Tag: Wine

Wednesday 9th August, 1961

On By Sue JenkinsIn 1961 lettersLeave a comment

Leonard to the family:

Dear Alec June Susan & Carol

Many thanks for another long letter received this morning together with Susan’s effort of a drawing of Grandfy. (I hope I do not look like that Susan – nearly all glasses.) Still thank you very much for enclosing it with daddy’s and mummy’s letter.

We did not really expect letter on Tuesday this week – the P.O. collect so early on a Bank Holiday but it must have been a change for you to type it on the Monday. It was not a bad holiday here for weather. We saw on TV you had had a good drop of rain. The worst day was Tuesday when of course bulk of Bank Holiday traffic was over. I actually watered garden on Monday evening but rain came on later and continued most of night. Noted you will all be on the 5.5 p.m. Paddington on Thursday the 17th and I will be at Yatton to meet you. Mum will have something ready for the girls by the time we reach home. It’s nice to look forward to your coming down even if only for a few days. Had a card from Joe and Lydia yesterday posted at Blackpool. Their coach on the return journey tomorrow (Thursday) is now running via Yatton to set down another party so they will alight there and we shall meet them with car about 5:30 p.m. Expect they will return to Tiverton on Sunday evening. Will remember you to them and mention the snapshots. According to weather forecast we are going to have showery weather over the weekend but hope there is no more gale force wind. It was terrific here for about 24 hours and garden looked a mess after it.

So you put the bar up on Susan’s pals over the Bank Holiday. Where do they live and is it far from your house? What did the driver of the Anglia want? Some compensation for shock? Some nerve! Has your car gone in for the necessary repairs yet or have you arranged it for the weekend you are here? Position re: Seymour and McDonald etc. noted. Expect you are waiting to see if there might be anything in your line in subsequent moves.

Norman Allen called round last weekend for information in connection with a vacancy in freight train section DTMO. Marshalling Instructions are the chief items of the job and I do not think he stands any chance for it, never having had anything to do with the formation etc of freight services.

You say Carol will not mind parting from Susan for a day or two but will Susan mind stopping with us?

The fair is in full swing at the moment. Mum and I had a look round last Saturday but we both thought it was a poor show compared with those of the past – not so many stalls. The inevitable Bingo was there and doing the best business but what people see in it beats me. It’s a mere gamble*.

Last week I dug up two or three roots of ivy and potted them into 3-inch pots. I hope they will grow but will keep them for a while to see if any progress. Seems to me that when one tries to cultivate weeds it is not easy. (Food for thought there surely.) Have managed to propagate some more ice plants from leaf cuttings.

You were on right lines in solving Rebecca’s problem and Geoff also says it cannot be solved by algebra. Some good ones on TV now in a program called “Pit your Wits”, too good for me.

No we do not know to what part of Spain Geoff and family are going. Tossa da Mar was in the news this morning owing to five English people including one girl getting mixed up in a scrap in a drinking house.  Did you read about it?

Your lawns must be looking much better now after the rain on the new seed. At least you appear to have saved the seed from the birds. A good crop of dahlias then to give a splash of color. Assume you can still keep the girls off your small plot at bottom of garden. To date have picked 117lb runner beans and 30lbs tomatoes and in each case there are plenty more to come. Yesterday I picked 16lbs runner beans from both sides of one of the rows and these went down to Elford about 9:30 a.m. Apart from bulk lots to him I have a few private customers locally including Bill Aston, Roy Hewett and the Clarkes and Hailes (at bottom of garden). Could not do anything outdoors yesterday first and ground too wet later so racked off all the wine into bottles, the parsnip and the blackcurrant and rhubarb which has been in storage jars and the cherry which had been under fermentation lock. It all tasted a bit sharp but it is all new stuff and may improve by keeping. Still have a half bottle of your carrot wine on hand but the other two kinds you brought down have long since disappeared. No elderberries available yet – next month the time to gather.  Must make some more of this – as good as burgundy. Have about two and a half bottles left of last year’s brew.

Plenty of literature arriving from Football Pools already must have another try for a fortune – could still do with it.*

Fancy Lay looking for a house or bungalow in the £5,000 region, the rates would be pretty heavy too on such a place. Prices seem exceptionally heavy for property on the coast in the counties of Hampshire, Sussex and Kent, a case of supply and demand. It’s a bit easier further West until you get into the Torquay area.

I don’t expect you remember Anthony Dxxxx the son of Edward Dxxxx auctioneer and estate agent – the former was found shot on the Mendips near Priddy last Friday – verdict yesterday – suicide whilst balance of the mind disturbed. He had been in trouble with the police on two occasions the second being as recently as last week.**

A couple of weddings at Parish Church last Saturday for which the bell-ringers were required. Understand another on the 19th inst. when you are here but I do not know the time yet. Well, I think this is the lot once more – all our love to you both and more kisses for the girls. Looking forward to seeing you all soon. Mum and Dad. 

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

Dear Alec June Susan & Carol

Many thanks for letter & Susan’s drawing exactly like Grandfy. We shall be on the lookout for you next Thursday.

Hope the weather improves, it has been raining all afternoon and we expect Lydia and Joe soon. We have to meet them at Yatton.

The bean and tomato stakes are still on but slowing down a bit. Mr Aston has just looked in for some of each.

The fair is a washout this time nothing interesting to see except the bingo game. We bought some gingerbread, gone up threepence since the last time.

The gale blew down our lovely gladioli and they were tied to stakes, also ripped off felt off of next door’s shed. Looks as if a horse had been through the flowers.

We had plenty of people here over the holiday up to and including Wednesday.

Well this is the lot for now. See you soon lots of love from Mum and Dad.

*So Bingo is ‘a mere gamble’ but the Football Pools is … what? A technical exercise involving skills and knowledge? Double standard here, methinks…

**This may be special pleading, but I suspect the poor man had actually been ‘in trouble with the police’ after being caught with another man. There seems no other good reason for not naming his ‘trouble’, nor for him to have committed suicide rather than be prosecuted. [Crime may be considered disgraceful, but very few people accused of – say – burglary feel the need to make away with themselves rather than suffer the consequences.] He clearly felt his life was not going to improve, and he would be better off out of it. The above is the reason I have redacted his surname; it would be awful if a relative Googled him and found me speculating about whether or not he was gay.

Monday 6th August, 1961

On By Sue JenkinsIn 1961 lettersLeave a comment

Alec to his parents:

Dear Mum and Dad 

Your reply typed on Monday this week so possibly a day late arriving your end, depending what postal arrangements (GPO and personal) operate today. 

In view of the short turn round, and the return to work on the Monday morning, we felt that it was better to arrange to travel by train this time. Will also do so the following weekend to pick up Susan. We shall catch the 5.5 p.m. Paddington on Thursday 17th August. This train arrives Yatton at 8:20 p.m., so the girls will have to swallow a glass of milk or something and go straight to bed on arrival at Devonia. We shall be glad of the offer of a lift from Yatton station as you suggest. 

