Tag: Garden

Sunday 30th August, 1964

On By Sue JenkinsIn 1964 lettersLeave a comment

Alec to his parents:

Dear Mum and Dad

Well as you remark, back to typewriter bashing. Thanks for the paper and letters duly received. Must say again how we enjoyed the holiday with you, and like you we found it went over too quickly. Our run back really was fantastic, and much better than I had expected. No doubt the early start is the thing. I had not formed any idea of going through Bristol until I set out. I had half a mind to go to Cambridge Batch and turn off in the direction of Winford as I have done before, but approaching Tickenham, I thought we might as well save all the narrow road work, and see what the main road was like. I was amazed to find how easy it is now to go through Bristol. I failed to take the left hand turning for Bath at Knowle, but spotted it as I passed so it was easy to set back and wait for the lights. After that we followed the A4 to Keynsham then turned left for Bitton and Warmley, went through Cold Ashton and direct into Chippenham. After that of course it was simple matter to follow the A4. We were quite tired on the Saturday afternoon, but it was a fine day, and we had no commitments so were able to recover.

I am afraid work did not go well for the first part of the week. It is always difficult to catch up on what has happened especially as some of the staff were away.

Glad your ground had a good soaking, it could do with it, and hope Mum remember to water the cacti too. The grass had grown a bit here and June had a go at the front lawn on Friday and the front hedge, and I completed the two back lawns yesterday.

You mentioned the paving stones having been fixed in front of the greenhouse. Do I gather that these have only been laid or have you cemented them in?

You can make the cheque out to me for the radio set, and I will give the man cash. We are committed to get this set, but the seller has since told me that he will be having another one for sale later on. This latter is identical to mine, and is the same as the one we phoned for from Clevedon. The price is the same too, and it comes with some spare valves as well. The vendor is going to buy a more modern and more expensive receiver (approximately £90 [£2,250 in 2024 money]) and is selling some of his old stuff to pay for it. His transmitter only operates on 160, 80 and 40 meters so if he sells the other receiver first he will not be able to go on the air as the R208 only covers 20, 15 and 10. I have asked for and got the first option on the HRO receiver for £15 [£375 in 2024 money] but I don’t know when that will be available. it should not be difficult to dispose of the R208 for the price paid as it is under the price being currently asked in the mag. We can sort this one out before you come up I should think.

No further trouble with Carol after she got home, but later in the week after a visit to Eccleston Road where at she had plenty of sweets, she complained of a headache, and cried with it. Later it followed the inevitable path, and ‘blue tea cup’ [a plastic potty] was in evidence. She had about an hour or so of this and went to sleep. Fortunately she slept the night through and was fine again in the morning. Thanks for finding the bits and pieces. Okay to wait until you come up. I am not surprised you found something, they usually leave something half-hidden.

We shall be interested to hear how the laburnum seeds progress. I have sown some gorse seeds, but no sign yet.

We found the first house here well advanced, and the second in like state. The drive-ins for the garages have also been concreted and looked like a row of aprons. The people on the site are taking electricity from Les’s meter. (By arrangement). They have run a big cable across the field on top of poles.

The girls have played their records ad nauseam. They put the two new ones on the turntable, and keep on playing them. Had to put a brake on it and get a bit more variety into the subject.

Susan has spent a week with Grandma at Ealing, and we fetched her yesterday, and left Carol in her place. We gather she had a fine time. Peter has had a week at camp with the Territorials. He should return today.

Not much other news I am afraid. Glad your party went well, and hope not too tiddly. So will close until next week with love from us all. 

Tuesday 25th August, 1964

On By Sue JenkinsIn 1964 lettersLeave a comment

Leonard to the family:

Dear Alec June Susan and Carol

Here we are back again on the old typewriter and replying to the card from June and letter from Alec duly received on Monday and Tuesday respectively. You had a remarkably good run back to Ruislip on Saturday and after you had left here I wondered if – as you had started so early – whether you might risk going via Bristol. It is certainly a good idea to get on the road as early as possible if going any distance. Anyhow there it is and you are back safe and sound once more.

We thoroughly enjoyed your visit and the week simply flew – no sooner had you arrived from Exmouth than it was time to return home. Expect you all felt tired on Saturday afternoon as we did here. Quite understand Alec that work did not go down well on Monday – neither did it here but we have been getting on with it although not much done yesterday as it rained most of the day. The ground had a good soaking and the cabbage seeds which were loathe to come up have now shot up thickly and are looking well. Spent most of Monday in garage clearing up bench etc. and in the afternoon went to library in the only dry spell of the day. Rain must have stopped during the night for it was a lovely morning and the sun has been out strong and hot. Consequently I have started to put paving stones along front of greenhouse and so far have embedded four and have another to place to complete the end.

Thank you very much Alec for being so quick in getting hold of a shortwave set. Shall I send you a cheque for payment to yourself or leave pay column blank for you to fill in please? It is noted the set only covers part of the shortwave bands and you will be on the lookout for a set to cover the remainder. (Now 5:45 p.m. and Mrs Hewitt has just arrived bracket.) Have heard a couple of those on the set in garage and on Monday got hold of somebody who said he was GOTH…A but fading spoilt complete word. He had spelled out words to identify the initials and I missed two or three of them. Otherwise it was very clear. I remember he said Ontario for the ‘O’ and Texas for the ‘T’. Hamburg was the ‘H’ and America the ‘A’.

Sorry Carol was sick on homeward journey but hope it was only slight and that she soon recovered. we found a plastic ‘penny’ after you had gone (a white one) and a doll’s bed also white. These will be brought up on our next visit to you. The Laburnum seeds were sown on Saturday June and we must report progress in due time.

No further news from Lyng but expecting a letter soon. Tomorrow (Wednesday) we are going to Bristol in the afternoon to visit the Staceys. This is an outstanding visit but could not fix it up earlier. In this case we go over the Suspension Bridge and down Coldharbour Road where Ray Mogg has his shop.

The builders have been busy again although operations somewhat curtailed yesterday by rainf. Loads of bricks still arriving and the bricklayers started on the house behind Heels Saturday morning. Trenches for the foundations for the remainder of the houses behind our plot have also been dug out and piles of bricks laid alongside. Whilst in library yesterday I look for books on radio and found a copy of the one bought last Friday at Sealeys. Also another one by the same author which I took out but it is a little more advanced than the other and not quite suitable for me.

Instead of Lollipop I suppose you now get Dolly repeatedly – hope both girls were pleased with their choices of records.

Not a lot more to say this time but we do miss you all after such a lovely week. Mrs Marshall said she was sorry she had not seen any of you this time. She has gone by coach to the Norfolk Broads this week.

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

Mum and Dad. 

Monday 3rd August, 1964

On By Sue JenkinsIn 1964 lettersLeave a comment

Alec to his parents:

Dear Mum and Dad

At last the post seems to be getting better. Your letter arrived Friday afternoon. Gather you have had two from us this time, and we have had two from you of course.

