Tag: Railway

Sunday 18th October, 1964

On By Sue JenkinsIn 1964 lettersLeave a comment

Alec to his parents:

Dear Mum and Dad

Well nice to hear from you again after your return from here. Letter and paper duly received for which many thanks. Note you got the cutouts from the girls, and we are sorry that was all they could manage last time. Had intended for them to make up for a little lost time by getting something done on the Monday morning before they went to school, but unfortunately I failed to set alarm correctly and we all overslept, and that was that. They are by my side now busily spoiling paper on your behalf, so something will emerge this weekend*.

On Monday of last week, we had the underground strike, and what a mess it was. I travelled up somewhat later than usual, due to oversleeping, and got mixed up with the heavy crowd. Also only half the trains were running so we were jam-packed in the trains which is no joke down there as almost impossible to get out at required stations. I left early so that I might get home at a reasonable time, and went to Baker Street and walked to Marylebone where I got an L.M.R. train. Result home about a half hour earlier than usual. Tuesday I went via Marylebone and thence overland by bus and Shanks Pony, and arrived at 9:30 a.m.. I left at right time and went via Marylebone again, but got in quite late, it taking me just as long to get from West Ruislip station to home as it did from office to West Ruislip. On Wednesday I went the usual way, and although trains very full, ran fairly well to time, and strike ended that day.

We have had a lot of rain since last writing, but the end of the week has been very fine, and although cold early and late, the midday session is being most enjoyable. I think it was Monday or Tuesday that June brought her geraniums in, so activities at both ends seem to coincide.

Did not remember you having said you had been to Norwich. I know you went to Yarmouth and presumably branched off at Ipswich.

Talking of putting on your heater, we have had ours on quite a lot. Of course we have only to switch on the gas, and presumably on the colder days you have used your electric fire.

I am glad to say that both children seem to have recovered from their chills etc. June had her examination at Mount Vernon on Friday, and Mrs Baker came here to look after the children. June will be going into Harefield Hospital on 12th November. We do not know how long that will last, that should imagine it will be at least a week. The 12th is the first day so the weekend intervening may help us.

Yes a bit of a jaunt to get new receiver. Would not mind doing it again but would not want to do it every day. The new set is streets ahead of the old. I had to part-exchange the old one, and although it was in your price range, and I thought of you in connection with it, the defect that had arisen was not one that I had the equipment to deal with, so thought it right to pass on to the shop people, who are not concerned if it works as long as it is all there. The new set [has?] six degrees of selectivity for tuning out interfering signals. Much more sensitivity for bringing in weak signals, and a wave-change switch for changing from one band to another without the cumbersome changing of the big coil pack [illegible] quality of the reproduction on the broadcast band and the range of medium wave broadcast stations that come in is amazing, I have never heard another receiver like it for that stuff. I often listen to different musical programs on the medium wave as the tone is so good.

We have not seen the car since last weekend as Peter and Kaye have gone to South Wales in it this week. Mrs Baker has gone to Southend to see her mother whose birthday it was yesterday. We understand she was having a party. We took Mrs Baker over to Ealing in the car so that she could get onto the District line from there. Her journey is to Tower Hill, a walk to Fenchurch Street, and thence to Westcliff.

I do not know if June has mentioned the long sermon or not, but she is going again today. It is a service for the Young Wives. They have to read lessons etc. I expect they are all fighting to take up the collection.

The ceiling [illegible] very well indeed. I had to borrow a small backless saw from Doug to cut out the remainder of the hole to size, and then get the surform on the edges. The new piece went in without too much space left but the plastering was much more difficult. I mixed some up, enough to do the job, and at the right consistency, but by the time I was ready to put it on, it had hardened to solid lumps. Mixed some more, and that also hardened before I had finished. June was working with me all the time, and although we worked fast the stuff dried faster. Of course there was a lot of mess in the room after the rest of the ceiling came down, and what with the plaster powder all over the place it wanted some sorting out. The ceiling was left in a fairly rough state so that we could put some Polyfilla on top and sandpaper at all down. A job yet to be done.**

Sorry to hear about Mr Virgin. You told me he had paid you a visit last summer (I think).

Good luck you had choir practice on the day of the Hewitts’ visit or they would have been there the night.

The event with the Scouts was a bit of a waste of time. I had arrange to pick up another chap and take him down, but when I arrived he said he was going to mend his motorcycle and was not coming. I arrived at the Scout Hut at about 2:30 p.m., and found two other amateurs there and one or two non-licenced assistants, and one Scout. They had a very good aerial up (3 to be precise) and they were working two transmitters and three receivers. During the morning they had worked an American station, but there was not much about in the afternoon. Shortly after we arrived about half of the people that were there left including the one scout. Stuck this until about 5 pm and left myself. I think they might have saved a bit of their enthusiasm for whipping some of the Scouts in rather than seeking our assistance.

Your efforts with the SW set noted, but before you bore a hole in the panel you can if you like try out the effect of the additional condenser by fitting it to a piece of cardboard or plywood and attaching that to the panel by means of one of the holes in it. You could then link up the wires as I suggested (one must now go from the spindle to the casing of the set as it is insulated from it by the wood) putting the stator (non rotatable part) of the new condenser to each of the three similar parts of the three gang condenser in the set to see on which it has most effect for spreading the signals apart. Will be practically no advantage to you on 21 or 28 M/c, but should be invaluable on 14 M/c.

Glad you manage to find somewhere that makes the concrete posts like ours, but seems you had quite a job to get them. I should think that if you wanted to you could make a mould yourself and go into business in a small way. If Hobbs are the only people making them in your area you should clear the market.

The position at Tiverton is noted and gather they will be coming to you in the Spring. Noted also that Don will again be coming to see you. He certainly seems a lot better now. Mrs Baker said how well he looked after what had gone before.

Well we know the result of the election. What a frost. They will do no good at all with that majority, and I can see another election coming in 18 months, that being as long as I give them***. Ron Brown got in by a reduced majority although his share of the poll was higher. He is in a fix now, as he is allowed to retain most of his railway privileges for his first term, but loses most of them if he is re-elected. If the government falls after a short period, and he is re-elected as he is almost bound to be, then he is robbed of his free travel etc. etc****. We estimate that he should make about £10,000 [£250,000 in 2024 money] per annum out of the deal***** so he can afford a bit of bad luck. His place is being taken by Davis, the redundant head of the Western Region Work Study School.

I learned something I did not know from him in the [illegible] remember that I applied for a job as lecturer at Paddington before [illegible] to the Eastern region. Did not get it of course, and all though I interviewed, heard no more. Davis was on the panel. While in [illegible] on Friday (Davis was there) Russell asked him ‘Do you know Mr Atkins?’ and the reply was ‘Yes I wanted him to be lecturer at my school but they preferred some flamboyant character’. You live and learn. The Western school is closed down now, and all the lecturers are redundant so I for one am not complaining.