We have put the bar up on Susan’s two friends coming here over August Bank Holiday. It is very nice for her of course, but you can imagine the bustle and confusion with four in circulation. The swing and scooter and tricycle have been well in evidence over the weekend, but the weather yesterday put an early end to that sort of activity. Today is a lot better and in fact I doubt if there is a cloud in the sky as I write.

I think my insurance company have taken the line of least resistance over our mishap. I suppose technically they would have had a case, but no doubt it would have been opposed so that for the sum involved they might well have been running the risk of encouraging considerably higher losses than £29 if they had taken the other people to court. I have since received a letter from the medical insurance people on behalf of the driver of the Anglia, but have passed that over to Doug at his request, and shall hear no more of it.

Note the cider is sinking in more ways than one, can it be there is a leak as well? Talking about leaks, you have not mentioned the pond. How are matters there, has it still got water in it, have all the inmates survived? Back to the cider, I have not made any more wine, but on the expiry of my last bottle, have pulled out another of your cherry brew – vintage ‘59. I must say it tastes very good and is not likely to last long. I often have one when I get home from the office, and usually two or so Saturday and Sunday dinner times. Carol will knock back half to three-quarters of a glass and Susan somewhat less.

Have since heard that Seymour has got a job on the Southern, a bit different from the first news, but still creates a vacancy at top level. Lay would never go for McDonald’s job, at 56 he thinks only of retirement. Already he has had days off to go to the coast to look for a suitable bungalow. I believe he is not badly off, and is looking for something in the £5,000 mark. Of course the alternative to lay as successor to McD is Davis (ex Plymouth) who is Head of the New Works section. This would not suit McD, and therefore would also be unsuitable to GAVP who it seems takes McD’s advice on Development matters.

Yes Peyman is a windbag. Quite strong, but pigheaded. Guaranteed to talk down anyone on any subject, whether right or wrong.

Phone will be disconnected as from August 31st. It will be a shame to let it go but quite frankly we do not get the use from it to justify retaining it.

Give our kind regards to Uncle Joe and Aunt Lydia when they come up. We have not seen our holiday transparencies on a projector yet, but you can tell them they seem to be nearly all good ones, so we shall have a good record of our visits to Shelley Road and Tiverton.

I am sure Carol will not mind leaving Susan behind when we return, as she is now used to leaving her at school and at parties etc. Susan almost ready to see a fair I suppose, but the Clevedon one will have gone before we get down. Plenty of chances in the future no doubt.

Where are Jeff and Stella going to visit in Spain? Are they going near to Tossa de Mar where we went? 

Took an opportunity as I thought to do Rebecca’s problem yesterday, and all but finished it when the interruptions got too much. I do not think it is a problem to be solved algebraically, although I may be wrong. It seems to be an exercise in logical deduction wherein all the factors hinge on one another. I would say that the best way of tackling it would be to tabulate all the information given such as boys names, titles of subjects covered, and the conditions, such as 1 R.K, 2 Latin, 3 French, 4 Art etc. A chart can then be drawn showing columns under each of the boys names and each column divided horizontally into three sections. In the top section put all the subjects the boys are known to take, in the second section put all those subjects the boy does not take, and in the last section put the balance of the 11 subjects not mentioned in the first two sections. I suppose the best way to proceed then is to locate the two boys who take identical subjects, and Tom and Charles, or Wilf and James, seemed the most likely. I think subsequent examination will indicate that Tom and Charles are the pair. As I said, I had not finally finished the problem, but had completed all the boys’ subjects only to find that I had given them all Geography as well as Maths and English which is not permissible. Perhaps another day I will have another go and finish it. I return herewith your copy.

Re: your garden, note the vast quantity of beans picked and disposed of. Watering this end not such a problem now as we seem to get a good downpour at least twice a week. The grass seed sown in the front and back gardens has all taken very well and shows very thickly now. Our dahlias are producing flowers in quantity now, I can go round each evening and pick about 20 blooms. I am afraid the variety is poor as most of the tubers that survived the winter are of a limited number of types. I seem to have lost the yellow one altogether.

Had a look at my rhubarb wine yesterday and it is gradually turning a darker colour. It did not seem like rhubarb when it was so light. Have made 5 gallons in all this year at the rate of one per month January to May. Have you picked any elderberries yet? If you can get your runner beans long enough you may be able to dispense with beanpoles I suppose. 

So Arthur travels today; as you say I hope they do not forcibly divert him to Cuba. A grand life being able to travel about as he does, nice to have the cash. 

Not the first time you have had a horse roaming about the avenue I think. Should sue him for trespass. Well will close for now, look forward to your next. 

Love from us all

Wednesday 1st August, 1961

On By Sue JenkinsIn 1961 lettersLeave a comment

Leonard to the family:

Dear Alec, June, Susan and Carol

Thank you very much for another budget of news received correct post on Tuesday also thank you Susan and Carol for your nice drawings. Perhaps I had better start by saying we shall be delighted to see you all on Thursday the 17th inst. and we are really glad at this time of year you will travel by train. No pleasure going long distances by road with so many vehicles on the road. Presumably you will get a through train to Yatton so that I can meet you there but on this you will no doubt advise us further.

Yes we knew Susan would already be on holiday from school and it’s nice to know she is quite good so far. A big change for her to be somewhat at a loose end after her first term at school. Fancy her friend and little sister turning up so early in the morning – must be early risers in their house. Fortunately the weather continues fine and warm and I expect the girls spend a lot of time on the lawns – a different proposition if rain set in. 

Note the third estimate for repairs to car and in the circumstances agree your best bet is with Jackson especially as he is somewhat of a friend and you will be glad to deal with him for ordinary matters. From what you now tell us I think it is a shame your insurance company should have to cover the cost of repairs. Should have thought the other person would have been liable seeing he pulled out of his lane without giving a signal but there it is. I’m afraid I’m not conversant with the motoring law to that extent. 

Yes Don and Joan enjoyed themselves alright – Don slept for an hour or more after lunch in the armchair in front room. The cider is fast sinking in more ways than one and the continued hot weather is responsible. A glass at dinner time and a couple for supper soon empties a flagon. 

Noted Fred Nance was a TT. I wonder what caused his illness? 

So you did not have much to say to Price. I believe quite a lot of time is spent in the Shakespear by the staff of Transom House – could almost have it laid on. I don’t know either Aldred or Jefferies but was rather interested to know how the minutes were prepared. so McDonald may be on the move – don’t suppose Ley by any chance would be in running for his job? By the time you get all your staff together you will want someone to keep them in order. 

Very interested in your duel with Peyman – I never even met him but Geoff told me a long time ago he was not a lot of good. How did McDonald react to it when he knew the full story?

Have done nothing about phone yet it is in November the actual increase of rental commences. In Geoff’s case I expect all costs are covered by British Railways they used to pay mine when I was at Temple Meads.

Note June leaving driving lessons for a file. Much better to learn in the winter when not so many cars about – get the worst driving conditions too which is all to the good for a new driver. 