We have had mainly dry weather since last writing, but on Saturday night we had heavy cloud followed by rain. I had watered the lawns and flower beds so that more or less ensured that we would have rain.

The bomb scare was not much and first manifested itself by terrific traffic jam. When I went to lunch the vehicles were held up in Liverpool Street and were still being held up at the time we returned. Of course when we read Evening Standard we could see what the cause was. I suppose there must be quite a few of that type of bomb laying around unexploded waiting for someone to dig up.

I gather the weekend motoring was not so bad in the West Country this week. I hope it remains like that for our visit. Incidentally this is the last letter from here before we set out.

Thanks for the information that Don has been taken to hospital for a checkup. As you say it looks as if they are going to give him the complete works. Not clear what is the matter with his throat and sounds not too good that he has lost weight. However it seems he is only in there for a week, so by now you may know some more details.

Surprised you say you may not have enough earth down for the greenhouse. I thought you said that they had put over quite a lot with the bulldozer some time ago. Some game building the old garage up around Bushell’s old one. Gather you have finished most of the walls and will have the roof to do. Perhaps this is also finished by now. He will have lots of room to play with for car maintenance etc. now. Should think that he would get in a couple of cars despite the reduced size. Regarding your pond, I would not be surprised if they are waiting for you to make the first move. If you have a go at the pond and break it, they cannot be accused of doing it. I cannot think they will leave it like that although I suppose it is possible they will leave it for the householder to sort out.

Whatever has Ernest Caple given up the exchange work for? Has he trouble healthwise and has to get fresh air?* Should have thought that telephone work was quite a good job for him. Don’t think much of the idea of going as a postman. What would old Mrs Caple have said?

Sorry to learn of the death of Mrs Buxton. Have not seen her for many years.

Bad luck on old Titball learning the job, and then being pushed out. As you say he will get it one day, if he wants it of course. Glad Norman Allen is feeling more settled. He worried rather a lot at one time, and I am sorry we were unable to straighten things out for him, but there was something working against him at the time that I am convinced. I do not recall Chief Inspector Woolway. The name does not ring a bell. When was he in his heyday?

No more prizes to report for the girls. They are on holiday now and getting in mother’s way at home of course**.

The concrete job in the front garden does not look too bad. I have taken down the shuttering and the concrete behind the wood is fairly good. No more in that line to report this time. I suppose I picked the wrong time to do the job, but at least it is done now.

You mentioned wine in reference to Aston and Hewitt. I got out some wine for our dinner a few days ago and it was some of your 1962 blackcurrant. It was delicious. Grandma and Auntie Pauline came over yesterday and they enjoyed it as also did June who rarely has any.

Not a lot of activity on the building site but the house at the bottom of the hill is growing fast now. They have built up beyond the lower windows. They seem to be starting on the house next to Les.

The little garden Susan put into the competition is getting a little overgrown now with the Mind Your Own Business etc., but it gives her an interest and very successful too***. The ‘standing in front of the cement’ lark did not last for long but fortunately it was not necessary as the cement was drying fairly quickly anyway. The girls and June were very good as they stopped in front of it while I went for more cement in the washing-up bowl. Now we have the barrow back, but we have not had a use for it – typical.

Note your garage approach has been improved, by Hawkins people. Now that you have got all building materials stacked away the place must be looking quite neat again. Wwe are looking forward very much to having a look at what you have been able to do. Also I expect we shall be very surprised at the changes which have taken place since we were last down there.

The work which I have been endeavouring to forget while on holiday has been going on quite well. We have been commissioned to make bricks without straw, but as usual it seems as though we shall be able to do it. Of course when things start to go wrong people are inclined to overlook the restrictions imposed on the persons preparing the scheme and complain just as much. However I made it a point of letting Butcher know just what the restrictions were, so he can be under no misapprehension.

Peter and Kaye have gone to South Wales for the A.B.H. having travelled by car during the early hours of Saturday. They had a call by Mrs Baker at about 4 a.m. and had a quick breakfast and were off****. They reckoned they would be about five hours or so on the journey. We hope to start quite early next Saturday and travel as far as practical or desirable before having a halt for a while. I should think we could make quite good progress before the streets get crowded. I have not given much thought to the route, but shall have to consult the book you gave me and plan something out. By the way I am asked to let you know that Mrs Baker would like to come during the week commencing the 19th September if that is convenient. Also to say that please do not make up the beds for the children before we arrive as June would like to use up the bedclothes she has to take to Exmouth before using yours.

I shall have to get a lot of the things out of greenhouse before we leave it or some of the plants will be dry or dead before we get back. I have already put out a number of things, but the tall zinnias are almost touching the top glass now. These are all flowering with many different colours and are quite nice although a bit spindly due to the lack of top ventilation. I think I shall have to cut them for the vase and put the plants in the border. The cacti should be all right for a fortnight.

The girls have been in the loft with me this morning operating their imaginary radio station. One of our local chaps went down to Bath yesterday for a run in car, and I heard him operating from one of the Bath local stations so gave him a call and had a short chat. Nothing very special about, but did contact a station in Czechoslovakia and another in Kaliningrad this morning. Well will close now as getting a bit short of room. Shall have to get a new ribbon as this red does not go down too well after a couple of sheets of it.

So wish you all the best and love to you both for a short while. Will drop you a card etc. from Exmouth.

*Or is his supervisor an a**hole?

**Always the same thing: ‘children are a chore, an imposition, they get in the way of the housework’. WHY HAVE THEM, THEN? IT’S NOT A LEGAL REQUIREMENT!!!

***Sixty years later I’m still waiting to get a *real* garden – life and circumstances have solidly got in the way of it for the past six decades, but I think we’re getting quite close to having one now.

****This is interesting as it seems to suggest *one* call between the two of them – and they weren’t actually married until the following year, so I’m struggling to imagine my grandmother letting them share a room – but who knows?

Wednesday 29th July, 1964

On By Sue JenkinsIn 1964 lettersLeave a comment

[Continued from Tuesday 28th July, 1964]

Yes letter to hand this morning together with another budget from the girls. Congratulations Susan in getting into the prize-winning list and we must find some extra spending money when you come here as a little encouragement to have another go at any and every competition there is including the exams etc. Good show.

We had our first rain for some time today. It started about 7 a.m. and continued for most of the morning becoming dull during afternoon. Very welcome rain on the gardens. Can understand how you feel in the heart of London during the sultry days. I was always glad to get away even when I was only there for short periods in the summer.

Glad to hear the concreting in front of house now finished but apparently you had a hot time doing it. Noted Peter arrived in time to finish off whilst you relaxed. Neither Aston or Roy are fit to do any hard work nowadays, neither will they taste the homemade wine. Roy in particular is having difficulty lately in getting about and is only too glad to sit down as often as possible.

You have a point about the polythene sheeting but Heels relations at Churchill actually put this into operation with some success but it is a doubtful proposition over a number of years for the reason you give. With a smaller garden to look after I could give more attention to the watering of the greenhouse. Today I have fixed another shelf in the garage and another in the greenhouse the latter above the staging halfway up the back end of the greenhouse. Could not do anything outdoors for once.

