Tag: Wine

Wednesday 18th April, 1962

On By Sue JenkinsIn 1962 lettersLeave a comment

Leonard to the family:

Dear Alec June Susan and Carol

Thanks for letterer received this morning but we are very sorry to hear you are all under the weather again but hope it is only temporary and that by this time there is a big improvement in each of you. In addition I expect June is anxious about her mother and that in itself would upset the normal routine. The cold winds without doubt are responsible for the children getting conjunctivitis but the warmer days should soon see them right. So far as the neck is concerned I do not think you will get rid of it until it has been completely taken out when it is probable it will not recur. You have all had a rough winter and the alterations in the house have kept you going when you might have been resting. Anyhow I think it is a good thing we are not coming up for Easter – give you a chance to recuperate – so we shall be looking forward to Whitsun when it is to be hoped that the weather will be much more seasonable.

Sunday here was another bad day with a strong northwest wind and quite a number of storms. Monday just as bad but yesterday and today a much welcome change but alas I started the bedroom yesterday and that will keep me indoors for the next few days. So far I have done a lot of the preparatory work and whitened the ceiling this afternoon. One of the windows has been jammed for years but at long last I put that right – some job. Most difficult to get the screws of the hinges out because the thread had worn away and the screwdriver would not function. In the end had to fiddle about to get a grip with the pliers. Fortunately time did not matter and it took two or three hours to do that little job. Hope to start getting the undercoat of paint on tomorrow.

Note your joiner turned up a week ago but was missing last Sunday for which apparently you did not mind too much under the circumstances.

By the way how did the girls take to the drops being dropped into their eyes? Hope they were alright for Carol’s birthday. Expect she was excited. It was Mr Newman’s birthday on the 17th, 71 this time. We hope they will be able to look down on Easter Monday for the afternoon but it all depends on the state of Mr Newman.

Very sorry to hear that June’s mother’s visit to hospital means an operation and we can only hope it will be successful and maybe feel a lot better in general health afterwards. To which hospital will she go? Will leave Mum to comment on the possibility of the girls coming down but you know we shall look after them but won’t you both miss them even if only for a couple of weeks. Susan enjoyed her visit last year but she was a year older than Carol would be this time but they would be company for each other (and for grandfy did you say).

So far the work done in kitchen is satisfactory – that at least is something towards it. You seem to have the hall stripped down alright. Was it difficult to get paper off? Sometimes you find two or three coats of paper on the walls and the one next to the wall is usually most difficult to remove. What about the ceiling? Are you going to paper it again? This is one job I would not tackled – probably remind me of the old song “When Father papered the Parlour“. Fortunately all our ceilings are papered and only require a coat of Walpamur.

Talking of the tax on cider I think the less said about it to Don the better – have an idea it will not affect him.* had a letter from him this morning. He had been to a meeting at Exeter where they were told to start formulating plans for reducing staff but apparently he has already given them one or two suggestions which have not been implemented so he says he has nothing else to offer them. At this meeting he was given his gold wristwatch and during the course of the chairman’s address (Hartnell) he heard that ‘the Bristol Temple Meads Station Master has been released from his normal duties so that he could go into the reduction of his own staff and report’. Like giving a chap a razor and telling him to go and cut his throat. Perhaps he is is working in conjunction with divisional staff.

Noted your remarks re possible retirement at 58. If it comes about a lot of those affected will be pleading poverty.

So Susan knew what sticky labels were for. Asking for trouble in a sense but I expect they came off easily enough. I cannot say the year of your carrot wine but it is of excellent flavour and there are now only about two wine glassfuls left. it has improved by keeping as I seem to remember I did not care for it originally.

Yes just a little trouble with the car but all right again now and I hope no further visit to garage (except for petrol and oil) before our trip to Ruislip. You are doing very well with your car and it should be good for another 50000 miles before scrapping.

Note no more information or your neighbours moved but their place next door up for sale. Facilities or lack thereof for garage will keep the price down.

