Tag: DIY

Sunday 21st August, 1960

On By Sue JenkinsIn 1960 lettersLeave a comment

Alec to his parents:

Dear Mum and Dad

Thank you for very newsy letter duly received on the dot. Note the change of paper but do not get the point of saving postage, – have you had to pay more than 3d on them up till now? You certainly seem to be unlucky with your visit to Almondesbury but then any visit is a risk this Summer. Note you have bought nine trees to be delivered in season.  When is the probable date of delivery? I imagine you have gone in for Standards or half standard as you already have some very nice, climbers and/or ramblers. On reading your letter again I see that you have bought bush roses and I am wondering where you win find to put them, – in the front garden perhaps?

I wonder what can have happened to young Ian. It must have been a worry for his parents. It must have been something out of the ordinary but as he will be coming home shortly could not have been very serious.

I cannot see how I can put Clevedon on the Cardiff route except later on when I shall be spending several days there each week. It does not pay to go down for the day as cannot get much work done. If I go down for three days or so, I could possibly pop over for a night provided the trains are suitable. I believe the 6-30 a.m. Weston is useful for getting back.

You have picked and sold an amazing weight of beans also tomatoes. It is quite staggering to think of 1.5 C.W.T. of beans.

Have not heard anything about Uncle Will since last we wrote to you but then we are not on the direct news line. We get our news second hand from Yiewsley.

I should not be at all surprised if the house at the bottom does not go for something near the advertised price. On reflection, although the house itself is not worth the money, it is set in good surroundings and there are immense possibilities in the place for improvement.

Still have not heard anything about my applications, the 0.M. job on the L.M.R. has gone down the drain but it was never really on as a possibility. I understand from the grape vine ( sources external to the office, also sworn to secrecy, ) that the out of category jobs in Work Study will be interviewed very shortly, and that the panel has been selected to do this. Three senior Western Region Work Study Men ( Operating ) are reported to be the leading contenders apart from anything off other Regions. Nothing about the B.T. C. Job. Should have thought that I would have got an interview unless this move has been squashed from above. Geoff told me early this week that he had high expectations as a result of his recent interviews.  That can mean anything from certainty to wishful thinking.

Re slugs, don’t for one moment think that the Dahlias have been left alone. A large number of the shoots never reach maturity. There are slug bites on all the lower leaves and many off the higher ones, and even flower heads have been nibbled at. The only veg they seem to steer clear of are the tomatoes, and fortunately so far nothing has attacked them. We want some sun badly as there is no colour in them yet. As said before I think you should do something about dahlias another year. They are dead easy money. The tubers multiply rapidly, and each year you have at least four times as many available fox planting as the previous year. The flowers grow themselves and only require the effort to pick them. I believe they fetch a fairly good price round these parts but you would know your local price.

Only had a few minutes to talk to Matthews so can not say if he has had any promotion since he Joined the E.R. He said he liked it very much and that he had never been treated so well. I wonder if it has occurred to him that his treatment is as a result of his new higher standing. A bit different from being one of the clerks.

So the deisels have at last reached Clevedon, You say the sound of the horn can be heard on your estate – I take it the drivers name is John Peel.

The sloe wine is nearly all gone – only enough for two more glasses. I did not water it but Peter liked it so much that he has had most of it and I have kept it for his infrequent visits. Had some of your Cherry this week end it was very nice. I am glad the Cosmeas have been brought to the flowering stage. They are not a very special flower but grow quite large and provide many heads for cutting. They throw their seed like marigolds so if you do not want them in same place next year do not let them go to seed.

We are both glad you have managed to select a car you both like. I know the new Austin Cambridge but I am a little uncertain of recognising the 1957 model. I expect you are enjoying the change. It is fortunate that you have been able to garage your old car as it would only have deteriorated outside. We may be able to take it away earlier than at first thought – more about that later. With the same post as your letter I had the O.K. from the Council to erect the garage. Although I only wrote them on August 9th they managed to present the details at the Council Meeting of 14th Aug instead of my having to wait for their September 14th meeting. I can now order the garage to be delivered, and the three to four weeks delay in delivery will enable me to complete the base. I have put the shuttering up and secured it as best I can against the destructive efforts of the girls. Next Saturday I shall be getting three cubic yards of hard core then during the following week ( when we are on leave ) I shall have the ready mixed concrete delivered in L cubic yard lots*. ( I expect it will need three ) With this out of the way the erection of the garage can be done in an afternoon and evening. At this rate arrangements this end will have been completed by the end of the second or third weeks in September.

