Tag: Don

Sunday 3rd May, 1964

On By Sue JenkinsIn 1964 lettersLeave a comment

Alec to his parents:

Dear Mum and Dad

To the strains of music from radiogram in the front room, we are back again with another small budget of news. Thanks for paper and letters duly received. Also thanks for cuttings, I suppose mum now going for a job down at Hales to show them how to cook. Atkins Home Bakery with all-electric cooker etc.

Note Mr Mogg has left the furniture business for domestic and personal reasons. Make what you like about that. I cannot see anyone voluntarily leaving a good paying job for either reason unless there is a better job in line*. However we shall hear all in due course no doubt.

Weather again must be the first topic. As I write it is pouring and the skies are grey, and it looks set in for the day. Yesterday was similar and very cold. Odd that Friday seemed full of promise early on, but clouds came up in the evening. Myself and neighbours either side got mowers out on Friday evening, and remarks were passed then that it was just as well to get grass cut as it would be sure to rain next day. How right. I must admit the garden at the back is now looking quite neat and tidy, probably for the first time since we have been here. The new mower does make all the difference.

Very sorry to hear the disturbing news from Lyng. Far worse condition than I imagined. If I know the form though I doubt if he will consult a specialist or go to Bristol or elsewhere. He is very determined, and when his mind is made up it is unlikely to change it. For all that, the condition must be distressing and painful. Perhaps it is not a bad thing that he has had to quit the job, as although interesting it must have been taking something out of him. Very kind of him to let you have the game for me. I know he does not want me to mention it to Headstone Lane or even write and thank him. This rather makes the point that he would rather we did not write. However I am sure you will see him as often as you can and write so that you can let him know it is appreciated. Can only hope the arrival of the warmer weather may do something to relieve him, but as you say something fundamental must be done before next Winter. I think we understand the situation, and hope you will keep us informed of any change.

All right again with the record player as you say, and no trouble since. They have a bit of a job to get it going sometimes as they are a little impatient, but no more scares. It is still grinding out the ‘pops’.

I can well imagine the state of the countryside now is very fresh. Hope you had a pleasant trip over to Lyng. I think I know the turn off at Pawlett and that is quite some way this side of Bridgwater. Glad car went well.

Hope you have no difficulty in getting the records asked for as selection at Clevedon may not be quite the same as this end. There is a large record shop at Liverpool Street where one can go down into basement and see and hear about everything that has been recorded. Hideous noise.

Date for the visit ideal. Please come on the Thursday, and come to dinner. It does not matter what time you come as June will do a casserole or something similar which will keep ticking over until you arrive. I shall not be off that day or the Friday, but will have the Saturday, Monday and Tuesday with you, the leave for Whitsun being for all practical purposes only Whit Monday.

We all seem to be fairly well again now, but June had a wisdom tooth extracted on Thursday and is still feeling a bit sore. They are large things wisdom teeth and leave a bit of a gap when out.

Nice going with the electricity people. I should have thought that there would never be a case where salespeople were in any doubt as to whether they had made a sale or not. However we live and learn.

No news from the Western Region about Temple Meads. I should have thought they would have filled the job by now. Maybe they will readvertise if they do not get the man they want, or maybe they will be trying to get a young man into the job and have to move someone else out of the way first. Dan Mann who put in the Work Study schemes at Bristol has been selected for training for higher management, and this is the sort of job they could slip him into if the way were clear.

Note the bench for the garage now completed and installed. You will have a lot to tell us when you come up, and a lot for us to see when we get down in August. All right about the fire station. Have to paint the car red now as well. 

Lucky for Haskell. I am not all that sure of the safety belts. I suppose they are useful in certain circumstances but they would have done him no good in his case.

Re: car repairs took a car in on Thursday and it was finished same day. Had accelerator mended, front number plate put on with a couple of new brackets, new wiper switch, dash panel fitted, and new bracket arm made for dynamo and fitted. Charge for the lot £2 12s 6d [about £65 in 2024 money] so feel I have not been robbed. Also feel that with Jackson it would have been about £6 [£150] at least and had to pay for petrol for him to get to his place and back.

Had nothing from the rhubarb we brought back last year from number 17. It is looking very spindly and there are still not enough leaves on it for a meal. Found strawberries growing on our side of the fence on the lawn yesterday. It seems they were some left by the Benns but Les turfed them out as they did not produce any berries. Some must have reached under the hedge though as they are coming up in the lawn now. Shall have to pot some up and see what can do in the lean-to, or they will be mowed with the grass cuttings.

Had another load of earth last week from number 17 and patch at the bottom is rapidly filling. Also put in the cuttings from the grass box there so all adds to the amount.

So Mum’s cacti coming into flower. No sign on ours, but the rat’s tail is going pink at the ends so presume that means it is growing. All cacti looking distinctly larger, but no real sign of flower yet.

On the subject of flowers, June has an idea to put to you about camellias when you come up. In the meantime if you have any books on the subject and would like to bring them with you when you come up (to take with you when you go of course) matter can be discussed with some supporting data. So far as Radio Club is concerned, do not worry about it. I would not go if it clashed with your visit which it does not. At this time of year it is every other Friday, and as it is this Friday coming you will arrive in the intermediate week.

Thanks for the pictures you will be bringing up, I really shall have to get the place looking like a room rather than just a few boards over rafters as it is now. I have carpet and lino, but cannot lay yet until I get the rest of the flooring.

Noted the changes at Taunton. I seem to remember the name Jenkins around Bristol but cannot put a face to it. I remember old Godwin who used to be at Stapleton Road.

Things moving on the building site then. All the place will look changed next visit. Great pity you cannot use the greenhouse, but you have enough on your plate at the time. A good job done is the garage and you must be pleased that it is out of the rain. I wonder what you think of it now that it is up and finished. The ramp is only a minor detail, but as the difference in height is 6 inches it needed to be done as soon as possible.

Our hedge is showing reluctance to get growing again after its pruning a couple of weeks ago. However it should not be long now before it gets going.

Carol apparently fed up with records now come into see what is going on in here. May have something for Grandma and Grandfy to see.

Very good business the transaction of the sewing machines. As you know June did all right from hers.

Which was the Grandad Fewings who died in 1924? Surely not the father of Great Grandad Fewings who died in the 30s.

Hope the jumble sale went off well. Came home with clothes all clothes intact, and not sold in error. Lucky to get a clock with your new cooker. We only get a calendar with ours. I suppose if you turn another knob you can get the Light Programme. Have they found a new way of cleaning the things out after use yet?**

Apple just coming out in blossom, but still no sign of anything on the plum you gave us several years ago. I wonder if it will come into fruit at all. I have forgotten how long ago it was since we have had it. It must be about five years at least. I do not prune it much and in any case it is a bit sheltered by one of the large palm bushes from next door now.

Well there it is again for another week. Only one more to go provided all goes well and you will be coming up. So love to you both once more from us all, and looking forward to seeing you. 

*How about if your boss is a disgusting a-hole who wants your job for his teenage son? How about if the work has changed to the point where you actively hate getting out of bed every morning? How about your grandma died and left you a legacy, so you can finally get working on the long-term ambition of having your own business? There are a million reasons one may prefer not to be stuck in a dead-end job where one isn’t appreciated, but what they all have in common is the sense of freedom involved in being able to make one’s own choices. An employee is not a slave: they have the power to get up and go any time they like, and employers would do well to remember that.

**Technically yes, ‘they’ had. The first self-cleaning ovens were introduced in 1963.

Tuesday 28th April, 1964

On By Sue JenkinsIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

Leonard to the family:

Dear Alec June Susan and Carol

Many thanks for the usual weekly budget of news and drawings received first post this morning. Seems as if you have not had such nice weather recently as we have. Last Friday for instance it was really glorious – rain on Saturday and we wondered what it would be on the Sunday but it turned out lovely again. Good again yesterday but showers today clearing up later afternoon.

Glad to hear you had no trouble with the Battersea Power Station out of action but noted Mrs Baker was cut off altogether for a while. Looks rather fishy as you say but will the authorities ever find out the true cause? We saw in paper that West Ruislip and Northolt rail lines were affected and thought then that perhaps you escaped.