No further news of Don but a letter from Geoff this morning says he called Don up on the evening of the 27th to offer him best wishes for his birthday etc. but Mrs Dobbs answered phone and said Don gone into hospital and Joan not yet home.

Bushell settled for a Ford Prefect as a temporary measure as no garage with other models would accept his motorcycle in part exchange. He will change the Ford before long and gradually work up by this means to what he wants. Glad you have had your car put right in time for the holidays as you do not want any mechanical difficulties on the road – bad enough getting along.

Yes it sounds as if your building people were taking a big risk in leaving such a big trench open for children to fall into. Assume all in order again. Nice to go over to the school and see the children’s work etc. – gives them a great deal of encouragement. Yes we remember the little garden Susan had in the lean-to and she must have looked after it well.

I liked the idea of the girls standing in front of concrete to keep the sun off it. How long did it last? Not five minutes I’m sure. I too was a little afraid of the heat in the greenhouse when putting down the path but it has hardened quite well. I sprinkled water over it two or three times some hours after it was laid.

Geoff says Rebecca is now looking for a job and had two in mind when he wrote. One was with an insurance company and the other with the Kodak people – both firms in the Harrow area which will avoid the journey to and from the City.

Nice to hear you have some good zinnias in the lean-to. It proves you can bring them on indoors whereas outdoors they are almost a failure. I have had the same experience – zinnias are most difficult to bring to perfection. It is however a very shy flower and worthwhile attempting to grow. Our roses in the rectangular plot on lawn have been a picture and in due course when the ground can be got ready we may have some more. At the moment that part of the former drive lying between new greenhouse and new garage looks like a builder’s yard. Timber, rockery stone, concrete pieces and blocks, hardcore and rubble are all mixed up and will have to be sorted out and moved. The far side of greenhouse much about the same but area not so big. Plenty to see when you come down even if total area very much smaller than heretofore.

How are you getting on with your remit from Butcher and Co.?

Hawkins’ people have made up the drive to the entrance of new garage with tarmac and the result gives a gentle slope into garage. The whole of the front needs a covering of tarmac but that will have to wait a while. When Bushell has finished putting up his new garage I shall have to take out the hedge running parallel with it and replace with five sections of Superlap fencing. Will look nice and clean up an odd piece of ground. I think he is off duty tomorrow (Thursday) and if so I shall probably give him a hand to get doors up and perhaps some of the roof struts cut out to new dimensions viz. 12½ ft wide.

Now I think this is the lot for another week – soon be seeing you all and we are looking forward to that. All our love to you both and lots of kisses for the girls.

Sunday 26th July, 1964

On By Sue JenkinsIn 1964 lettersLeave a comment

[N.B.: a letter from Leonard, presumably dated Wednesday 22nd July 1964, is missing from the collection.]

Alec to his parents:

Dear Mum and Dad

Once more I have to report we have had no letter yet this week, but can of course reply to your last which was received here last Monday. With luck we shall receive your latest tomorrow. Also with luck things will be back to normal for next and subsequent weeks. As you remark in your letter, there is always something to delay post these days, and the service is not what it was. Unions to these days have little compunction in upsetting the general public to get what they want, in fact upsetting the public by withholding their normal services seems to be the main method of attack. They always try to hold their strikes when they will do most damage – for instance the railwaymen (N.U.R.) at or about bank holiday times or Christmas.*

We are all keeping fairly well here with the minimum of aches and pains. We hope you are both okay too. You remark that the West Country have their usual traffic holdups, and we saw on the TV last night that the big holdups have started for the period just prior, during and after the Bank Holiday. You also say about rain. We have not had any of that for quite some time now, and in fact the weather here has been really glorious. In the city of course it becomes like a grease spot, and it is most unpleasantly humid, but here it has been very nice, and I am glad to say the weather this weekend so far has been extremely good. A bit too good yesterday as during the afternoon I got down to doing that bit of concreting in the front garden. Admittedly it was not a big job come up but unfortunately Peter still had the barrow and, until he turned up when the job was almost complete, I had to cart everything about in buckets and bowls. I have had a look at it this morning, and it looks as if it will be alright. Unfortunately the stuff dried as soon as it laid, and I had to ask the girls to stand in front of it to shade it from the sun.**

Not a bad deal with the foreman to get that lot of already mixed cement. Could have done with that here and would have saved a lot of time and effort. Nice of Hewitt and Aston to come down and watch you at work. Must have been a temptation to offer them a spade or trowel, but might not have gone down well. Perhaps it is the homemade wine they like.

Note the rearrangement of the staging in the greenhouse, and that you now have the light fixed. Gradually getting things done, and by the sound of it the bulk of the work is finished. Of course the garden needs to be dealt with, but I expect you will be doing something towards that in the Spring. Your polythene sheeting sounds okay as a base for the gravel, but is there not a risk of the lower sections of the gravel getting sour? In most gardening books they stress that good drainage must be provided, and were this not so you would have concreted the base in any case, and not need polythene at all.

Cornish still up to his tricks then. Pity he has nothing to do to occupy his time, then he would not be able to get in people’s hair.

Very sorry to hear that Don was so rough and that you had paid a visit under these circumstances. I hope the news is a bit better now, but unless something is done very quickly I cannot see any change for the better is likely. If the summer weather as well as the winter weather upset him then a drastic remedy has to be found or he will not maintain the strength or the will to fight it. I wonder if the asthma is really hay fever or another allergy? If the former then trips out in the country in the car can do more harm than good. Let us know how matters now stand.

I was very pleased to learn that Bushell had passed his test. Many would have given up after so many failures. Perhaps these failures were due to overconfidence – who knows? Anyway he has his license now, and can do his driving openly. Interesting to learn that he has in mind an old type A40. Pretty cheap these days but so are cars of much later vintage. However he knows his pocket best. Had the clutch done on ours this week, and the exhaust secured, and the steering tightened up. The damage created a bit of a draft***, but it was a good job done, and the car feels much better to handle.

Not an awful lot of activity on the building site this end this week although the end house down the hill is growing up fairly rapidly. The drains have been put in and this involved digging a long trench level with the front of our houses. This was very deep and to my mind very dangerous for the children who would not keep off it. A poor attempt was made to shield it at night, but that would never have stopped me let alone a local herbs.

The zinnias in the lean-to are now opening into flower and are magnificent plants, but those in the garden have hardly moved since planted out, and are in fact still only about three or four inches high. Everything else growing quite well both inside and out in the garden.

Went over to the school on Tuesday piloted by Susan to see an exhibition of the work. There were very many miniature gardens in trays, bowls etc. made by the children and lots of cakes, pies, sandwiches, cheese straws etc. Drawings and paintings by the score, and essays and books all over the place. I could not hope to see in detail all there was to see, but it seems a far better display of work than I ever remember seeing at Weston. Paid a call in the science room where a few children were deputed to explain certain experiments with optics, and electricity. One group of girls had Bunsen burners and were showing expansion of metals, while another was showing refraction of light through a prism. Another boy demonstrated to me the conductivity of metal by operating an electric bell from a battery. When he put a piece of metal in circuit the bell rang but when he put a piece of wood or plastic in the bell did not ring. Thanked him for the information.