Had a line from Uncle Joe this morning to confirm coming to Clevedon on the 10th for a weekend after their motor coach holiday to the N. E. coast. Have you told Susan yet she is going to have a few days with us on her own? We are looking forward to having her and fully understand she will take all our attention but she is getting older every day and I’m sure she will be very happy with us. Wonder how Carol will take it? Let’s hope weather is good. 

The fair arrived in Salthouse Fields last weekend and for the August Bank Holiday period but I’m afraid they will be gone by the 17th inst*. The donkeys and pony cart are still with us and we often hear the former braying on the Hill. 

There are a lot of visitors here and this coming weekend will see the peak of the holiday traffic. 

No more news of Arthur (America) but it is known he will be stopping at Taunton first so may be coming this way later in the month. We have not heard from Geoff for at least a fortnight but understand Don had a line from him on the 27th ulto. They will soon be getting ready for their holiday in Spain. 

Have you had a go at Rebecca’s problem yet? That will be the time when Susan and later Carol bring these problems home for daddy or mummy to solve so you had better keep up your mathematics. 

Yes we continue to be busy in garden and watering has to be done nightly to keep things growing. So far have picked 70 lbs runner beans and quite a lot more are forming daily. Although Elford has had two lots of 10lbs each on Tuesday and Friday last week he sent a boy round at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday for another dozen pounds. In fact we picked another 8 lbs for him which cleared us right out. Yesterday (Tuesday) however there must have been another 10 lbs available – they are turning in as quickly as that. Tomatoes and lettuce also turning in daily. It won’t all be gone by the time you arrive. 

I’m now trying to dig the small plot beyond greenhouse but it is very dry and lumpy. The gladioli are a picture but sweet peas now over and going to seed.

This week I’ve put the 1961 parsnip and 1959 plum wines into bottles – this leaves the blackcurrant and rhubarb in a storage jar and the cherry still under fermentation lock. No more contemplated at the moment. 

Cornish (neighbour) has some of the longest runner beans I’ve ever seen and he is going to hand over some seed in the Autumn – worth experimenting with. I call him Jack and the Beanstalk but he takes it in good part. 

Well the Ashes go back to Australia then I think our fellows threw the match away at Old Trafford**. Used to look in from 12:45 p.m. until 1:30 p.m. and again 6 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

No more now – hope you continue to keep fit. All our love to you both and lots of kisses for Susan and Carol. 

Mum and Dad. 

Eva to the family on the remaining half-sheet of Leonard’s writing paper:

Dear Alec June Susan and Carol

Many thanks for letter also Susan and Carol’s efforts. We have been very busy this week with one thing and another  and it is actually raining tonight, don’t expect the holiday makers will like it.

I’m glad you are not using the car for your next trip, I think it is a nightmare on the road August month there seem to be hundreds about even in Clevedon. We have had a horse roaming around from the hill this week the only gate open was Pearsons and in it went. Haven’t heard the result of his wonderings. 

The fair is here again but I dare say it will be gone by the time you come. 

Hope Arthur’s jet plane doesn’t get held up like the one in tonight’s news***. He arrives on Monday night at Taunton. 

This is all news now will close with love from

Mum and Dad.

*These two things could not simultaneously be true, i.e. if the fair was gone before the 17th August it would not still be there for the August Bank Holiday which was on the 28th. No idea what the source of the confusion may have been, although perhaps the fair was moving to Weston for the Bank Holiday.

**Looking at the scorecard on Cricinfo, it would appear that Benaud bowling Peter May for a duck may have been the start of a classic England batting collapse. In more recent years this would have rated as ‘a gallant endeavour’ rather than a complete disaster – subsequent generations became used to far more humiliating defeats!

***Fascinatingly, this would have been one of the first attempted hijackings (or ‘skyjackings’ as they were later called) on U.S. soil. The pilot was shot in the head and blinded – although he survived – but apparently nobody else was seriously injured and the hijacker was subdued by the co-pilot and various passengers, while an airport ticket agent called the Sheriff. From the report it sounds very much as if the attacker may have been mentally disturbed and acting on impulse, which is no excuse but may offer a partial explanation for his actions.

Sunday 16th July, 1961

On By Sue JenkinsIn 1961 lettersLeave a comment

Alec to his parents:

Dear Mum and Dad,

Thank you both for your weekly letter, duly received.

All almost healthy except Carol who has been keeping us awake at nights with a cough. Not much seemed to stop it and we had run out of cough mixture so as a thought I gave her a half a glass of your 1959 cherry wine. I have found it very good for catarrh as other wines, and in this case it seemed to do the trick for we had only one cough after the dose.

Note you mentioned the weather, and that the rain had just missed you. We had it very bad yesterday and again to-day. The only difference in the days was the thunder yesterday. As you may have heard a house was struck in Ruislip although we do not know where yet, I was out in the car when a particularly heavy clap occurred and soon after we heard the sound of the fire engine bell. The water was running down the Western Avenue like a river.

I still have not looked at Rebecca’s puzzle, I have had too many of my own to worry about I am afraid, but I will have a go at it as soon as possible. I remember that we had similar puzzles and the golden rule was that puzzles with a long description or with great detail were usually much easier to solve than those which contained the question all in one line.

Have had no more snakes in the peas although there were some to be dealt with again this week-end. I guessed you would have a chuckle over that one.

You would not have had to bother much with the pond had it been this end. All the rain that fell would have kept it it filled to overflowing. Perhaps you had some rain yourselves anyway.

So Payne spotted the car did he? Pity he is not nearer as on Saturday when returning from Battersea we caught up with a car in front going along Warwick Rd Kensington. A further car next in front again had apparently stopped suddenly causing similar reactions to the car in front of me and as a result the offside headlamp and wing are crumpled. Susan says the car is all right really only the front is a little bit creased. Of course we exchanged insurance details, but I suppose bang goes my no claim reduction. Not much chance to take avoiding action, it was all over in a flash. Paul[ine], June and the girls were in the car, but they were not shaken up at all. I have to get an estimate for repairs to send to the insurance people and then get the wing repaired. I am told that they will deal with the other firm.

The serious shortage of staff exists in most depots and stations these days, but it is really more serious than it would seem at first sight. Most of the work is being done by only a few of the total number on the strength, the balance being made up of Teddy boys etc., some of whom cannot even write their names. New post applied for is a training post involving about six subjects including Freight Working. It seems that training is to be given in each subject. They are all so dis-similar that I doubt if many have outstanding qualifications. McDonald recommended me for the job on the usual slip and said he did not want to lose me but etc etc.

Back to the subject of the car, it was odd you mentioned that so many hundred of miles had been covered without trouble from the car as Tony Bowden one of my A’s bought a new Anglia in April and had trouble going down to Cornwall and again on the way back, A blocked jet stopped him on the way down but he had to have something replaced in the petrol pump on the return journey.

Nice to know that Bill Aston has nothing serious to worry about. It is often a relief and a surprise to find that one has not got anything serious the matter after weeks of doubt.

Note your wine doing well. I did not get round to making the greengage wine. We heard that the fruit was 1/6 per Ib, which we thought was dear so left it a bit. I expect there will be some other fruit available later on. Have made five gallons already this year and it is all stacked away ready for bottling. I shall probably not disturb it for some time yet.