Yes we went to Lyng on Sunday and had a lovely journey both directions but I’m sorry to say we found Don in a very poor state. He has great difficulty with his breathing or rather the trouble is in not being able to expel air from lungs. The medical diagnosis is emphysema and you can look this up in dictionary or medical book*. He has had to finish with the printing job and can hardly move about without gasping. He has got thin and, in my opinion, has lost the will to fight it. Says himself that he has ‘had his chips’. Apparently there is no disease which is confirmed by two or three X-rays but doctors tell him nothing further can be done. I have suggested in the letter sent yesterday that he ask to see a specialist privately even if necessary coming to Bristol to see one who specialises in Chest complaints. Moreover if there is any possibility of relief by undergoing treatment or an operation then to go to St Mary’s where I went. I am really worried about him and wrote Geoff last night and said that he ought to go and see him as soon as possible. Joan told us she has had to bath at him and dress him and also at times wash his false teeth which just shows the state Don is in. The illness is the after-effects of the flu and it is just possible he may improve with the arrival of the warmer weather but something must be done before next Winter or he will never get through it. Incidentally he gave me a party game he bought for himself at Christmas (this has been a habit of his now for many years) but finds that it is not quite what he wanted and he said let Alec have it when you go to Ruislip but please do not say anything to 169** about it or write Don. He asked that you would not acknowledge it so I thanked him for you. It cost 37/6d [roughly £46.75 in 2024 money] he told me but would not accept any money. Have had a look at it but it takes some working out. Hope you get some enjoyment out of it.

The girls having fun with the record player then – fancy losing the ‘needle’ or what takes place of the needle. Good job they kept the piece and you were able to put it right.

Yes the car went very well on road to Lyng and I noticed that it is very quick on the acceleration. There was a diversion at Pawlett via Puriton to avoid the beginning of Bridgwater and it brought us into Bridgwater via the back road. Lovely country and everything looking fresh and green.

I see Susan and Carol have given us the title of the records they would like and we must now try and get them to bring up. Yes we are counting the days now to our visit. Shall we suggest the first day before Whitsun visit the 14th prox. to come?

No we are not going over to 169 on the Bank Holiday Alec. Geoff and Stella returned that day from Exeter but we may give them a ring that night and fix up something for the next day. No theatre this time thank you and I hope to enjoy myself for once. So far as keeping free of coughs and colds hope you all will soon get rid of yours and keep free too.

Notice you have not yet purchased tent which will be shared by both young ladies. Perhaps we shall be able to see it when we look around the shops.

In previous letter we went to Weston on the Wednesday (lovely day) and of course first point of call was the electric showrooms where the person we dealt with on previous occasion tried to make out the cooker had not been ordered. When finally we got him stone cold on it the wires were buzzing all over the place to find the kind of cooker we wanted. He could not contact anyone just then and so we told him we would come back in an hour. Lines still red hot when we got back but not much definite information could be obtained so I told him to write me that night and report fully as to what was going to be done. He said I will do better than that I will send the Sales Manager to see you first thing in the morning with all the dope – and he did. The result is the cooker was connected up this afternoon at 4:30 pm so I shall be suffering from indigestion for the next week or two***. The way the chappie wriggled at Weston was amusing but he knew he was not going to get away with it.

noted still no news of Temple meats. Dom tells me a relief man is still covering dust and. I like your idea of amalgamating the delivery announcements jobs – what about floating a firm for the work? so the Russians and poles etc are plentiful in the short wave radio work then.

Yes it was the old sewing machine you knew here that fetched £5 when we exchanged it for the electric one. Not bad seeing it was made in 1897. Your mower must have been worth £1 to someone for it to be sold so quickly. Our grass here was so long that I got out the push mower for it on Saturday but yesterday whilst still waiting for some timber to come from Staddens (for bench in new garage) I used shears for the long grass under the trees. Too much rain today or would have had the motor mower out. Instead I finished off the bench in garage and have made quite a good job of it considering all things. It is firmly wedged in now and no nails used to fasten any part of it to the garage itself. Have also started making the ramp approaching the garage doors – have to rise about six inches to the actual entrance. The painting is finished and two or three people have asked me if it is a fire station because of the red paint. Never mind I have used up some paint which almost had whiskers on it.

Yes Cummings and family had a narrow squeak and now here is another one. Haskell of the old West End Post Office was driving in Bristol the other day and did not use the safety belts provided in car and very fortunate this omission turned out. He saw a timber plank flying through the air and coming straight for his windscreen which it smashed and passed through and went out of the window in the door on driver’s side. He ducked and the plank missed him but had he been wearing the belt he could not have got down out of the way. The plank fell off a lorry and a court action is pending for an insecure load.

I am enclosing a cutting taken from Evening Post of yesterday where in you will see the official reason for Ray Mogg leaving the Yatton Furniture Co. We have heard no further information on the subject.

Glad to hear you have done elsewhere for car repairs etc. Also noted position regarding fitters in the car trade.

So Peter is away again with the Territorials – quite a nice experience and a chance to see various parts of the country.

Have not started on greenhouse yet as this may have to wait until we return from Ruislip. Plenty of minor jobs to be cleared up in the meantime and a bit of gardening to be done. Not to mention the lawn again.

No sign of Cornish since I last wrote and I do not know the reason for the balloons which by the way are very much deflated now.

Yes I really thought you would not get BBC2 on your set. Some of the programs on the TV generally are poor stuff and we often switch off altogether.

Sorry the girls kept you waiting after the dancing classes but I expect Daddy will fetch them next time just the same. How are they getting on with it?

Fancy new potatoes – you have had them before us this time. Saw them in the shops when we went to Weston and I know Elford has them for sale but we have kept to the old ones to date. The rhubarb we brought back from 169 in October last is cropping well and we have enjoyed it. Broccoli also turning in and if any available when we take the road on the 14th prox. I will put them aboard.

Mum has been helping the afternoon in transferring a few things from the old to the new garage. A bit more room now that I have not to keep the tools on the floor but I but believe me I shall not have enough room to store all that is to be put back in the place. Shall have to make more use of the old shed (near back door) for articles which will not be affected by wet washing hung up. Can put tins of paint and suchlike in there alright. Have already got the chest of drawers in and the next move is to try and fix some shelves without nails. Mum’s cacti here are doing very well and several showing signs of flowering.

Incidentally I notice that Fridays are your Radio Club nights so please do not cancel the meeting for the 15th May just because we are at Ruislip. We shall be bringing up a few pictures – mentioned when you were here in March – for display in the radio room at 84.

Still no news of the Richings – wondering what is the matter with them. Expect they go often to Reading these days when he can get away.

Don told me the Taunton Station Master is now working as a clerk in Taunton Goods having had a breakdown in health. A man named Jenkins now Station Master and I’m wandering if this is the chap who was at Westbury formerly at Stapleton Road.

The builder on the church hillside is still using the drill to get down low enough for the foundations and it is noticed that some equipment has arrived on Mrs Marshall’s ground for the Robinson firm.

Heels were away over the weekend – to the Midlands somewhere – and they had some really good weather. They are also going off at Whitsun so the Avenue will be somewhat deserted that weekend. No need to get anyone to come over and look after the greenhouse stuff this time. It is a pity it is not in use but there is no help for this year.

Well I think this is the lot once more so will close with all our love to you both and lots of kisses for the girls.  Mum and Dad

*N.B. Don did not smoke, but his father was always ‘bronchial’ and there is no doubt some genetic component to lung insufficiency as it has been an ongoing affliction throughout the family. Note all the references to catarrh etc. elsewhere in these letters.

**Headstone Lane, i.e. Geoff and Stella.

***There is of course no possibility of a woman, any woman, ever cooking well enough for any man.

Sunday 26th April, 1964

On By Sue JenkinsIn 1964 lettersLeave a comment

Alec to his parents:

Dear Mum and Dad

Once more many thanks for the weekly budget. Also paper duly received, and arrangements for new building in the West End noted. Some fire etc. at Battersea Power Station. We had no trouble here but had a ring from Grandma at number 17 to say her lights T.V. etc. had all failed, and were we all right. As she was alone in the house at the time it was not very funny. I understand that part of the Central Line (underground) between Northolt and West Ruislip was without power for a short while. Sounds very fishy to me as regards the timing, and the extent to which the emergency power arrangements were also put out of action at the same time at Iver.*

Glad you have better news from Don. He seems to have had quite a spell. He probably feels very weak, the aftermath of flu as you say. You are on your way down there now I should imagine, as according to your letter you are due to go there today. First long run in the car I suppose.

