so presumably he only spoke to Hallett.

Note you have now fixed up central support to work bench and thinking of putting up shelves. I made some large and small brackets the larger ones carrying shelves 15″ wide the smaller ones shelves of 9″ wide. Will give measurements later when I’ve checked them with ruler.

Sorry to hear about the water running down chimney stack. You must get this put right as early as possible otherwise other weaknesses will arise. If Mr Grey has similar trouble it looks like faulty workmanship and must have been like it from time houses were built.

Re: standard lamp, both Wilf Tinkling and Mr Palmer say the length of 2 x 2 must be split and a groove made then pieces stuck together again. Tinkling has a saw which can do this in a matter of seconds and has taken the piece of oak away to do it. In meantime I’ve got some suitable wood for the base and am busy cutting – planing and sand-papering it to the best of my ability so things are proceeding satisfactorily at the moment. Am quite interested in it and it keeps me occupied when I can get outdoors.

Yes Smith followed Follows, he actually came from Swansea although earlier had been S/M at Bridgend. Was at Bristol less than two years and collapsed and died in chair in office on Christmas Day about 17 years ago.

Glad your parsnip wine alright – tried this year’s Elderberry this week, quite good but obviously new. Was very glad to have a tot or two of the whiskey you gave me earlier this year when I had cold last week. Had kept bottle intact till then. Am glad to say both mum and I are better than we were but still not 100%. Must put it down to the weather. It puts a damper – in more ways than one – on everything.

We had a run over to Wells on Tuesday and too Mr & Mrs Aston with us. Left here 9.0 a.m. and home again by 12.30 p.m. Managed to keep dry overhead during these 31/2 hours but started to rain immediately we got indoors and has kept on fairly frequently since.

The stained glass window in memory of Mr Marshall was dedicated last Sunday morning. It has been fixed in the chancel on the left hand side just beyond vestry door and depicts a farm scene, cows, sheep etc. Am told church was full – we did not go until the evening which is our usual time.

Thanks for garden bulletin – yes it looks as if they have their troubles like everyone else. If they are not careful the Association will fizzle out which would be a great pity as it looks a most useful concern.

Well I think this is the lot once more – we do hope June & yourself are keeping well and that you will soon have the children alright again.

All our love to you both and kisses for Susan & Carol.

Mum & Dad

Letter from Eva to the children on the remaining half-sheet of Leonard’s paper:

Dear Susan & Carol

I missed your drawing this week, but you could not do one as you had a bad cold & I hope it is getting better. Mine is almost gone, I have been drinking pure lemon juice with warm water and sugar, it is good for the throat.

Christmas will soon be here then you will hang up your stockings won’t you or a pillow case.

It has stopped raining at last but is very windy and blows my hair about.

I expect you have watched the T.V. a lot this week. I have a big bruise on my leg where I walked into the handles of the wheel barrow.

Has Mummy finished painting yet? We want to start the bathroom after Christmas when the weather is better.

I hope you and Carol can sleep better at night. Cheerio love from

Grandma & Granfy xxxxxx

Sunday 27th November, 1960

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Alec to his parents:

Dear Mum and Dad,

Your letter on the dot again for which many thanks. Sorry to say both Susan and Carol under the weather again. It seems that they are bad every other week this year. No doubt the continued wet weather has had a lot to do with it as they are both suffering from heavy catarrah. This is affecting their throats, and as Carol was the first to show symptoms, she is the one to show first signs of losing voice. This is comparitively speaking only, as she is still a chatterbox.

Yesterday was the Christmas Fayre – a kind of church bazaar – which was arranged by the Methodist Church. We had intended to go but Susan gave it no rest, and our problem was how to get her away without Carol. It failed of course and we ended up by taking both although I left early with Carol while June took Susan in to see Father Christmas. Carol was none too good and kept saying how tired she was, June slept with her last night and had to get out of bed about twelve times to her. I think she is better now although she slept on my knee for about an hour lunchtime.

We did not give Susan the little book she had at the prize-giving. It will only get the usual treatment if we do, so it is in store until she can appreciate it more. It is only a small book, but gives two of the parables in full, and is interleaved in coloured pictures.

No more news re housing at Yiewsley, difficult not to wonder whether they will be blown away, or washed away with this weather though.

Did not get the job of course. It went to the Commercial man who got the equivalent job to mine. Can’t grumble of course but it is more than odd that of all four jobs advertised in each of the Divisions, three have gone to Commercial men and one has been re-advertised due to there being no suitable applicant. Saw McDonald on Monday night, and he said he hoped I would not feel too badly about the way the promotion went. I gather that Soole has got the Head of Research Section Job at Bristol at same salary as mine. I think Mann probably had a rough trip due to his comparative ignorance of the London District, and the fact that he applied for all four jobs.

Your remark about Ackford not understood. He left the control for a time to become Timebill Clerk (possibly acting only) but is now back as Chief Controller. He is nowhere near retiring age yet. Job is only an “A” though.

