Tag: Wine

Tuesday 30th June, 1964

On By Sue JenkinsIn 1964 lettersLeave a comment

Leonard to the family:

Dear Alec June Susan and Carol

Many thanks for the weekly budget duly received on time this morning together with the covering letter from June and the one from the girls. Very sorry Alec the birthday letter misfired but the fact is we went into Weston that morning (Friday) for a bit more glass. Left here at 8:10 a.m. and were home again by 10 a.m. exactly, the letter being posted in Weston from which point we were sure you would receive it Saturday morning. Alas the Weston dispatch is not so good as the Clevedon. Hope however you had a good day – we thought of you during the day because of course never had any idea you were still short of a letter. Weather – well it has been terrific and heat almost unbearable – no rain since I last wrote and no sign of any yet although the wind is a little cooler this afternoon for stop I suppose it will end up with some thunder. At this time of year your office must be very pleasant to work in but is it warm enough in winter?

A card from Finland this morning indicates the Richings duly arrived there and are having a glorious time – weather good. They are particularly struck by the fact that it is daylight at midnight – it must feel strange to experience this for the first time. The picture card received shows are very pretty scene and quite colourful. They confirmed the colour of the sea is blue -h a very bright blue at that. We wondered if you might have been on the ‘Avalon’ on the night they travelled on same but evidently not so.

Fancy your memory going back so clearly to the 20th June 1928. Actually I thought it was the 21st when we made the move.

I don’t see why Susan should not win a few races if she can get a little practice – must not let the other girls win all the time.*

Carol’s idea re: post card quite sound in one sense – that’s what the address side is for. It is one advantage living in London to be able to visit famous places such as the House of Commons, Westminster Abbey etc. I’m sure Susan must have enjoyed herself in spite of the missing cork in lemonade bottle. Yes it would be very nice to look around some of these places but not this weather. I would sooner be on top of Wains Hill getting the breezes.

Poor Carol – she must have felt miserable with herself with those sores on her lip. Can remember some of these myself years ago and they can be very painful to the touch. Glad to know she is much better now and almost back to normal. How’s Lollipop these days?

Your lawn must have a lot of small cavities underneath for the earth to keep disappearing as you mentioned. Long job to keep on making up with more earth.**

Yes the elder blossom has been very plentiful again all over the country and I was offered some but at present have no time to deal with wine-making. Noted the wine ex-Clevedon going down slowly. I did try the last bottle of elderflower last week and it is still quite good.

Your front path is like a lot of outstanding jobs down here – it can be done some time but other things are more important just now.

Have not seen anymore of the blackcurrant bush seller but he is still with the firm. Several of the men manage to get around to the currants sometime during the day and help themselves. One man even asked if I thought the fir tree (now standing on the other side of fence at bottom of old lawn) would survive if he moved it as he thought about taking it home. Told him he would be wasting his time. The tree is all right where it is but would not stand transplanting. They are triers however.

Back to your cinerarias again. I found that when it was necessary to transfer from three inch to five inch pots they got on better if the five inch pots were lowered into the open ground for the summer. They can easily be taken indoors later in the autumn before frosts are about and of course there is then no need to repot. Always watch out for the aphids though whether indoors or out.

Carols idea of the ants in chrysanthemums excellent and good enough to send up to some of the periodicals. We still have a few dodging about the sink but they get taken care of very quickly.

Thought you would be interested in the Press cutting of the mobile rally at Longleat. The alteration to your aerial makes a lot of difference to reception apparently. Now picking up clients in the west country – perhaps you will contact John Saunders one day. Incidentally I hear he is the man for Temple Meads but confirmation has not yet been published. Bill Aston was given the information by Arthur Ching one day last week when they met in the village. Quite honestly I think he is about the most suitable individual for the job having graduated through the Bristol atmosphere and knows the district and layout very well. If it is true he has the job than the best of luck to him.

Did you say you hope I get the topsoil all right. I had it with a vengeance. It was whilst Bushell and I were doing the greenhouse that he said the bulldozer is putting over earth for you. I tackled this lot late on Saturday and filled up the big flower border on the house side of pond and the big heap did not appear to have been touched. It is still there and will so remain until I can get round to it. Bushell and I had had two full days on the greenhouse (both his rest days) and after getting the extra pieces of glass from Weston have managed to finish off the skeleton of same. Now the interior has to be tackled and yesterday in spite of the heat I scooped out the trench necessary for the path to be laid down the middle. Could only stop in greenhouse for a few minutes then outside for air. Bushell also got me some angle irons for fastening the woodwork of greenhouse to the concrete base. Last time I used ordinary 6 inch nails but either the nails are not so rigid or the concrete blocks tougher but I bent every nail I used and have had to withdraw them. However all’s well that ends well and I think it is safely anchored onto its new site.

Yes Alec the peat question is one I have missed once or twice but I shall get hold of some of the cheap bags from the Shapwick area and can always find room in car for a bag to bring up. Most useful stuff to have on the garden and certainly worth having at the price. Still no reply from any source re: garage advert and I am really amazed that no one should even turn up to look at it. I think I mentioned that Bushell will have it and reduce width to 13 feet which will still give him ample room to move around inside. Shall wait for the builder to make the next move regarding the dismantling of same. He will probably be surprised when told to put the sections over the fence.

How nice to have a neighbour who will pick up Susan and Carol for school – most useful if can cover the winter weather.*** Nice also for you to take them to Horsenden Hill last Saturday. Now we have been there can picture the place when you mentioned it. No doubts about the four girls having a good time****. We like ice creams too and have had several during the past week. Very nice in the evening when work has stopped for the day.

Yes June I expect your mum enjoyed her few days with you and now she is busy getting ready for Peter’s young lady. Nice to bring out the holiday photographs for showing again. We said here only last week when the greenhouse was going up that we should have liked a few photographs taken showing the various stages of work. Do you know I referred to the one taken of the greenhouse to check the manner in which the glass have been put on the roof to make sure it went back in a similar way.

It is now 9 p.m. and the last sentence was written at 6:30 p.m. since when the Hewitts have called to inspect the smaller property. Wondered when they would be leaving but I think they have only got as far as Mrs Marshall’s.

No news from Don this week but until Geoff writes his composite letter shall not expect further news.

The builders here continue to make progress and it looks as if the houses have now been marked out. In the meantime the lorries continue to bring in roadstone for the base of the road.