We have had no one enquiring about the old car and I doubt if we shall. If I were to advertise it for £10 the result would still be the same. The ten year test has got them all playing safe. I paid nothing to Binding and Paynes for the examination of the car. They only told me what I wanted to know – which was the condition of the chassis. No further examination was made or report on any other part so I doubt whether they will make a charge.

Potatoes seem to do very well down in the new plot. I had a good crop here the first year I dug out the bottom plot. Something in the newly turned turf I believe – apart from leather jackets.

We have all been out to Amersham Common with Delph Roy and Christopher, Norman and Pauline. They picked us up about 11-00am and off we went in the two cars. Of course Carol was sick just as we got to Chorley Wood – all over June. This meant she had to take off her skirt and stayed wrapped in newspapers and macs all day**. Carol recovered enough to enjoy herself but she is a little off colour to-day. The common is a very popular place. There were few people there when we got there but by late afternoon many cars had arrived. Where we parked is the fairway of a municipal golf course – nice and wide so that the children had a long runway under full observation. Norman***, Roy and I walked nearly half mile down to a pretty pub only to find they had closed at 2.0 p.m. The scenery was good and the air pure so I expect it has done us all a lot of good especially as the sun came out and kept it warm and sunny all day.

Well there it is for now. Hope you are both keeping fit.  Love from us all till next time.

*(sic) – but on Alec’s typewriter it was necessary to use a lower-case ‘L’ as a ‘1’, so I assume this is what was intended.

**You really would have thought June would be smart enough to take a change of clothes with her, wouldn’t you, considering how often this seems to have happened?

***At the moment I have no idea who Norman was. Roy had a brother, but he lived in Germany so I doubt it was him. Norman may have been a boyfriend of Pauline’s, but if so he didn’t stay around long enough to make much of an impression.

Sunday 7th August, 1960

On By Sue JenkinsIn 1960 lettersLeave a comment

Alec to his parents:

Dear Mum and Dad,

Thank you for both your letters arrived Saturday. Please do not be scared at change of paper – happened to be in Woolworths on Saturday morning and spotted some.  Just the job for business letters and small epistles but probably not so good for long ones as too much shifting carriage on typewriter. 

I seem to have got mixed up with the Cafes at Clevedon, I thought someone said then we were down there that there was a new one somewhere near the middle of Marine Parade.

Susan is doing quite well with her alphabet but of course it goes in fits and starts. She is taking a keen interest in being able to tell the time and has now got a toy alarum clock.  She has a go but we seem to be getting some odd times.  What little I have heard about Uncle Will’s progress is not very definite, it does not seem to change and I think they are a little worried about him. 

Glad you were able to go and see Griffiths but pity the Rose Gardens were closed.  It seems always the same these days, we had similar trouble at Kew if you remember*.

Note also Mr and Mrs Newman’s visit but you do not say how he is.  Last time you said he had lumbago or sciatica etc. which was getting him down.  Suppose this now over.

I went to Ross on Wye and Symonds Yat with London D.O.S.O. on Office Outing in 1951 and we were fortunate to have fine hot dry weather. It made all the difference and we were able to appreciate the countryside.

Have marked out the boundary of the New Garage with string and driven in a few large pegs as levels.  These latter project up to 10 inches from ground and together with the string have become the target for meddlesome hands.  I may put some of the shuttering up this afternoon but if it gets pulled about during the week I shall have to postpone any further action until a few hours before the concrete arrives.

Re – job. Cecil Moore is the Head of the Research Section. He got a job as Staff Assistant to D.T.M at Cardiff as I think I told you in one of my earlier letters but he did not take it up as they were not ready to go with the new set up there.  Subsequently his own job was re-advertised at a higher salary and including Organisation and Methods.  Of course there could be only one suitable applicant as he was in charge of O and M.  I think he gets 16 or 17 hundred. 

Sorry about your crack about Littlewoods, I don’t feel quite able to Cope**. 