All the gardens made by the pupils were judged in respect to each year and out of something like 60 of her year Susan got third prize****. She is quite pleased and has written to say so in her letter. The garden was the little one I think she started when you were here by putting a couple of small cacti and some mind-your-own-business in a bowl. Together with a couple of small primulas it has grown quite nicely.

Got a couple of bags of cement for 5/- [roughly £6.25 in 2024 money] a bag last week and together with half a yard of sand at 30/- shillings [£37.50] completed the path in front garden. Had the sand dumped on the grass out the front as could not let it block the driveway. Peter had promised to come over in the afternoon and ring the barrow. Without the barrow I had to move the sand into the garden or the kids would have made sure work of it. This meant putting it into June’s wash boiler***** and carting it in manually. June helped with bucket-loads. No sign of Peter just after lunch so started on the job. Mixed all the stuff in the garage and when ready carted it out in an old washing-up bowl. All the time I had the hose in front garden going full blast to keep stones and rubble moist. As fast as hose was moved stones dried out. I was on the last mix when Peter arrived with the barrow, so let him mix the last one up and took it a bit easier from then on. Feeling a bit stiff this morning, but job now done and out of the way so worth it on balance.

Well that is about all for this week. As I say I hope you are both well and hope that the news from Lyng improves. Love to you both once again. Alec 

*Well, yes, the point being to remind the general public that their services are not only useful but also necessary, and that life would so much more difficult if those services were withdrawn completely. Alec lived a very privileged life and it never seems to have occurred to him that some people had to fight for things he enjoyed as a matter of course – for example safe working conditions, reasonable hours, appropriate pay, pension provision, holidays, etc. etc. etc. None of these would have been available had not some union activist somewhere demanded them, and been prepared to withdraw labour until the matter could at least be discussed.

**If this is true, rather than one of Alec’s silly jokes, it just goes to show what a model father he wasn’t.

***He means it was expensive.

****I won a pen exactly like one of these, which I was immensely proud of. I was recently given another one just like it, but in the intervening sixty years hadn’t seen a similar one anywhere at all!

*****Note that this is specifically *hers* and not a joint possession, or one belonging to the household. Ingrained casual sexism, a real artefact of its time.

Sunday 19th July, 1964

On By Sue JenkinsIn 1964 lettersLeave a comment

Alec to his parents:

Dear Mum and Dad

Someone somewhere wants a letter from you – sometime, or The Postman’s Lament. That is the unfortunate story this week. Had a feeling we should not get one from you, and in fact have doubts as to whether you received our last one in view of the confusion and delay this end. However will keep putting letters into the pipeline in the hope that you will get a regular supply thereof if somewhat late, and backdated as to news. also as nothing to reply to, the contents are likely to be a bit shorter.

Firstly, as now usual, some comment on the weather. Don’t think I had the hose out in the week, certainly not the latter part. It had been really hot and heavy in the city and in the underground. Spent most of the days in the bath of perspiration, and 10 minutes after bath feel just the same again. Had a violent electrical storm midday on Friday and very heavy downpour for a short time in the city. No rain at Ruislip but looked very much like it in the evening. Had several storms throughout the day yesterday and the rainfall was pretty considerable overall. The lawns are looking magnificent with green and healthy grass, and no cracks visible. The slugs have had a good go in the night and reduced some of the outdoor growing zinnias to shreds. Between the rain storms there have been many fine periods with some heat, and we were able to go out in the front garden and pull all the weeds out quite easily.

Notice Saunders’ job advertised in list this week with the remark that station house is available when present occupation occupant vacates. Assume Saunders was in the station house and assume he will now have to buy one as I seem to remember that the station house was not being used by the incumbent at Bristol. Had a good meeting with Butcher on Wednesday and have now got the job of coordinating the incentive activities of four regions towards the preparation of a common bonus scheme for all the London Parcels Carmen. There are present 551 rounds and they are going to be reduced to some 300, later on the goods men will have to be done. All this has to be done and in working order by October which gives us just over two months to do a job which would normally need almost two years to do by the traditional method.

Nothing much to report from the work front other than to say that under the new organisation we seem to be getting rather more work. Unwin goes on his holidays at the end of this month and of course I follow on his return.

We are all in pretty good nick although Carol has a slight cold which is causing her nose to bleed occasionally. We had her stretched out on her back during yesterday afternoon with a cold flannel and looking rather sorry for herself, but as soon as it stopped she bounced around again until the exertion started it all again, and on ad infinitum. She seems 100% today and we have not had a repeat performance. They both have invitations to a party at Pat’s place (opposite) for her birthday tomorrow.

Not much on radio lately although had a couple of contacts with German and Swedish stations. In mid-summer with so many electrical storms about the bands are full up with atmospherics which at times are so bad that the noise level exceeds the signal levels, and listening is almost impossible.

Things in the garden are moving well. The syringa is now above the fence. The smaller of the two buddleias is almost up to the top of the fence, and a small forest of buddleia plants has sprung up adjacent to the concrete path adjoining the square plot. I shall let them grow as they could be a useful screen at that point. Inside the lean-to, the few zinnias that I kept in the pots are in bud. They are about two feet high and quite a sizeable flower bud already. Those put outdoors have hardly moved from their original size of about three inches. One begonia is flowering well although the flower heads keep dropping off before quite open. It must be the weight of the things. Some of the cactus seeds have germinated in the bowl, and are about half an inch long. This is some long time after sowing as the seeds were put in the bowl when you were here. They do say that some of the types take a long time to germinate. I shall have to get a number of things planted out in the garden before we go away or they will not get any watering.

Had a trip over to Ealing yesterday to get another [half line illegible here] a pair of flannels. After shopping found Peter having a load of sand delivered on the pavement, so had a pleasant half-hour shovelling the stuff into barrow and carting inside. The job we did last weekend has set quite well, and he has not got much more to do. He has been off work for a week as he hurt his heel when training with the Territorials the previous Sunday, and after x-ray they cannot find what is wrong with it. He won’t keep off it though.

Had some Sweet Williams seedlings given to us by Les in the week, and we are now in the position of having more plants than growing space.

The building site has not shown an awful lot of movement since last writing, but it has been cleaned up a little. Water from the storms draining down the hill filled up the footings dug a while ago and perhaps that has hindered some of the work. The surrounds have been levelled and look reasonably tidy, but the surplus earth has been put on the earth dump against Les’s fence, and that looks like being longer than ever before it is cleared. The rain fortunately had made it into mud and that in itself had discouraged the local kids from climbing on it. It does not stop them all together though.

There is an exhibition of work by Susan’s class on Monday and Tuesday evening, and there is a sports afternoon for Carol’s crowd on Tuesday.