Ted Caple did not get his part-time job at Ham Green Hospital but managed to get fixed up with some electrical firm in Bristol for a 5-day week which apparently suits him better.

This afternoon Mum and I took the garden seat out of the shed and I put first coat of paint on the same. Tonight it is in the greenhouse drying out. Yes as you say I can put a lot of stuff in the greenhouse out of the way and yet in the dry. Will make room elsewhere until everything is finally back in its proper place – I hope.

Your remarks re: cacti noted and I believe Mum has had success with hers but no doubt will comment in her letter. We are going to pop up to Bristol in the morning to have a look around Lewis’s – a long time since we were there.

So a lot of progress is being made out your end on the new estate – we shall see as many alterations there as you will see down here.

Understand Mrs Aston much better but it is thought the journey to Eastbourne upset her and it took several days to get over at.

Glad you found a strawberry or two when you got home the other night but did I not understand the girls do not like them or have they changed their minds?***** Mrs Hewitt brought round a few raspberries for us tonight. It’s simply astounding that we have not a fruit of any description in the garden just now. I saved some of the currant cuttings but it will be a couple of years before they are any good.

Nearly down to bottom of page against so will conclude with all our love to you both and lots of kisses for the girl.

*I’m all for healthy exercise, but this obsession with winning races – and with being a failure if ones doesn’t – is quite the opposite of healthy IMHO.

**Sounds like a job for a roller, really.

***Umm, no. We never went to school by car at all in case we ‘got spoiled’, but we did have occasional days out with other kids in the area. I’m not sure which family is referred to here, though.

****It wouldn’t have been ‘four girls’ either, as the only other local families I can think of each had one girl and one boy.

*****I certainly haven’t. I find strawberries just too sweet, and would always prefer raspberries or – when I can get them which is rarely – loganberries.

Sunday 31st May, 1964

On By Sue JenkinsIn 1964 lettersLeave a comment

Alec to his parents:

Dear Mum and Dad

Thanks very much for weekly letters and paper duly received. Hope Mum enjoyed her birthday, and I gather the gloves etc. were as specified, and fitted.

Very early start for your letter this week (6:00 a.m.) I must say that beats any effort from this end. Time now in the region of 9:30 a.m..

Yes we have had changeable weather since your stay with us, and recently we have been having thunderstorms. The tent has been in evidence again during the week, but there has not been an awful lot of opportunity for getting out on the lawn for this purpose as the grass has been too wet.

I suppose you do have to consider Bushell’s sleeping hours before you start the motor mower. I like to make sure that the next door’s baby is not asleep in pram before I start the lawn cutting, but as he does a lot of sleeping these days it is often a job to find an opportunity to cut grass. I must say that the lawns can be done more speedily and more neatly with new mower, so when the chance occurs it does not take long to get round. Managed to get them cut yesterday after a heavy shower the night before and shortly after I cut them it rained again. The atmosphere as you remark has been very heavy in the week and very oppressive.

In the greenhouse the cactuses [sic] are coming up. They look like being Living Stones or so the first ones seem. The Cinerarias are up in strength and growing well. All other seeds doing fine, but some of the cuttings look a bit off. The two honeysuckle we brought back from number 17 and put in plastic bags have taken well, and look as if they can be put out very shortly. The forsythia may be alright but the bits of Spirea do not look as if they will take. The flowers on the rat tail are magnificent today, the first bunch are fully open, and there are two more flower buds to open.

I am sorry for Beeching and his liner trains. I have an idea that he was badly advised on those, and now they are in a bit of a mess with them.

Not much doing at Liverpool Street. We learn from the Clerks L.D.C. rep. that Unwin and I are to move to another room and four people are to go into ours. We had been hearing we were moving, but not to the room they suggested. I do not know what it is coming to when one has to get official information from one of one’s own staff.

Glad to hear that Don is a little better, and the news that he may be able to run up to Clevedon shortly is very good indeed. Certainly specialist attention and examination may offer more prospect of relief than that being obtained locally. Hope this comes off.

Regarding the road improvements here, they have not come up our road after all, but I hear that shortly our road is to have its drains renewed as there have been cases of flooding recently. I got this from Vice Chairman of Residents’ Assoc. who also said that they intend to build 18 detached houses on the plot next to us for sale from £6,900 repeat £6,900 [equivalent of £172,000 today, but you would get very little change out of half a million in present-day terms] each. Who would want to buy a house at that price just here I cannot think. However this is just one more of the rumours – changing daily – which are circulating. The last one originated from a relative of the builder so may or may not be true. In any event they have put down large extent of concrete which June thinks is the basis for the garages and men are going to build them first to look at their stores as they did when building in Whitby Road. They have used bulldozer to cut a swathe right up to fence of the Robinsons from East Mead. There is a mountain of earth which is usually swarming with the local kids.

You certainly do have your plate full by the sound of it. Can well understand how wireless and T.V. both out for the time being.

The wine offered round was the remains of the Graves and was refused. I gather the refusal was due to thinking that it was my own make that was being offered.

Marlborough seems to be a bad spot for parking these days. They will have to find some alternative place for cars. I should imagine the through trade from cars must be very useful to local shopkeepers especially at weekends. I seem to recall that Wincanton is in the same boat.

Not a bad effort to get greenhouse down with only two panes of glass broken. Not an easy job at best of times. Very good of Bushell to help with it. However you have got it away from Robinson’s men and can now take your time in putting it up again.

Some game then with the putty, but shows how good it was if it is that hard to shift. Plenty of site work your end now too. Not quite the effect of 1928 although it would have been nice to have photos of the stages under development. In 1928 there was nothing at all beyond whereas now you do have the trees apple etc. and cupresses and also Miss Martine old house. Note the old garage is still standing and they have to move it or hold up their own work. Good tactical move about the clothesline post. No trouble if you have the right tools for the job obviously. Mrs Marshall lucky to be rid of her land before they put compulsory purchase order out for she would have had to stand the loss instead of Robinsons. Sounds as though they have not quite got the bargain they thought they had. Hope all the bickering etc. soon ends and you can write ‘Finish’ to the chapter.

Fancy meeting Mrs Benn. Managed to recognise each other then. Sorry she is not so well. You were able to keep her advised about the moves this end. I imagine they are having a bit of trouble ‘Keeping Up with the Joneses’. There is so much to do at Weston after Ruislip that I expect they got a bit involved with the social life. All very nice but you cannot do it all. It was a very nice place and a pity if they have to give it up, but it may not be quite as Mrs Benn makes out.