Mr Palmer did not return to Clevedon Hospital last week as anticipated and on Saturday Mum and I took Mrs Palmer to Southmead Hospital to see him. Apparently the real trouble was due to the x-ray machine – a special one for the job – had broken down and he was there killing time waiting for repairs to be affected. It is a lovely place – as far as hospitals can be lovely – and he was in a cubicle on his own but seemed rather depressed and was certainly fed up. It now transpires that the trouble he had following operation at Clevedon was pneumonia being due to congestion on the lungs prior to operation. That has been cleared up but for some reason they want him to have this test by the special x-ray equipment. Have not heard anything this week yet but obviously the authorities will not keep such valuable machines out of order longer than they can help and perhaps Mr Palmer will be back in Clevedon Hospital for Easter. I told him you were asking after him and he was pleased to hear of you.

Southmead lies east of Henleaze and we went over the bridge and alongside the zoo to get to it. A nice afternoon provided one stopped in the car – very cold wind outside. We left here at 2 p.m. and arrived home again at 5. It is now 7:30 p.m. and I’ve just had a lad call to ask permission to leave his canoe on the bank of the river. He already has permission from the people in Martindale to go through their garden to get to the bankside. Told him alright provided he keeps to the lower bank – no need for him to prowl about the orchard part of the field. Reminded me of Frank Hessle and yourself years ago.

Understand vicar was in church last Sunday morning. Apparently he sat on a chair near the font. Latest information is that the doctors are very pleased with his progress and it is thought the arthritis has been arrested before reaching the bone structure. No further news of the Curate.

Well since writing last week I’ve managed to get in the remainder of the potatoes and I noticed a lot of seeds are now showing through the soil – spring must be coming. Two of the Dahlia roots I brought back from Ruislip are definitely throwing up shoots but no sign of life in the third. Mum has a number of geranium seeds pushing through but I do not think any of them will flower this year. I’ve put in three forsythia cuttings hoping they will root to bring up to you. Did the Esther Reeds survive? Or shall I include another from here – we have plenty.

Plenty of activity over the weekend in Miss Weekes’ house. The new owner and his wife arrived on a motorbike and sidecar on Sunday and were busy there until about 5 p.m. but we have since heard that for the first year (until he retires) they will use it weekends only.

Mum and I duly went to the post office on Monday for our first money from the state. Quite nice taking it from them after paying them so much. Our additional half-ton of coal cost £4/7/5d** + ten shillings cartage. Good job we had it to for a fire has been necessary every day and all day until these last couple of days.

Our neighbour has re-erected his pergola temporarily – looks better upright than at an angle. All right until the next gale.

Yes I remember the chicken house next door flying up the garden. I think everybody realises the need for securing all such articles nowadays in this area.

Have not heard from Geoff lately but at the moment I think Rebecca is in Switzerland with the school party.

Going back on your letter again I notice you say the walls of landing and hall are awaiting Polyfilla than painting. Query are you painting instead of papering or both.

Heels are going to London for a long weekend at Easter – Battersea way. Hope they keep clear of the famous home there. Astons are going to Kenilworth to relations much to Mr Aston’s disgust. Said he would sooner be on his allotment. Did I tell you he now has part of Mrs Marshall’s garden?

Well I think this is about the lot for another week but we hope you are all much better and that you will be able to enjoy the Easter break – weather permitting. All our love to you both and lots of kisses for Susan and Carol.

Mum and Dad. 

*Translated: no doubt he is getting ‘scrumpy’ from unofficial sources and nobody is going to be paying any tax!

**£4/7/5d translates to £99.74 in 2022 currency with an additional £11.41 for delivery , total £111.15p.

Sunday 15th April, 1962

On By Sue JenkinsIn 1962 lettersLeave a comment

Alec to his parents:

Dear Mum and Dad

Thanks again for weekly letters, arrived this time Friday. It is now 10:30 am on a wet Sunday morning with a strong, gusty wind blowing, and  bringing the rain with it. It has not been raining long, and so far there has been no real weight of it, but the clouds are very threatening. All good for the grass seed if nothing else.

We have got over last week’s illness and forgotten about it. This week’s is with us now. The girls have had to go to the doctor again, and this time it is conjunctivitis. They have to keep out of the draught and have their eyes bathed and drops put in three times a day. Today June is very much off colour and bilious, and has not been able to eat any breakfast or even have a drink. She is trying to get some sleep in bed, but with a splitting headache this has not been possible. I may have to cut short this letter rather earlier than normal to sort the dinner business out.

The neck is no better, in fact if anything I should say it is getting bigger again. The surgeon said to give it till after Easter and if it was no better he would do another operation and remove the abscess. I suppose it is nice to have something to look forward to.