So we have to get our family news from America. Nice to know that somebody is getting told. I used to like Tom Chilton and Aunt Lily but had not seen the former for very many years. We shall have to leave the question of our visit open for a while until some of the uncertainty has been sorted out. What had you in mind for your visit to us? September or October? It is O.K. by us for either so please yourselves.

Some price they asked for the Stacys’ holiday. Should think they saw him coming.

We had an invitation together with all parents to visit the school last Tuesday for a concert given by the chil­dren and an exhibition of work. June went to the concert, but I went to the school on the Thursday night to see the work. There were three of Susan’s painting ( approx 4′ X 2’6″ ) hung on the wall. One was ‘My House’ the second ‘Daddy’s Car’ and the third ‘A Lady’. We all thought they were extremely good (inc. her teacher). The drawing books that the children use were all lined up round the window ledge and we were able to look through them all. Susan took me over and explained in a low voice that the pathway is ‘a quiet place’ and so is the ‘corry-door’? ? ? It seems as if something is getting through at last. June says she looked as though butter would not melt when they sang their songs at the school, I am afraid that did not last as when she returned she broke Junes umbrella.

Back to work. Had a consultation meeting with Paddington Station L.D.C last Monday and have the same for the supervisors this Monday. We are going to start Work Study of the Station forthwith. I would say that it is probably the plum job on W.E. G.A.T. P. is said to be highly delighted, We are giving an appreciation course to the Paddington L.D.C. this week and more are anxious to get on the band wagon. Our staff situation is getting serious and McD. has started to switch people from place to place due to pressure with the result that even the minimum is not getting done now. It is like a train of slip coaches, you drop one off every now and then, but the train never seems to arrive. In the middle of it all Slade (the Research Section Leader) has taken himself off to Newcastle to see a Carriage Washing Machine – shades of Murphy.

Dahlias seem to have appreciated the rain, they have all made a lot of growth and some have been flowering. The larger varieties have not yet produced any blooms. Grass seed laid last week is through and looking green. Of course it is a bit thin, but conditions are ideal. Lost one of the buddleia, but the other is thriving well. I do not suppose we shall have any bloom this year as I see a number of them in flower locally and there is no sign of a flower forming on ours. The rain has beaten down a number of chrysants which were not staked but other than that the place does not look too bad for once. Flood water came under the gate at the back like a torrent yesterday and washed a lot of earth out of the rockery. Quite a groove was worn through it. Hail lay on the lawn as thick as snow for a while.

Well there it is again for another week, hope you will have got rid of your cold etc by now. Love from us all.

Sunday 2nd July, 1961

On By Sue JenkinsIn 1961 lettersLeave a comment

Dear Mum and Dad,

Firstly let me thank you very much for the Birthday presents, card, and good wishes. Can always find a use for the £.s.d. I thought the card was a good one – hand picked it would seem. Had a card from Don and Joan, to mark the occasion. It certainly does not seem like 19 years since coming to London. Like all other places it has its advantages and disadvantages. I would not like to stay here for good. The whole place is far too crowded whether in terms of houses, shops, or people.

Re your weekly letter, although we had difficulty in waking on the Saturday morning of the previous week, it was not due to late nights. Tiredness, yes, but have not had any festivities to keep us up lately. As you say the weather this end has been very oppressive, it broke at last thank goodness to-day, while I was in the middle of erecting the fence.

Have had quite a few trips out of Paddington but have none scheduled this week. I expect I shall go to Kensington, Acton and Maidenhead.

Note you have seen no sign of life in the pond lately. This was the case years ago when we had the fish. Initially the water was clear but after it clouded over the livestock could no longer be seen. If the eels are still there, and growing, I expect they will eat the other things in the course of time. Is the weed growing?

We bought the concrete posts yesterday, also the 4×2 and the 2×2. I gouged out the concrete path to a depth of 10 inches to admit the posts and then made a strong cement mix of cement and ashes, and dropped the post in. Both the posts have moved slightly from the upright, but this morning I attached the 4×2 to each, and then the cross-pieces of 2×2. Some cutting in was necessary due to the proximity of the coalbunker , but the weather board has now been attached along the full lenght of the fence. All that remains to be done now is to buy the 2×1 for the door/gate framework, and fit the weatherboard and the hinges to it. At the moment there is a door of sorts fitted, – this was the old fencing cut back, and hinged to the uprights. It will do to keep Carol in for the rest of the week, or until I can get the proper door made. I must acknowledge considerable help from the distaff side during the fitting of the framework. June was acting as fitters mate apart from cooking the dinner, etc,etc, and the girls had their hands and feet in everywhere. I asked Susan to bring out the oilcan so she struggled out with the gallon can of creosote. By the way that was a tedious job, annointing some 50 pieces of weather­board (both sides) with creosote apart from the uprights and cross-pieces. I think I have a permanent crick in the back now.

I am sure Susan and Carol would like to help with the birdscaring. Why not put Mothers chair on the path for her, and let her sit there, it is as good as any place to sit and doze off, and it is sure to scare the birds. It seems to be general that birds are great deal more of a nuisance this year than recently. They will soon have to put some of them on the derestricted list.

Note your latest wine, sounds good. Am inclined to think that, with the combination of fruit that you have picked, it could be helped by a couple of lemons. So far we have not tried the Elderflower, but I will do so soon and let you know what I think of it. At the moment I have two or three on the go and do not want to nave too many bottles in the part-consumed stage. I know the best way out of that one is to consume them all etc etc.

Forgot all about the Exmouth Guide book. It will not hurt to stay in the drawer until the next visit, I do not suppose we shall want it until another trip down there.

Unlucky for you to go out to the library only to find coal man had been. Might just as well get them to put it in the right place first time as to have to pick it up yourself.

Some goings on between the two families of Drewetts. Can only say that what Iris has already is plenty enough for her to get on with without Mrs D. as well. Not very pleasant though. How did you get to hear of it?

We have not seen or heard of Geoff since we took the ring back some time ago so did not hear about the Dawlish trip. Of course it could go either way – car trips have been known to finish earlier than expected to wit their first from Exeter to Clevedon that ended up in some park at Wellington.

Our back garden is now beginning to look a little bit more respectable. The alteration to the coal bunker, plus the fence and the resuscitated rock garden all help to give some tidiness that was not there before. The dahlias are growing fast, and some are in flower – mostly the small varieties. The one remaining rose cutting is growing well and seems to have established itself now. Some of the spireas are looking withered due to the lack of rain, I have even had to water them or they would have died long ago. Even such things as golden rod are dying from the heat and drought. The lawn is quite green, and to-days heavy rain will have done it good. It certainly has not been the best of weather for the kids to do much drawing indoors, but I gather there is something this week.

Nice to hear you are looking at fridges, expect you will have one. My advice for what it is worth is to get the biggest you can afford, because anything less than a three cubic foot fridge will not take all the food that you would like to store.

Had the second roll of films back this week but they are not quite up to the standard of the first. Most of them are all right but on the dark side, but there are a couple of failures. Have an excellent one of group in front of the green house which shows the whole of the building, and all the plants etc. that were growing in front at the time.