Radiogram going full-tilt again this morning and we have had a session or two in the week. They like it alright. We had to go and cash a record token that was given to Carol by Doug and Ethel yesterday so she bought a – you guessed it – a Beatle record.

Had a bit of a scare in the week. I would not at first allow them to touch the thing unless June or I were in the room, but Susan proved so competent at that rule was soon waived. Carol also seemed to learn fast so we left them to it. However on Friday I got home and they were able to tell me the thing had been broken and would not play. They had managed to retain a piece of brass no bigger than the fingernail that had fallen out or been knocked out but I could not find out how to put it back. Luckily it was Radio Club night and I put it to the experts. They said it was the stylus (modern version of gramophone needle) that wanted to be put back and showed me how to do it. Next morning we were able to put it right very easily, so scare over. The old records are very scratchy and the radiogram seems to accentuate the scratches. In addition the records are now made of different material which bends but does not seem to break. Just as well did you say? Noise is not too bad. It can be controlled to quite a low level. Even at full blast it is not the sound one expects from the full-size radiogram. Just enough in fact.

We have not got the tent for Carol. The idea is that they have one between them and they have already seen the one they want.

We have had a good bit of rain in the week and wet has again crept into the lean-to, but as temperature keeps high it fairly soon dries out after rain stops. I have been watering quite a lot and the cacti especially are really moving now. It is quite warm in there, and good place for a deckchair if only there was room.

You are having a lot of trouble with the cooker. Fancy them saying that you had not really ordered it. What a way to carry on a business. What does one have to do to order the thing.

Still no news about Temple Meads. All right about the ill wind etc. in regard to Bowyers. The whole country could do with an overhaul and really get organised on economy lines, if only one organisation were acting as agency for travel whether by person or baggage. All these facilities could be done by the Post Office who could sell tickets, stamps, (rail and post) half of the agencies making a fat living on percentage would then be unnecessary and so would booking offices etc. Similarly there should be an organised roundsman service for delivery of things such as bread, papers, post, possibly milk and groceries. Anyone coming up with that idea and having a bit of capital would provide a necessary service.

Re: Russian radio, there are literally thousands of them also in Poland, Hungary etc. They are a bit of a nuisance as they lie like a screen across Eastern Europe and it is difficult to hear or work stations beyond like Japan etc.

Re: new mower, it had to go into action again this weekend as the grass has grown tremendously after all the rain we had. It was even quite hard to push. Comparatively speaking though it is a king compared to the old one. June told the man in the shop that I was a bit concerned that he may have got the wrong impression of the value of our old mower from conversation in the shop. However he said to her that if he offered £1 for it he knew what he was doing or words to that effect. In any case it was put on show the same afternoon in front of the shop with £1 label on it and sold that day. Must be mugs about.**

Did not hear the tale of Mum’s sewing machine. I knew she had a new one and it was mentioned when I came down, but did not realise a part exchange was involved. Remember the original one we had, but I wonder if that is the one you part exchanged or if Mum had had one since the old one I knew. Anyway we are most more than satisfied with the [lawnmower] deal.

Hope the hedge soon fills out as it looks a bit of a wreck at the moment with bare branches sticking out. Top is fairly level now thank goodness.

I bet the builder wishes he had never seen the plot. Hope for his sake he did not make a miscalculation of his costs. Should have thought someone would have mentioned the fact of the rock. It stands to reason that that seam of rock runs all the way around the hill.

Sounds as if your friends the Cummings have had a very [late?] escape. Would not have liked to have been them. On the subject of car still no sign of Jackson and I managed to fix up for garage to take car in on Thursday next for all sorts of bits and pieces. I shall not go to Jackson again. There is more time wasted waiting for him and wondering if he will come or whether to go over and see him, that it is just not worth it. I must admit though he did a good job on my brakes, and also with Peter’s, but presumably other people can do as well if you find the right ones. The foreman at the Ruislip Garage tells me that after this week he will be unable to take on any major repair work as his last fitter leaves this week and he has been unable to get a replacement. I think we know the story here that wages are not enough for the job. Mr Bushell found that out.

Peter off to Hinkley Common near Leicester this weekend with the Territorials. They go off every second weekend. Different place each time. He has had quite some hair cut too. If he had any more off he would look like in monk.

Your best bet will be to use wedges to put your bench in. Make it just a loose fit as a free standing bench and put it in position and wedge in tight. I do not think you need to worry too much about fitting nails etc. Should imagine the painting is a tedious job especially around the windows. Shall look forward to seeing the finished job. Note the greenhouse is the next on the list to move.

What is the idea of the toy balloons on Cornish’s post? Shall have to rename him Gagarin.

So you will be going over to see Geoff and Stella on the Monday. Hope you are not involved within a theatre trip as that seems to have been the cause of the last lot of bother you had when you came up. Bit of a long time to wait for your Christmas drink.

We cannot get BBC2 as our set is too old. Most of the sets sold in the last couple of years have had built-in equipment which allows them to be adapted for BBC2 but before that time the equipment was not put in, and it is not economic to do it in old sets.

Susan and Carol still go to their dancing classes on Saturday mornings. They were allowed to stay on their own this week and I went to fetch them at 12:45, the finishing time. However they messed about and I did not get away until 1:15 p.m.. I had to go in and fetch them out***. Have told them that is the last time I shall fetch them, and they can go on their own if they go again.

We have had some new potatoes. June got some a couple of weeks ago and they were very nice. I suppose you are referring to old potatoes when you say a lot of those you get are bad.

Funny about no news from Tiverton. Perhaps they will wake up and ask you to call when you have already made plans for something else.

Sun now shining here for the first real time this week. It was dull yesterday but quite warm at times. It went off a bit cold. It started dull here today but looked as if it would improve.

Well there it is again for another week. not much news from this end. The girls (all three) have had bad colds but luckily so far I have dodged this one. I think they are all on the mend now though.

Getting near now to the time of the visit, and the girls already marking the days. So there it is, with love from us all here we will close.

*”When you hear hoofbeats, think horses – not zebras.”

**Because nobody could possibly know better than Alec on any subject, of course.

***And how were we supposed to know he was waiting outside, when we were expecting him to come in?

Tuesday 21st April, 1964

On By Sue JenkinsIn 1964 lettersLeave a comment

Leonard to the family:

Dear Alec June Susan and Carol

Many thanks for all your letters received first post this morning somewhat to my surprise as imagined delay would result in the postal sorting offices consequent on the Battersea power fire last night. Very glad to hear Alec all right again and that the upset was not serious. A letter from Don yesterday says he is still very weak and breathing difficult when he tries to move about. Apparently breathing satisfactory as long as he is sat down. These are more or less the same symptoms as I experienced earlier this year following attack of flu so I think in due course he should pick up again. Mum and I are going down next Sunday the 26th and we shall then get a better idea of his condition.

Well we were glad to hear Carol had a good birthday and that both Susan and Carol like the record player and have a good number of records to go on with. Yes I expect your old record sounded a bit ancient mixed up with the present rock and roll sort etc. Both girls are going to get many hours of enjoyment out of the playing of the records but I wonder if you both will be able to stand the continuous noise. What about the neighbours, especially those in the end house which is semi-detached with yours? Do we understand you have already got the tent for Carol or is that to come. Query is only one tent intended for the two of them or are they to have one each?

So you are still troubled with the wet in lean-to are induced this can be remedied. Noted temperature well up these days and plants etc are all growing satisfactorily. I actually put in one row of potatoes last week a few Mr Heel gave me after he had finished planting. I have not bought anything at all this season so far and am fully occupied otherwise as you know.

We will keep the piece of needlework Susan sent us last week with the other items we have unless she particularly wants it back. it is a very good piece of work as I expect June will agree. Noted no further developments re: serving hatch. Does not sound like a do-it-yourself job.

The cooker is conspicuous by its absence but we are going into Weston tomorrow (Wednesday) weather permitting and the S.W.E.B. will get a visit and a rocket.