I do not know how many of Susan’s school friends have the germ, but the doctor said there was a lot of it around here.

The winter has more than encroached into the spring, it is now almost summer and no sign of a let up. Your neighbour did not take long to learn the lessons of residence in Tennyson Avenue. Not much chance of flimsy structures standing up in some of the gales. I well remember Hicks Chicken House.

Sorry to hear that you were unable to see Mr Palmer at the hospital. I clean forgot to ask which hospital he was at, and was rather surprised to hear that it was the Clevedon Cottage Hospital. Very handy for visiting.

I am afraid that the visit of June’s mother to the hospital is for rather more than observation. She will have an operation there, and should be through in about three weeks. There is some talk of convalescence (National Health) to follow, but we have no definite information on that point. Your visit to us should take place as arranged. Pauline is having one month’s leave (already applied for) but what June may be called upon to do is as yet not clear. In any case the first four weeks are already covered by Pauline, and it remains to be seen what arrangements have to be made for Mr Baker and Peter after that time. If it should be necessary for them to come here for a while, or for June to go over there, how would you react to having the girls with you say for a couple of weeks? This is all speculation at the moment until we know what the other people involved are going to do.

Having dropped our joiner chap a rocket he duly turned up on Sunday last about 11 a.m. He brought no lunch but worked solidly through until about 8 p.m. June gave him a cup of tea and a sandwich to keep him going. He put up all the framework of the cupboard on the dresser and the framework of the cupboard by the back door. It is well done (so far) and he said he would be back again this weekend, but so far no signs. He had not been here five minutes when out he came to me in the garage – “had I got a rasp?” – when I said no he expressed surprise and asked “Haven’t you got any tools then?” I offered him a pair of pliers, but that was not what he wanted.*

We have now got all the paper off the walls and ceiling of the hall and landing. I must say I am glad for it was quite a job. Now all that remains is for the cracks to be filled in with good Polyfilla, and paint to be purchased and applied. There are an awful lot of doors.

Nothing more on the office front. The business about retiring at 58 I believe has not generally been released. I do not think it is optional. More and more tightening up is going on. I must admit it is overdue but not very welcome.

So you still have some of my old carrot. What vintage was that? I have a lot here, but did not remember giving you any of this lot.

Cider tax will leave Don cold. What tax does he pay anyway?

So trouble with your car eh?

It is now 12:20 p.m. Have got dinner underway and now have ten minutes to finish this before the hungry elephants are at the door.

By the way earlier this morning Susan found some old sticky labels that I had put away some time ago for labelling wine. They were yellow with age, and I told Susan she could have them. She knew what they were for, and when I went into the front room just now I found three of them stuck on the window ledge bearing the following inscriptions ‘Apple wine’, ‘Peanut wine’ and ‘Custard wine’. Needless to say they had to be scraped off the ledge.

No sign of our joiner today. Just as well – in no mood to juggle with him in the kitchen.

No trouble with this car by the way. I want another 400 miles and the 50000 will be up.

No news of Eric’s progress to the West. They are your end this weekend and poor Michael is alone with his grandma. I gather they have put the house up for sale and that some people have seen it. We have no evidence.

Mother’s typing is certainly improving as is also the content. By about the end of September we shall get a fool foolscap. I expect it is difficult for her though, and possibly there are many sheets torn up that we do not see. However perseverance is the thing with typing.

Have not looked at my dahlias yet. I must do so or they may have thrown shoots up to the windows by now. The birds are active on my seeds (grass) but the numbers do not seem to have been reduced any. The seed has not taken yet. Must be a bit cold. Oddly enough the rain has gone and never did come too much.

Well I am sorry but I must pop it now and finished the grub off. Note your trip to Weston etc. and Mr Newman’s condition. I suppose it is bearable if he feels well in himself. If not life must be a bit of a burden to him.

Well there it is for another week. Possibly June may add a word or two later. Love from us all.

*I must admit my unworthy response to this is that he wanted to see what tools there were and where they were kept, so that he and/or his mates could come along in three weeks – or three months’ – time and make away with them.