Re – application, it has gone forward in the usual way but no comment from anyone yet.  On Wednesday in company with Mr Bennett and one other from the B.T.C. Operational Research Section I went to Dartford to put our problem to the International Computor and Tabulator Co***.  We are asking them to devise an Electronic Computor to digest and store details about wagons as they become available at yards and stations, and to give any details at the press of a button.  We wanted this to be available to kick off in the Cardiff District by January next, but we may hare to make do with temporary machines until our own can be built.  The most fantastic cost is involved – a figure of £50 per hour for hiring only has been quoted.

I felt sure you would have known George Jenkins. He was Chief Controller at Cardiff when I was last in Freight Train Section ( Prior to ‘55 ) and he subsequently became the Productivity Assistant.

Have not picked any runner beans yet but have picked about twelve dwarfs for to-day.  There should be enough for meal by next week end as there are a lot of small ones coming on.  The tomatoes are moving well. I have provided tall stakes for the largest and have as many as six trusses forming. I am not surprised you found the soil behind the Green house to be good.  If you recall we had many bonfires there, mostly of Cupresses Hedge clippings, and there was considerable growth of nettles that we kept burning. 

Note Mrs Drewett has put house up for sale.  It sounds a reasonable price but I do not know what state it is in.  I would have thought that Drewett might have fixed up extra cupboards and things that would have helped to sell it.  As a guide what did they get next door.

The insurance people have payed up Junes claim but at their offer.  This has been accepted.  Still no response to advert for car.  Have listed it at £39 and do not particularly want to reduce any more.  I doubt whether there will be much movement for cars of this age until after the effect of the tests becomes apparent. 

We will note that Lydia starts her bookings for the Bungalow at Christmas and if we intend to do anything about it we will let her know at that time.

The men are very busy over in the field where school is to be erected but nothing rising very high yet****.  Think they must be still on the foundations.  The church at bottom of Queens Walk is nearly finished. 

June and I have had a good clear out of the front garden It looks quite neat now although mostly earth. I suppose if we take everything out it will look tidier than ever. Had to use mattock to break it up though.  Well that is all for week, hope you are both keeping well.

Alec

*Even in those days it was possible to telephone and find out when a place would be open rather than just rocking up and being disappointed. What’s the old saying? ‘To ASSUME makes an ASS of U and ME’? Or, indeed, an ounce of prevention is better than a ton of cure. I have no sympathy whatsoever.

**There’s very little information online about Cope’s Pools except that they were based in London and active in the 1930s. According to Wikipedia they were still operating in 1947, but the likelihood is that they were later absorbed by one of the bigger players in the industry.

***Note that Alec spells ‘computor’ with an ‘o’. This is the first indication of any contact between him and a computer; later in life he was known as ‘Gadget Man’ and was a relatively early adopter of technology, buying himself a ZX Spectrum with a pen-writer instead of a printer and learning to program ‘sprites’ and play games like ‘Jacaranda Jim’.

****This would be the St Swithun Wells Catholic Primary School.

Sunday 5th December, 1959

On By Sue JenkinsIn 1959 lettersLeave a comment

Alec to his parents:

Dear Mum and Dad

Thanks for your letters, good wishes etc. I hope to catch the 3-5pm Paddington to Bristol on Friday and the first available connecting service after that whatever that might be, probably 5-32pm or 5-50pm if they still run.

Glad to hear that Mums cold is getting better. I am sorry to say that Christine is not making much headway. She has not kept anything down for about a week and although cheerful keeps on being sick. Dr. tested for appendicitis yesterday but negative. Doug says she is looking thinner. She cant feel too bad as we often hear her singing and whistling. Hope it is only the results of some gastric germ.

We have been having trouble with Susan all this week. She woke in a paddy about 9-0 pm on Tuesday and we eventually gave her a good smacking. We had to take her down stairs as she woke Carol. When downstairs she was very sick and I thought she had the same as Christine. It was all due to flem. Anyhow after an hour with us she said she was ready to go back to bed which she did and went straight off. Since then we have had disturbed nights with her. Of course she puts on such a spluttering and coughing act that we dont know whether it is genuine or not.* I think it is a bit of both. She is not above trying it on. Carol needless to say is back in our room. We hope to move her back to-morrow if to-night is quiet.