Well must draw the line again as news drying up. Les next door had someone bash into his car when left outside his own house last Saturday. He did not know it had been done until midway through the Sunday. He thinks it must have been the builders’ lorry, but no one said anything. The offside front wing has been bashed in. There is paint off the other vehicle along the dent, and the builders’ lorry is that colour. Told him I had been expecting something like that for some time. Chap opposite opened his iron front gate yesterday and the brick pillar fell down. So there is they all have their troubles.

Hope you are both keeping well. Look forward to your next – heard Scott yesterday. Love from us all.

*”I apologise that my children are of an inferior species and at the ages of 8 and 6 can’t sit down and write a long, multi-paragraph letter, free of spelling mistakes, on a weekly basis, and that they would rather draw or cut out or do something creative with the paper which let’s face it I steal from the office anyway.”

**Alec’s DIY skills were rudimentary at best, and he hated decorating – in later years, leaving that all to June although they would easily afford to have someone come in to do the job.

***Not a bad shout. The following election took place on 31 March, 1966 – just seventeen and a half months later – and was again a victory for Labour.

****As he rightly should be, MPs having travel privileges of their own. I’m not surprised, but constantly disappointed, by exactly how small-minded Alec always shows himself to be in these letters. So desperate not to be deprived or cheated of any little thing. It’s a miserly mentality, IMHO.

*****”The basic annual salary of a Member of Parliament (MP) in the House of Commons is £91,346, plus expenses, from April 2024. In addition, MPs are able to claim allowances to cover the costs of running an office and employing staff, and maintaining a constituency residence or a residence in London. Additional salary is paid for appointments or additional duties, such as ministerial appointments, being a whip, chairing a select committee or chairing a Public Bill committee.” (Wikipedia)

Wednesday 14th October, 1964

On By Sue JenkinsIn 1964 letters, UncategorizedLeave a comment

[Continued from Tuesday 13th October, 1964]

A much milder morning and inclined to be wet but after midday it became sunny and very warm. Managed to cut hedge behind greenhouse and have made further progress with the plot between that point and the garage. Wonder how you have been getting on with the refusal of the Underground men to work the winter schedules? On TV last night one of the men out said they were sorry the public was inconvenienced but they were doing it for them – to increase the services – as much as for themselves. What cheek. Another case of ‘I’m all right Jack’.

A reply from Don this morning says they will come up on the 20th inst. as he has to go into Taunton for a check-up on the 22nd.

No more now. All the best June on Friday when you visit specialist. All our love to you both and lots of kisses for the girls. Mum and Dad.

P.S. forgot Mercury so posting it Thursday with letter. 

Tuesday 22nd September, 1964

On By Sue JenkinsIn 1964 letters, UncategorizedLeave a comment

Leonard to the family:

Dear Alec June Susan and Carol

Many thanks for the usual budget of news duly to hand this morning but no enclosures from the girls this time. Perhaps with your weekend operations of one sort and another they could not manage a line.

You will be pleased to hear Mrs Baker arrived on Monday evening but coach was later this year not reaching Weston until 8.5 p.m. However we went into Weston in the early afternoon and had a good look round before sitting in car waiting for the coach. It was a glorious day and there were crowds of people about in Weston but after the sun went down it turned cold very quickly. We got home at about 8:45 p.m. and had supper and a bit of a talk and so to bed. This morning Mrs Baker and Mum walked to Hill Road and back to see the shops whilst I got on with some outdoor work. This afternoon we went to Portishead and parked car near the swimming pool and walked up over Battery Point etc. Another very hot day. Too hot in fact for Mum to stop on the coast road coming home. Tomorrow we go to Lyng and may call at Burnham in the morning and have picnic lunch there. Hhope we shall not have sand in the sandwiches this time.

Yes we think the Taunton doctor at the hospital has made a big improvement with Don and we shall see tomorrow if what we saw last week has been maintained. Will try and comment in this letter before posting.

Well following up last week’s letter that the gale on Wednesday upset some of the fencing put up a few days previously I strengthened the one upright that was the weakest the following morning and so far as these five panels are concerned I think it will be satisfactory in future. Have had to think again though about the long fence which will be put up at bottom of garden as the force of wind there is terrific. Fortunately when talking to Bushell about it he said I could have all the sleeper lengths from the bottom of the floor of old garage and as these are about 5½ feet long I think I can use them for sloping supports to the fence. He had enough of them to ensure each of the posts supplied by Coates being separately supported and they are now with the others on our side of fence waiting attention.

Noted you have trouble in digging out the holes for your posts. Query if you have flooded the holes with the hose pipe perhaps this would have softened soil at bottom and enabled you to get more earth out. I have a grave suspicion that I shall not be able to use post hole digger here as the swing of the handle will fell the chain link fence already there. The holes will have to be made very close to the fence. However nothing will be done in regard to this until we have been to Ruislip meanwhile I am fully occupied – at odd intervals this week – in trying to lay the paving stones for path. Have completed the distance between greenhouse and garage and now levelling out the soil between garage and end of shed nearest to house to take further paving stones.

To get back to your letter. Noted you think the chap we saw on Church Hill was Scott – maybe. What are the points not strictly correct in regard to his history as given by the Mercury? Did you notice enclosure in this week’s paper of the presentation to Charlie Rust? Should have included it the previous week but overlooked it.

So your neighbours are still away. Having their money’s worth by the sound of it.

Note reason for changing toilet. This is quite a common occurrence and most pipes have to be attended to at some time or another. We had the trouble many years ago. New model wood [be] sure to be different. Everything is when you want to replace it. All makes work for someone you know. Closed shop and for putting in hatches – who holds the hammer?

What a caper you had on your proposed journey to Woburn Abbey. Told Bushell this morning when helping him on a little job and without examination he suggested it might mean the dynamo brushes need renewing otherwise the dynamo replaced. Anyhow I hope it will not be too costly a job. Always something.

So far as the sets are concerned I can only give you the measurements of the set I brought back last year but I can quite appreciate it will be better to leave the big case off altogether and if possible rig up a temporary one. Cannot think of some of the points needing clarification in the radio book just now but will bring it along. Shall have to tighten up the aerial too as I see it is sagging a bit and now touching the tops of the bushes. The gale may have been responsible for some of this.

Glad to hear you were able to get on with the fencing last weekend and even with only eighteen inches of post in the ground I think you will find it sufficient situated where you are. It would not do here though. Mr Gray was soon on the job then when he saw what you were up to and as you have cleared the side hedges – Roses etc. – we shall see a big difference. You have already noticed you have extra room to play with and I am sure you will agree it is a much needed job.