Tuesday 10th April, 1962

On By Sue JenkinsIn 1962 lettersLeave a comment

Leonard to the family:

Dear Alec, June, Susan and Carol

Many thanks for letter received by first post this morning and for the enclosures from the girls – latter very good indeed, thank you Susan and Carol. What a week you have had with illness going around the house but we hope the worst is over now and also that the neck business will be cleared up once for all. Cannot understand though why the swelling does not decrease perhaps they will say or do something tonight when you visit hospital. Expect you know that students crowd round the patients for anything they can learn from the surgeons especially those who are qualifying for particular items. Did a lot of the school children have the germ Susan got hold of? and were a good number absent from school?

The winter has been a bad one and has encroached too much into the spring. We can do with the warmer weather right now for more reasons than one but at this moment it is as cold as February again. Last Sunday here was the limit. Late Saturday night we had a terrific hailstorm and gale-force winds from the northwest and the sea was thrown up over the wall and also into Salthouse Fields flooding latter for several hours. Then Sunday morning we had more torrential rain and the wind as strong as ever. The rain ceased for a few hours but was back with us again later in the day and the wind kept going full blast.

Our new neighbour (Bushell) put up some woodwork to act as a pergola last week but I see it is now well over to an angle of about 60 degrees and he said this morning he is taking it down and putting in a hedge like ours. Large pieces of coping were torn out of the lake wall and repairs now in hand. On top of all this day had to have a caravan rally in the Salthouse car park over the weekend.

I told you last week I was going to visit Mr Palmer on the Friday. Well I got a message that morning to say he had been removed to Southmead Hospital the previous afternoon so of course I did not see him. Now understand he is there for further tests to be made – ones that cannot be carried out at Clevedon – but Mrs Palmer thinks he will be back in Clevedon Hospital in a day or two, in fact his bed here is being kept for him. The doctors do not think there is much wrong but want to make sure but I do not think he will be having second operation for a week or two. I should say he left the matter a little too long bearing in mind his age – 72.

Whilst on the subject of hospitals we noted June’s remark on back of envelope and presume this arrangement resulted from the visit on Monday. You will be able to tell us more next letter but we hope the visit was satisfactory and at the three weeks stay commencing towards the end of May is for observation purposes only. The dates coincide with our proposed visit to you and if you would like us to alter our date to give June more freedom at that time please do not hesitate to tell us as we quite understand how do you must feel.

Note you have tickled up your joiner fellow and hope results satisfactory. Wonder if he turned up on Sunday?

You have been busy getting paper off the walls of the hall and landing then. The paper must have been shabby for you to  prefer the bare walls. Have not heard of the Dutch hoe arrangement before and note for use if necessary. This is one job I do not care to tackle but one never knows.

Yes I think I can imagine the pattern of the paper in your bedroom from description given. Sounds rather nice. We are going into Weston soon to get some for our bedroom and then the fun will commence again and of course it will be good gardening weather when I start that job.

So Stacey had something of the truth then but I’ve not heard the proposal to retire at 58 (optional). The District Offices should never have been opened up on the Western Region. This arrangement was inherited from the L.M.R. and forced on us.

Fancy Notley being on the Bluebell special same time as Beeching.

Note you will not waste Jungle Juice on Acton Yard Master. I’m looking forward to tasting it myself in a few weeks time. I still have a little of the carrot left you brought down last summer. Wonder what Don thinks about the tax on cider? Pity about the sweets though. Wish there had been a little off petrol.

Had a bit of trouble with the car recently. When depressing the clutch could hear a grinding noise which gradually wore off so as car had not been in for any attention whatsoever since last September took it down yesterday and they diagnosed a felt pad worn on the clutch which unfortunately necessitated dismantling the gearbox to get at, a long job for a small repair. Anyhow alright now and I pick car up this morning and find I have to be careful now when releasing clutch – car inclined to spring forward if released to quickly.

Any more news of your neighbours’ move to this part of the world? I’m sure they would have enjoyed the unadulterated north-west gale last weekend, especially if their proposed home is in an exposed position. Some people would not relish it but I think it blows all the cobwebs away. It’s the cold wet weather I don’t like and it is lasting much too long.

It is a twelvemonths ago today – by the day of the week – that Susan started school. I made a note of it in my gardening diary. Another twelve months and Carol will be off as well.

I like the crack about Mum’s typing efforts not being enough to get used to. Can see her making a hard job of it this week.