Did a spot of shopping in Eastcote yesterday and took June and the girls to meet hair appointment. Unfortunately the hairdresser had a shocking cold so only cut Junes hair and left the girls till some time in January. To-day we went to West Drayton for a flying visit. Out at 11-00am and back at 1-0pm. It takes no time at all as you know by car. I am afraid the cars cooling system has developed a leak, the evidence is in the anti-freeze on ground after car has left any time. Also overnight it loses about a wine bottle full of water. I have probably lost all my anti-freeze by now. Have checked all the hose clips and pipes but as they are fairly new no trouble there. Mr Jackson No. 91 who owns a Maintenance Garage in Kenton says the water pump is leaking. He is going to give me an estimate for fixing the heater and will repair the pump at the same time. He will have to as heater works off the same system.

Yes I realise that it is five years off the payments on the house. Not any noticeable reductions yet though if any. I calculated at the time of taking out the mortgage that no appreciable reduction would be noticed until after the seventh year. (First Seven Years are the worst )

Your suggestion re. sideways transfer is not new to me. I had already tossed that one into the middle . Things are now warming up. Now that the N.U.R. have stopped playing “No consultation ” we have got the go ahead to put in Banbury Yard Scheme. Last week there were eleven jobs in the 1285 to 14XX group advertised. Geoff has been waiting for those and no doubt he will apply. Budworth had an interview with Phillips the electrical people at Croydon. Says he had a good one but will not get anything. He has put in for all of those jobs. They are only three grades higher than those we hold. The thought of so doing is ridiculous but the unpleasant thing about it is the possibility is that he might get one. I think I will wait for the next raft. If Bames gets anything out of this lot my position will be bound to be stronger. Note you will have some apples ready. Do not make bundle too heavy.

You really must acquire a power drill for that sawing. Doug has bought one and it really does away with the hard labour bits and enables one to concentrate effort on the finer points of measuring etc. The circular saw attachment cuts through small peices of timber but unfortunately does not tackle those that are “ log – size “. I am surprised to hear that White Fly still lingering. I can not place that sort of insect. We have not been bothered by such things this end. Too cold even for slugs. He has had strip lighting fixed up in has garage and has been working out there all day to-day building himself a work bench.

It has been pouring most of the day to-day as it did during the night. There is quite a wind blowing. Yesterday I did a little concreteing. Just enough to give me a smooth run-in instead of the stop that was present before. Have now used up all my cement. Just as well as it will not keep in the damp of winter. Have had to leave car in sideway the last couple of nights as cement not dry. Shall have to get out of the way early in morning to let Doug go to work.

Xmas trees fetching wicked prices here. They are asking 5/- for some about 1ft high. You might think about growing some. You have the room and it would not be more than a couple of years before they reached saleable proportions. Note Mother getting to be quite a Cactus addict. We have not bought any more since we last saw you. We have enough trouble keeping our present stock alive and safe from damage.

Carol still improving. She can say snatches from a number of nursery rhymes and songs. They both like travelling in the car but I have to have them in back seat with June as Susan in particular will not sit down and tries to grab all the controls etc. She has fallen a few times at corners but it does not make her any wiser. There is fortunately plenty of leg room and can accommodate shopping bags, potty and oil can in passenger compartment of the back without cramping. Susan went to Sunday School again to-day but cannot get much out of her. When I collected her she had to say good bye to the Dolls House, and put all the things away. Her teacher said she loves that Dolls House.

We did not go anywhere to celebrate our fifth anniversary. We could have gone to the pictures but the films shewing did not tempt us away from T.V. After all there is a lot to be said for not turning out on rainy evenings. Note also that George Morris has moved at last. Has he really been in that flat all this time. Did Phillip Morris leave the railway, I have a feeling I heard that he had. Well will see you some time on Friday. If I have to catch a later train will let you know.

Cheerio for now and love from June, Susan Carol and Alec

*Note that this manipulative creature is just three and a half years old.

Sunday 22nd November, 1959

On By Sue JenkinsIn 1959 lettersLeave a comment

Alec to his parents:

Dear Mum and Dad

Hope you are both keeping wall in this uncertain weather. We seem to be getting everything from fogs to gales , Thunder and Lightening and hevy and continuous rain. (Spelling seems all haywire to-night,- perhaps due to lack of practice) As you know have just finished a spell of nights. Only three twelve hour nights were involved but they came at a bad time as I had a very heavy cold. We all have had them, beginning with the children. This time they are down on the cheat, and this seems to be the fashion as most people have coughs and sore throats.