I understand that Smallbone is now out of hospital, but did not hear what was found. Saw Notley in the week, and had lunch together. He has had an interview for a job on the Southern as head of Freight Timing Section and the interviewer was Norman Shelley who was with me when I was working at Cardiff. Tony feels he has got a good chance with this one, but if not is well in line for another at Paddington. He is now getting one out of category higher duty pay for working in lieu of a vacant post. Not much other news of the Western Region. Hear someone by the name of Andrews has got Westbury station or control.

We are having a visit from June’s friends Arthur and Vi Barker and their children this afternoon, so this will be a hectic and a late sitting. Hope it keeps fine so they can go on the lawn.

Well little else to arouse much comment this week. I had my car tax renewal through on Friday, but I’ve not seen my licence which was also sent in for renewal with the same post. Post of course is chaotic if at all existent, and can only drive car and hope licence will arrive in due course.

Will close and send this off in the hopes that it will arrive before the next one from here. Love to you both from us all, and hope you are both well.

[N.B.: a letter from Leonard, presumably dated Wednesday 22nd July 1964, is missing from the collection.]

Wednesday 15th July, 1964

On By Sue JenkinsIn 1964 lettersLeave a comment

750th post!!!

Leonard to the family:

Dear Alec June Susan and Carol

Not surprising no letter arrived yesterday morning and doubtful if it will turn up today owing to the trouble with the G.P.O. staff. Shall post this as usual but again it is doubtful if you will receive it until some time next week. Nowadays there always seems to be some turmoil in the industrial world upsetting the general routine of business and it is time the authorities dealt with it very severely but how or in what manner is most difficult to say*.

We hope you are all keeping well and now looking forward to your holiday which starts in three weeks. The roads are getting very congested again and I see the West Country have had their usual weekend jams and accidents. Our fine weather seems to have broken for a while and we have had several hours of rain on a number of days but fortunately it did not interfere with the two days (Monday and Tuesday this week) I assisted Bushell to get down the framework and some of the concrete for the garage on his side of the fence. He had underestimated the quantity of gravel and dust and cement required and actually needs a similar lot as used to complete the job. It may take about a week to get this delivered and so activities are halted for the moment. He takes another driving test (his fifth) on Thursday at Weston and if he gets through will buy an Austin A40 – similar to LTA 259** – which he knows is in good condition and which he can obtain very cheaply. So this will do for the time being.

Last Friday (a very hot day) the road foreman on the building site got his men to bring round to the rear of new boundary fence two small loads of ready-mix and I released the chain link fencing to enable them to put it just inside which is in within three feet of greenhouse. Had enough and some over to lay in path in greenhouse and 10/- [£12.50 in 2024 money] for a drink was all that was necessary for the road foreman. As I mentioned it was a very hot day and working inside even with all the windows open was terrible and to cap it all both Roy Hewitt and Bill Aston called while I was at it and sat in the garden seat watching me. Neither of them could have given me a hand in any case but it was difficult to talk to them while wheeling in the stuff and spreading it out and smoothing off. I had to take the door off greenhouse down in the end to properly deal with the path at that end and had to be careful the ready-mix was not fouling the bottom edge of door when it was replaced.

Last Wednesday the 8th the electrical side of the job was finished off nicely and I now have a light with a two-way switch and power point in garage and the power point in greenhouse. Now I have to put in the concrete blocks for the path edging in greenhouse and of course re-erect the staging. This time the staging will run across the back only and I shall then have two long sides for general purposes such as tomato growing. Another idea I have is to put down polythene sheeting and gravel on top for ring culture and then when watering the water will be held by the polythene instead of soaking away and result in less watering being required. Sounds very nice I know but now is the time to think of these things and past experience can be useful when rearranging the setup. On the gardening side I have in about 75 plants of various sorts and have been promised some more later.

Nothing more has been done in breaking up the pond on the outside of our boundary – the man who was doing it has been sent elsewhere for the time being. Quite a lot of the builders’ men are working on the new road immediately the other side of our fence but apart from loads of bricks sat around now actual marking out of sites for the houses have taken place. I think you will see some activity in this respect when you are here. t

10 cwt of Gloco [smokeless fuel] arrived last Thursday morning when we were out shopping and the men took it away again (it comes from Weston) and they left word with the neighbours that we must write and let them know when we should be home to receive it. Took no notice of this idea and surely enough it turned up again on Monday when we were here. For the present we have got it in the three garden frames to keep it dry. Shall not be needing them for gardening purposes until next Spring.

No further news of Don but I wrote both Don and Geoff on Monday (query when they will get letters) so should hear from them later on. Shall probably get an invitation to go to Lyng for Don’s birthday on the 27th. We generally go down then and again when you are with us.

Ran into Cornish last night and had to listen to a lot of rubbish but I got away from him quickly on the excuse I wanted my supper – he had invited me over to see the new boundary on his side etc. He frequently wonders round the back of our garden peering into everything he can see – proper nosy parker.

[Letter continues Friday 17th July, 1964]

*Loosely translated as ‘The lower orders should never try to obtain better pay or working conditions. Instead, they should allow us to exploit them for as long as we choose, and discard them afterwards without a thought.’

**The much-loved old family car.

Sunday 12th July, 1964

On By Sue JenkinsIn 1964 lettersLeave a comment

Alec to his parents:

Dear Mum and Dad

Hope you can stand the colour of the type, but the black is worn out, and I am now using up the red portion. Many thanks for the weekly letter, also papers etc. Glad to be able to report that the girls are again completely fit. They are busily writing and drawing something for you at the moment. Susan has embarked on a map of the route from here to the Old Church which we hope to enclose. I have a feeling she has left out one or two of the intervening places but she has got both ends right.

Weather is still a major topic. The week has not been all that bad, and have not got caught in any rain, but several nights we had showers, and on some rather more than others. Yesterday was warm and muggy without the sign of sun until later afternoon when it came out for a short while with considerable heat. Managed to cut grass just at that time, and it did feel warm. All night it has rained, and as yesterday when we awoke everything outside was sopping wet. Peter arrived with what will be the last load of earth on Friday night, and of course this has been well watered in by now. While not actually raining now, it is dull and overcast but quite close indoors. Don’t use hose much, but I think I used it once last week and once the week before. It just stops the soil from cracking, and gives a bit of life to plants in border.

Interesting your news of Temple Meads. I thought he would get it, but as has been said with Kings Cross in mind who can be sure? Saw Percy Peyman at Paddington on Monday or Tuesday, and he was cracking on about it. Said he had no idea how to handle the Press, and that they would soon make a mug of him. Nice to have heard from Saunders, and I expect you will hear a lot more as time passes. Must remember to return your letter herewith. As you say no doubt Richings will be after Newton Abbot, but I am not at all sure he will get it. I expect they have a man of their own down there. Collins is well thought of, and is on the spot.