One of the dahlias have now thrown shoots above ground and I hope the others will follow suit quickly as I want them out of the greenhouse now for the tomatoes. Have been busy clearing the decks ready for the plants and the only work outdoors since last letter is the breaking of stone to make a hard surface between garage and the bottom hedge of lawn to give me more room to turn car when I back out of garage. It will also tidy up that corner. It is that portion of ground near the drive between two hedges. Note you have put your cacti outside on a new shelf alongside garage a bit sheltered there two. Have not yet had to get the hose pipe out of shed – wish someone would turn off the tap, it has been raining again all the afternoon and forecast promises more tomorrow.

Yes we saw the TV programme on arthritis the other week but we think Mr Newman was too old for such an operation and in any case he was not willing to try it. He is the same age as Mr Palmer. By the way has Susan broken up for the Easter holidays yet? All the children here are home and it seems a bit early as it is another fortnight to Easter.

Wednesday 11th April

Well we went to Weston this morning but it was very cold and came onto rain – as usual – so after getting the bedroom wallpaper, Walpamur and paint etc we soon turned for home reaching Devonia about midday. The afternoon improved although the foghorn in Channel was on continuously. Went down to Palmer’s just now but there is not much information about Mr Palmer. He has had one test at Southmead but was having another today.  It is still possible he will be back in the local hospital this weekend. Wonder how you got on last night at your hospital? We called in at the poor man’s Selfridge’s – Woolworths – for a cup of tea and had a general look round. Surprising the quantity of seedlings for sale considering the weather. New (foreign) potatoes were marked 8d per lb and mum brought a couple for 1/4d. They were marked 10d and 1/- elsewhere. Expect they are cheaper your way. Kept my eyes open for tomato plants but none for sale anywhere yet. Shall have to pay a visit to Weirs of Tickenham later.*

Mum must tell you about the paper and paint we brought in The Boulevard close to where we were able to park car**. I noticed this afternoon quite a lot of the seeds sown outdoors are showing through the soil so perhaps we shall get a move on now. Noted you soon put a little grass seed on the made-up lawn – expect it to showing through now. Does not take long but the birds will be pleased to see it.

It’s weedkiller I want here not grass seed. I’ve been cracking the stones again this afternoon and continuing to make good the patch mentioned earlier. Taking shape now but shall put the roller (borrowed from Steve Cummings) on it to level off. In the process was able to sift some fairly good soil for use in the frames.

Cannot report much if  any improvement in the health of the Vicar and Curate. Understand the former has now to go in hospital in Bath for a few weeks but I do not like the sound of it. To me it appears he has already developed arthritis and we’ll have a job to get rid of it. The parish has been very unfortunate since the death of the previous vicar. The stand-ins do their best but they are old men and cannot be expected to carry the parish.

Miss Weeks (opposite) has now gone into a bungalow provided for old people and it looks as if workmen will soon be busy in the house quite a lot of timber already gone in.

No more this time all our love to you both and once again many kisses for Susan and Carol.

*8d = 76p in 2022 currency, 10d = 95p, 1/- = £1.14 and 1/4d = £1.52. The current price in London is apparently 90p per kg or maybe 44p per lb which is somewhere in the range of half the 1962 cost.

**This would be Weston Decorators, of happy memory. The shop still existed into the late 20th century but has now gone, and the name is in use by another entity entirely. The extended family has a strange connection to Weston Decorators; this blog’s mother-in-law was born in a small private maternity home in a building behind it, which was later incorporated into the business premises – as a result of which Mr OnTheTrack sometimes tells people that his mother was born in the tile department of Weston Decorators.

Sunday 8th April, 1962

On By Sue JenkinsIn 1962 lettersLeave a comment

Alec to his parents:

Dear Mum and Dad

Thanks once again for the weekly letters, arrived Friday of this week. It is now 9:15 a.m., and we are getting some nice bright intervals after a rainy and windy night. The children are out in the garden messing about in the house they have made in the old water tank and the old kitchen table, with a rug you gave me to cut up for the car. Perhaps one day it will get cut up, but meanwhile it is getting good use.

You would not be able to do much on the garden here either. Not but there is much of it, but after the rain it should be pretty well soaked. I had an idea this lot was coming, and yesterday nipped down to the shop and bought some grass seed which I have sprinkled on top of the remade lawn. The rain in the night should have given it a good start, as well as washing it down into the cracks and crevices out of sight of the birds. So far they have not got to work on it, but I expect that when the first shoots come through they will be down on it to some purpose.