Noted Peter will give Mr Gray a hand with his side of the work. Hope your other neighbour agrees to your suggestion to save cutting off a piece of the panel. This would somewhat spoil the frame and weaken it.

Could not quite understand why the people at the bottom had to bring a van round for the old fence. Could not they have had it over the bottom of garden? We much appreciate your writing us after such a hard day’s work – expect you were all tired out.

Yes visit to Tiverton off for the time being and we have not yet had a reply to our suggestion that they come up here later on for a few days rest.

Fancy taking the water for the dolls picnic to top up the battery – don’t expect that was very much appreciated. How did the dolls manage?

Understand Rebecca likes her job and is settling down to it.

We think Mrs Baker looks much better this year and certainly she seems brighter. Hope the change here will do her more good. She said the journey down was very hot at times. I should think so too for it was a real scorcher at Weston in the afternoon. Heels came back yesterday after about nine days at Derby. They brought back an elderly couple with them to stay for a short time.

I mentioned helping Bushell just now. It was to help carry a bath from the garden at back of houses to the front of house where in his front lawn he had dug a big hole. The bath was to be dropped into said hole and the surrounding filled in again. He intends to use it for fish and lilies. He has already covered it with wire netting to keep the children from falling into it.

There has been no further move regarding our pond so far but I can afford to wait for the time being as am busy on other matters.

Have to start collecting the items to bring up such as peat, hose pipe etc. and if there is anything else you can think of please let us know next letter. Assume June will be all right for us to come up on Thursday October 1st to arrive after lunch. Probably call on route for a meal as we did last year. Hope I have not a cold this time too. If you remember we had to return a day early and go to bed. Today I feel fine and possibly the extra work here has had something to do with this as there is no time to be ill.

Bushell has used some Aquaseal for his guttering and it has done the trick. He needs a downpipe now or the water will still be blown over our side by the wind.

What an amazing spell of weather we are having. Never thought it would hold out for Mrs Baker’s visit but glass is well up and with a bit of luck it will remain fine all the week. The nights get very cold quickly after sundown. Slight frosts in the morning too. Will break off now and continue tomorrow evening with an account of our day out on Wednesday and visit to Lyng.

[Continues Thursday 24th September, 1964]

Tuesday 15th September, 1964

On By Sue JenkinsIn 1964 lettersLeave a comment

Leonard to the family:

Dear Alec June Susan and Carol

The usual budget of news duly arrived this morning for which many thanks. I see the girls have been doing some sticking-on pictures for us this week – thank you Susan and Carol.

Yes I thought you would be most interested to read the article about Scott’s career in the radio world but I would not have said the man we saw on Church Hill was much like the photograph in the Mercury – could have been of course and I do not expect there are many if any others who would be so interested in Clevedon to erect a mobile set locally.

Your remarks read the Eddystone type of set noted.

So your neighbours have been to Spain and presumably back again now. Query if any specimens brought back from the bull rings. The milk would not have been much use to anyone after many hours in the sun. I see the newsboy is still delivering papers to Heels who have gone away for another week’s rest. This time to Derby to stay with friends – of course. They went off last Saturday morning and expected back this coming Saturday.

Noted you have plumber booked for the toilet job. What has given rise to this alteration? Is the present arrangement unsatisfactory or has there been some damage? Pity about the serving hatch. Can you not get this underway just yet? What about the decorations? June mentioned these not long ago and said you were about to start operations. Perhaps the continued fine whether has kept you both outdoors as much as possible. The indoor jobs can wait until bad weather prevents work outside.

Yes June mum did get her stainless steel tea set from Eric Wrights of Sheffield.

Had a letter from Don late last week wearing he said he and Joan would be coming up here for lunch tomorrow (Wednesday 16th inst.) if all right with us. He was feeling much better and particularly mentioned his breathing which had improved a lot. He has to go to Taunton today to see Doctor again and unless we get a telephone message (through Mrs Marshall) tonight they will be up as arranged. This seems very good news as on several recent occasions when a visit here has been mooted he has said no very plainly and commented that he was far from well and could not make such a journey. Will try and include a post script with this letter as to what we think of him since his last visit to hospital.

Apart from the height of the R208 which is about three or four inches more the set I have in garage is same as the measurements you give for the one you have got for me. Suggestion for taking it out of case noted and must make up my mind on this when I see it. Glad to hear you have had some success with it to date. Also noted your idea of having a small shed in garden for your set as attic a bit cold in winter. I think a shed would be just as cold and in addition you have to go outside – in all weathers – to get to it. No Alec I shall not be buying any valves down here or anything else for that matter without having a previous word with you. Am studying the contents of the book we got at Sealeys and there are many bits and pieces I cannot fathom so it would not be much good for me to go into a shop and ask for anything.

So you have now ordered the concrete posts and fencing for your gardens. This will make a wonderful improvement – perhaps you have completed the work by now – it was not a bad day here on Saturday. I was rather surprised that Bushell did so well on his journey to Birmingham as the sketch he had from his friend was – in my opinion – very very rough. I think his friend would like to get down this way out of Birmingham if only he could find suitable work near Clevedon.

Yes you say that will be the day when Susan starts work! Well it will not be all that far ahead. Time seems to pass very quickly and Susan already is nearly eight and a half years old.

Proposed visit to Tiverton is offer at least for the time being. We suggested Thursdays because that day is early closing there and Lydia would be home for the afternoon but Joe has to go to Exeter on these days for radiotherapy treatment. Now suggested that as Lydia is giving up the shop at the end of the month – the business is being sold – perhaps they would like to come up here for a little holiday and that we would run down and bring them back. Now awaiting reply.

Next Monday Mrs Baker will be coming down as you know and we shall go to Weston to meet the coach. Hope weather not broken up yet and that we can have some fine days but these last couple of days have seen some very heavy storms and they are on one before you realise it. Still rain is badly needed and the ground is crying out form moisture. Gave Bushell’s roof on garage a good testing but everything all right. He has put guttering up on our side of fence but this needs a little attention as I see water escaping through a few holes.

Expect Saunders was pleased to meet your old colleague Lay – a common interest in the radio.

Yes I had seen and noted that Brown’s brother had been nominated for one of the London constituencies and remembered you saying he was connected with Work Study. Perhaps this will be the means of his getting away from the railway altogether – a subtle move.

How did you get on at Woburn Abbey last Saturday? Hope June and the girls enjoyed the outing. What was the journey on the M1 like?

Sounds as if we shall see quite a lot of alterations when we come up. You would be surprised to see the difference down here too since you were here in August. Surprising also the number of inquiries for the houses and the number walking around inspecting the buildings and obviously interested from a buying point of view.