Yes we are General Manager’s Office now, but the immediate title is Work Study Section – Regional Planning Manager’s Office. Our new room was the room previously occupied by our typists. It is a smaller room than our old one but plenty large enough for two. I like the arrangement and cupboards a bit better than the old, and it has a built-in sink which is an advantage. By the way with the dissolution of the Line Managers I suddenly wondered what had happened to Doug Matthews, so looked through the names of management staff in G.M.O. telephone list and found that he has been absorbed into the Regional Planning Manager’s organisation. He is Assistant Freight Terminals. Had his phone number so gave him a ring. He says he has taken over quite a lot of work including some files that are about two foot thick which he was in the process of reading through to find out what was in them in case anything cropped up. He will never change. I find he is on the floor below me.

The redundancy caused by the Line Manager’s Office has been cleverly avoided. By agreement with the unions and staff reps, no notice of redundancy was given to staff the usual period of six months ahead. All possible staff have been slotted in and only a few were left over. Concurrently with this move no vacancies were advertised in the Traffic Department for the same period, and all such filled by otherwise redundant staff. There are one or two disgruntled people left out in the cold, but a few were a bit stubborn and refused to apply to more than one job on the closed lists when they were issued – with the result that, having failed to get the job of their choice, they had no stake in any other either.

Slater is a very nice chap, and I have seen him several times since, and had a few talks with him on phone. Our position is a little difficult at the moment as we cannot act inter-regionally but only through Slater. He is very co-operative however and is acting on our behalf. However Mr Russell and I have to go and see Mr Butcher at the B.R.B. on Wednesday, and maybe the position will be clarified.

Slater’s office is at King’s Cross, and at the moment he has a room over the station, but soon he hopes to move to Great Northern House opposite St Pancras station.

We did not have any more trouble with the coughing and wine has not been needed for that purpose since. I did try some yesterday though. I finished up the last of your parsnip and it had a lot more of the elderberry brandy – very nice. I also tried some of my grape that I made from the stuff you brought up and that was very tasty and strong although it looked quite thin in the bottle. Must have some more today.

Have dealt with the greenfly and aphis on the cinerarias and other plants. I bought a small aerosol spray from ironmonger’s and just press the cap. The resultant spray kills instantly, and does not harm the foliage*. This soon cleared up the attack, and although there may be a few still knocking about in the lean-to, can always give them another squirt if they get too many. This is also of use against ants and other pests of like nature, and I tried it with success on the chrysanths. This soon moved the green and black fly and the ants that were attending them.

Yes aerial certainly doing its stuff. Nothing new to report, but plenty of long distance contacts of the same nature as already reported. Had a lot of cards back from the R.S.G.B. Bureau yesterday – about 30 – and quite a few foreign ones in there including a confirmation from the Southern Rhodesian station in Salisbury and one from a short wave listener in Italy.**

Nice to know you have bought yourselves a new armchair. O.K. your not wanting ours and quite understand now you have the other.

Had not heard that Geoff had trouble with his eye. Can be painful and inconvenient.

Builders making very good progress now. The footings and a few levels of bricks have been put in for the whole row now from our house down to the corner. The builders have cleared the main site behind the houses quite flat and removed the heap of earth that was in the middle of the fields. They are rather slowly now clearing the remaining heap of earth piled up against Les’s fence. The kids have been up there making themselves a nuisance. One day in the week Susan was sitting on the swing when a piece of twisted steel wire with a sharp edge on it came whizzing across and cut her on the hand. These pieces are those used to separate the bricks and there were any amount on the field with the result that the children were using them as ammunition and throwing them in all directions from the top of the heap. I had a go at them and of course ‘it was not us’. Had to go at the night watchman, but they take no notice of him as they can run faster. He walks towards them and they run off only to return when he has gone. It may have done some good as I heard him clearing them off yesterday and we have not had any bother since. The earth is soaking wet now, so that may contribute to peace and quiet.

The birds are working the loganberries as they ripen, and we have found a lot of insects congregating around the bush – mainly flies – and one or two berries have grubs inside. A bit of a doubtful proposition for eating I am afraid.

Re: our office move, quite a lot went wrong. To start with Pickfords’ men who were to do the movement in the offices did not arrive, and the two or three (high ranking management) staff who were on duty to organise found they had to move the lot. Our office is a mess. The furniture was in, it’s true, but just dumped, and papers had been removed from the cupboards. Had we know we could have packed in boxes. The accommodation chap (approximately £2,600 per annum) [£65,000 in 2024 money] had had a most horrifying weekend he and his helpers had worked themselves to a physical standstill. Could not grumble at him for the mess but we had to organise ourselves before we could even start thinking about work. Others were worse off as I went up on the second floor, and there was paper everywhere.

Queensmead School is the last building at the bottom right-hand end of Queen’s Walk. not a bad place either.

Nice to have vegetables given you for a change, and kind of Aston. Your wiring noted as something more for us to see on our visit.

We went round to the school to see an exhibition of the work of the primary children. We had a word with Carol’s teacher, and had look at some of her work. We are told she is doing quite well and well up to the standard of her group. Some of her drawings were interesting.

Only fair that as Cornish had the most money he should be left with smallest garden. I think there was little in the size of the original plots. Have a feeling that if anything Heel had most.

Must measure the coal bunker for you and hope to enclose with this letter. Both sides hold 9 cwt.

Have not bought the timber for the loft yet, but have it in mind.

Mum should not give the cactus seeds too much water as they will damp off. Just keep the surface moist and not [allow] to dry out. Seeds should have been sown on the surface and not below. I have about 30 seeds up and growing well.

Your hall wardrobe sounds nice, hope you can keep woodworm out. And fluorescent lighting as well must be like a picture house now.

So near bottom of page again so will close with love from us all once more. 

*I suspect that this was a new innovation at the time!

**Alec’s lifetime accumulation of QSL cards has been recorded on this Google Map, which shows three contacts in Zimbabwe (Rhodesia) and a couple of dozen in Italy.

Tuesday 7th July, 1964

On By Sue JenkinsIn 1964 lettersLeave a comment

Leonard to the family:

Dear Alec June Susan and Carol

Any thanks once again for weekly budget duly received this morning together with drawings from the girls. Sorry to hear Susan off-colour this weekend but very pleased Carol’s face trouble has cleared up. Hope Susan is better by now. They seem to take it in turns to be ill.

Weather has continued very warm and sunny until today when we have had a little rain and it is much cooler. Looks like more rain tonight. You seem to be using your hose a lot – have only had mine in use on one occasion so far but Mum has kept the runner beans watered by means of the can. The ground is really parched now and the grass turning yellow. Surprisingly we have had no fires on the hill to date although the grass there is also drying up.

There was no snow on the card from the Richings – must have melted en route. No doubt he is back now and knows that John Saunders is at Temple Meads. I guess Richings will try for Newton Abbot. Am enclosing a couple of extract from evening paper re: John for you to see. I sent him a line of congratulations on Saturday. According to paper he must be 59 so is lucky to get post. Perhaps he had to promise to stay until 65.

Yes your proposed Avalon trip seems to have faded to nothing at least for the time being. Notedd you are now part of the General Manager’s staff and have moved into another office. Is this office any improvement from the other one? With the closing of the Line Managers’ Offices I suppose there are a few redundancies about. I had heard of Slater of King’s Cross but of course had never met him. Also had read of his appointment to his present post. Where does he anchor for office?