My rhubarb wine has stopped fermenting now but I have not racked it off. No time for any other yet.

Well there it is for the present, look forward to your next. Love from us all.

Thursday 29th June, 1961

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Leonard to the family:

Dear Alec June Susan and Carol

Thank you very much for another long and newsy letter to hand on Tuesday. You must be having some late nights to be so late rising on Saturdays. So far as we are concerned we are only too glad to get out – it is so hot nowadays. even a storm or two of rain is not sufficient to cool the atmosphere and surely it must be worse in your area. What about Susan and Carol aren’t they awake?

Note you have been getting out of Paddington quite a lot and more journeys in the offing. You will certainly have to watch John Snow – somewhat similar to John Saunders both out for number 1.

Yes pond still leaking and these last couple of days a big drop in level has been observed in spite of the fact fresh water has been put in with hose. A bit of a problem still. I’m told by building experts here the stuff Don gave me will be of no use until any cracks in the surface are filled in. There is no sign of any life in the pond at the moment but it could be that the minnows etc are out of sight under the weed or at the bottom of deep portion which the eye cannot penetrate now.

Your neighbour has evidently set you a standard to maintain in fixing their fence and gate. It will be worth it in the long run. Sorry to hear about the projector I had no idea what was involved and from particulars given should think they are somewhat expensive.

Yes the Clarkes were some of our customers Mrs Clarke was the lady who saw Susan and Carol in the field when Carol lost her tongue but wanted her biscuit from Susan when we got back into garden. We think Mrs Clarke will be stopping in bungalow at any rate for time being.

The Hewitts and Richings were not actually here together, we had about three hours to recover from the first visit before the second lot arrived. Richings’ car is a light blue, he wanted maroon but none available in that colour. Starts his holiday this coming weekend and going motoring.

Rita Garland was last home when she was wired for because her mother was seriously ill that was over Christmas 1959. Prior to that however both Mrs and Sheila had been over to America to see her – no free passes either.

Could give Susan and Carol a good job if they were here now bird scaring. Just up and down the path would do the trick. I went down to bottom of garden last night to potato patch and threw a lump of earth into nearest cherry tree and upwards of eighteen birds flew out and others just moved to another branch. They have been a bigger nuisance this season than any I can remember. Incidentally I picked remainder of blackcurrants Monday but as it was only one-and-a-half pounds I pulled the same weight of rhubarb and put the lot down for a wine brew – working quite satisfactorily at the moment. Have finished off your apple and plum wines and have about three parts of the carrot left. Have you tried the elderflower you took back? Should like your comments on same.

Sorry to hear June was under the weather again but glad to know she was alright for her visitors last Sunday. Carol too we hope all right again now. Noted sand still in evidence but not all in the washbowl.

We found your Exmouth Guidebook in sideboard drawer and will put it aside for you.  Expect you wondered what had happened to it. Sorry to know all the “Ivys” died off I will certainly try and get a few going for you here – perhaps it was too dry a time to take such cuttings during early part of June. The cacti then are managing to survive. A flowering bud thrown up by the lily in porch outside back door has reached the glass of the roof and is not open yet. Looks as if we shall have to stand it on the floor and support shoot with a bamboo cane. 

We understand the Ford – whose in-laws are said to have bought house at bottom of field – lives in Stroud Road. I remember a watch and clock repairer in Old Church Road but it was not Ford.

Your dahlias doing very nicely then we have not had any of this year.

Baynton Hughes gets B.E.M. well well what next?

We went up to library on Tuesday – only gone an hour – returning found a ton of coal dumped just outside shed so had to pick it all up and store in shed.  The men would have tipped in direct had we been there to ask them – just our luck.

Understand Mrs Drewett is back in Clevedon. The Swindon side of family (Margaret) brought her down on Sunday without notice to Iris’s home but her husband refused to have her there again so Margaret had to find lodgings for her mother in the vicinity. There was a pretty good row between Margaret’s and Iris’s husbands by all accounts. It is obvious Iris can do no more she has three children of her own – all very young.

Did Jeff tell you about the trip to Dawlish on Sunday the 18th? When owing to two engine failures on return journey they got home on Monday morning about 12:30 a.m. Who says it’s quicker by rail?

So you all had a good time with your visitors last Sunday and nice sunny weather – a day for the lawn. It was too hot to move here but front room cool.

Nothing much else to report from garden.  Pulled all shallots up last Friday and they are now nicely dried off. By well watering ground beforehand have managed to get out more cabbage and lettuce plants and of course I’m continuing to dig potatoes. Mother had the sprinkler going last Saturday morning on flower borders. The maidenhair fern June will do alright if you keep it in a shady place it does not like the sun or too much heat.

Well this must be the lot for this week. Once again all our love to you both and lots of kisses for Susan and Carol.

  • Hope your birthday letters arrived safely.

Mum and Dad

Eva to the family,.on the remaining half-sheet of Leonard’s writing paper.

Dear Alec June Susan and Carol

Many thanks for both letters. Hope June is feeling more fit it’s this heat. They have just said thunderstorms tomorrow and I don’t mind if it pours. 

We had Mr and Mrs Newman yesterday to teai in the evening. She brought me a dozen Ruby carnations they were lovely. Mr Newman is not too good with his leg.

I have been chasing the loganberries today not a bad lot the birds leave them alone as they are too sour.  We only picked one pound of raspberries where we should have had pounds.

Next door have had some more bedroom furniture so their house will soon be fully furnished.

Enquired when I paid my electricity bill yesterday about Electrolux fridges so bought home some literature they are £49 or £59 electric or gas quite good value for money.

I expect the girls are too busy to draw.  How do they like the heat. 

I’ve got a cough too in the mornings. They say it’s the warm weather and the dust causing dryness of throat. No more now lots of love from Mum and Dad.

Sunday 21st May, 1961

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Alec to his parents:

Dear Mum and Dad,

Thank you for your letter with, all the latest news. Glad there was another effort by Susan. I understand that there is a page or two for encloseure [sic] again this week. Susan was up with the lark on her Birthday as you may imagine. She and Carol came into our room and the presents and cards were examined when the tea was brought in. Birthdays tend to be joint affairs with these two. To start with we always contrive to have some little thing for the non-Birthday girl and in any case large articles have to be bought with an eye to joint ownership. There were rows of cards for Susan which covered the mantlepiece and the T.V. We bought Susan/Carol a scooter which is causing problems of synchronisation. Susan had a nice tennis raquet [sic] (toy-size) and they both had large plastic spades each for the sea-side. Lots of books mace their appearance and some nice things to wear. There was no party this time, but we shall have to see that they get their share. Susan has already had another Birthday Party invitation. She will attend on Tuesday of this week. Apparently Susan must have told all the boys and girls that it was her Birthday as a little boy who we had not previously heard about gave her a small plastic baby in a bath.

Have done no more to the cupboard so that will now have to wait until return from holiday. So far there has been no attempt to open the cupboard by the girls, but I expect I shall have to fit a lock of some kind. Some game with Cornish though.