Mum must deal with you regarding the cacti Alec but you will be pleased to hear June seven of the laburnum seeds are through and looking well at the moment.

Have had a pretty hectic week again here. Ordered half-inch chippings and cement from Crane and paving slabs and galvanised nails from Counsells (Yatton). The chippings (1 ton 7 cwt) [1370 kg] and cement arrived on Friday morning– the overlap fencing arrived the same afternoon and the paving and wrong size nails on the Saturday morning. The nails were refused and returned with lorry driver who was told I was waiting for them. However it was Monday before the replacements arrived. On Saturday managed to get up two panels of the overlap fencing with Bushell’s help and would have had a third in position but for a sudden burst of rain about 4:00 p.m.. Got two more up yesterday and again would have had another up but for a proper down pour which lasted for a long time and finished work outside for the day. In between storms today have managed to get another one with Mum’s help (Bushell gone to work). This completes the five alongside Bushell’s fence between our garden and our greenhouse. Looks quite nice. Did not concrete them in but put a length of half-sleeper with each post about two feet in ground and the same outside to strengthen the post provided by the fencing people. The galvanised nails were used to fasten the panels of fencing to the posts. I do not know when shall get round to putting up the fencing alongside the bottom chain link fence across garden. At the moment it is laying on the lawn adjacent to the old shed and the chippings close to the front doors of garage.

By the way what use did you make of the battery you took back? Or perhaps you have not got round to it yet.

I went out to Norman Baker’s farm yesterday to pick up the tool he uses for making holes for posts. I’ve not tried it yet but I think it will take a lot of the hard work out of post-hole digging and I have 20 to dig for the fence at bottom of garden.

Cornish conspicuous by his absence lately although he is still about on the building site vetting each new arrival and more or less now becoming the receiver-in-chief for the many visitors who wish for information etc etc. He even received the lorry bringing Coates fencing here until he saw me looking at him over the gate. The other day I caught him measuring the width of our gates but he did not see me. I guess he wanted to know the width because the builders here have to supply him and Heel with new gates for the entrances to their respective gardens when the new wall is built. Will break off now and continue after Don and Joan have been up tomorrow.

[Continues Wednesday 16th September, 1964]

Sunday 13th September, 1964

On By Sue JenkinsIn 1964 lettersLeave a comment

Alec to his parents:

Dear Mum and Dad

Thanks once again for weekly letters and the paper. Very interesting cutting from the paper (article rather) about Scott. I have an idea that was the man we saw on top of Old Church Hill when we were with you. He was obviously talking to someone on the Welsh side and could well have been the chap on Flatholm. Odd that the article should have appeared just now, I wonder what started that going.

Our neighbours on the downhill side are in Spain we hear. Rhey did not tell us they were  even going on holiday. We gather they are back today or tomorrow. The relief milkman left four bottles of milk on the doorstep yesterday, which can’t have done it much good. Normal milkman on today has whipped them away again. Hope we did not get any.

We have got the plumber lined up for putting in the new toilet unit. Latter has been delivered and now in the hall. No comment.

Glad the various methods of treatment are having some effect on Don. If he has a lot of phlegm in him it is no wonder he could not breathe very well. Must get rid of it somehow. June asks did mum get her tea set (stainless steel)* from Eric Wright Ltd of Sheffield? I think you may have sown some seed there.

Your radio set in its complete form is rather too large for the house, being 23 in long x 12½ in deep (back) and 17½ in high. [58x32x44.5 cm] – this represents the steel outside case (a dirty grey) in which the set rests. There is also a shelf in this case which has a drawer in which are supposed to be kept spares, valves, flex etc. For indoor use it is best to take set out of case when its height is considerably reduced as is also weight. Out of the case of course all the components are visible but you could easily fit plywood or hardboard top and sides as the framework is there for them to be fitted on. I have the case and the tray in the greenhouse and have taken the rest up into the loft. There are two carrying handles on the front of the works part that makes it easy. I had a listen on all bands on a short piece of wire last week and so far as 20 meters are concerned it is better than mine. Have had many Yanks on it. On 10 meters it is slightly less good than mine which I have souped up for that band. Not a lot doing on 15 meters but I have heard some stations. You can actually get a television sound on it too. As a short-term effort I should be inclined to either keep it in garage, or take the works out as suggested and screw on a light wooden covering. The weight with case is 80 lbs [36 kg] but almost halved out of the case. I have seen some more HROs advertised at around the price we considered, but you never can tell what the condition is and you do not want to be involved in repairs before you can get them to work. By the way don’t ever buy valves your end. I can always get them much cheaper in Tottenham Court Road, or for nothing if I am lucky. Regarding the Eddystone receiver they of course are the Rolls-Royce of receivers, but there are many types from simple to more complex, and of course the prices are high. If they have an 888A for offer less than £80 [equivalent of £2000 in 2024 money] it might be a good buy and something like £40 [£1000] for an 840, but there are a great variety of types and price.

Note your work in garden preparing for the fencing. We ordered some concrete posts for end of garden, and also the fencing. Hope to get them delivered in the week, and perhaps some have to put up fence on Saturday. Measurements have to be very accurate for this job don’t they?

We had our photos back in the week, and although some trouble with one or two, largely they were good. One of Bushell and family was very good. Some journey to Birmingham for Bushell. Thought he knew the route as he had a good diagram to work to. I am not surprised he was glad to get home from Brum as the air is worse there than here.

Interesting to learn that Rebecca now at work. Seems no time at all she was a toddler. That will be the day when Susan starts. She will probably get the sack first day for cheek**.

Hope you get your visit to Tiverton. We did not do the trip this time we were at Exmouth. Never gave it a thought. In any case traffic a lot worse this year than the last time we were down.

I had heard of the moves re: Phillips and thought I has told you. So far as John Saunders is concerned, I heard from Ken Lay Paddington that he was in on Monday last and knowing from me that Saunders was in the fraternity dropped in on him when going for his train. Apparently they had a good natter, and John saw him off on his train.

I suppose you have noticed the Press in the press that Ron Brown our senior instructor of Work Study School (is George Brown’s brother) stood for nomination for the Labour Party candidate for Shoreditch and Finsbury constituency. He got onto shortlist, and eventually won the final ballot by a good margin. As this is a fairly safely seat this means he will be leaving us to become an MP in the new Parliament unless something goes radically wrong. He is not very popular with top management at the moment.

It is a fine day here and we hope to go to Woburn Abbey this afternoon for the last of the mobile radio rallies of the year. I understand it is a good one and there are amusements for children etc. The place is at Belford which is a short trip on the M1.

The girls have been fairly well although a bit naughty lately. I think I have said that before.

None of my cacti have rotted with over-watering. I have taken a lot of cuttings of them and I’m bringing them on in little trays. The seeds I put in are doing quite well.