Never heard of Tristan Stone. You will have to take us there one day.

Note your unpaid foreman well in evidence when workmen arrived. Long trip for the bulldozer driver all the way from Yate each day*. He must get fed up with driving by the end of the day.

Had a calamity with one of the records on Friday. Came home to be told that one had been knelt on and broken in two. This turned out to be one of my old ones of course. Said I was going to take pocket money to buy a new one, but it was explained that I could not do that as it was an accident. No great loss however.

Have seen a mouse in the garden a couple of times in the evenings. He leaves from Greys’ side at about 7 pm and treks across the stones of June’s garden in front of the lean-to and out via the hedge. We watched him from inside the lean-to one night – quite cheeky.

I see from Mum’s letter that the name is Triscombe Stone and it seems a nice place to visit. Glad she liked the book. I took Carol with me (or rather she took me) into the Senior Service shop down in Whitby Road. She wanted to buy Grandma something and in fact picked on a packet of labels that she thought you would like, but I said I did not think you would have a lot of use for them, and you were always fond of a book so we went to the bookshelf and there she picked that one out. I think she liked the look of the cover, and hope it makes good reading.

So the fence is in now, and the lines of the residual Estate becoming more clear. A far easier prospect for keeping under control. What about some tall (very tall) trees or bushes along with chain link? Or would you like some of that quick-growing palm from here as a stop gap. You could have a very tall screen in no time at all with that stuff and I could bring down some cuttings. Failing that a nice hedge of buddleia would look nice or even forsythia. I wonder what you have in mind.

Had a contact with a station at Stuttgart yesterday and one in Switzerland near Zurich this morning otherwise little activity. We may go over to number 17 this afternoon. Peter came over yesterday to borrow the barrow again for final removal of most of the earth. We had some more from him when he came over and do not want much more now.

Ants still everywhere and we cannot seem to get rid of them. Had a spot of bother with the sink. It was delivered on Tuesday and plumber came around to look at it next day. He said he could do the job and will come on Friday. He wanted me to move one end of the wooden cupboards so he could get new sink in. I had a go on Thursday and could not shift the screws. The joiner had put them in with a vengeance and no amount of work with the brace-and-bit would shift even the most accessible. Anyway I left it and hoped for the best.

The plumber had an awful job. First he had to move and refit a gas pipe which meant he had to go out and buy something then he had to knock off top of woodwork (brute force) then cut top off to lower the lot about half an inch. When I got back he had got sink in but Formica top at right hand end is spoiled, and the left hand end remained to be fitted. I have got it back as best I can, but it does not look the same. I think is a great improvement on the old one so I suppose we must be satisfied. The man had to go out and buy two extension pieces for the taps as well, as they no longer cleared the edge of the sink. All in all it was a messy job. Found a nest of ants when clearing out the old wooden supports, but there are still lots more about and in all rooms now including upstairs.

Well bottom of page, so will say love to you both once more from us all. 

*Nowadays, with access to the M5, this would probably take about 35-40 minutes for a distance of roughly 27 miles, but can well understand that it would have been more sixty years ago.

Sunday 24th May, 1964

On By Sue JenkinsIn 1964 lettersLeave a comment

Alec to his parents:

Dear Mum and Dad

Your letter promptly to hand on Friday for which many thanks. Glad you had a good journey home after stop at Marlborough for light refreshments. You had the best of the weather without a doubt. Since you went back, almost from the hour, the weather this end has been a very poor. Had the holiday been a week later it would have been a washout. Hope the starving is not going too much against the grain. Have gone back to hard tack again this end too.*

So things moved a bit when you were away regarding the building. Your greenhouse in their way then, so expect to hear that you will be moving it very soon now. What arrangements are you making for this to be done?

All very quiet here after your departure as you may expect. I think the girls have been a bit bored being confined to the house by the weather, and in contrast to last week. Have not had to hose the lawn since your return as the rain has kept it nicely moist. It was not too bad around mid-day yesterday and the grass dried out sufficiently to be cut. A quick whip round with the mower and since then we have had more rain including a heavy storm about 7 a.m. No damage by slugs to the plants I put in although there have been more slugs lying around by them in the mornings as a result of the rain. I put out the French Marigold in the front garden and put a good sprinkling of the Slug-It pellets around them yesterday. I must go and see if they have survived the night. Some of the cacti seeds are showing through, and a lot of the cinerarias are also through. The polyanthus are coming up in the pot as well so things moving in that direction. The rat-tail flowers are more out than ever, but not fully out yet. Other things also going on all right and no losses so far. Found a tribe of ants in the greenhouse the day before yesterday, but they have mysteriously gone since. Just the odd one to be seen now where there were many. Sky getting dark again and looks like a drop more rain about. Time now about 9:15 a.m..

Odd to learn that Robinson’s are not responsible for the removal of your garage. I wonder what the outcome of that will be? Glad you managed to get the cuttings home intact and have planted them out.

We have not had much evidence of the Magic Dragon or Lollipop today, but it is early yet. We had a session yesterday, and even the old large records [the 78s] came out.

Nothing to report from the work front. Everything very quiet. It went against the grain to go back of course especially as one spends practically all the day alone in a large room.

The tarmac-ing of the roads now proceeding up Queens Walk. The work in the field going on apace. The bulldozer has been hard at work and there is quite a mountain of earth now in the field.

No more Mods or Rockers this way come up but I see there were disturbances at Ealing Broadway. They used to blame the Irish, but now it is the Mods.

Hope for better news from Lyng soon, after a visit from you perhaps.

No more exceptional contact on radio, conditions seem to be bad just now. Have you tried the old set for 40 and 20 meters? Don’t forget to turn the wave change switch when using the short wave bands.

Car running quite nicely now, had no more trouble.

A bit short of news this week after the visit. You will be pleased to know that all here are in good health, and hope you are too. Should imagine you had a good rest on arrival or very shortly after as you had quite a strenuous time when here. Offered the wine round yesterday, but no takers apart from the girls, so filled up my glass. It went down very well, and I even managed to cut the lawn after. We still have the ginger beer to tackle.

Have not had a go at the game yet, but must see if we can find out how it works. The hedge is beginning to recover from the severe pruning we gave it, and of course the rain is helping to put some green back. Found some more plants brought for me at office when I got back. These had been there since Tuesday but kept moist. Now I have aquila and anemone japonica also a pink? primula. June also came home with a cutting from park in which dancing classes held and that has gone into polythene bag, but do not know what it is. The wood looked just a bit too young for taking cutting but it may survive.