Very interesting to hear of your efforts to trace trouble with your broadcasting and it looks as if you can carry on with just a little regard as to which of the bands you operate on at any one time. Fancy John Saunders also interested in the subject – expect he was surprised to hear from you. He obviously got his license after I retired – there was never any mention of it whilst I was in contact with him. Noted no news yet of new S/M for Temple Meads but can appreciate it may be a rank outsider.

Clevedon Station became a halt as from yesterday and I understand all the windows have been boarded up. The S/M is still there for a fortnight watching points to report success or otherwise to Bristol. He has been offered about six different posts but has not made up his mind which to take. He is 60 this month and this may have a bearing on the matter. Expect you saw in Mercury the other week that Bowyer’s the travel agency in Clevedon are trying to open a bureau near the station for the benefit of rail travellers. It’s an ill wind etc. etc.

Bad luck your radio set deciding to fail when you had visitors – did you find fault whilst they were with you? What did the chap in Russia have to say? Rather strange the Russian people allowing private individuals to have their own receiving and broadcasting stations.

Yes I think a personal explanation of the Watford course ‘Critical Path Analysis’ would be a lot better than trying to get it down in a letter. Must remember this item when I see you.

Very pleased you have got hold of a new mower – just the job for your pieces of lawn. Not bad either getting £1 for the old one which cost nothing to you. Like mum getting £5 on her old sewing machine which dated back to the last century. Have thought once or twice about getting another (new) motor mower. The one we use is quite good but like your machine has just about had its day. Bushell fortunately keeps it in order and I am only too glad for him to use it on his own lawn. I believe Geoff has a Qualcast Commodore motor mower*.

You have been busy then in gardening trimming hedges etc. The place will look quite smart by Whitsun. The contrary will be the case at Clevedon when you see it in August. The greenhouse will be the next big job to be tackled but I have enough to get on without the moment.

Yes plenty of rock where the new houses are going near the church and the builder is understood to have said he wished he had never set eyes on the site. Costing a lot to get the rock out. The men have been working overtime on Saturdays to try and keep up with their timetable. Anyhow he is asking enough for the houses so I suppose it will be worth his while to go on with them.

We understand Hawkins had a stroke on the Monday evening for which he did not recover. Cremation was at Canford, Bristol so we saw nothing of the funeral.

Mr and Mrs Cummings (who used to live next door) had a narrow escape last week when returning from Bristol via Failand late at night. They had been to theatre I think with Wendy and Mrs Gardner and near the turning for Wraxall a car coming towards them pulled out to pass some cyclists and misjudged the distance. Cummings had to swerve but the other car just caught him and buckled up a wheel. Something also became detached and flew among the cyclists throwing two off their machines but with only minor injuries. Cummings’ car now in dock. All escaped with a shaking but from what I hear if he had not swerved he reckons they would all have been very seriously hurt if not killed.

Well now let’s continue with last week’s serial. After two very fine days (Monday and Tuesday) when we got garage up and car undercover the rain came on the Wednesday at which time all the necessary work could be performed in garage and with car in it as well. Stan James finished up on Friday but left me with the inside and outside painting and the fixing of the window catches etc. Managed to paint over inside or outside according to the weather and as the wood was very dry I have put two undercoats on and now have to go over everything with the gloss coat. The painting of the windows was rather tedious as Stan put in the glass before he finished.

Am left with the problem of putting up a bench. Nails cannot be used and I tried drilling with a Mason’s drill assisted with a Rawlplug tool and hammer but a crack or two appeared in the post so had to give that idea up. Looks as if I shall have to wedge a bench in somehow without actually fastening it. I have to make up the entrance to garage as floor level is about six inches higher than the asphalt path. The highest part of the short drive was taken for a level for floor so I have to make up to that highest level with rough core and gravel – but all in good time. The first and most important jobs are the painting and window catches plus bench.

Roy Hewitt on one day in the week to see how we were getting on and Bill Aston looked over yesterday when he could not get on his own garden because of the rain. Cornish is still keeping out of sight but he still has a couple of toy balloons flying from a post in his garden. May be going up in orbit any minute.

You will see in this week’s Mercury the plans have been passed for 132 houses on 13 acres [5.26 ha] of ground in the West End. This is the 9½ acres of Mrs Marshall’s and the 3½ of the four houses in this Avenue. Looks as if an early start will be made.

Had a letter from Geoff over the weekend and he says that he and Stella are going to Exeter for Whitsun but will be back again on the Monday evening. They want us to get in touch with them then to arrange for a quick visit across there before we return to Clevedon. As you know they are holding a few bottles of wine for us which we ordered last Christmas and we must collect these. Apparently Rebecca and Sara are going off separately – latter to Hull I think but have forgotten where Rebecca is going – possibly with her friend as she has to work on the Saturday.

Mum has been working in garden quite a lot looking after the flower borders etc. We have had a good show of daffodils and polyanthus and a few of the other spring flowers.

How about BBC2? Can you get it or have you to have set adjusted. A proper wash out last night with the fire at the Power Station. A day the BBC will never forget.

What is the latest with Susan and Carol and the dancing classes – still improving we hope. Pity the new carpet now the record player is in use.

No news from Tiverton** this spring. For a couple of years they asked us to go down to Tiverton and then on to the bungalow at Exmouth for the opening of the season. Also at the end of the season. Quite a good speculation if you can rely on someone on the spot to keep an eye on the bungalow for you.

Bushell has been over today for some Japanese honeysuckle rooted cuttings for hedge-making between himself and the house beyond. Had plenty down in the field where I had started putting a hedge around a ‘nursery bed’. Gave me some sweet pea plants about two inches high ready to go in ground.

Mum is buying potatoes for eating now and most of them are very poor – quite a lot have to be thrown away. Shall have to buy more at digging time this year as apart from the odd row mentioned above shall not be growing any. There is a farmer at Clapton in Gordano who brings them round on order and they are very good and clean.

No more this time so will close with all our love to you both and lots of kisses for the girls. Mum and Dad. 

*To be fair, Geoff’s house in Pinner had a much larger area of garden than ours in Ruislip, although Leonard in Clevedon had – until the sale, at least – far more than the other two combined.

**This would be from Eva’s brother, Joe – who was also a good friend of Leonard’s as far back as the First World War – and his wife Lydia.

Tuesday 23rd July, 1963

On By Sue JenkinsIn 1963 lettersLeave a comment

Leonard to the family:

Dear Alec June Susan and Carol,

The postman duly brought the weekly budget from you all for which many thanks, and we are very glad to hear that both Susan and Carol are all right again and hope they will keep going now for the rest of the summer. So Susan has now qualified to be a ‘Brownie’ and we think she must be very thrilled. No doubt she will tell us all about it went down here next month. In the meantime you will probably hear snatches of conversations with Carol telling her the details of their evenings out. It will surely get Carol interested in the movement.

Your remarks noted re: typewriter ribbon – probably correct – but I have never come across a ribbon quite as heavy with ink as the one you are using appears to be.

The weather over the weekend was great and again yesterday and to a lesser degree today the real summery weather has continued. It was much too hot both yesterday and today in the afternoons to do very much work outdoors but this morning I did manage to mow all lawns again and my word they wanted to doing. It is only about a week since I last went over them but the grass was certainly long today and in spite of the heat was a little moist.

Glad to hear your neighbour going on all right but he must have had a rough time in the operating theatre. Please give him our kind regards when next you see him and wish him a speedy recovery to normal health. One thing about it when he does get going again he will feel remarkably well and fit.

Glad to hear that Carol seems to be overcoming her car sickness – she should of course grow out of it as Susan did but it must be a bit disturbing to you all when you have this trouble en route anywhere by car. Obviously she did not like being left in the corridor when you visited the school. It would have been alright if Susan had been with her but she had more important things to do that night. We are looking forward to them coming down with you both in just over three weeks from now. I suppose we must now hope that this good weather will not be all used up by then. Certainly those people now away are having some of the best of it.

Very pleased to hear of the agapanthus in flower but we did not have any flowers halfway up the stem, only at the top.

Sorry I mentioned Cook’s work – it seems to have been in the abstract. No doubt things will sort themselves out in due course.