We have noticed that the weather is much colder, and June is of the opinion that we shall get no change until the moon changes. (After the holiday of course). We shall have to send a spaceman up to change the moon occasionally.

Not an easy trip to Tiverton by the sound of it? I expect it can be made easier by going out round Exeter – no point in going to look for trouble. In any case I have no definite plans to go there.

Not much joy from one bucket of cockles then. Would have thought there would have been enough for an army.

I remember that Exmouth was supposed to be Mum’s first job away from home. Wiveliscombe was another I believe, also Bridgwater.

Note horse has been away for a change of diet and to gather his strength for visit from two small girls.

You ask about school. Susan turned up early from school one day last week (lunchtime) and when tackled about it, said that she had come home to play with Carol. When June took her she reported the matter only to find that they had not missed her. (Where have I heard all this before?) That resulted in Susan being marched up to the Headmistress. We do not know what was said.

Our freiends have just left, or rather I have just taken them back to Hillingdon. There [sic] children are among the least well behaved, but to-day they were much better than I have known them. Still bad.

Hope the visit from Headstone Lane goes well. Seems a long drag just for a few hours, but he has been doing that for years – must like travel.

I cannot be too sure about the rose cuttings. One is certainly taking root and shoots indicate progress, but the other two seem to make no movement although leaves are still on.

Why Labour In your ward? Is this the first time? Should have thought the West End was true blue, or slightly pink. Do not really know who got in here. We voted, and that was that. We do not take a local paper.

Rhubarb wine progressing. Brought in a large handful of lemon balm and put straight Into the ferment together with almost half pound of sultanas. After a week strained off the fermenting juice, put in the sugar (three pounds) and a tablet of wine nutrient, and bunged the lot under fermentation lock. It is kicking away merrily at the moment with plenty of white froth. Will look forward to your various brews.

I am afraid peas are a crop which seems to do badly these days. I never hnd much luck with them. The bean varieties do much better.

Have passed on the news about the nest. Hope it is still there when we arrive.

I suppose the reason that the Spencers have not sold their house is due to the price asked. Drewetts went all right and so did the one next to you. They will have to cut their price if no buyers come forward soon.

Nice try by Mum apparently but should not have liked the tannery.

I suppose we shall pass through Wincanton any time between 1–/0pm and 2-30 next Saturday if all goes well. Do I gather fron your enquiry that you may be there? If so perhaps you will let me know where to look out for you. *

We shall look up Aunt Lydia and Uncle Joe when we are at Exmouth.

Well will close now and look forward to seeing you again very soon.

Love from us all.

*To reiterate: Alec at this stage is nearly thirty-nine years old. This level of mollycoddling utterly defies description.

Sunday 14th May, 1961

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There is no letter from Leonard and Eva in the week preceding this, but as they were on holiday at Exmouth that week it’s likely they sent either a postcard or a very brief note at best.

Alec to his parents:

Dear Mum and Dad,

Thank you for your latest letter. Glad you had an enjoyable time in Devon. Did not see Susan’s effort last week, as all enclosures put in envelope by June after this letter had been typed. Do not know quite what you will get this week either.

Further activities to the cupboard this week-end. Bought the hardboard for the top (3 inches too short) but have cut it in such a way that the join does not show. The whole of the triangular back part of the cupboard has now been turned into a wine cupboard and all the bottles and jars (full) have been transferred to it from below. The original glass shelf has been replaced in the front part, and the odds and ends of books, albums etc. have been returned there. The glass fronted doors have been faced with hardboard and the four sets of electric wires run in through a hole in the base. One small piece of hardboard remains to be obtained and fixed at one of the end pieces and the whole thing then requires painting to match the woodwork of the room. It would probably make a carpenter/joiner weep, but the general appearance is not too bad.

Sorry to have to say that June is not over keen on broad beans but the rest of us like them, or did when they were last served. I hope there will be some for us in due course.

We have seen the L.D.C at Maidenhead and agreed to start there during the first week in June. We also start Acton Yard the same week. What with the promise to the signalmen that we would start them shortly we seem to be heading for a busy time.

You were right to assume that Eric was Eric Benn, but I did not know that you had not heard of Ted Rouse, He was in the D.S.O. when I first went there (doing the special train notice). He is now the Head of the section dealing with Coach Working and Dieselisation in the D.T.M.O.

Thank you again for the card and note you had something of a scramble to get it to the post. I am very surprised to learn that it only takes you about 2.5 hours to get to Sidmouth. I would have thought it would have taken you much longer. What would be the running time direct from you to Exmouth? You seem to have seen the families at Tiverton and glad you found them well. Do I also gather that the running time from Tiverton to Exmouth is only one hour? Will take a hint about Beer, and will keep away from it (especially when driving).

Did yourselves proud, what with the cockles and stopping up all hours of the day and night. I have never tried cockles and am a bit doubtful thereon, but I have had mussels after a bit of an effort. Is there there a special reason for getting the cockles at 6-0 p.m. or was that a convenient time in advance of your return to Tiverton. How far does a bucket go?

Thank you for the sketch of the district. It is very clear but no doubt my navigator will get mixed up as usual.* We shall certainly go over to see Uncle Joe and Aunt Lydia when we are in Exmouth. We hope of course that the weather will be as good as you had it ,or even as good as this week-end if possible. Good to hear about all the facilities for the children. We shall patronise them I have no doubt. Note Mrs Cornish looking after the things for you again, and this time had an additional chore – the horse. Was it necessary for her to go the orchard to assess the prospect of the crops ?

I am very surprised to learn, that your parsnip wine stlll going strong. This must be over two months now. I should be inclined to drop in a few Campden tablets until the yeast is killed and then release the C.0.2. (gas). I have got four pounds of rhubarb fermenting in a bucket at the moment and am in some doubt quite what to do with it. The fruit was not too good – rather more yellow than red, but it is ticking over O.K. I have as yet not put any sugar in and am wondering what to put with it. I : expect I shall put a clump of lemon balm leaves in with the brew.

To-day we went to Sunday School with the children. It is the 14th Anniversary of the school and all parents were invited. Susan had to go out the front on two occasions. Once to act the part of a Mother washing clothes – she stood like a dummy – and once with two others to say a piece of poetry. She did rather better in this.

Afterwards we went to West Drayton where Mr and Mrs Clegg and Michael were present. You may remember them, they attended the wedding, and I have not seen Michael since. He has since married.

We shall be glad to visit Don and Joan on the date you suggest, and take in some other landmark during the morning,

Not much of great note to report this week. Next week-end we have June’s friend Vi from West Drayton calling with her family, Hope they have simmered down a bit since the last time.

There appear to be three of the rose cuttings surviving, No additional leaves have been formed but the originals look healthy enough. June helped me to rake and hoe over the square plot yesterday and the soil is now ready to take the dahlias.

By the way June says the drawing is supposed to represent at the top – the mouse running up the clock, – the sheep and the three bags of woll [sic] – Jack and Jill going up the Hill (back) and some tale that goes “one two three four five etc.” Christine did two of the drawings.