We took a census of the parcels traffic arriving by train at Paddington and this involved counting each parcel and taking details of every fifth. To do this we had three teams of two men in the parcels office to watch the “Benchmen” unload them from the trolleys and sort, and three men on the station labelling up the trolleys with the correct train titles ( from which they were originally unloaded) In three complete days we had about 33,000 parcels and full details of about 6,600. This coming week we are doing the same for the outwards parcels but in this ease a great deal of the information wanted is already available to the Parcels Department through existing records.

Car going well. Have mended the trafficators. Fitted new boot lock. Mended main door lock, and tightened up the steering. The car is so tight a fit in the space provided outside back door that I have already pushed in the front of the shed a couple of times. Solution is to go inside the shed and kick it out again. Not much room left in shed now as you may imagine.

Dougs new garage arrived last Saturday and we put it up. It arrived during a heavy shower of rain at lunch time and we were both soaked. We spent all Saturday and a lot of Sunday getting it up. My cold started to come on Sunday morning so did not do a lot outside on that day. He has got an aluminium on steel framing type garage. The sides and ends are pre-fabricated and only require bolting together there are three trusses, the two end ones boing formed by the end sections. We had a bit of a job getting the doors to swing level and clear of the ground but eventually got them right. He paid about fifty pounds for it but it resembles more of a barn or cow-shed. We do not favour that particular type ourselves but must admit it is simple to erect and serves the purpose.

We went over to Ealing again on Friday in the car for June to do a little shopping and to-day we went to West Drayton to see the folks They asked after you both and hoped that you were both well. Carol was a bit shy and has been very crotchety since returning but is now asleep. Heard a noise a few nights ago and went up to investigate to find Susan attired in a pair of Junes shoes and sitting on top of the stairs. Have put the pantry up again in small back bedroom. It is now next to the airing cupboard and between it and the door. The top section is being used for wine affairs and the lower for coats cases etc. The wood is in quite good condition but the colour is a bit out. Can rectify that when room next decorated.

Talking about wine have had a go at Noel Whitcombs Carrot Whisky. Have made half gallon and hare varied the ingredients as follows. In lieu of wheat have put about ¼lb of pearl barley, and in lieu of handful of raisins have used sultanas. Must admit the whole concoction smells super.

Failing any other objections, I hope to come down to see you for the week-end of December 12th. If you have got any heavy jobs you want done and are putting aside for later attention if you will let me know I can pack old trousers etc. Susan did not go to Sunday school last week because of her cold but she went again this afternoon. She has been very naughty lately and Carol is getting to be as bad. They are a couple of dears though. See that Clevedon has got through to first round of amateur cup again. How do they do it. Well thats all for now. Thanks for your letters. More anon. Love from June, Susan Carol and Alec

Monday 9th November, 1959

On By Sue JenkinsIn 1959 lettersLeave a comment

Alec to his parents:

Dear Mum and Dad

Thank you for your letters, sorry for the delay in sending my reply. Glad to bear that the kitchen is complete at last and that Landlord and Landlady both getting on very well. Assume Devonia will now be classified as one of the Stately Homes of England and that you will now charge admittance to the populace on Sundays. With the new view of the lawn it must, be very posh. I expect you will want to start rearranging the bushes etc to improve the view. Should go steady on the work though although you may feel better each day. Should not think there can be much wrong with driving the car doubt whether that can impose much of a strain. By now you will have had the Dr.s report, and shall be interested to hear it.

We are getting out of the mess of alterations to kitchen, fence and shed. I have finished the kitchen all but the shouting. It is all filled in and painted and waiting the gas people to come and move the stove so that I can start on the other end. Doug and I re-aligned the shed and fence last weekend so that can keep children one side and the car the other. The shed has been cut back to half its length and has to function like that for the time being. We now have a fence which runs from the front of shed for about two feet in the direction of the Benns and then turns 90 degrees and runs to the edge of the coal bunker that is nearest to the Grays. A high door links the coal bunker to the house.

We went to Ealing in the car on Saturday, it was not a very good day the fog was patchy. The steering is a bit loose but have mended the trafficators.

Racked off the plum wine yesterday. It tastes super. There is a warmth about it that is striking. Have about ten pints of apple which is going on very nicely. You have a good opportunity to make some more yourself until able to resume heavy gardening.