Raining steadily again now and very dull. The girls have lots of pictures etc. on table so looks as if some will come your way this week.

Well no more for the present, perhaps more news next week, so for now love from us all until then.

*Translation: Arf arf, the food here is terrible and we only eat well when we have guests: I’m on short commons and my wife is starving me!

Sunday 26th April, 1964

On By Sue JenkinsIn 1964 lettersLeave a comment

Alec to his parents:

Dear Mum and Dad

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tuesday 21st April, 1964

On By Sue JenkinsIn 1964 lettersLeave a comment

Leonard to the family:

Dear Alec June Susan and Carol

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sunday 8th March, 1964

On By Sue JenkinsIn 1964 lettersLeave a comment

Alec to his parents:

Dear Mum and Dad

Once again for letter and paper duly received. Sorry ours did not reach you until Wednesday, but June did not post until the Tuesday as not too well on the Monday. In point a fact she had and still has tonsillitis. Throat very sore and swollen. I am afraid she was none too good on the Monday. This persisted throughout the week, but it seems there is quite a bit of it about around here.

Can’t say we are able to report any fog, but it has been awfully cold again and we had snow on Friday morning. The sun has not put in much of an appearance although I did notice that the max temperature in lean-to was 60º [F, or about 15ºC]. Needless to say the minimum was 30º [F or -1C] or thereabouts. I seem to remember a little rain last weekend, but this stuff does not clean off the glass roof but only seems to add more such and dirt on it. I shall have to put the hose on it in the warmer weather. We have had a slight casualty with one pane of glass. The clothes prop fell on it and knocked a small chip out of the end and left a rather larger crack down at the front. It will hold it seems, and is not in a dangerous position.

Very pleased to hear you have got rid of your colds at last, and now on the mend. You did have a long session with them this time.

I’ll bet you had a game with the etceteras brought up from greenhouse and garage and put in shed. Note you have heater safely put away. Well worth looking after they are. I am afraid the little sump heater although invaluable in preserving most of our cacti during this winter is not up to the job of maintaining a high enough level of heat in very cold weather for all plants to have a chance of survival, so I am having the large paraffin convector heater next year. We are having a visit from Jack, the chap at number 94, this morning and he is going to do the electrical work we want done. He owns his own business in this line, and we want him to do several little jobs including putting a Radicill* heater in bathroom.

However back to your activities, you seem bent on having the spring clean of all time. I expect the dustman will be looking forward to his Christmas tip this year.

Note the result of the X-ray satisfactory, and nothing much you can do about the elasticity of lungs. Maybe a little singing might put the job right, or appropriate lubrication or both. By the way on the subject of elasticity I’m told that varicose veins are veins and that have lost their elasticity and injections are given to restore same. I must say my leg has been marvellous compared with previously. There is just an awareness that I have a very slight stiffness, but that is all.

So the price of the houses at the Old Church is going to be near £5,000. Who would want to have one there at that price?** I should think they will all have trouble with tree roots there.

Gather you have been ‘going gay’ with visits to the Light Opera Company. Hope the evening was a success. I believe that Dodge has a lot to do with that crowd. When I was playing the trumpet I was invited to join them but declined.

Glad to hear that Mr Pope is doing quite well. Note the Liverpool Street performance rang a bell with him. We have no more news about the various dispositions as a result of the closed lists. I think they are rather taking their time about it.

I am afraid I had a slight mishap in the week up there. Went to work okay on Thursday morning, but had difficulty in getting there. Felt very queer and after a short while had to get my head down. They dug up the Sister and she attended to me, with blanket, easy chair, bowl etc. and for about three hours I was quite ill. I could not risk going on the Underground so they sent me home in one of the cars complete with polythene lined paper bags. Got here about 1.45 p.m. and was soon in bed. Had nothing to eat that day, but had an egg next morning and a fairly full dinner. Everything okay now, but just like old times.***

Your remarks about taking to the air noted. As I am concerned, I wish to keep one foot on the ground.

Good to hear that new baby doing all right next door. I do not suppose you see or hear much of it. Later on I expect they will be quite a handful for them. You do not mention anything about the possibility of Bushell selling his land so assume all now quiet on that subject once again.

I wonder why you did not get your visit from the Richings? Of course they cannot now phone you if not coming. Do you miss having the telephone?

Have had that trouble with my car more than once. The times it has refused to start, and just a touch on the battery terminal does the trick. Had just the same with the Austin. So you have seen new car that you fancy. I expect that by the time you get this letter you have new one all safely tucked away in your garage. Something for the neighbours to wag tongues about. No doubt Cornish will be over either asking or more likely giving advice on the same subject.

I expect the bonfire girl has had a busy time of it. Hope card arrived. Hope also that wine put in cupboard not too potent or else one morning you may find no stairs left. My sloe wine is still fermenting a little. I do not know after how many months, but it is high time it stopped.

Glad to have you up for Whitsun, and you can expect me down on the Friday night sometime for return on the Sunday. I cannot take any more time, as I have already had the last two Fridays off due to hospital visits and sickness, and must go to hospital again next Friday. So far as the summer holiday is concerned, thanks for O.K. on trip to Clevedon. Perhaps we can fix something up for you when we are down at Exmouth. (We are fixed up okay.) It would be rather a long trip for you just to come for one day.

Interesting to find Percy Lidbury’s daughter in the cast of show. I thought he lived in Portishead. Perhaps she is married and lives at Clevedon. I remember Inspector Belcher, but do not remember his daughter being at Temple Meads.

I have not heard of any appointment at Bristol yet although I noticed that the S.M. at Oxford was vacant again, and as the previous tenant (an Oxford graduate trainee by name of Ainsworth) was being pushed by member of area board have put two and two together.

Looks like you are going to keep Frank James as busy with decorating and garage. I doubt if you will get a better price for the job. All the local tradesmen know you have a bit of extra cash now (thanks to Cornish etc.) and they all will want part of it. However his price does not seem to exorbitant by present-day standard so assume you will be getting it done.

I believe that Whitworth was the other assistant you forgot the name of. There was also a young man from Limpley Stoke who joined the army (officer) and later went out there. Campbell also went there.

So Bastin is going now. I am not surprised to hear he is fed up. Local men however high up the tree seem to have little control of things themselves now.

We are going to a Mother’s Day service this afternoon, and in the evening the girls are going to a party. Mrs Pearce’s two girls who live a little way down the road are having one so we shall have a bit of quiet for a while while someone else has the trouble.