Your gardening report noted and we do hope you will be able to have a feed of broad beans of your own picking. Your colleague Unwin evidently grows his own vegetables – where does he live? Have an idea you told me once but I have forgotten. Very kind of him to bring in a little surplus.

Yes I am glad I was able to get some blackcurrant wine going for there will be no cherry wine this season by the look of it. The birds have stripped all three trees and every time I go down the garden I throw a lump of earth into the first of the trees and about forty birds rise at once only to wait for me to leave the vicinity to return to their activities. There is a possibility I may be able to make some loganberry wine. Mum says the bush is absolutely crowded with them and she is having some for bottling and for stewing (they are lovely stewed with sugar and cream) and I shall probably get enough for at least a gallon of liquid. Have never heard of elderberry pie and do not think I should like to tackle it as it must be very bitter. This is a bit early for the berries yet but may have some for a brew later.

Noted you will not be bringing down any wine. We can have some of the stuff I have been hoarding. I still have that elderflower wine made several years ago – perhaps we could try it again? Yes you must bring camera with you for some snapshots. Could wish we had a coloured film at this moment for our carnations in the oblong on the lawn are just one mass of colour. Mum counted, I think, twelve different colours and they are all out in full flower. Really a picture.

Noted you have a party on Saturday for the girls. Hope they have a good time and that the weather is kind. Makes all the difference if they can play outdoors.

I think you can delete any idea of having a Bakewell tart whilst you are down. Mum made two or three experimentally for the T.G. but did not enter for the competition. Apparently there were only six entries so Mrs Hewitt did not have a very big job.

Our soft fruit is nearing the end of the season and I think Mum is ready to sing the doxology. Next will be the plums but these as with apples are bigger to handle and a less number are required to weigh 1lb. The first of the tomatoes is turning colour so this means that the others are not far behind. It was the 13th July when I first picked last year so you can see we are behind this time.

We went down to Lyng last Thursday and it was a very good day – lovely and sunny. Left here 12:45 p.m. and arrived home 6.45 p.m. Don had finished up that day at Durston by taking his half day. He started with the new firm of printers the following morning and we had his first report yesterday morning. I give below an extract from his letter so you can see what he is doing in his own language: –

About 60 people in the Works and another 20 in the office. I am not on proof-reading except for very small stuff but I’m part of the production team to keep the machines going. My part roughly is as follows: – a firm sends say an order for 50,000 labels the same as last time with alterations enclosed. I have to run the previous order to earth, stick an old label on a piece of paper, make the necessary corrections and then start making out a sort of questionnaire which covers the whole progress of the order through the Works, the final entry being how much the firm has to pay. Before this form comes to me someone has registered it and attached a card estimating the hours that works staff will take and what machine is to be used for the printing and also decide how many runs for the machine e.g. for 50,000 labels the setup might be for four labels so that the machine only runs 12,000 times. Everything goes on this form – I have to show the sort of paper to be used, how many inks and the colours and how the printed labels shall be bundled up for dispatch!

Don says all the staff are most helpful stop they have thousands of orders and their filing system is marvellous. Incidentally they are looking forward to our visiting them some time when you are here and unless you have any other idea I suggest we go down on the Wednesday afternoon and leave after Don gets home at about 5:30 p.m.. He leaves work at 5 pm and takes about 15 minutes to reach Lyng.

I’m afraid there is very little to report from the home front again this week. I did notice the runner beans are forming and one is at least 10 inches long and several 6 and under. Shall soon be able to pick. The broad beans are nearly over but we have had a good crop.

I emptied the pond as just mentioned last week and then partly refilled with the hose. After a couple of days I filled up to the level it normally stood when it last was last in use with fish etc. and so far is his holding and we are keeping our fingers crossed. The birds are dusting themselves in the flower border next the water and scattering the earth into the water which is not good. Have had to use some of the wire pea guards to protect the earth but even so they seem to find their way in. It is really my fault. I wanted to have some good soil in there so put it through a sieve. It would have been better if I had left the soil lumpy. The next problem is how to arrange the surround to the best advantage but shall leave that until after you have been down when perhaps you can make a few suggestions to go with the others.

I don’t know about water lilies but yesterday I wrote to the editor of the ‘Field’ for certain information particularly for information about any publications there may be regarding the stocking of ornamental ponds with fish, and plants also water snails etc.

Referring to Don’s new job again he says it is pretty certain he will get a rise after he has been there for a few weeks. Incidentally the reply from Exeter to his retirement notice was received by him in an unsealed envelope so you can guess he gave them a good ticking off to finish up with.

Now let’s get on to June’s letter. Sorry Peter has no spare days owing to him so that he could have brought Mrs Baker down and stopped a couple of days himself. I’m afraid it was our suggestion re: the Bank Holiday weekend*, this being the only available time before you come down on the 15th August but we do agree it is the worst time for road to travelling. Anyhow it will be much better later on in September and we shall be very pleased to meet Mrs Baker at Weston if she decides to travel that way.

What is this mention of Holland? Something up Alec’s sleeve for later dissemination? Wrong time of year for the bulbs.

Sorry to hear Mrs Baker still busy clearing up behind decorators – what a job. Presumably the girls will still be on holiday until the middle of September so that you can go over and stay at Ealing? Any news of your lean-to yet? And how will they deliver? Query by road**. As you did not mention it assume you have not done anymore to the base for lean-to. Good job to get Mr Gray onto when he comes out of hospital.

No more now. All our love to you both and lots of kisses for the Girls.  Mum and Dad.

*At the time, the first Monday in August would have been the Bank Holiday – in this case, it would have been Monday 5th. The move to change it to the last Monday in August did not occur until a couple of years later, and in some places there were actually two Bank Holidays in August for a while. The move was probably intended to spread the days out a bit more, as otherwise there was a long winter gap from early August to late May/early June (Whitsun) with no Bank Holidays. Making May Day a public holiday and moving the August Bank Holiday to the end of the month did reduce the gap a bit, but probably not enough! N.B. there is a lot of confusion between ‘Bank Holidays’ and ‘Public Holidays’ which are more or less the same thing, but not identical. Christmas – which is of course always on the same date – and Easter, which moves about – are not technically Bank Holidays although there may be Bank Holidays attached to them. Confused? You will be!

**It’s difficult to imagine what alternative Leonard had in mind, maybe a helicopter?  But it’s possible he thought the thing would arrive by rail and have to be collected from the nearest depot, which even in 1963 was beginning to be a very outdated procedure.

Wednesday 12th July, 1961

On By Sue JenkinsIn 1961 lettersLeave a comment

Leonard to the family:

Dear Alec June Susan & Carol

Another week gone – how they slip by. Thank you once more for your newsy letter duly received. Sorry to hear June and the children have been under the weather but hope all right again now. The continuous dry atmosphere must be blamed for a lot of nose and throat troubles at the moment – a great pity that fine weather does any harm. Thought we were in for a downpour yesterday afternoon. The sky was covered with dark and angry looking rain clouds but we had less than five minutes and the paths were not even damped so it was back to the hosepipe again. Note you have not looked at Rebecca’s puzzle yet should very much like to know the proper way of working that one out but it shows the kind of problem set for the children nowadays or did you have anything similar? Nothing wrong with Susan’s ‘thinking box’ in suggesting it was a snake in the pea. I think she worked that one out very well not actually knowing the name of the pest. We both had a little chuckle over it though.

Surprised you did not visit cafe on the beach while you were here but on reflection you did not have many opportunities of getting that far. Bad luck with your fence posts but presumably they will be alright for the job required. Creosote is good stuff for woodwork but oh what a mess one can get into using it and it takes a long time to get off hands, arms and even faces but I don’t think it comes out of clothes. Some of my old gardening shirts and trousers have carried the stain until the articles have finally been discarded.

Yes it is a bit disconcerting to find the pond still has a fairly large leak but yesterday when in the ‘Do-It-Yourself’ shop in Alexandra Road I bought a tin of bitumastic paint and in the near future will try and fill up all known cracks across pond with it. Incidentally I had to go into that shop to get a piece of glass for the end frame 14½ by 41¼ in the original having been accidentally broken last Sunday. I don’t know how livestock getting on in deep portion have only seen the one eel but it was lively enough.