I am seriously thinking of buying a small shed to go in garden for radio activities. I am sure it is not all that too healthy to stop long in loft without daylight and in the dust. Cst of putting loft right would be as much as getting a shed which has many advantages. I should have electric light put in garage and extended to shed just beyond. A small self-contained building would be easier to keep warm in winter than a large loft, and certainly get more fresh air in summer.

The buildings are proceeding quite well. two houses are complete, a third well up and a fourth started. The look of the road has changed as if overnight, and I can now see a different each night when coming home. They will not have finished by the time you get here I don’t suppose, but the picture will be clear.

School was resumed without much trouble this year. So far touch wood we have had no trouble and no sickness. Sorry Old Moore*** has said we shall get some bad weather. I suppose we cannot grumble with what we have been getting this year. We have had no rain since I last reported. Have not done any more watering as the morning dew now seems to supply all needs. Ground is still cracked though.

Sorry Mum has been giving cacti too much water. You really must watch it****.

Some fair well for the ‘Posset Flyer’***** then. Sound sense about all these people who complain there will be no trains, but we do nothing about it. In present circumstances railways are a luxury, and local inhabitants are living in a fool’s paradise.

We still have our piano, the people from the church have not yet come for it. There will be a squeal from the children when it is taken. Don’t know what we shall do with the room, but at least we shall not bang ourselves on it coming through the door any more. We still have not fixed up for anyone to do the serving hatch and may have to leave that one out of the plans this time. It would have been nice to have it though.******

Well getting a bit short on news at the moment, so will close once more wishing you all the best. Love from us all. 

*A hopeless mid-century fad.

**Thanks for the vote of confidence, Dad.

***English edition does not seem to be in business any longer, but the Irish version has a website.

****Sigh...

*****’Posset Flyer’ seems to be a nickname for the Portishead (Posset) commuter train from Temple Meads, and has no connection – as far as I can tell – with ‘The Posset Flyers‘ who appears to be a bunch of charitably-inclined car nuts. (From Portishead, no doubt!)

******Well, yes, because taking three or four steps from one room to another takes such a bug chunk out of your day and it’s always better to have a hatch and pretend your wife is a servant instead.

Tuesday 8th September, 1964

On By Sue JenkinsIn 1964 lettersLeave a comment

Leonard to the family:

Dear Alec June Susan and Carol

Many thanks once again for your letters and enclosures from the girls received usual post this morning and glad to hear both the girls are well and presumably back at school as from yesterday. Another holiday over and now lessons for them for a few months. Quite understand telephone conversations should not interfere with the TV programmes but no doubt you avoid clashing as far as possible.

Sorry my comment re: bigger house not understood. Understood June to say she would like another piano one day and thought this meant when you have more room. Agree a bungalow is the ideal nowadays but price must come into the reckoning. You have however property which can be traded for another if and when desired and in the meantime the value of the present house increases yearly.

Noted during that Peter finds the going hard work – no wonder putting in 18 hours per day especially in the weather we have been having lately.

Yes Carol told us of the visit to the dentist. Seems strange though for Susan to have to have a plate to get tooth back into proper position. In the old days the answer would have been to have the offending tooth out but I suppose it would leave a permanent gap which is undesirable. Also noted your neighbours now back from Westgate. This is the second time this year they have been there as they were there whilst we were with you at Whitsun.

Busy time ahead at number 84 then with plumber at work and possibly a carpenter (for hatch) to be followed by decorations.

As stated in post script last letter we visited Don on Wednesday the 2nd inst. found him improving although still very cantankerous with everything and everybody. A letter from Joan yesterday (Monday) says he was expected home again either yesterday or today and that he is much better. Let’s hope this is so. He has been on tablets again and also had a physiotherapist working on him forcing up phlegm he never thought was in him. All to the good no doubt and it will be up to himself now to maintain what the doctors have done. Understand Geoff went down to see him in hospital on Saturday – a letter was waiting at number 169 from Joan when they got back from Austria last Wednesday. Have sent Don and Joan a repeat invitation to come up here to lunch as soon as Don feelss able to travel any distance.

Wed had quite a good day when going to Taunton as we had a picnic lunch just the other side of Shapwick and picked up Joan and her mother’s cousin (who was staying at Lyng) and onto hospital for 2:30 p.m. admission. Back to Lyng 4 o’clock and home again by 6.50 p.m.

Noted Alec you have picked up the short wave set for me and shall be pleased to have the measurements of length width and depth so that I can try and visualise position here. Reading between the lines I think Mum wants it out on the lawn. Good going to tune in Sierra Leone on 10 meters at that short notice. We shall not dispose of either of our sets here but you can have the smaller one whenever you want it after we get the transistor. Position regarding the other set you mentioned previously noted and will leave matter in your hands for development. Incidentally you will be very interested in the ‘Mercury’ sent you yesterday. There is a nice write-up of Scotts set up in Edward Road West and strange to say the first advertisement I have ever seen in the local paper of an Eddystone receiver set for sale by somebody in Ash Grove. This address is on Strawberry Hill close to where the Benns were looking when first house hunting in the area. You will probably remember the locality.*

Mum will comment on the watering of the cacti etc. Yes the peat is some good stuff and I think it may be superior to that which can be bought for 4/- and 4/6d [£5 – £5.50 in 2024 money] per bag. We did not stop to pick up any more last Wednesday but shall certainly have another lot later on. No sign of laburnum seeds coming up yet and may be next spring before signs of life show up.

The hedge (between Bushells and us) is pretty thick and it must be at least three feet otherwise I should not have had so much ground to deal with. Am now out of paving stones, cement and gravel so have had to concentrate on other jobs such as gardening etc. Nothing yet done to pond by the builders and I have now made a template to hold cement in the large depth of pond which will be required to hold one of the posts for the Overlap. This cement will also help to seal up the new end of pond in due course.

Weather still keeps very warm although one or two storms have threatened. Bushells came back from the holiday in Birmingham on Sunday having had fine weather throughout the week. Had petrol trouble going up and only discovered after arrival at Birmingham that a pipe connection was loose causing loss of petrol. Also went several miles out of course – it was their first visit – but eventually completed journey in about four and a half hours.** They were glad to get back out of the smoky atmosphere of the Birmingham area – never felt clean all the time up there. They were surprised to see I had taken down the hedge and cleaned up the ground ready for the wooden fencing. Today Bushell has been finishing off the garage on our side – a good opportunity with hedge gone and the new fence not up. He has also put up some guttering which will keep water from dropping on new fence.

Glad you have news of Doug Matthews again. He has seems to have been properly caught out over the Ibbotson/Feinnes moves. From what you say it would appear he is thinking of finishing at 60. He is older than I thought. Also noted you met Hamblin and Flaxman in corridor of B.R.B.. I did not know latter although have attended meetings at which he has been present.