Pity about your disturbed night with Susan. evidently the cherry with orange is not the ‘cure all’ for every complaint. Did you run the trouble with the coughing to ground? Much better for both girls to be out of doors as often as possible during the summer weather – there’s always plenty of time spent indoors in the winter. We have been waking very early mornings ourselves but not because of illness or disturbed sleep. Generally get up between 6 a.m. and 6:30 a.m.. This morning for instance the man responsible for burning the trees was cutting up the branches just after 5 a.m. and he had started the fire soon afterwards.

Noisy lot of folks living near you apparently. No thought for other people.

Not surprised to hear you have green fly and white aphis on your cinerarias – should have been if you had managed to keep them all the season without any troubles of this sort. The thing is to keep it in check otherwise it will spread to all the plants in the greenhouse. Glad to know ants have disappeared at your end. We have a few knocking about still and there are quite a lot in the garden in various places.

You are doing very well with your new aerial and must be more interesting to you in getting contact with fresh districts. I noticed the press have mentioned John Saunders connection with radio. Wonder where he will live? Perhaps at Weston where his daughter lives. Incidentally I do not think Snow would make such a good job of it as Saunders should. There is also the fact of Snow making an ass of himself in certain company – these items are borne in mind at the appropriate time.

Have not moved any more of the earth that was put over the fence but it was a good job I cleared it away from the fence because the fence erectors arrived during the week and finished off their work.

Thank you June for offer of chair but last Wednesday Mum and I went to Bristol and in Lewis’s we saw an armchair with rock and swivel combined on sale at just over £5 [£125 in 2024 money] less than the normal price so we bought it and same was delivered yesterday. Most comfortable. Shall not require the armchair you have but it was very kind of you to suggest it and also to send down by road services. We bought two other articles at Lewis’s but I will leave Mum to comment on them.

Yes I very much appreciated the help given by Bushell and next Monday and Tuesday when he has two days off I am going to help him put down the concrete surround for the garage in his garden. He also wants some glass for his porch and I shall run him into Weston for it. Glass seems to be much cheaper in there and no waiting for same as at Clevedon.

Still no applicants to view garage and of course I do not now want any as Bushell will definitely have it.

No further news of Don and as you say we should have heard had he not maintained his improvement. A letter from Geoff this morning however says he was away from work for a week because of an insect bite over his right the eye was closed right up for a while but he is better now.

Your builders are making quicker progress with the building than the ones here. Plenty of bricks lying about here but no building yet other than the roadworks. I must say they are making a very good job of this.

Very pleased to hear you have a lot of fruit on the loganberry. Query any insects working on the bushes.

Some move then with Pickfords doing the job. Wonder if anything went wrong?

A night out then for June and the girls at the dancing academy. Where is Queensmead School? Is it the school towards the bottom of Queen’s Walk?

Since last writing I have not done anymore to greenhouse. Have the screeding laid and ready for the concrete and now waiting for the builders’ men on site here to bring some over. Saw the road form and this afternoon and he said he will get it over in a day or two. In the meantime I have cut down the golden privet hedge and grubbed out the roots. All this I pushed over the fence for the builders’ men to burn. Today I have made good the path alongside what was the site of the golden privet hedge. It was very rough and had a jagged edge on the garden side. Took three lots of made-up concrete to finish the work but it had to be done. Unfortunately I then had to dig out one path and under the concrete there were hundreds of stones and other rubble put their originally as hardcore for the concrete. Can remember doing this but never thought I should have the trouble of freeing the garden soil of this rubble later. The alteration gives me about 24 ft x 6ft more garden for vegetables. When we went to Bristol last week (by bus) we noticed that Dr Plant of Tickenham was digging out potatoes and that he had a stall at the roadside. When Mum wanted more potatoes last Friday we ran out there and got them at 6d [62p] per lb. Excellent potatoes and free of disease. Bill Aston has brought around some onions, beetroot and broad beans and another neighbour also brought beans and potatoes. This in return I suspect for various vegetables we have been able to pass to them in previous years. Very acceptable and of course very much appreciated.

Last Wednesday young Victor James came round in the evening to start the preparations for the installation of the electric light in garage and for the heater in the greenhouse. The wires when stretching from the garage to greenhouse were only about 8 ft above ground level whereas the minimum allowed is 15 ft. Decided that the pole (taken down from its original site) should be shortened a re-erected on hedge side of greenhouse in its new position. This will give a rise (from garage) to 13 ft which will be good enough. Have dug the hole 2½ ft in readiness for the next move which will be on Wednesday when Victor comes next. In the greenhouse I have dug out the stones and rubble which formed part of the drive but it was a hot job – the sun shining strongly. Had all the windows open and the door but could only stay inside for a few minutes then out for a breather. Have still to get this rubble outside but the worst part of the job is done.

Last night the builders’ man had the first go at breaking off the portion of pond lying outside our fence. So far they have done very well and are being careful to avoid – if possible – damaging the portion left on our side. We still see a lot of individuals picking the raspberries etc. One man told me he liked the redcurrants so I asked him what about the white ones. Said he did not know there were white currants and thought the ones he had seen next to the reds were not ripe. He soon went back and sampled them.

I had a look over Heel’s side on Monday and must say that both he and Cornish now have smaller gardens than ours. Cornish in particular has a very small piece. Saw him in the distance but just said ‘how do’ and away. Heel’s door of garage will only be about six inches away from the wall dividing road from garden. Looks to me as if he will have to move garage. Am still waiting for rain so that I can get some plants in for the winter – Heel has them waiting for me in his frames.

Shall be looking forward to the show to be given by the girls when they are here. Time getting on now – only five or six weeks to your holiday. I see they are already in trouble with the traffic queues in the West Country. The Honiton bypass is being started in August but it will take two years to complete. It is also anticipated that the M5 from Bristol to the west will not be ready until the early 70s.

Mum has just come in (6:30 p.m.) and said it is raining all right now. May it continue all night. Great cracks are appearing in the ground all over the place. It was however nice to have it dry when grubbing out the hedge.

Yes Alec it looks as if you might have a very interesting job with Slater and progress will be awaited when you have some news for us thereon.

By the way what are the measurements of your coal bunker please? I took them once but have forgotten. Have to get one in the near future for ourselves.

Looks like the bottom of page again so will close with all our love to you both and lots of kisses for the girls. Mum and Dad.

P.S. Pleased to know your intentions for timber for loft – you will have an additional room eventually up there.

P.P.S. Letter from John Saunders enclosed – please return in due course*.

*This has of course vanished from the collection.

Sunday 5th July, 1964

On By Sue JenkinsIn 1964 lettersLeave a comment

Alec to his parents:

Dear Mum and Dad

Here we are once again with weekly News etc. in reply to yours duly to hand. Thanks once again for letters and cards also the “etc”. sent in aid of the 28th*. Hope you received short hand-written letter from the office. Not too worried about misfiring. This is always a possibility especially if date occurs on a Sunday. I had no doubt that something was in the post and G.P.O. had let you down. It seems as you said that the Weston post is not so good as the Clevedon. Perhaps it could be the volume is greater especially with holiday makers.