Oh yes Don does drink other than cider but not a lot – usually a glass of Burgundy which he often has, I understand, before dinner says it keeps him going. These last few weeks with weather so sultry I’ve enjoyed a drink of cider about midday and again for supper.

So Beeching is on the warpath than regarding stations – he should see what kind of staff is available to keep them clean. The new rates of pay do not appear to have lured many of the better type of individual to the railway service and I believe some places are still seriously short of men*. Note you have applied for another post – the best of luck. Can you give more details? It will in any case let McDonald know you are not on your present job indefinitely. Expect by this time he has mentioned it to you.

I saw Payne (Binding and Payne) on Monday when calling for petrol and he asked how you were getting on with your car. Said he saw it in Old Church Road a few weeks ago and guessed you were down on holiday. He has changed his car now (one identical to mine) for a second hand model of the later type. He said he was quite happy about having a second hand car. it certainly looks a nice job as he had it with him whilst we were talking so examined it thoroughly. I told him you had covered many hundreds of miles when on holiday and had had no difficulty with the car.

Bill Aston gone to Bristol today for results of X-Ray and I may know results before posting this letter. (Nothing serious will tell you next letter.)

I put blackcurrant and rhubarb wine brew under fermentation lock on Monday but it is only just working. it is however clearing rapidly so maybe worked out. Note you may try some greengage. Not surprised you don’t care for the elderflower – neither do I. A great pity really but trouble no doubt due to too much flower when brewing. Your garden like mine very dry and as hard as concrete. Shall be picking first runner beans this weekend after which they will be plentiful.

Mr and Mrs Baker then up to their eyes in redecorating work hope they are both keeping well this hot weekend – not much shade for them to take advantage of at 155.

Had a letter from Arthur in America this week and we learn from him that Tom Chilton, (Lily’s husband – Dawlish) died a few weeks ago. Lily you remember came to Heavitree Church to funeral service for Grandma. It is obvious Uncle Joe had not heard as we had a letter from him last week but no mention of Dawlish. We do not know at the moment what to suggest about August. Arthur is coming over by Jet Plane early in August and we have not heard how he is spending his time or for how long he will be in the country. As mum has already mentioned Uncle Joe and Aunt Lydia will be here on Thursday 10th August for the weekend. Arthur has been invited to call on us and spend a few days but we are waiting to hear when that will be.  Must keep in touch with you about this but I’m sure in any case you would not want to travel at the peak holiday period so towards the end of the month may be best.

The Spencers moved out last Saturday and the Rees Barretts in on Monday. No local news again unless mum can give you some. Has Susan returned to school?

No more now. All our love to you both and lots of kisses for two little pea shellers.

Mum and Dad.

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

Dear Alec June Susan and Carol,

Many thanks for letter what a change to the weather. I have a sniffy cold now and do nothing but sneeze. I think it must be hay fever. The wind has been terrific and blown down lots of stuff.  We have today been staking the gladioli etc. The roses snapped through the wind and no sap in the stems. We are still picking raspberries, come to hate the sight of them.

We hope the weather will clear for you later on when you come again.  I wish we knew the various dates Arthur and you were coming don’t want it to clash. He leaves on 6th or 7th August and only takes 10 hours and he said he would be going to Taunton first but now Uncle Tom has died and he has been been invited to Dawlish he may change his plans, at present he is in Canada for 3 weeks then going back to California for one week before coming here.

Some more furniture gone in the newlyweds’ so I reckon they have completed their house now. Gibsons have not moved in yet their paint is a black and white affair far more professional looking than the others who have done theirs. 

Well I think this has to be the lot just now so will close with love from

Mum and Dad

Staceys stayed at Butlins hotel in Hove £13.10 each and at a Brighton hotel B&B 37/6d each and they couldn’t sleep for noise. 

*You would think this might have been taken as an indication that the jobs could be opened up to women, but nobody seems to have thought of that.

Sunday 26th March, 1961

On By Sue JenkinsIn 1961 lettersLeave a comment

Alec to his parents:

Dear Mum and Dad

Thanks again for your latest letter. By the time you get this you will have one day to go before departure. Glad you had plenty of letters and cards for your Birthday, and could celebrate with Aston.

I agree that the weather has been far too cold to have for Easter, but it has Improved-a little over this week-end. Had the first experience of the clock going on this morning but unlike the popular programme, the clock did not beat us this time.

Sorry to hear that Don and Joan have not been too good. Not surprising that Don feels the effect of the colder weather, but they must both find it trying being both out of sorts. Note Don was well enough to go for sustinance [sic] in the afternoon so recovery cannot be long delayed.

I remember now that you visited Torquay soon after you bought the car just at the time of the first floods Also I recall how you found water lying inside.

I was not aware that Mr Hessel had married again but expect you told me and I have forgotten. Did not know that he was living opposite the station, had not seen him for many years.

Note you have some cuttings for us, we can do with some alternative colours to those we have already.

Should have thought that Don could have arranged a run-round in his place so that he could run head-on out of the gate instead of backing out every time. A periscope suitably sited would assist I should think.

Don’t know whether there is a drawing from Susan this week or no, but have seen one or two good ones on white cardboard floating around.

Don’t go scorching along to get here by l.30pm on Wednesday, but grub will await you on arrival. By the way should you find it necessary to phone, don’t forget the number is now Viking 2808.

Should imagine that following the visit to Caperns you can now claim to have heard the first Cuckoo.

Have no blossom on my plum yet but as it is a very young tree do not expect we shall see any for a-year or two.

See you have got some of the spuds in and have had a frost or two. We have been having regular white frosts mornings but I have nothing to damage except the Dahlia tubers in the shed and the indoor chrysants.

Note the fermentation lock will secure your latest brew when you are here. I put a whole oz. packet of dried yeast in the last brew, and it went into an immediate furious ferment to such purpose that at the end of one fortnight I looked at it and found that fermentation was complete. This rather put me out as I wanted to put under fermentation lock and add nutrient. I strained off the must, added a spoonful or two of sugar and put in a few drops of specially prepared wine yeast. As this will stand a higher proportion of alchohol [sic] than ordinary yeast, this started things going again. That seems to be a good way of speeding up the process.

Saw old Beeching on T.V. and thought how old and florid he looked for a mere 47 years. Hope he can mow his lawn too but no doubt there will be a queue form to help him with it now.

Sounds as though you will be getting a good crop of sunflowers this year. Bad luck about the geraniums but they are surprisingly hardy and you may save them yet.

Well will not give all the news now, will save some for Wednesday. Love from us all until then.

Wednesday 22nd March, 1961

On By Sue JenkinsIn 1961 lettersLeave a comment

Leonard to the family:

Dear Alec June Susan & Carol

Many thanks for letter and card received on Tuesday together with greetings and best wishes for the 21st. Also noted ‘something’ waiting at Ruislip for which, in anticipation, thank you very much. Had a letter from Geoff and card from Rebecca & Sara also card from Don. Am glad it is not Easter this week as it has been so cold – feel it all the more after the nice spell of warm weather. Let’s hope it will improve a little bit next week – not forgetting the clock goes on an hour on Sunday.

It was dry but rather cold for our trip to Lyng last Sunday. Don & Joan made us very welcome of course but it was obvious both were not 100%. Joan was recovering from a dose of the flu and the colder weather was affecting Don with his breathing. Anyhow Don & I went in car during afternoon out to the cider maker and returned with several bottles some of which we brought back to Clevedon including two or three to come to Ruislip. Joan also gave Mum a dozen new-laid eggs for the children – shall soon want a trailer. Incidentally it was not first long trip in the car – we went to Exmouth through the floods in it last October if you remember – the weekend before you came over for the Austin A40. Still it was nice to get out and have a good run on Sunday even if it was a bit cold.

Now you have said where Richings Park is can recollect you have told me before but when I mentioned it last letter had completely forgotten.

There was no mention of Mr Hessel’s funeral in Mercury and not even an announcement and Mum recalls now that it was the same when Mrs Hessel died several years ago. Expect you knew he married again and was living in Kenn Rd. opposite the station in the house formerly occupied by Cuff.

Have taken two cuttings each of three rose bushes growing in plot between house and golden privet hedge and specially marked those we think are from the bush you have in mind.