Wind blowing quite a bit now. In fact we have had it windy here for the last couple of days.

Thanks for the offer of some chrysanths. We can always do with a few of them. Had some from a chap at the office and put them out in greenhouse in a bowl of earth prior to potting up. I believe they are outdoor variety but can always be grown indoors I suppose. No more plants lost thank goodness, and hope risk of frosts receding, but does not feel much like it out.

I must tell you about our little trip to shops yesterday (the girls and I) to get something with their pocket money for mother. Susan wanted to get some little plastic flowers (which she did in the end) but we passed the flower shop and had a look in. While pricing the various cut flowers, and plants, she realised that 1/3d [about £1.50 in 2024 money] was not going to go very far so she said to me did I think it would be all right if she bought a packet of seeds instead. Not a bad idea if June had no objection to waiting. Florists doing a roaring trade, and all sorts of blooms going like hot cakes. We settled for a couple of pots of daffodils in bud, and they look as if they are about to come out.

No sign of Jack yet, so shall have to root him out I suppose. Now about 12:30 pm so had better close and see what has to be done. Will leave room for any comments from June, and close once more with love from us all.

Alec. 

*I’ve been unable to locate anything online that meets this description, so I can only conclude that it was a short-lived brand name – probably for a wall-mounted heater.

**As mentioned previously, almost anyone! The current equivalent would be £125,000, whereas I doubt you would get much in that vicinity for less than three times as much these days: there’s certainly nothing local under £250,000 whatsoever.

***’Bilious attacks’ were a common feature of our childhood – and, as mentioned before, June was not a good cook. Neither, for that matter, was Eva – and, additionally, food hygiene was not taken anything like as seriously then as it is now. It may be no coincidence that Alec suffered with his gall bladder later in life, or that he had a grandson with lactose intolerance: there is clearly some incompatibility between diet and digestion in operation here.

Wednesday 4th March 1964

On By Sue JenkinsIn 1964 letters, UncategorizedLeave a comment

[Continued from Tuesday 3rd March, 1964]

Letter to hand this morning and we were pleased to hear you had got rid of colds etc. and hopes Susan’s effort on Sunday did not develop. It is a raw wet morning and I had difficulty in starting the car but eventually got it going on handle. Then it gave out again in drive and later twice on the road. The last time I managed to coast down Hillside Road to the car park opposite St John’s Church where I had to go over to Binding and Payne’s for assistance. Could later have kicked myself as all that was the matter was the battery terminal had become so corroded that contact was not being made.

What a time you had at the hospital waiting your turn. However result of specialist examination noted and we hope the injections will do the trick. If not however do not hesitate to have the vein out. Also noted you will have an x-ray on the 25th inst. and again we hope it will be satisfactory. It is well to have these x-rays periodically – a good safeguard.

Have told you on previous page of our efforts to clear timber and other junk from the garage area to sites near the house so will not comment further on that this time. The bonfire has been looked after by mum who has lit up several these past few days.

Sorry Notley did not get either of the jobs – must try again later.

Yes the homemade wine went under the stairs all right but the cupboard is now full.

Glad you had your tank replaced satisfactory – should give good service now for several years.

I did have a word with Harry Payne re: a good second-hand car – probably an 0. The one he took me out all in is a similar model but with the automatic gear. The price of one of these even at second-hand would be too heavy for me but it seems to be the car of the future.

The question of Easter is mutually agreed. It does not seem an ideal time for getting about and it will not be very long to Whitsun when Mum and I will be very pleased to come to Ruislip. Looking forward from October to Whitsun however is a very long time but now that we are nearer to it it will not seem too long. If you can make it towards the end of the month Alec we shall be delighted to see you. We are also looking forward to seeing you all soon.

Regarding your holiday at Exmouth we hope you will be in time to secure the caravan and await your next letter to confirm booking. If we do not stay the night at Exmouth we will certainly run down for a day if you would like us to but further arrangements can be made later on when we see you all at Whitsun. We do hope you can fix the holiday for I am sure you will be ready for it by the time August comes. Noted you may do a bit of decorating over the Easter. We are waiting for Frank James to come along and do out the kitchen. Of course we shall be pleased to have you with us after your week at Exmouth and once again can only hope the weather will be kind.

Perhaps Susan likes the change to the Parish Church Brownies where she finds some of her dancing friends. Also pleased she’s getting the hang of the dancing steps etc. Carol will soon follow suit. After all she is two years younger.

Nice work getting hold of the radio fan in Southern Rhodesia. Shows your set in excellent condition and capable of long distance work.

Well mum and I went along to the Light Opera Co.’s show last night and it was first class. Started at 7:30 p.m. and finished at 10:30 p.m. One of the principles was Percy Lidbury’s daughter. Expect you remember Percy he unfortunately died a couple of years ago at about 55 years of age. During one of the intervals a young lady came up to me and addressed me by name but I hadn’t a clue. Said she worked at Temple Meads at one time in the Station Master’s office. It turned out to be the daughter of the late Chief Inspector Belcher now married and living at Weston. She belongs to the Bristol Light Opera Co. and her party had been invited to the Clevedon show. You may remember Inspector Belcher but I doubt if you will remember Rita, the daughter, as it is possible she only started work after you went to London. She could tell me that Charlie Coulam, who went to the East African Railways (from Bristol Rolling Stock section) many years ago is now back in England retired and living in luxury. He can only be about 50 years old now so has evidently got a very good pension. He went out to Africa with the crowd of Peter Price, Meadows, Cannings, Whittington, and the other senior assistant whose name I cannot recall. I should say they have got out of Africa too just in time.

Noted you have nothing to report from the office this week but that the applications on the closed list may be dealt with shortly. Was told this morning that Bastin of Bristol was retiring in May and going to Medhurst* to live. Another one fed up with the way things are going.

Sorry you have had to move your typing paper to the loft because of the girls using the same. They want to write as well**. Hope you have an electric fire up there – it can be very cold under the tiles.

Nearly at the bottom of page again so must close with all our love to you both and lots lots of kisses for the girls. Mum and Dad.

P.S. This morning (Thursday) am seeing an A55 1961 again with Mum. It is in perfect condition inside and out – blue, same colour as yours. ***

*Probably Midhurst!

**So maybe give them some paper, then!

***Ah, the wonderful A55: it stayed around for a very long time, but unfortunately I lost contact with it after my divorce in 1986. It does not seem to be registered currently, so either it’s someone’s project car or it’s gone to the great scrapyard in the sky.