Lunch at Swindon took place at the Great Western as have all the lunches I have had there. Sargeant, whom I saw, said he knew you, but knows Geoff better apparently. Sargeant is Assistant to Latter who in turn is the Assistant to J,W.J. Webb the Regional Accountant. Sargeant deals with the production of stats, by comptometers and computers.

I have heard no recent discussion about the possibility of improving Swindon Station. I would not normally know about these things, but as it so happens I hear that a start is about to be made to the Reading Station scheme. I was talking to one of the Engineers chaps and he says the “track” part is scheduled to be in operation by mid-1962. Some of the old hardy annuals are getting a second look in the light of modern methods, as the policy now seems to be to get greater use from the facilities we have rather than launch into new works. Of course some of the existing stations, signals etc. are time-expired and have to be replaced with equivalent if not improved equipment.

Last week I went to Cardiff on the Tuesday morning but we had a most unsatisfactory run, A dynamo on the rear coach of the 8-55 a.m. worked loose and the train came to a stand at Cholsey (or thereabouts) while several conferences both telephonic and in situ took place. We were diverted to the relief line at Didcot where the examiner unbolted the dynamo and took it away. While we were there the 9-5 a.m. passed through on the main. Needless to say we were very late at Cardiff.

After lunch, went to see S,M. at Bridgend but it was a relief S.M. and he was out anyway so that was that. By this time it was too late to arrange to see anyone else on the list. Went to see the Goods Agent Pontypridd the next day, but as a result of his advice it became necessary for us to suspend further visits and work out some solutions to the type of problems raised before they could be resumed. Spent the afternoon in the Divl. Research Office at Cardiff and sorted out the answers. Went t.o see Caerphilly S.M. next morning but the Chief Goods Clerk was out. Not very rewarding you may think, but as a result of this visit we feel that the main problems are now solved, and it only remains for visits to be made to some of the lesser S.M.s etc to iron out any local differences. Have prepared a list of all such S.M.s and a questionnaire so that two men can get lost in the Cardiff District until they bring back the answers. This will mean that regular visits by myself are at an end, but there will still be an occasional meeting.

You certainly had a couple of surprise visits last week-end, Hope you found them all well.

I have not had a chance to see Griffiths for some time, but he did come into the room when meeting with Hallett was in progress. (So also did Radford but I failed to recognise him at first.)

Nice to have Stacey’s additional statement that the car is a good one. We only had a short trip in ours this week – just for shopping. Carol was sleepy and laid herself along the back seat while June was in the shops.

Have put in the central support to work bench now so that it is rigid. Shall next consider the shelf problem. You might let me know the dimensions of the shelf brackets you make as I think I shall try making some this time. The only good wood I have now is an 8′ length of 2″ x 2″. If as I imagine the struts are of 1″ or less, I should be able to get quite a lot from this.

Have a bit of trouble again with water coming down the chimney stack and into the airing cupboard. As you know the stack is at the back of the house and runs up outside the wall until it gets about 12 feet up where it slants inwards and then runs up inside the house. The point where it straightens out is level with the top of the airing cupboard and the moisture is creeping down the exterior wall of the stack on the house ward side. We paid a chap over £10 to put this right about two years ago but seems not to have been very satisfactory. Managed to get to the stack from the inside of the loft and found it covered in wet slime, I could scrape it off with my fingers. Doug had a look at his and found it to be in the same condition. We shall get a mixture of sand and cement and do both stacks when the weather gets a bit better.

Actually I went into loft to try to stop the frequent loud vibrations from the valve of the cold water tank. This thing has been getting on our nerves for some time but it is not so easy to stop. Of course when you try to stop it it does not happen and although I spent some time there could not see what caused it. However I seem to have done the trick by bending the stem of the ball valve as now when it goes it is like a muffled train whistle and only lasts for about two seconds whereas it previously lasted a minute or two until tank had refilled.

I do not think there is a simple way of boring a small hole through so long a piece of timber. The answer is most likely to get two pieces of half the eventual thickness and put a groove in one to take the wire, then join them together with glue or brads.*

I remember Lovemore’s father. He was at Bristol when Follows was there. I had completely forgotten Smith though, the man who followed him. I thought Jeans came after Follows but it appears that this chap Smith came from Bridgend and they remember him in Cardiff.

The Parsnip wine was quite good to taste, but as with all these wines a second opinion is desirable. There is still plenty here for you to give a second opinion on. Or even third etc. Note the point about saucer of water, any left over at the end would come in for refreshments.

Sorry you have both got or had recent colds, It is high time we had some cold weather to get rid of some of the more hostile germs.

If the Americans leave this district it will hit a number of shopkeepers, taxi-drivers etc and may even have the effect of lowering the selling price of houses. I doubt whether the latter would be a lasting effect however as there is quite a steady demand by big firms.

I enclose the latest gardening bulletin from which you will see that all is not well in the camp. Twas ever thus.

The children say thank you for their special letter. Will close now till next week. Love from us all.

*Hallelujah – sound of pennies dropping! And this is all the evidence you need that I don’t actually read these letters in any details until I’m preparing them to post.