We saw the Lambretta at Don’s, he uses it for getting to & fro [sic] Durston. Can understand it in one sense for it is a most difficult job to get out of his yard – somebody must stand in road every time because of the heavy occupation of same and of course because one has to back out blindly.

Sorry to hear you have all been a little out of sorts recently – query due to the sudden changes in temperature. Hope all back to normal by now. Yes Mum is keeping the drawings the girls send along and as we have said before some are really good. This week’s effort very good indeed. It won’t be long now before we see you all again. We shall do our best to come before 1.0 p.m. but don’t wait any longer than 1.15 p.m. should we not be along by then. If any big delay likely will get on to telephone. Note you will be having some leave as from Wednesday evening – this will be very nice but please order some warm weather.*

Mum gone out to Caperns this afternoon with T. W. G. party – may come back in a cage twittering! Understand Mr & Mrs Palmer gone to London by coach today to visit Ideal Homes Exhibition – may be alright going up but expect it will be cold on the homeward run tonight.

We had a white frost this morning – many more of these and it will be goodbye to the bit of plum blossom we have on the trees in field. Have put in all the Ulster Chieftain early potatoes [ref ?] 28lbs and now have a similar quantity of second earlies to go in but by the look of things this will be after we return from you. Managed to put out a row of sweet pea plants and another of gladioli corms but since last writing this is about the extent of the new plantings. Mum weeded the two rounds on lawn and I’ve since dug them – terrible stuff. Now sprinkled lime on them to help break up clods. Strange to say the new rose trees in the rectangular plot seem to be coming on nicely.

Note your remarks about the fennel on Church Hill – must look out for it one day. Glad you found the parsnip wine recipe interesting – my brew seems to be developing alright – shall put it under fermentation lock this coming weekend. It will be safe then whilst we are away.

Did you see the TV reports on Beeching in ‘Tonight’ and ‘Panorama’ on Monday evening? A lot of people appear to be very sore over the appointment. I notice in Sunday’s paper he knows the way to use a lawnmower.

Saunders (Yatton) moved his home to Bridgwater today where he has had a bungalow built on the Westonzoyland road. We passed that way on Sunday and looked out for it but failed to identify.

Have not seen Payne this week so cannot comment further on the car hand brake question.

Mum just arrived home with everything except the bird but she must tell you about it later.

Not much more to say now except that we are both looking forward to being with you next week – shall be quite ready for a crust of bread & cheese by the time we arrive June.

All our love to you both and more kisses for the girls.

Mum & Dad

[*According to online sources, the weather in London over Easter 1961 was ‘mostly mild and sunny’, with the cold weather and rain returning on Easter Monday, April 3rd.]

From Eva to the family on the (whole!) reverse side of Leonard’s second sheet:**

Dear Alec June Susan & Carol

Thank you for nice letter & drawings by the artist. They are very good.

Well here I am back from the Trill factory complete with Budgie grit & seed plus booklets plus papers for bottom of cage. Only needs the bird & cage. It was a good outing – the factory is oil fired. We went round in batches of seven: the noise was terrific but everywhere was very clean. At 3.40 we were conducted to the canteen & regaled with sandwiches (lettuce & tomato) tea cakes & jam & iced cakes & tarts. The grounds outside are nicely arranged, quite a change from Lewin’s Mead Bristol.*** It is the only factory in England of Caperns.

It’s been too cold for gardening these last few days so have been doing a spot of spring cleaning instead. Dad is going ringing at St. John’s tonight Mr Bees who was a ringer was buried today.

Dad & Mr Aston were each wishing each other a happy birthday yesterday (Tues). Mr Aston is 67. Fancy June’s dad 70. How the time flies.

Oh we had some sunflower seeds given us as well, they are also ground down for food.

I put out a few geraniums last week thinking they would be alright but I believe they have had it.

The people in the next house to the newly marrieds are in the garden & I believe they are trying to cut the grass with scissors. They must be moving in for Easter I should think as the Electricity Co. have been busy there.

Well I think this is the lot just for now, won’t be long now.

Lots of love from

Mum & Dad.

[**Eva’s handwriting here is something like 7 mm tall whilst Leonard’s is much neater and only 3mm – taking totally unscientific random samples from this letter.]

[*** Despite being very familiar with Bristol we can’t quite puzzle out the reason for a direct comparison between Caperns’ grounds and Lewin’s Mead at this time, unless perhaps there was some municipal flower-bed or other in the vicinity of Lewin’s Mead that wasn’t being maintained to the same standard, and which had become Eva’s personal standard for poor garden maintenance.]

Thursday 29th December, 1960

On By Sue JenkinsIn 1960 lettersLeave a comment

Leonard to the family:

Dear Alec June Susan & Carol

Many thanks for your letter of Sunday the 18th inst* which reached us about 11.30 a.m. on Friday and which of course crossed ours posted on Thursday the 22nd.** Perhaps now the heavy post is over we shall get back to normal deliveries.

We do hope you all had a very happy Christmas and that the girls were able to fully enjoy themselves. We thought of them on Christmas morning examining – among other things – their Dolls’ Prams and imagining that a walk in the Park might be necessary to give them an airing. Expect you were both glad when Susan & Carol had gone to bed that night.

We had a quiet day as anticipated but did not go to bed until about midnight. Quite a nice morning but we had some rain in the afternoon and evening. Since then however we have had almost everything except snow and even that fell as near as Tickenham. We have had several very heavy hailstorms – winds at gale force and torrential rain and sleet with thunder – not at all a nice holiday for getting about. Naturally we kept the fire warm as much as possible. I went to Durston on the Saturday [24 December, presumably] to take down a few things for Don & Joan and to bring back the Christmas dinner.*** Apparently the day before Geoff had made a disastrous trip from Paddington and for the second year running arrived at Taunton about an hour late and again at the wrong platform much to Don’s disgust who went into Taunton to exchange parcels with him.

I went down with Saunders as far as Bridgwater – he had been home to Yatton for the night – and of course had a nice chat with him. The train was about 30 minutes late arriving Durston whereas return train was right on time so I had about 30 minutes only with Don. Took car to Yatton and picked it up again there on return. Strange to say it was very foggy between Devonia and Clevedon station but much clearer thence to Yatton than when you returned the previous week.**** Noted from your letter you were also late into Paddington. It was a short visit as you say but we were glad to see you and it gave us the chance to exchange presents. You have had our letter b y this time thanking you for all the lovely things you brought down.

Still having some trouble then with Baynton-Hughes, but what is going to happen under latest reorganisation plan? Seems there will be good reason for keeping a Work Study Section at Headquarters – i.e. higher than at four Divsional levels – What do you think may happen?

Our ringing peal failures may very well be due to insufficient practice but the trouble is that it is a job to get eight experienced ringers altogether as there are so many learners and those less experienced to be found places in the band at practices and on Sundays. We shall probably have another try early in New Year. meanwhile Mum is getting ready for the ringers’ supper on New Year’s Eve when we expect 14 or 15 to be seated at tables in our dining room. (Odd numbers breathe out whilst even numbers breathe in.) The vicar is coming but the curate is in bed with bronchitis and lumbago so am afraid he will be a non starter.

Note your efforts to keep car clean – mine has recently been out in the bad weather and requires a good clean but after every trip I wipe the Chromium parts dry – this is the most important.

Your account of Susan & carol at the carol service and of their antics at home gave us both a good laugh and we can just picture them doing all you said. The congregation of one for instance is delicious and we can see Susan reading out the verses to Carol then presumably “all stand up”. Thanks very much for the photograph too – it is lovely – the little boy we assumed is Michael Benn? Both Susan & Carol look very nice in it.

No local news this time – have had a lazy week myself – no gardening and no work in garage other than to chop up sticks for fire lighting. Yesterday morning after a full night’s downpour of rain little pools of water were standing about on garden but they disappeared during the day.

Glad you got back with the lamp in one piece and that you can find use for it. The standard lamp has had a rest over Christmas but shall press on with it now.

Hope you enjoyed your convivial party with McDonald on the Monday before Christmas. I hear Transom House had a party on the Thursday and finished work at midday on the Friday for the best part of a week. I cannot believe it.