Tuesday 25th February, 1964

On By Sue JenkinsIn 1964 lettersLeave a comment

Leonard to the family:

Dear Alec June Susan and Carol

Many thanks for letter duly received first post this morning but sorry to hear of your various troubles of which more later in letter. Yes we had rain on Sunday most of the day and it continued yesterday (Monday morning) but cleared up wonderfully in the afternoon and it was then sunny and very warm. Mum and I had arranged to go to Weston in the morning but did not get away until 12:30 p.m. and we caught the lovely sunshine. Quite like a summer’s day at Weston and the people were strolling about along the front as in mid-summer.

The baby arrived next door at about 10 p.m. Sunday. When we went to church in the evening there was no sign but when we arrived home there was great activity with Doctorr and midwife in attendance. It is a little girl – sister for Ruth – and weighs just over 7 lbs and is to be called Jane. Bushell came in about 11 p.m. Sunday and gave us the news and mum went in early Monday morning hence the reason for our delayed departure for Weston. Bushell happens to be off duty until Wednesday night so was on hand for all requirements.

Sorry to hear Carol is poorly again and hope with the approach of the better weather she will get back to normal quickly. Sorry to hear too of you both having colds and the news of Alec’s leg is a surprise. If specialists says an operation Alec then have it done as quickly as possible. No good beating about the bush with this sort of thing and that goes for June as well but in her case we know she is waiting result of some treatment Doctor giving her. Varicose veins?? Nave never had this trouble myself and can understand how you must feel about it.

I went down to clinic on Friday for chest x-ray but shall not know result until next Tuesday the 3rd prox. when I have to see doctor again. Have no doubt about the result but as it was 1955 when chest last x-rayed he (Doctor) thought it should be done again. The clinic was open from 1:15 p.m. until 3:15 p.m. for this purpose on I went in at 1:05 p.m. and was out in the road on the way home at 1:15 p.m. Too early following dinner for many people to be present.

I might say the bottle of brandy is no more the last drop having been taken last weekend but I splashed out and bought a large one to carry on the good work. The Price had of course gone up a matter of days only and is now 50/- [equivalent of £62.30 in 2024 money]*. Still it is worth it and even Mum likes a spot in a cup of warm milk before going to bed. We are both feeling very much better now and this morning I put on my old working clothes for the first time for many weeks and have been busy getting in timber etc. this side of the Iron Curtain as you so aptly described it. Late last week I started to unscrew the internal woodwork in the greenhouse and took down the staging but the problem is to find somewhere in the dry to store it all. No good putting it in the garage as all the stuff in there has to come out as well. Never knew so much ‘junk’ could be accumulated over the years.

Noted you saw Notley the other day but you have not said how he got on with the application he put in – presumably he did not get the job. I guess both Saunders and Snow will be applicants for Bristol but feel an outsider will get there in the end. Glad to hear you have been confirmed in your post at Liverpool Street and await further information with interest particularly in regard to any rearrangement of duties under the reorganisation. I expect both Unwin and yourself feel very satisfied with the outcome. I know I should be.

Yes Bushell has been very helpful on my side of the fence but he will have his hands full now indoors for a while – says he has three women in the house now. He will be available again later on I expect when the removal of greenhouse takes place. This is my responsibility – the new owners of land only undertaking to remove garage. Am still having a go at Stan James re: proposed new garage and have now suggested that to cut down his estimate to substitute ordinary doors instead of the up and over type and the use of faced concrete blocks for the construction instead of ordinary concrete blocks. This would avoid the plastering and rendering and obviate much work. Am expecting another estimate from him shortly. Told him I want estimate down to within talking distance of £100 otherwise shall probably have existing garage removed by builders to new site on lawn at back of shed.

Last Friday I tried to make a bit of room under stairs. You will remember the very small door in hall under staircase leading to small cupboard under stairs which could not be opened because the carpet on hall floor prevented the same being moved. Well I took door off hinges and cut off the bottom half inch and re-hung same after nailing a strip on floor to make up for the loss of the bottom of door. Told Mum I would use the space under stairs for storing the home-made wine now in garage. So at an early opportunity shall be transferring the bottles to the new place. Missed Roy Hewitt that day as when he called I was actually in garage cutting door and mum was out shopping. Usually he comes down garden when no reply at house but for some reason he did not do so on Friday.

No Alec I did not comment on your offer to help with the removals etc. In due course the lot will be done but when you come down here I do not want you to be hard at work but to have a rest or at least a chance to get out and about. As mentioned before I’m feeling very much better now and quite able to get on with it but I must admit I did not feel so good earlier on hence visits to Doctor.

Have not been around to see Pope yet but must do so soon. Called in at Binding and Paynes last Thursday and booked in car for full servicing today. Had not been in any garage since I put it in for servicing last March. Saw Payne and had a chat to him about cars in general and said I might be looking for another one day. He gave me a run-round in his latest – an automatic. What a revelation. I drove it for some distance and back to garage.

Re: Easter, I quite agree it is not much good having leave if the weather is going to be doubtful and Easter is somewhat early after all. We should be very pleased to see you as mum said last week but neither of us would want to see the time wasted if weather turns out bad. It is a doubtful proposition one must admit. Query would you rather wait for a more likely spell of good weather – the children’s schooling comes into the reckoning of course. Would it be any good to suggest we come to you for Easter? Not for Alec to have any time off apart from the usual bank holiday allowance – keep anything to come for the time when you could be with us at Clevedon. Don’t be afraid to say no to this idea if you do not think much of it. We shall quite understand but it is just an alternative to the present proposition.

Many thanks to you both for your acknowledgements for the cheque and we note how you propose to use it. This is entirely up to you of course but we did feel you should somehow have a good holiday out of it as we intend to do when we can fix it up. No June we did not feel you were dropping a hint but we were only too pleased to be able to help. You have had a lot of expense one way and another and the selling of the land was something out of the blue as it were and money we never expected to handle. We are investing most of it in order to enjoy the interest but as previously mentioned there are a lot of things we have done without for years that we hope to enjoy now. We do hope you will be able to fix up for a holiday but it is a bit late for getting a caravan I fear. In any case you know we shall be delighted to have you with us when you can make it.