Yes having regard to previous remark you will have gathered Geoff and family are home once more. Ee understand Rebecca has started work at the Eagle Insurance Co.’s office not having been successful with her Kodak applications. She is however going to try and get into Kodak when another vacancy occurs.

I’ve written to Tiverton suggesting we run down there on Thursday this week or next (early closing at Tiverton) to arrive at about 2 p.m. and leave about 4 p.m. in order to get home by dark. No reply so far and it may be that they are at the bungalow at Exmouth for a long weekend.

The Portishead line closed for passenger traffic after the last train last Saturday and transport will now be by bus.

I see Raymond has got himself a little advertisement in this morning’s paper by having his Jaguar car loaded up at Paddington Station. Okay so ‘don’t do as I do but as I tell you’. Bob Hill had to give some explanation to the press on the matter. Is it not about time he retired?

Am surprised to hear the short wave set weighs about ¾ cwt. Shall have to fit it up in house somewhere as cannot do much in garage in winter evenings.

Building continues apace here but at the moment delay is occurring because of shortage of scaffolding. I think I mentioned before good material and good workmanship is being put into the houses and my impression is that Robinson’s must be a very good firm for work. Like yourselves Mrs Baker will see a lot of alterations around us when she comes on the 21st inst. Hope the weather keeps up but cannot expect it to continue much longer.

The Overlap [fencing] from Bridgwater is coming by rail apparently, which I think means loading to Taunton for latter to load to Bristol for delivery events. Should be here any day now.

A letter from Jeff says that G.A.V. Phillips is going into BRB for another post and that Patterson from Plymouth goes to London. Donovan from Bristol to Plymouth and Pallette to Bristol vice Donovan. Strange moves altogether. I see John Saunders had a good write-up in Railway News with special mention of his ‘world-wide radio activities’. He is going to live at Henleaze Gardens*** where he has bought a house. No doubt he will be on the air from that address in due course. May be able to pick him up later on.

Mr and Mrs Heel have been away again for a few days. This time to Somewhere in West Wales returning to Hereford to finish up. Now they are off again soon.

Cornish brought ladder back last week and I could not get rid of him for over an hour. The usual ‘hymn of hate‘ regarding certain neighbours all over again. Yesterday about 3:30 p.m. I happened to look out the front and saw him with a tape measure measuring the width of our gates. Watched him for several minutes but he did not look up and I did not make my presence known. He walked off after a while back to his own dump. Assume he was after actual width of gates to enable him to decide what the builders must put up for him as this is to be their responsibility. Lorries are much in evidence with various materials for the new houses and bricks seemed very plentiful whereas other builders in the district say they cannot get any.

Mum has had a big bonfire with the hedge I cut down last week. These fires must now be nearer the house and one has to be a bit careful when lighting up. Mrss Marshall is back from her Norfolk Broads Holiday looking very fit. Still no news from the Richings at Weston but I expect Michael and his family have been there for part of the school holiday and we may hear or see something of them later this month.

No more now. all our love to you both and lots of kisses for the girls. 

*Also the general area of the dreaded ‘swimming pool’ bungalow as mentioned on 6th September!

**Rome2Rio suggests this would take well under two hours these days, with faster cars and better roads.

***Nothing under £1M there these days, which would have been £40,000 back then…

Sunday 6th September, 1964

On By Sue JenkinsIn 1964 lettersLeave a comment

Alec to his parents:

Dear Mum and Dad

Thanks once again for weekly letters and paper duly received this end. Glad you liked the contributions from Susan. Carol now back with us of course, and as large as life. School tomorrow and not many regrets from any side. She had a nice time with Grandma, and does not now mind as much being away from us. We ring them up each night on the telephone, and look out if we ring up when they are watching a favourite program on TV. We do not then get much of a chat. Susan continues to have these proper moods fractious, defiant etc etc and some times it is difficult or impossible to communicate. However like all things they come to an end.

As you say it does now seem a long time since we were with you but the weeks are drawing on towards your trip to us. Have not worked out how many weeks to go. Oh I see you say four weeks from 3rd September (ominous date*).

Note your remarks about Peter and the jumps. I agree, not the thing I would volunteer for any way. Can’t say I think much of plane travel, it is still too precarious. They cannot guarantee the lives of even the most famous or highly placed when they travel by air**, and money cannot buy safety. Until they have perfected some automatic rescue apparatus the whole thing will still be risky.

Your remarks about bigger house not understood in reference to finding room for another piano later on. June wants a smaller one, not a bigger one, as they have less room for the dust etc. to settle. I think we will aim for a bungalow next time, if there is a next time***. Prices going up by leaps and bounds here and seem to rise weekly. I gather that round Langley way ordinary semi-detached houses are fetching over £6,000 [£150,000 in 2024 money – the price range for an ‘ordinary semi-detached’ in that area now would be about five times as much, depending on condition.] A patch of land two and a half acres large over there fetched £20,000 [£500,000 in 2024 money: cost now would be approximately £6.5 million or thirteen times as much.] What price we should have to pay for a bungalow goodness knows. It depends on where it is of course. That can make a tremendous difference.

Note your trip to Bristol and visit to Mogg’s place. I expect you will look in again some time when you are next up there. We heard from Grandma that you had written and told her that Don was back in hospital, but assume no panic or you would have let us know. Now we find from your letter that he is in for a checkup. Don’t know how long that will last of course, but I like his cheek thinking he should have the treatment at home. I should have thought his own common sense would have told him that he was in best place to sort out what is actually the matter and put right if possible. As you say it was obvious he was not right when we saw him, but the impression I get was that the affliction was not as much physical, but maybe we did not see him at his worst. He was considerably worried it was plain, and it is to be hoped that this time he can be sent home in a better state. Winter is not so far away, and it is vital he should be getting the proper care now.

Thank you for the cheque. I picked up the set for you yesterday, and it is in very good condition electrically. It is good value for the money, but I am afraid you will have to abandon any idea of having it in the living room as it is far too large. I should say it weighs about ¾cwt [38 kg], and in its case occupies several feet in length, width and height. These army jobs were designed to stop a bullet, and this one will do that all right. however it is a start, and it does its job. it is fairly easy to operate despite many fitments knobs etc on the front. I tried it out last night at the vendors house and despite the fact that aerial was wrong for the job heard 9L1HT, a station in Sierra Leone on 10 meters.****

The prospect of the sale of the HRO are not immediate, and we may have to forget that one at least for the time being. In regard to the offer of one of the sets which you still have surplus, if I were to have one I would prefer the small one, but I have immediate need for one, and they will not be a lot of use as spares. If involved plans which I have ever come to anything, I may have need for a small set to cover 160 meters, but we may be able to do the same for [missing word?] anyway. If you have to get rid of one, dump the big one.