It has been a lovely day again to-day but a bit cooler than yesterday. The heat returned with the sun during the middle of the afternoon but now it is quite cool.

Well there it is again until next week. Love from us all.

*Because of course no mere woman could possibly navigate or read a map! Later in life this task fell to me. We would get ‘strip maps’ from the AA and I would read them out as we went along. On one memorable occasion the road sign contradicted the map; I told Alec that it was not this turning but the next and he insisted otherwise and was of course wrong. I therefore tore the strip map into shreds, threw the pieces out of the window, and told him he could just bloody well navigate for himself in future if he wasn’t going to listen to the person who had the information. This resulted in violent recriminations, naturally; however it also resulted in a lifetime rule – the driver drives, the navigator navigates, and neither gets to criticise the other. Although now that we travel with the aid of (a) a Sat Nav (b) two phones with Google Maps and (c) a road atlas, I have far less patience with any driver who decides he knows the route without having to check and promptly gets lost; there is absolutely no excuse for that these days.

Sunday 7th May, 1961

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Alec to his parents:

Dear Mum and Dad,

Thank you very much for your last letter duly arrived at breakfast as usual. Yes I heard about Phasey but did not know that you knew him or knew of him otherwise I would have mentioned it.

Susan still being taken to school, and this seems to be the rythm of things for the time being. The party duly took place last Saturday afternoon but there was no invitation for Carol so we had to run her over to see Grandma and Grandad Baker. When we dumped Susan off at the party Carol wanted to go but we managed to weather that storm.*

The weather yesterday was not too good but to-day it has been much better so that assume your week-end at Exmouth was similarly favoured.

Glad your horse is still surviving. The children are looking forward, to seeing him when they come down, While on the subject, it will not be very long now will it? Re horse it did not take him long to find out that the grass is always greener in the other field, Note we shall ave to make a circular tour when we visit the field or alternatively first find out which way the wind is blowing.

Most of the carpentry in the front room was completed to-day. The table-cum-platform-cum-cupboard is now fixed in position but we intend to get a sheet of hardboard to cover the top and then paint the whole thing. It does not look too bad although I say it myself.

No trouble since with the car, and this week-end it has had quite extensive use. It seems to lose about one pint of oil every 100 miles. Does this accord with the rate when you had it please?

Glad your decorating work has turned out to our satisfaction, I expect the electricians left the house in a bit of a mess. By the very nature of their work this must be so. At least it will give Mum a chance to get new curtains etc.etc.

Note you have cut your lawns but I am afraid those this end are still uncut. Torrential downpours during the week have left everything sodden but the drying wind overnight and to-day has improved things somewhat.

June likes broad beans and so do I. I cannot remember if the children do, but we can cope with any number available.

When we are with you, I am sure Susan and Carol would like to see some birds nests but if there are none there is not much you can do about it.

Our Elections passed off very quietly so far as we are concerned. When I was about to get the car out and go round to the school it started to pour so that was that.

There’s not much point in putting more yeast in a must that is already fermenting as you do not know how near it is to finishing. Best to put one oz. in right at the start. By the way my latest carrot whisky – made about end of first week in April has ceased to ferment and is now in a new gallon storage Jar – bought yesterday. I bought the packets of powdered yeast pellets from a firm in Harrow called “Heath and Heather Ltd”.

Last Sunday’s journey was quite interesting but there was not in awful lot of traffic on the roads. At the time we went there is not too much about.

Did not know that the Spencers house had a small kitchen, I supposed that it was the same size as yours was before the alterations.

I am not surprised that Weston is a bit fed up with the hooligans. We get a lot in London as you know. The latest craze is wearing leather jackets.

On Friday night we went over to Highgate to Norman’s flat. I drove over to Greenford from where we all went in Roy’s car. The route is the came as the one that I passed over the previous Sunday. It is not too difficult driving in London, it is a thing that you get used to doing. On Saturday we had an early trip out to get the meat then later to take the girls and June to a hair appointment in Eastcote. In the afternoon we went over to Yiewsley and this morning we went over to Pinner Park as the sun was shining. It was quite warm there first thing but it clouded over later and we returned home by 10-0am. This afternoon I went over to Hanwell to play a round of golf with Eric and Ted Rouse. Apart from one sharp shower of rain and a high wind it was most enjoyable.

Ken Lay and go to Maidenhead on Thursday to hold a consultation meeting for the purpose of introducing investigating staff into the goods there. I gather that I am intended to do this work. I seem to be collecting all the staff and now they are handing over all the work. I feel sorry for Lay as he is obviously unsuited to be the Assistant. He keeps saying that he wished he had not got the job and anyone can have it etc. Also says that he has only a few years to do and would prefer a quiet time.

Got the first two reports on the Parcels Office through McDonald on Friday and they are being typed this week. He seems to be quite pleased at the way things are going and so far we have managed to keep one jump ahead of him. We had a small strike at Kensington last week (which please do not publicise) over the Bonus scheme for cartage staff there. They were told they could not retain their vanguards if they wanted to retain the bonus scheme. They have since returned to work but were to have held a mass meeting to-day to decide what to do next. We have the parcels handling staff lined up for an appreciation course this week. Have started the handling staff at Acton a couple of weeks ago but will see the L.D.C. Staff Sec on Tuesday with a view to starting the Yard Staff. Have given an undertaking to do the O.O.O. Signalmen in about four weeks time so all in all shall look forward to my holiday.

Notley has been in Venice this last fortnight amongst other places. I had a card from him.

Well there is not much else I can think of at the moment so will end again for another week. Love from us all.

*Here we go again. There is a difference between treating children equally and treating them fairly; one of these options Alec and June managed, but not the other. For many years they were unable to distinguish between their daughters and did not allow anyone else to do so either, so everything had to be tailored to the lowest common denominator. When they finally learned how to tell the difference between us they decided they had one ‘useful’ and one ‘useless’ child, and proceeded accordingly.

Wednesday 3rd May, 1961

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Leonard to the family:

Dear Alec June Susan & Carol

Many thanks for letter received on Tuesday and thank you to Susan for your drawing of an Acorn House. Glad to hear June is better again. A letter from Geoff this morning says he has been home ill with a cold plus – whatever that means – but apparently he is alright now. Also said that Phasey collapsed on the first corridor last Thursday morning with coronary thrombosis and they only just managed to get him into St Mary’s Hospital in time to save his life but this may not be news to you.

Susan still enjoying her first days at school then – noted request for Mummie to take her again and an invitation to a party already – what a lucky girl. Yes it certainly must be a bit different in the house with only Carol about and as you say you see her without the influence of Susan – a chance for her now to develop her own personality which she will in due course.*

Re: cider – I think I said Don brought up 12 flagons and as a flagon holds a quart my calculation is that he brought up three gallons. Note you may fit in a visit to Lyng if convenient to all whilst you are with us. We shall see them when we return from Exmouth as we are calling to pick up a strawberry net Don has no use for.

Have turned down Office Outing this year – it is a bit soon after our visit to Exmouth and I can find another use for the cash.