Glad to hear you have had your mum over with you recently especially during the anniversary of your dad’s death. We remember it better by the date we came to Ealing for the funeral. How time flies. Does it really seem a twelvemonth ago to you? Nice for you all to be able to get over to Headstone Lane on Sunday. We thought of you during the day and glad to hear you enjoyed yourself.

Fancy Susan going off to dancing on her own. Getting a big girl now. Good news too of Susan joining the local Brownies. How did you manage this? Query fuss from the Ruislip pack leaders or from Susan that she would have a new set of girls to get used to. Anyhow once she has settled in it will be much better and a good follow-on for Carol too.

Peter away with the Territorials then. Where did they have the camp?

Yes we have plenty of the early spring flowers out now and the temperature is rising rapidly. Makes things much more pleasant to get about. Mum helped this morning in moving flower pots to new site near house and is now pruning the rose bushes. Wait for it but this morning I put in the two rhubarb crowns I brought back from Geoff’s place last October. All three are beginning to sprout and I have found a corner for them this side of the Iron Curtain. Now covered with old boxes and tins so should soon be able to pick. There is a nice spadeful of manure under each of them.

Whilst car is out garage am having the annual M.O.T. test and hoping nothing found that will take a lot of putting right. I see they have a tyre sale on at the moment.

Have not seen Cornish since last writing but spoke to Heel for a few minutes over the fence this morning. Not a lot to discuss really just now except a comment on the handing over of the money. No surveyor has been near the place for three or more weeks and we feel that Hawkins is still trying to sell out again. As you say we are sorry to see the estate broken up but the best decision was reached to sell out while going was good. However optimistic one may be it is obvious we shall not enjoy another 35 years here so can truthfully say we have had the best of it. If not us then somebody else would have sold out and had the cash so it might as well be in our pockets.

Nearly at the bottom of page again so it will close again with all our love to you both and lots of kisses for the girls. Hope to have better news of all of you next letter. Mum and Dad. 

*For comparison brandy prices see this article: either Leonard had very expensive tastes, or there has been a radical alteration to the rate of tax on alcohol in the intervening years!

Sunday 29th December, 1963

On By Sue JenkinsIn 1963 lettersLeave a comment

Alec to his parents:

Dear Mum and Dad

Sorry no letter from you so far this week so must get something off to you. We had the paper arrive okay on Friday and noted the passages you have marked with a ring. Hope the lad from the house in the quarry recovers satisfactorily. Also note the comment re: the land.

Well not an awful lot to report from this end after Christmas. We had a good but mainly quiet time this year. As you may know I have the week off and do not return until tomorrow. On Monday June wanted to go over to Ealing to see her mum and do some shopping so I made out a priv.* and June and the girls went on the train. They were away most of the day and while that was going on I did some re-arrangements to the mains wiring upstairs, and then changed round the furniture arrange arrangements in the loft. At the same time a deal of tidying was done so that it looks a bit more respectable. I met them at the station with the car at about 3:30 pm. We had expected Mrs Baker come up Pauline and Peter over for the night on the Tuesday, and waited for them, but they did not arrive. It later transpired that they had not realised they were coming on that date. However we knew they would be over on the following day so did not worry.

I am a little ahead of myself so far as dates are concerned, and we must go back to the Sunday when we attended the children’s carol service. Susan had to say some lines (from memory) and she showed no interest in learning, and on the Sunday morning she decided she did not know them, and did not want to go etc. etc., altogether she was a bit of a madam that morning. However not knowing what to expect we turned up at the church and she said her lines loud and clear with no fluffing at all. It was a good carol service, and they sang one or two we knew and some we did not.

To revert now to Christmas Day, we packed all the presents into the girls shoe bags and left them on either side of the Bureau. I took the precaution of locking the door and taking the key to bed with me in case someone should wake up and start on the prowl. They were not too bad in the morning, a bit early, but my precautions just enabled me to be on the spot at the right time. Of course they were delighted with all the packages, and presents, cards etc. and it really kept them quiet for a long time. They certainly liked the spoils from Clevedon and no doubt you will hear from them in due course. We all went to church at 10:00 a.m. – both girls wanted to go and there were many people there. The little room was full and I would say there was somewhere between 50 and 100 there. When we got back Les next door came around and asked us in for a drink. This we enjoyed and met Doug and Ethel there and Christine and Ron and the new couple from over the road on the corner and their little girl. We did not reciprocate this time but have it in mind for next year.??.

The family from number 17 arrived shortly afterwards and we all settled in. Peter and I went out for one at about 12:30 p.m. and back in time for lunch. June did us proud and we had a bottle of Graves to wash it down. Of course there were one or two sleepy ones about in the afternoon when we mainly watched television. More or less the same treatment for Boxing Day and our guests left at 3:30 p.m. taking Susan with them for a short holiday. Fog was beginning to build up as they went but did not descend totally until much later. We had two days of it and skies did not really clear until Saturday morning.

On Friday we decided to go down to the launderette to get some of the washing cleared out of the way, but by the look of the sky I decided not to take the car. The walk went against the grain, but worse was to follow and we found that the machines were all in use when we got there (down by station) so it was a question of wait or turn around and go back. We did the latter (June complete with yashmak against the fog) and as we went along the fog got thicker and thicker until we found the cars going nose to tail along the Victoria Road. That was it for the night and we could hear the cars growling up the road outside for a long time afterwards.

The stuff in the greenhouse seems to have come through okay despite the lamp having gone out on one occasion. We were lucky the last time as the temperature had risen in the night and the glass was reading 50º [F – 10ºC] anyway. I think we may have lost a tradescantia so look after yours and bring us a piece next time. That will be the most travelled tradescantia of all time no doubt**. Spent yesterday  putting up railway for curtains over the windows in the hall and landing. I am sure this will make a difference to the house temperature in the really cold weather. Can’t notice anything now while it is as warm as this. Put up a new aerial also yesterday and it looks to be working a lot better than the old one. The latter will now be taken down. We have spoken to Susan several times since she went away and it seems she is enjoying herself. Carol is quite well behaved so all is more or less harmony for a short while.***

Thank you both once again for the presents given to me while I was with you and the nice weekend. I have not worn the scarf and tie yet, but must do so for best. Hope you managed to enjoy yourselves. We thought of you and wondered if you would go to see Aston and his wife as last year. I do not think you told me what your plans were. Pity you were not nearer of course.

We made great inroads into the wine here and have now reduced stocks to a few bottles of commercial with just the dregs left, and about ten bottles of home-made of various denominations. The latter are all good drinkable types so will last a while yet.