We have not moved our cacti to winter quarters as here they are the same as summer ones. We are easing off the water to cacti now and tell Mum not to give too much water now???*****

Glad the peat is good stuff. Maybe the difference in price means a difference in quality too.

Not to worry about the sails of the yacht. They were no use anyway, and only made the ship turn over if used.

No sign of gorse seeds so far and agree with you we may have to wait some time for them to come up.

Note the work you have been doing in the garden and the effect of removing the hedge. It certainly gives you a bit more room, and the Superlap will improve the look of the place. I am surprised to hear you have five feet between greenhouse and the fence. I could just get by between greenhouse and the hedge, so the hedge must have been very thick.

Cannot see an awful lot of progress here now in the building line. The houses are coming on but it seems quite slow really.

I see according to your footnote in biro that you found Don improved when you went down on Wednesday. A good sign, and especially as the improvement is so soon after going into hospital. I wonder if this means that they have found what is wrong.

Saw Doug Matthews in the week and had a chat in corridor. He tells me he has only five years to go. Also says bad luck is dogging him on E.R. just as on W.R.. He wished to be remembered to you and hope you were well. He says he was offered Woodward’s job when he retired, and they had several goes at him to come back and take over, but he said that while Ibbotson was there he had no intention of putting himself under him again. Well they filled the job with someone else, and then Ibbotson probably left Paddington, and Feinnes from the E.R. went there. Apparently Matthews got on well with Feinnes and so there was much anguish. I was surprised to learn he was 55, and would say he still looks a lot younger. Says he has got too old for gardening which is a favourite hobby.

We had the first rain since returning from Clevedon, during the night. When sitting in front room at about 9:30 p.m. I could heare faint sound of drops hitting the window. It was more solid during the night, but no thunder or anything like that. I have had to water garden at least twice a week as earth had cracked badly. The grass still looks quite green although now beginning to show signs of all the sun.

Sorry you had a busy road to Lyng and back for your visit. I am afraid at this time of year you can’t expect anything else. Was over at the B.R.B. on Friday and saw Hamblin and Flaxman in the corridor. Passed time of day, but did not stop.

Well I propose to get your set into the loft somehow, and run a few tests with it in comparison with mine. Could do with a block and pulley.

I suppose Geoff and Stella and family must now be back from foreign parts and we may one day see some film. Well hope you are both well, and not working too hard still. Love from us all once more. 

*I can only imagine this was a date of personal or family significance, but the details never seem to have reached me.

**The most recent death of a famous individual in a plane crash at the time was that of the musician Jim Reeves, about five weeks earlier.

***Of all the reasons for wanting a smaller house, this is the oddest. I mean, smaller house=less cleaning makes a certain amount of sense, but one can always *do* less cleaning anyway! They *did* get a bungalow, some years afterwards, but it was not a happy experience: it was so damp it was generally known as ‘the swimming pool’, and they were glad to move out of it into a regular house again later.

****It’s been virtually impossible to track down this reference, *but* I found an intriguing link to 9L1T which was a proposed (but cancelled) DX-pedition – an amateur radio jolly where a group of hams join together to set up a ‘station’ in a place where conditions for communication should be advantageous – in 2018. Two things spring to mind as a result: 1) that 9L was the prefix for Sierre Leone, and 9L1 probably for the coastal area; 2) that, the site for the proposed expedition being an island, there may have been concern that the hams would be able to (or intended to) observe naval manoeuvres of some sort. If I had to guess, I’d say 9L1HT was probably based in Freetown, the capital city.

*****If this is still intended as a joke it’s getting a bit tedious.

Tuesday 1st September, 1964

On By Sue JenkinsIn 1964 lettersLeave a comment

Leonard to the family:

Dear Alec June Susan and Carol

Many thanks for both your letters and the enclosures from Susan duly received this morning. Noted Carol at Grandma Baker’s at time of writing and hope she will keep free of illness there. Pity she was so poorly after so many sweets. June says Susan is in a proper mood. Holidays are very nice but even children get tired of them and generally are glad to return to school. Some comment on TV last night on this very subject with interviews with school children.

It seems a long time now since you were with us but in actual fact it is only just over a week since you returned home. However it is something to look back upon and the opportunity to look forward to our next visit to you which should be four weeks from this coming Thursday (3rd September).

Fancy Peter having the nerve to do parachute jumps! I have no wish to even go up in a plane*.

Noted you are getting rid of piano but have it in mind one day to get another. Perhaps when you have a bigger house you may find room for one. Alec used to like ‘having a bash’ but suppose otherwise occupied nowadays.

We went to Bristol on Wednesday afternoon but having regard to the weather wished we could have stopped here. It was a scorcher and we were glad to get away about 8 p.m.. BertStacey lives near Coldharbour Road and picks up his evening paper at Ray Mogg’s place and he (Stacey) had told Ray we were going up so latter said he would like to see me. It was a Wednesday and early closing at Bristol but apparently Ray’s shop opens between 4:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. for the evening paper trade so I went round with Stacey but only Ray’s wife was there. Ray had gone out delivering papers owing to being a boy short. There is no doubt he has a fine business there and the shop is quite a big one and well situated. He should do all right.

Tomorrow Wednesday 2nd inst. we go to Taunton again to see Don who is back in the Portman Ward of the local hospital. The doctor dealing with his case has been abroad on holiday and Don had to see him last week at the hospital for a check-up and Dr said he was “a poor advert to him” and he should come in again for about 10 days. Don asked if he could have the the treatment at home but Dr was not having that one and so Don went in last Friday the 28th ulto. Perhaps this time they will put him as right as possible before letting him out again. It was obvious when we last saw him – when you were there – that he was not right and that further treatment was required.

Will include cheque for £7 10s [equivalent of £187 in 2024 money] Alec as suggested and your further remarks read the HRO noted with pleasure. Should like this one of course if you can get it and perhaps as you say the R208 may be disposed of elsewhere. Will leave this in your hands for the time being but if balance of payment required let me know. Have had one or two goes on set in garage most mornings but not much doing then.

This brings me to the question of sets on hand here. As you know we are going to get a transistor soon and if I have a SW set we shall have two ordinary sets spare. Now which one would you like us to bring up for your use (possibly as spares) in the loft – the one you let me have earlier and which is now in garage or the one mum had from Tiverton and which we use at present in the living room? I think you may prefer to have the one you let me have some time ago but you can have your choice.

Yes I expect you saw a difference in your garden in the fortnight you were away but apparently you soon had it under control again. Yes mum is keeping the cacti watered etc. etc. Most of them have been moved to their winter quarters in the small porch outside living room. The peat we brought back is really good stuff and I have already used some online for potting up.