Susan again went to Sunday School this week but you cant get much out of her. She enjoyed Bonfire night as she was allowed to see the big Bonfire in the field and went next door to share Janets sparklers etc. As I was working late I was unable to be home that night before she went to bed but we had our small display the next night and Christine and Janet came and shared Susan’s fireworks. Carol continues to make good progress. June put her back into Susans room a couple of nights ago and she seemed to have no objections. I have to work nights again next week and probably the week after but they do not come round very often so cant complain.

They still have not filled the Assistant D.O.S. job at Paddington. The equivalent job in the Birmingham District was filled by the S.M. Wolverhampton whose job Don* is reputed to have applied for. It has poured with rain all day to-day but we can still do with the water I suppose. Pulled up the Dahlias yesterday and for the moment have put them in the shed. Shall have to dry them off and keep indoors away from frost. Well hope you are both keeping fit. More next time. Love from us all.

(not signed)

*If the reference is to Donald Atkins, Leonard’s brother – which seems likely – this is very surprising; he was getting towards the end of his time with the railway and the upheaval of moving from Somerset to Wolverhampton would have been formidable. Whatever the truth of this rumour, anyway, Don stayed where he was at Athelney and was probably a great deal happier for it.

Thursday 30th October, 1959

On By Sue JenkinsIn 1959 lettersLeave a comment

Alec to his parents:

Dear Mum and Dad,

I am writing this letter to Clevedon only on the assumption that will have been let loose by the time of its arrival. Please let me know if there is any delay in release.

Thank you both for your letters received since I last wrote. Glad to know that Dad is going along fine although somewhat handicapped. I note that the news leaked out in Bristol, but so far I have not heard of any similar leak this end although many people ask after Dad from time to time.

We had a proper fandango last Sunday. On the previous day Peter drove Pauline over in his new car after fetching June and Susan over to West Drayton. Apparently he asked June if she thought I would be interested in having his old car for round about the price he paid for it. Of course she said she would consult me but that it sounded too good an opportunity to miss in view of the condition of the car. I was asked if I was interested but would not give him an answer until I had had an opportunity to discuss it. We made up our minds to have it over night and next day I telephoned him to say so, but he was out. When he returned he said he had sold it and was delivering the car that afternoon. Mr Baker and he then got their heads together and put the sale into reverse. I got the tip that the car was ours and then got Doug to give me a hand to get the fence down so that car could get in. We had just finished when up comes Peter and two friends in two cars. Of course the darn thing was too big to go in clear of Doug’s runway. There then ensued a discussion as to whether it would be best to move the coal bunker or take shed down. We settled for taking front and part of one side off the shed. By so doing have got it cross-ways with front wheels on small lawn in front of shed and rear wheels on concrete apron in front of the place where shed door was. The fence has been temporarily rebuilt round it to keep children in. Considering the age (1939) it is in very good condition. It has a reconditioned radiator, three reconditioned tyres, and one fairly new. One new inner tube, complete heater awaiting fixing, brakes recently adjusted, two new brake hoses, lighting system overhauled, new front wheel bearings. The make is Vauxhall, is twelve h.p. grey, new inner roof lining, good upholstery and carpet. The engine is in very good nick and so is the battery. Despite all the rain and the fact that it has been standing idle all the week I have been able to start with the starter on about the second or third attempt each day. Defects are, doors which cannot be looked, windows that slip down without being wedged, and trafficators that do not work. When I can get round to it, I think I may be able to do some of those jobs myself.

Kitchen still progressing. As you know with the removal of the pantry a large gap had to be filled in the plaster. I have done so and sanded it down and have since filled in some remaining irregularities in the surface. I hope to sand these down on Friday night or Saturday and put on the primer at once. Given sufficient time to dry I shall then ( I hope ) start putting on the undercoat. The kitchen dries fairly quickly so there should not be too much delay between coats. I have to take up Dahlias soon but don’t know when I shall find time to do that. Shed will have to be rebuilt and some concreting done also new design of fence erected so that I can run in easily. I don’t intend to get garage just yet but hope to stand the vehicle in front of the shed which will be repositioned about ten feet to the rear of present site. Sorry to learn that your kitchen arrangements still holding fire. Should have thought they would have finished by now. Are they part time only?

Not much news about Susan’s Sunday School last week, we were really too busy to listen*. Carol says Cheerio mornings now. Susan says that when she has grown into a big girl she will have a big Grey car like Daddy and Uncle Eric. She has been out kissing the sidelights. Well that is all for now, more next time.

Love to you both from June, Susan, Carol and Alec

*Well, what does that tell you?