Weather has been quite good here in the week without being really exceptional. It has been hot in the city and on one lunchtime – Friday I think – it rained a few drops. Otherwise no rain seen. Had the hose on the lawn a couple of times in the week, and the two gallon watering-can has also been used. Yesterday started very cool. It was warmer by far in the lean-to than outside, and I did not bother to open the windows. It turned out to be not a bad day, dry but not over-hot. Today the sun is well up and every sign of a bit of extra warmth to come. Gather you had a card with snow on it from the Richings. Not so odd that it is daylight at midnight – ‘land of the midnight sun’ and all that – it is light here at 4 a.m. as we discovered to our annoyance this morning. More on that anon.

We have heard no more of the trip on the ‘Avalon’ and that seems as far away as ever. We are now part of the General Manager’s Organisation as from Monday of this week. The complete closedown of the Line Managers (G.E. and G.N.) has now come about. What you say about being resident in London and able to see all the sights is quite true. I suppose we shall go up occasionally later on to see them with the girls, but like you and Bristol no doubt I think it is a good place to keep clear of.

Carols face all right again now. It was quite painful for her, but she was very good with it, and left it alone pretty well. Have not heard Lollipop lately and no sign of activity this morning yet. Other things have taken over I suppose, but we shall be back at it again in the winter no doubt. At the present time they can get out in the garden and that is where I would rather see them at the moment. Carol is busily drawing something for you, and sitting in front of me, but Susan a little off colour is upstairs. While on that subject, and your next re: wine, must mention that we were woken up by Susan coughing in the night. After a while went in and gave her half a wine glass full of cherry with orange, but this did not do any good. (Operated on the wrong subject – Carol more susceptible.) After a while June contributed some linctus, but that did no immediate good. After a short while of this – time 4 a.m. – I got up and made a cup of tea. That did no good except to us as Susan did not get any**. However after a while there was no more sound from Susan and I got off to sleep. It seems that June did not get any more sleep and we were all late getting up. Noticed that at 4 a.m. it was daylight outside. Lots of people were passing in cars presumably going on holidays. This followed the previous night when there was just as much activity in the early hours. People saying ‘goodbye, have a good time’ etc and slamming car doors. Our next door neighbours were chief offenders. 

My cinerarias have all got the greenfly and white aphids but this does not seem to be stopping the growth. Must give them some jollop to get rid of it. Some game that chat wanting to move the fir tree. Would not be surprised if he does not try it. They can do that these days. Even tall forest trees can be moved provided you have a sufficient amount of earth with the roots. This can be done with big earth-moving equipment such as bulldozers etc***. I would not think it worth his while trying it though.

Have had no more ants indoors,but have seen a few outside in the last few days. I think the Menace is over for this year.

Have had more results with the new aerial. It seems to work out quite well. Had contacts with a number of places in this country, Yorkshire and Durham also Brighton, and one near Oostend and one on phone near Antwerp. Also last night had to talk with a chap at Bath. Had tried him before on old aerial with no luck.

Not surprised he [Saunders] is the man for Bristol. Hope they soon settle it. I had a word with Notley in the week, but he did not know who had the job yet. He told me about Smallbone. I think he is the right man for the job all things considered. Probably Snow was a likely one, but he has not done himself much good over the years. 

Glad you have got the earth over at last. Nothing like having enough. If you have not enough it is hard to come by, and I should make sure you have more than enough for possible requirements. June just came in and said to remind you that the wooden chair with backrest and wooden arms is available for you. If you remember it was in the front room for a long time. It was really an invalid chair and quite a solid job. Mum said she would like you to have it, and if okay we can send it down by British Road Services. If you should not want it we shall dispose of it so now is the chance.

Good of Bushell to help with the erecting of the greenhouse. I am sure you are glad it’s up and the main works are now complete. Odd about the lack of response to garage ad. Sounds as if you will get no takers now. It is an ill wind for Bushell, but he has been a great help with all the work.

No further news of Don. You would have heard if all was not well. Note also the work on the houses and the stone etc. Work this end going just as fast. The first houses are well up and they have worked their way right up to the house next door and are putting in the foundations this week, the ground having been levelled.

Making a move to get garden right then by painting the seat. Should have no difficulty in drying out in the greenhouse with all that heat. No comment from Mum on the cacti, but here I find that three of the ones with ordinary leaves to start with seem now to be turning into the same type as we gave you for a cutting last time you were up. Pity if so, but maybe a different variety.

Talking of fruit, the thornless loganberry is absolutely loaded down with berries and some are approaching the ripening stage. There must be hundreds on it. Sounds as if we have more fruit than you. We have a good-looking crop of apples coming on the tree this year – probably because I did not prune it at all this time. There won’t be enough to take coal to Newcastle though, but we must see.

A bit of a game with the pole for the electricity then. You should not have much trouble with the new one.

Well not much to report this end again. We move into our new office down the corridor tomorrow and had to do a lot of packing up on Friday. The whole of the furniture and offices in the building have been reallocated and Pickfords are doing the moving. The whole thing has been arranged like a military operation. There are many buildings involved, some at King’s Cross and some at Liverpool Street. The offices which have to be changed all have Pickfords paper stickers on the door, and all the furniture to removed in the room has a paper sticker on it showing the new office to which it has to go. If some furniture has to stay put there is no mark put on it. Of course all the cupboards in our room are being moved but the desks stay. The result is that we had to turn out all the drawers and put contents into cardboard boxes and label same to the new office. Must not move it ourselves, but leave for Pickfords’ men to remove. Hope it all finds its way correctly so we can start in the morning.

Looks as if the neighbours on the end have a new car. We have not seen the other for some time, and Les has been seen at the wheel of a new small car and showing it off to others. It may be he has borrowed one for the holidays. House is empty next door but we have not been told they were even going.

Susan now down and doing a bit of a drawing for you. Last night the dancing academy were involved in a show at Queensmead School. June got tickets for herself and the girls and I took them down in car about seven pm. Gathered the show would be over at 10:30 p.m. and arranged to call and pick them up. However they got back on foot by 9:30 p.m. which did not surprise me any. The girls say they are going to give you a show when they see you – look out. Of course our two were not involved.

You may have heard that they have recently appointed a London Parcels Service Manager – a chap by the name of Slater who was the former Station Master at King’s Cross. He has to take charge of all parcels cartage in London of all regions and control it. I had to go and see him on Friday to advise on prospect of getting a bonus scheme on a common basis for all men involved. Looks like being a very interesting job. He is quite a nice chap – about £3,000 [£75,000 in 2024 money] per annum.

All things considered it would seem the ‘Avalon’ is out.

Well getting near the bottom again so will close with love from us all once more. 

*i.e. his birthday present

**Talk about shooting yourself in the foot!

***Yeah, people like Capability Brown were moving mature trees a couple of hundred years ago with a handful of yokels and a bullock-cart: this is nothing new.