Well there it is for this week, having nothing to reply to, I cannot comment so you will get a double dose next time I expect. I think that is all the news for now and you know how we spent our time. I must say a week is a useful time to have off at this time of year and quite looking forward to going back.??.

Went over to Jeff’s on the Christmas Eve with small presents for the girls, but no one home. Left the parcels in the cycle shed and rang him up. He told me they were going to spend a couple of days (or one meal cannot remember which) in a hotel near Croydon where his brother in law from Singapore had got all Stella’s family together for the first time in 20 years and was playing for the spread. I gather he is filthy rich.

It remains then to wish you both a Happy New Year, and have fun at the party. Love from us all. 

*Priv = ‘privilege ticket’, which was part of Alec’s compensation as a member of B.R. staff. The spouse and school-age children of staff members could travel either cheaply or free (depending on the service involved) on production of the appropriate paperwork.

**I strongly doubt it: presumably the original specimen brought from Virginia by John Tradescant the Elder in 1629 could claim that honour!

***Once again, great parenting. Can’t be arsed dealing with two children, let’s get rid of one of them. Result – the one disposed of naturally feels ‘less than’, the one retained develops a sense of superiority which never leaves her.

Sunday 22nd September, 1963

On By Sue JenkinsIn 1963 lettersLeave a comment

Alec to his parents:

Dear Mum and Dad

Sorry about the red to start with. I understand that Carol has been at the machine, and of course fiddled with the controls. I must say I had not noticed it myself until my attention was drawn to it.

Well many thanks once again for letter, which arrived first post this week. Although I said it was on time last week, I gather since that I was in error, as it did not arrive until second post. Did not see the girls’ contributions last week, but assume it to have been adequate from the remarks. Sorry to hear of Dad’s cold and hope it is gone by now. We are not too bad here this week, have a bit of catarrh myself, but nothing to speak of.

Yes the car is a bit bigger than we have experienced before, but the room inside is just the job. It requires a bit of getting used to as regards width, but I have had no difficulty with length. Getting in and out of garage is a more precise job than with the Austin, but with practice it gets easier. We have done about 25 miles in it so far and have used up about one gallon. The additional petrol consumption on a weekly basis therefore will not be appreciably up on the old car. I used to put in two gallons about every fortnight. Mileage is 14,000 plus??? Your guess is as good as mine. At that rate car would have been used at the rate of something less than 3000 per annum which I think is rather doubtful.

I should imagine that the flu injections will be on offer against soon so will certainly have one if possible.

Well funny thing but our Indian Summer came about one week later than yours. You say you had yours when Mrs Baker was with you, but here the following week was very fine indeed. In fact we have had no real rain for some time. We have had a very moist wind which has damped off the roads etc., and there was another in the night which has covered the top glass of the greenhouse with moisture.

We have heard from Mrs Baker of the fine time she had with you and gather you have heard from her yourself. I expect you can tell us a bit more on your arrival. Referring to the fine weather, it started on the day I went to Watford. A very thick mist kept with us all the way there, and on arrival the sun burst through and gave us a beautiful day. The following several days where the same.

I should think the changeover of coaches at Bristol would be a simple matter of getting out of one coach and almost falling into another. I appreciate that cases etc. have to be handled, but should have thought the direct journey in a reduced time would compensate for that.

Yes we are certainly glad the greenhouse has arrived and agree about the extra layer of bricks. This is a good thing of course, but it does mean that when getting out of the greenhouse one has to step up over the bricks, and then down over the bricks and depth of concrete to  ground level. Of course we can and will eventually put a step on the outside, but I think a step on the inside too might prove a hazard. You remark on the difficulty of sealing the structure to the house. I am hoping that we have done enough in that respect. You may recall that there is a slate-like layer about one and a half inches deep and projecting out about the same distance over the French windows. We have the main supporting bar of the greenhouse rawl-plugged to the house about three inches below this projection. Nothing else has been done as a seal, but we do not expect much water down inside from the top. Of course if the wind is driving rain straight up the gap between the top of the greenhouse and the projection we might get some inside. The vertical members either side are just rawl-plugged into the wall. If we do get any wet penetrating it will probably not come that way. However the thing to do is wait and watch, and find out if any creeps in, and then to apply some Sylglas from the Inside. I have a role of Sylglas ready for that job. So far we have fixed the side and front glass and part of the roof. Peter is coming over this afternoon to help again, but by then I hope to have most of the job done.

Gear change on the new car is column change and it is three speed only. I find it very easy now, but at first it is spring-loaded, and occasionally drops into top when I should be in first. This is my fault of course and nothing the matter with the car. Cannot say about June’s learning the car as it is a bit on the hefty side for her.

While I was doing some glazing about 4:30 p.m. yesterday, heard a bang and a tinkle, and looking through the gap in hedge could see one of the driving school ‘L’ cars halfway up a concrete lamp-post in East Mead.* The post itself was over at an angle of about 30 degrees. I saw the instructor get out on his side, shaking his hands as if they had been knocked a bit. Did not see the other chap get out. I cannot think what they must have been trying to do as the post was not immediately near a corner. I doubt if we shall get much light shed on the subject.

When was Virgin a Yard Inspector at East Depot? I may have met him when there unless it was more recent than 1950, Butcher’s talk was a mixture of both pep and plan. All these chaps talk the same these days. Either way I hear that Fiennes is the new General Manager of Western, Raymond and Ibbotson are both going to the B.R.B. What their new jobs are I do not know, but I suppose Ibbotson is taking Fiennes’ old job.

No more news of the land then. I guess Cornish is in his element. What does he think he is, a Cotton or a Clore?

Good news about your weight then. Of course it is the thing to continue with the method that does you good, so not surprised Dr says carry on. Hope your journey up is not fraught with fog. You can cope with anything but that.

You could have done with a barrel with all that fruit about. Can imagine it would have given you a supply of wine for the next five years or so. Thanks for remembering the heuchera.

Note your work on the concrete edging continues, and that you have now started on the lawn. By the time it’s all finished it should look fine. Note also about the tomatoes. Perhaps next year I might put one or two under glass myself. Depends on how much room I have left.

By the way, a question was asked about a shirt. Very kind of you to suggest it, can always do with one, buthat you are welcome here even without bringing presents.

Well must make a start on the greenhouse for today so will close once more wishing you all the best. Love from us all. 

*’The field’ had not been built on at this stage: that happened a few years later, but at this time presumably there was a clear line of sight. The distance would have been about sixty metres.