Wednesday 21 October 1959

On By Sue JenkinsIn 1959 lettersLeave a comment

Alec to his parents:

Dear Mum and Dad

Thank you both for your letters duly received. Glad to hear Dad getting on well, and that stitches came out without any trouble. Nice to be able to watch proceedings. Good job the food is first class, nothing like spending time in hospital with a poor appetite or poor fare. Dont worry about spelling I hit so many wrong keys and doubles that it just does not matter. Communication is not just a matter of correct spelling.* I hope Mother is making a note of your new eating habits and is laying in a stock of tongue, Spaggheti, Prunes etc. You must be very high up where you are. I imagine you to be very close to the turning off to go over suspension bridge. The names of the roads mean nothing to me ( except that of Park St which I know to originate at the Tramway Centre ) I agree that the course you followed in getting your op done in Private Hospital is the best. There is no question that it is best to have these things done at times and conditions of your own choosing rather than have to wait about maybe for months. Crabb who is the Assistant Regional Treasurer Euston, and who lives in the Fairway, told me that back last Spring he had got his name on the list to go into Mount Vernon Hospital for the same op. He cancelled his holidays in case he was called and had to forfeit any money he had deposited. I saw him a day or two ago and he is still waiting. I know that Fifty Quid is a substantial sum to you in your retired state, but it occurs to me that the amount is extremely reasonable. Before the War I am sure that the charge would have proportionately higher. I am afraid I have to report that both Susan and Carol have caught colds again. Susans I am sure is due to running round in the-mornings and getting out of bed etc.** She has been repeatedly warned about this and scolded but to little effect. June took her down to Sunday School again this last Sunday, and Carol and I went to meet her. When I noticed all the others coming out I went in to collect her. They had given her a nice little bunch of flowers wrapped up in newspaper. She came out dangling these. Since her return June had to play the piano for her so that she could sing ‘Amen’ when it stopped. She said we all walked round the room and put our pennies in the box. She was singing snatches of ‘All things bright and beautiful’ so some of it is going in and sticking. Forgot to tell you that as result of my razor going out of action had to go back to the old steam razor. Of course I left it on Bathroom Window. During the day Susan was sent up to wash her hands and as she had been gone some time and things rather too quiet, June crept up to see what she was up to. She was only shaving with the razor and had nicked herself in a couple of places on the chin. Blood was streaming down her chin on to cardigan. No damage done of course but just shews what she gets up to. Note your wishes re location.Had a chat with Peter Morris to-day, met him quite by accident. He is looking a bit drawn and haggard, and I formed the impression that it has shaken him up very much. He tells me that he is enjoying the “Gentlemen’s Hours”. Mothers drawing of Grandad in Hospital – very good. Note bowl of grapes at left elbow. It sounds nice to have sink unit and fridge, especially if you say it quick but believe meit will have to be a gradual process. First job is to transfer the gas cooker then we will consider what next to do. Mum will be pleased when all the work is finished, and I am sure the result will justify any temporary inconvenience. As kitchen now has fine view, why not swap kitchen and dining room over – make a change. Junes Mums birthday to-day. They are both keeping pretty well. June still knitting. Norman Thorne had his interview with Briant to-day (after Annual Leave) and is reported to have said “He does not want an Assistant he wants a new Head of Passenger Train Section”. Well there it is for now. Hope you are both as well as the circumstances allow. Love from June, Susan, Carol and Alec

*Nice to know! After years of proof-reading and editing other people’s work I don’t take the same relaxed attitude, however, and it’s a real struggle sometimes not to correct Alec’s dodgy spelling and punctuation. Considering how strict he was over such matters when we were children, there is more than a touch of ‘do as I say, not as I do’ here … i.e. one rule for him, and one for everyone else.

**Yes, I’m sure it’s medically attested that waking up early and getting out of bed is the cause of disease. In fact if everybody stayed in bed all day we’d all be healthier. This goes along with the rubbish about never sitting on the seat in a public toilet (“you can catch nasty diseases that way”) and never allowing a dog to lick your face. If Alec and June had spent more time worrying about things that mattered and less time worrying about things that didn’t – including what the neighbours would say and whether reading ‘boys’ books’ would make one grow up ‘peculiar’ – their lives, and the lives of their children, might have been a lot happier.