I used to get a copy of the Railway Gazette weekly direct from publishers when at Temple Meads and I passed them on to the Chief Insps. The accounts of accidents were most interesting.

I like your point about the Bays and Main Line Platform – am afraid they are all dead ends.

Yes the horse is still with us but Mum gets a bit annoyed when she sees him tearing a few small twigs off the fruit trees and eating them – it means one or two less plums for us presumably. He has access to the river and drinks there occasionally – no fence there but he does not make any attempt to get through the water. He now likes to stretch his neck over the wire fence and get the grass on next garden (Cummings’ old place) and as the posts were a bit weak I had to put a couple of new ones in this morning to stop his caper – the grass on that side of the fence must be much sweeter than ours.

Have not been round with bucket and shovel this week for one reason and another but must do so early next week when we get back home. You mention ‘hot beds‘. That’s why I’m putting all collections in one of the frames together with lawn mowings. Enough strength there to blow the cover off.

Mum’s visits to the field are to see how the fruit is forming and to try and judge whether the season will be good – poor or bad.

Note the carpentry work under way in your front room – the job will finish that corner off nicely. If only we were within reasonable distance I’m sure I’ve enough wood here to finish off.

Sorry to hear of your holdup with car last Sunday. Only a small item but unless you can quickly diagnose the trouble it’s just as bad as if the axle had broken. It’s another experience and one of the first things you will look for if you are stopped on the road again. Sounds like a bit of a Job’s comforter but you know what I mean. It’s most annoying though especially when you are visiting friends and your timetable is upset.

I finished the bathroom on Monday and cleaned up Tuesday morning. It certainly looks better for the doing. Now Mum has to get some different curtains to match. The big bedroom will have to be repapered now the Electrician has done his worst but shall probably leave this item for a month or two until work outdoors eases. The ground is still very wet and we are getting a lot of rain but I managed to cut all the lawns today with motor mower – put in another row of beetroot and started earthing up the potatoes. The runner beans sown in boxes a couple of days before we came up to Ruislip are crying out to be put into garden but I’m afraid they will have to wait until our return from Exmouth. Broad beans by the way are beginning to form and should be available when you are here. Does June like them?

Have heard the cuckoo several times this last fortnight but he was later than last year. So far I’ve not been able to find any birds’ nests in the garden but am sure there must be two or three somewhere. I hope I can locate a couple for the girls to see. Naturally we are looking forward to having you all with us again for a holiday.

Cornish came over this morning when I was putting in new fence posts and I then went over to his place for a look round. Still plenty of weeds and generally in a mess but he has some crops growing well – must be the poultry manure he uses on the ground.

Have not heard from Richings since our visit to Weston but I think he takes his motor driving test early this month.**

Good idea picking up a few barrow loads of earth from the field – will help you to build up the lower side of the lawn but to complete the job you will have to make many journeys with the barrow.

Local election here next week but not much enthusiasm about. I noticed from National Press you had yours a few weeks ago. The comical part of the Clevedon Election is that the Secretary of the Liberal Club – a man named Thomas – is putting up as a Labour candidate. His argument is that the club is a Working Men’s Club and non-political.

I do not think I shall put any more yeast in the Parsnip wine – just let the present lot finish the fermentation then bottle it up. Where do you get powdered yeast? Grocer of chemist? I’ve always used Baker’s yeast to date but as you know it has to be bought fresh for every occasion.

Your journey last Sunday – apart from holdup already referred to – must have been rather interesting although no doubt plenty on the road. We had a lot of rain here both morning and afternoon – drove me home early in morning when walking round the Hill with Bill Aston. Incidentally he has been on the Hill with a wheel barrow where the ponies and donkeys are grazing.

Well I think this is about the lot for another week but will drop you a card from Exmouth during the weekend.

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

Mum & Dad

*Oh my goodness, what Machiavellian horror of an older sister suppresses her sibling’s personality so ruthlessly? And how wonderful of the parents and grandparents to psychoanalyse them in such detail when they could – like lesser (normal) people – just have accepted each day for what it was and taken their children in the same light!

**This might be a good moment to mention that, although they both had driving licenses, neither Alec nor Leonard ever took a driving test. Leonard learned to drive before tests were introduced in 1935 – presumably he got his first practical experience during the 1914-18 war but I have found no actual evidence to support this – and Alec certainly owned a motor-bike during the 1939-45 conflict as we have diary entries to prove it. It appears that driving tests were suspended for the duration of WWII, probably on the basis that most people who learned to drive then would be doing so for military or war-related purposes and it would only slow down the progress of the war if they all had to be tested by a civilian authority as well. In any case there was no attempt to make up for the missing tests after 1945 and so Alec – along with millions of other drivers of the same age – returned to the peacetime roads without ever having taken a test. Fortunately the very few accidents he had thereafter were of an extremely minor nature – and Leonard is not known to have had a ‘prang’ of any sort until the late 1960s!

Eva to the family on the remaining three-quarters of a sheet of Leonard’s paper:

Dear Alec June Susan & Carol

Many thanks for drawing of the acorn house & what or where is the other to be seen I mean the sunshade & armchair & the television stand.

More people are going in to look over Spenser’s house, trouble is they don’t like the small kitchen. They have had their house painted all over now. White with blue door & gate. Bushel’s house is all cream, ours will be the oldest one presently.

Weston-super-Mare is worried about all the teddys & their girls coming into the town & spoiling it for the nice families but I don’t see how they can stop them now.***

Our bath room looks nice & clean now only needs a few fresh articles to make it look smart. It is moss pink walls & duck egg door & wood work except where the tiles are then the woodwork is white. We shan’t be able to do the rest of house until the autumn, there will not be time.

Glad June’s cold is better, have got a sniffel [sic] myself. What can you expect when it’s hot one day & cold the next.

Mrs Cummings going on all right & yrs truly delivered the mags. Don’t know that I should fancy doing it regularly, it’s hot work.

Well I think this is the lot now except the drawing for the artist.

Love from Mum & Dad

[Illuminated with two small biro sketches, one of something round on a plate with the words ‘This is a pudding house’ and a fork, knife and spoon with twisted handles marked ‘Whose are these?’]

***What the linked Wikipedia article doesn’t make clear is that these groups now had enough disposable income to be able to afford cars and motorbikes of their own and were able to have cheap holidays in traditional sea-side resorts which were usually only too glad of the money. (Some camped or slept on the beach, of course, but some stayed with landladies or in caravans and brought money into the town – not to mention whatever they spent on beer, chips, slot machines, petrol, etc.) People on the whole weren’t used to seeing high-spirited youngsters in large groups and were naturally afraid of them – especially as a ‘yob culture’ developed which included vandalism, spitting, fighting etc. This sort of thing continued through the ‘Mods’ and ‘Rockers’ battles of a few years later, and has since devolved into large music festivals, cheap flights to Malaga, and hen nights in Hamburg. The problem hasn’t gone away, it’s simply been transported elsewhere. NB: June’s brother Peter was the closest thing the family possessed to a Teddy Boy; he certainly had the hair-style and the clothes. In fact he was a dead ringer for the singer Joe Brown and was almost exactly the same age.