Well no more for now – hope you are all keeping in good health. All our love to you both and a very happy and prosperous New Year to you all.

Lots of kisses for carollers Susan & Carol.

Mum & Dad

P.S. Nearly forgot – thank you Susan & Carol for those lovely drawings – you are improving every time.

[*Absent from the collection.]

[**Also absent from the collection.]

[***Don and Joan kept chickens, so this was presumably what Leonard went to collect.]

[****This would suggest that Alec travelled down on Friday 16 December and back on Saturday 17th and that Leonard drove him to Yatton to catch the train. This arrangement had clearly not been finalised when Leonard wrote and posted his letter of 15 December, however.]

Alec to his paternal uncle Don Atkins and Don’s wife Joan:

Dear Don and Joan

Thank you both very much for the card and contents sent here for Christmas. The children would also thank you but they cannot write yet. Susan occasionally tries her hand at it but until she gets to school it will still be a bit laboured. She draws and colours very well – much better than I could I am sure. She has a fair idea of picture composition and puts in the sky and grass and trees in the background as well as figures. Scrap paper from the office is in great demand you can imagine. Carol’s efforts are formless as yet but after all she is only two.

They both enjoy going to Sunday School and it is one of the highlights of their week. They both learned a couple of verses of ‘Away in a Manger’ and have driven us nearly dotty with repeating it. Can not seem to get the other side of the record. They had a grand time at Christmas. Lots of people came to see us including their small cousin Christopher from Greenford, and they paid a return visit there on Boxing Day. The centrepiece of the “stocking” ? was a large Dolls Pram each. Sundry other games and dolls, and sweets and clothes arrived and they were so confused rushing from one to the other and borrowing each others presents that we spirited some of them away to make a bit of room.

Generally speaking they were very good over the holiday but you can not expect children of their age to be 100%. Their cousin is a little imp and drives his Mother round the bend. He is a likeable kid though but certainly a handful. We had him here for the Saturday afternoon while his Mother did some belated Christmas shopping. He played quite well with our two but wanted a bit of watching.

I passed through Athelney a few weeks ago when the floods were at their height. It certainly looked grim. The men seemed to be shoring up the embankment on the Westbury side of Curry Rivel Box. The train came to a stand in the middle of what appeared to be the sea. I saw the pictures of Lyng in the Bridgwater paper sent up from home. We had very little to trouble us this end except the incessant rain.

Have not been able or willing to do anything on the garden lately. All activity has been confined to the house and garage. I have to put up some shelves quickly before the floor gets covered with all the odds and ends dumped out there from the house.

Well must close now so will wish you both a very happy New Year and hope that you are both keeping well.

Love from us all, June, Susan, Carol and Alec

Thursday 22nd September, 1960

On By Sue JenkinsIn 1960 lettersLeave a comment

Leonard to the family – not, for once, on timetable paper!

Dear Alec June Susan & Carol

Many thanks for another nice long letter and the drawing from Susan. Thank you very much Susan.

Naturally we are wondering how you got on at the interview on Monday and hope you will soon have some good news for us. Things seem to be looking up at Bristol. I hear Ernie Iles has a Spl A at Transom House and Norman Allen (at last) a Class 3 also at Transom House. Several other appointments but nobody else of note. No further news from Geoff yet – expect he is waiting for confirmation.

Note Mr & Mrs Baker not yet fixed up. That house you described in Hillingdon sounds awful. However anybody has the cheek to offer it for sale in that condition I just cannot imagine. Hope the house problem will soon be solved – it will be a big load off their minds once a decision has been made.

Don & Joan duly arrived just after 11.0 a.m. on Sunday and departed at 4.10 p.m. – weather was really lovely whilst they were here although actually raining when they left Lyng. Mum & Joan had a walk along the front in the afternoon whilst Don had a short sleep. He is looking remarkably well & says he feels fit. A big difference to twelve months ago. We did not say anything about the changing of the car until we were all walking down the garden to have a look round. They were very impressed and thought we had got hold of a good one. Both Don & Joan sat in the front to get the measure of it. Incidentally Don brought up four flagons of cider which I’m enjoying.

Had a call from Uncle Joe at Tiverton on Tuesday evening. They want us to go to Tiverton on Friday 30th inst then on to Exmouth following day and stop there until the Tuesday i.e. 4th October and this we have arranged to do. Will give us another short break before settling in for the winter.

Talking about winter we have had to start fires as it has been so cold – nearly a frost yesterday morning and now it’s raining again as bad as ever. Managed to dig a small piece of a large plot yesterday but this latest downpour will stop operations for a day or two. Pity our neighbours at Croyde, their fortnight is up on Saturday and I’m sure they will be glad to get home.

Mrs Marshall – with others – went on a coach tour to Scotland last week and arrived home Sunday. Had three wet days but all on the coach apparently thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Roy Hewett and his wife are returning from Worthing today after a visit of nine days – don;t expect to see him sunburnt when he next calls round here.

No I did not shed any tears over the shallots Alec. I skinned them outdoors and positioned myself so that the prevailing wind took the odour of them away from me. No trouble at all.

Note you are at Cardiff again some time this week and that additional staff should be available from Tuesday – query at London or Cardiff. Also that you have made further applications for vacancies in Research Section. What happens if you get one of the posts for which you had interview Monday?

So Barnes and Baynton-Hughes have moved on – both trainees I believe. Don had a letter from Geoff saying that Bob Taylor had got Hart’s old job at Birmingham. He has done very well if this is true.

You are still busy at weekends on garage preparations – hope you will have a fine day when you come to erect the building.

The bombs at Pill turned out to be three mortars ? and they were exploded last week. Apparently they were of British origin and it is assumed they were part of a lot used by troops billeted in the neighbourhood during the war.

Ian Spencer is better again but has given the complaint to his baby sister and a young girl in her early teens who goes in to play with them.*

Notice in the press parents at Derby in a hurry to get their children immunised against Diphtheria following death of one child in the area. No such thing in my day and I had six weeks in an Isolation Hospital with it.

Not much to report from the garden this week. Tomatoes still plentiful but much slower in ripening due to lack of sun and consequent warmth. A lot of apples are falling from the trees. Yesterday just before 2.0 p.m. I was walking down garden path and just as I turned to go along path to greenhouse a grey squirrel jumped onto the garden frames and scurried over the tops of all of them towards field and disappeared in direction of bungalow at the bottom. Must have been one roaming from the grounds of Clevedon Hall where I think they are fairly plentiful.** Anyhow I hope he does not come back here.

We heard yesterday that Mrs Stacey, (wife of Bristol TM Yard Insp.) with whom we exchange visits occasionally, who has been in Southmead Hospital for observation, now has to go to Frenchay Hospital for an operation for a growth on the brain. This sounds a pretty bad job but cases are on record of full recovery being made.

Mrs Cornish came over this morning and said her elder flower wine made last year is very good. I put sugar in the lot I made after your visit here in June and it is now very sweet – too much so I think but it’s very strong stuff. This year’s orange and elderberry wines are still in fermentation jars but working very slowly due to the continuous cold weather.

I put in a claim for partial refund of cost of renewing water pipes following burst but have heard nothing so far from Insurance people.

Our ton of coal came last Friday and I had it dumped outside shed so that I could sort it out and stack in shed. Coal arrived at about 11.30 a.m. so decided to have dinner first. Started on coal about 1.30 p.m. and soon after down came the rain. Persevered until about 3.30 p.m. and was then wet through so have up for the day having moved about 17 cwt. Finished the job off before breakfast next morning. All under cover now except for the 1 cwt slack which is lying in V corner outside shed.

Well I think this is the lot once more – hope you are all keeping fit.

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

Mum & Dad.

*Ian Spencer’s latest indisposition must have been described in a letter from Eva which has since been lost. Very few of Eva’s have survived, and as they were addressed to June my assumption is that they were either used to light the boiler or torn up into shopping lists. Late in June’s life she had to be relieved of several reams of paper she was intending to use for shopping lists – never realising that it would take her a thousand years to use it all up. The habit of thrift has stuck, though. I’m *still* working my way through stationery supplies bought by Alec before his death in 2001.

**Except that Clevedon Hall is a long way away on the other side of town and there is woodland much closer. An odd conclusion to draw.