Sunday 18 October 1959

On By Sue JenkinsIn 1959 lettersLeave a comment

Alec to his parents:

Dear Mum and Dad

Dads letter received on Saturday morning, for which many thanks. Obviously patient doing rather well. June and I debated whether to ring up Mum on Wednesday night after receipt of letter and decided against it in view of Mums difficulty with telephone*. We were a little disgusted when Stella rang up to say she had telephoned to find out the news. I told her the circumstances and she knows how we feel about it. However the news she gave us was very encouraging and Dads letter of 16th has done much to reassure us. I am not surprised to learn that you are weak on the pins, what does surprise me is the fact that you are allowed to use them. It certainly seems to have been a long and considerable operation but I am sure that the feeling of relief that it is over will help you to put up with the minor irritations that you may be experiencing now. Glad to hear that you have good food and plenty of it, June is quite envious as Hillingdon compares most unfavourably. By the way where is St Mary’s? Can’t say I have heard of that one before. In response to your express wish not to tell anyone (letter to Geoff) I have avoided making my enquiries through Bristol Office and have told no one this end. I thought Peter Morris might have liked to know, but have so far not said anything. It remains to be seen whether someone else can also keep quiet. Will await your further comments on this point, as said before we all have got rid of colds except the snuffles and nights are much better now but we still have Carol in with us. The next crisis will take place when we try to put her elsewhere. Carol is getting to be quite a little Madam now. She can collect the paper and letters and in fact picked up Dads letter on Saturday morn. At the moment she is shouting something to me through the French Windows. Christine and Susan are playing on the swing. The gale in the night was very severe. We had to get up at three to close window. Not a lot of damage in garden as not much left to spoil. The Chrysants, which were staked, are all right but the last remnants of the Dahlias have blown over. The grass and weeds now starting to grow again but it will be a while before some of the bare patches are grown over. I expect that you heard the wind and rain as it was supposed to be very severe in the west. At the moment the sun is shining and there is plenty of blue sky and white cloud. It is a little cooler but the air feels fresh and bracing. Susan looking forward to going to Sunday School this afternoon, has been asking all the week if it was Sunday. I hope workmen have at last finished your kitchen. Workman this end still has a number of jobs to do, put in a concrete Window Sill over cavity brick wall ( window was formerly inside pantry). Having no sand, I made a neat solution of cement and water and laid it in position. The cavity I covered with a piece of Lino cut to size. Unfortunately as the cement dried it cracked clean across in one place and although I kept patching this crack and keeping the surface dampened it would persist in appearing it the same place. The two portions have now set hard and form a reasonable window sill but the crack rather spoils it. I think that perhaps a drying draught may have come upwards through the cavity wall and dried out that particular spot before the rest. Carol now arrived on the scene and wants to do some typing. She is hanging on to my left arm so dont be surprised at results. Have rubbed down the plaster we put in last week end and filled in some obvious holes with polyfiller. This will require some more sanding then should be ready to apply primer and paint next week end . This will lave to be done before the gas stove can be moved. When that has been moved I can then start on the other corner. Did I tell you that the site on the corner of Queens Walk and Whitby Road has been acquired for St Andrews Lutheran Church**. This is to be built within the next year. Seems as though they move faster than the other people. French Marigolds still in full flower. They really are a good buy. Of course when kitchen came down that meant a lot more junk to be found room for in shed. Have got a lot of good wood out of the deal but it has meant that shed had to have another spring clean to accommodate it. The whole of the door frame and door is there intact. Are you in a Private Room or in a ward? Is there radio or T.V. available? The Hospitals are going more and more for Work Study, if you see any evidence you might let me know. One of our former staff has transferred to that side of things. Had anything on the Pools this year yet. Have you had any luck or have you not bothered either? Well that is all for now other than to hope that you are both progressing favourably. Have sent copy of his letter to both addresses. Would like to hear how Mother is getting on at Clevedon and news from that end. Love from Alec.

*Eva was very deaf and used a series of hearing aids with varying degrees of success. She was often to be seen fumbling down the front of her dress to adjust volume control, for example, and there would sometimes be unearthly squeals from the device as it picked up some extraneous signal from elsewhere – hence Alec’s remark in one letter about it potentially interfering with the TV signal. Karma got him in the end; the deafness turned out to be hereditary, but by then the design of hearing aids had developed considerably and there was less comedic potential to be had.

**St Andrews clearly still supports a thriving community.