Noted it will be all right to bring up the odds and ends overlooked when you were packing up here. Actually the pinny was found on the lawn near the water butt. Still no trace of one of the sails of the two ships that were in the bath. I think we shall have to wait a long time for both the laburnum and gorse seeds to come up. I believe they are both slow starters.

Started work in earnest this week and have put down more paving stones to form a path from greenhouse to garage. Have completed about halfway and now run out of paving stones for the time being. No they are not cemented in but only laid flat so to their depth of 2 inches in the ground. I may later cement the joints. Having run out of a job in that direction I started to grub out the hedge between garage and greenhouse (Bushell on holiday in Birmingham). This was a dirty and very hard job. Jack Light many years ago had thrown down a lot of glass behind his shed and this was now in thousands of pieces which had to be picked up. Took two days to complete this work and then I had to dig it over to level off and make ready for the lapboard fence to go up. Surprising how much ground can be recovered when a hedge is out. In this case I have a distance of five feet between the edge of greenhouse and fence with Bushell. Managed to get out the sleepers which were forming an edge of a path and they were in good condition in spite of the number of years they have been down. Wrote Bridgwater yesterday and asked Coates to send on the fencing now as soon as possible.

The builders are very busy at bottom of our land. The detached house just beyond the pond is of course of erection and I must say there is some really good work going into the building of these houses. Both the materials and workmanship are first class. Sounds as if your people on the plot nearby have also been busy. Shall be interested to see how things going when we come up.

Bert Stacey tells me that vacancies have been advertised for three Assistant Station Masters at Temple Meads at Special A. These are to replace the three Chief Inspectors all three of whom have been disposed of. Two have retired and the third has got Stacey’s job at same grade viz Class One.

Have not heard of the Richings since their holiday in Finland but no doubt they will look in unexpectedly one Thursday evening (his half day).

Sorry you have such a lot of the new records but this was inevitable until the novelty had worn down a bit. Anyhow it will be back to school next week. What did June say ‘thank goodness’?

Shall have to try your Cold Ashton route from Keynsham as have not been over this road right through to Chippenham. Yes you must keep to the left-hand side of road after passing the Bath Road Loco Dept and a ‘filter green light’ will take you on to the Brislington Road even when the red is on for Knowle. You were lucky to be able to set back as most of the day there is far too much traffic about to allow this.

Well I think this is the lot for another week but will try and include a brief report on Don’s condition as we find him tomorrow. By the way Jeff and family started their homeward trek today from Austria.

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

Mum and Dad

*Peter continued jumping out of planes for the next 20+ years and in fact ended up as an instructor. Unfortunately he eventually made one jump too many, suffered a bad landing, and discharged himself from hospital before he was properly well again. Mental problems, anger issues and dementia were not far behind.

(Continues Wednesday 2nd September, 1964)

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?

Tuesday 28th July, 1964

On By Sue JenkinsIn 1964 lettersLeave a comment

Leonard to the family:

Dear Alec, June, Susan and Carol

No letter so far this week but with the improved postal position one cannot be far away and perhaps it will turn up tomorrow. Since last writing we have had continuous sunny weather but the atmosphere has been very heavy at times and slight distant thunder. I suppose now the fair is here and the Bank Holiday approaching it will start to rain.

I see in today’s evening paper you have had a bomb scare in London but probably some distance from Liverpool Street. Query were your train services upset.

Weekend motorists for the West of England had another slow crawl on Saturday last and the queues both sides of Honiton as large as ever. Just reaching the peak of the holiday traffic now. Hope you get on better when you start your journey to Exmouth. Guess the girls are very excited in anticipation of the caravan holiday. We have not been out on any long run since our trip to Ilchester and Lyng. Have been in touch with Lyng by telephone (Mrs Marshall’s) and Don was admitted to a Taunton hospital yesterday (his birthday) for observation. When I phoned Joan last night she said he was quite comfortable when she left him and the doctor there said they would be examining his throat on Thursday to start with. Had not heard of any trouble with his throat before but it looks as if they are going to give him a complete works at last to see exactly what is the trouble. He has lost a lot of weight but this could be the result of worrying. Joan will write me again after visiting hospital on Thursday. I forgot to ask his address so cannot write him direct at the moment but is it is anticipated he will only be in there for about a week. Am writing Geoff later to bring him up to date with the position.

Here at home we have been getting on with the equipping of the inside of the greenhouse. Have now erected the staging across the far end for a width of three feet and it looks very good. The middle upright supports are in position and the side pieces in place for keeping the uprights rigid. Next job is to fill up with earth and I have some to cart from just inside the fence put over by the bulldozers of some weeks ago. May not be enough but the levels can be made up as time goes on. The old garage is down of course and Bushell and I are trying to erect same (except for reduced width to 12½ feet) around his existing garage. So far we have the three long sections up i.e. the back and two sides and now having a go at putting up the front section including the swinging doors. Hawkins’ men have made up the approach to our new garage with tarmac and this also looks very nice. I had an old sleeper down for running into garage temporarily and this has now been dispensed with.

Building operations at the back of us is starting next week and there are thousands of bricks on hand already. This morning they were marking out the actual sites for the houses. Nothing further has been done with the pond on the Iron Curtain side of the fence and until they do this I cannot decide on what to do on our side.

I think I told you some weeks ago that Ted Caple had changed his job. Now Ernest has also given up the telephone exchange work and taken a job as postman in Clevedon. Perhaps he thought he might be in time for strike money.

You will be very sorry to hear that Mrs Buxton died last Friday following a collapse. She had however been seriously ill for a long time. Mum thinks she must be about 63 years old.

Plenty of visitors in Clevedon at the moment and as I mentioned before the fair has also arrived. Cornish still very much in evidence but I have not seen him myself. Mum has gone out this evening delivering her round of parish magazines.

We saw Norman Allen with Marion and the children last Sunday evening and he could tell me that for several weeks before Charlie Rust retired Titball was out on the station so-called learning the job for which he was an applicant. Perhaps his turn will come as he is very much younger than John Saunders. A bit of a come-down though to spend the time out there and then for somebody else to have the job. Norman Allen is now Class Two and seems more settled – at one time he was seriously thinking of leaving the railway but had no idea what he wanted to do.

I see Harold Bastin who retired from position as assistant to Hart earlier this year has lost his wife. Apparently they went to Midhurst, Surrey, to live according to press reports. I think he stayed until he was all nearly 65 years of age. Chief inspector Woolway has also retired from Temple Meads and local papers made a lot of it but he was not all that efficient as you may remember. He had however been 50 years at Temple Meads in the parcels and on the station. Will leave off now until your weekly budget arrives.

[Continues Wednesday 29th July, 1964]