Susan is alright again now, but she had a germ which is circulating in this area. On Monday night when I got home, June was ill, and had to go straight to bed, and at 9 p.m. Carol was taken ill, and kept it going until 4 a.m. June was sufficiently recovered on Tuesday to keep an eye on things, but poor Carol had another go about 4 p.m. but was alright from then on. I went to the hospital on Tuesday afternoon, and found they were unable to tell me anything. They say they could find nothing in the analysis which would give them a lead as to what was causing all the trouble – come back next week, and in the meantime it should go down. In the meantime it has not gone down. Took the car to the station that day, and on the way back collected Susan and took her to the doctor. He said the only cure was to pack up the schools and send all the children to South America. He says he is fed up with it, everybody at the moment has got this germ in one form or another. He prescribed six shillings’ worth of medicine, and that was that. Next day, having been none too comfortable during the morning, felt a bit queer myself at about 3:30 p.m. during a meeting, so cleared off home quickly as soon as it finished. You’re right, it was my turn. Got back to work on Friday, more or less right. Roll on summer.

Your point about the suit, not well taken, 17½ stone in weight* does not represent starvation levels this end.

Rough on Mr Palmer. It would seem from your previous letters that the operation was quite satisfactory, and I assume that in itself was not too arduous for him, but the complications coupled with his age, have probably pulled him down a little. I do not suppose he will look forward to the second part with quite as much enthusiasm as the first.

After typing your letter last week, I wrote a significant one to the joiner fellow. This has produced a reply saying that he did not appreciate we were in quite so much hurry, and he has already made the cabinet at home and it only wants fixing, and he will come this weekend.** So far we have not seen him, but there is still plenty of time today. Last evening we started to strip the paper off the walls of the hall and landing. Even the bare walls are an improvement on the shabby paper. A tip for you if you have not already hit on the idea. For the purpose of scraping paper off the wall which sits high up on the stairs and otherwise out of reach, I used the Dutch hoe. It works well and there’s no damage to the wall.

Difficult to describe the pattern of the paper we have in the bedroom, but I liken it to the design of the curtains one often sees in the cinema.*** It really consists of downward hanging semicircles in vertical rows.

Stacey is not far out with his information. This week I heard that they may be retiring people at 58 with compensation. Also they are going to close down the district offices and run the whole show from the divisions. This will mean finding homes for many high-ranking officials the only qualifications that they have not got being Work Study fortunately as this is not practiced at District level. This will not prevent our having to carry a lot of dead wood for a bit so I do not suppose.

Tony Notley was on that jaunt on the Bluebell line that Beeching was on.

I would not waste my Jungle Juice on the Acton Yard Master. I am keeping a bottle of it for your visit so that we can enjoy it together. So far I have not had a bottle of it myself, only a few glasses. I have nearly finished the bottle of parsnip you gave me. I think you gave me two bottles, so there is one to come. It is very good, and certainly worth making again.

Acton Station still goes well. It has now been in for three weeks, so we shall soon be able to draw some firm conclusions on it.

You do not know the Acting Yard Master. He is ex-L.M.R. and used to A.Y.M. at Willesden. He is a bit after the Follows pattern without the language. Smallbone is the same as was on the Traffic Analysis when I went to Paddington first. I do not know what he has been doing lately. I gather that he has fallen out with practically everybody – not done what he was told – against his principles or something, and has been bypassed by most of his old staff anyway. He has an outsize chip on his shoulder – in fact to sum up – cantankerous.

Note your good wishes for Mrs Baker’s visit to hospital tomorrow and will pass them on. I am having the day off so we can make the journey in the car. No firm info on the other invalids although we understand that Uncle Will is paralysed and they are feeding him with a tube or something.

Sorry about Mr Newman, he seem to be getting worse. I should have thought what they could have done something for him. A recent programme on TV gave that impression.

So George Hunt has moved has he? We must make a note as you say about the change. I should imagine he is getting good money now.

We had a good show of snowdrops, but the effect was spoiled a little by the staggering of dates on which they came out. The first were out in early December of all times, and the last sometime in February. See earlier letters. Glad the dahlias are making a start. I must put mine out soon. Oddly enough our spring flowers are quite good especially as we did not put any in, and in fact thought we had taken all the bolt out. There are quite a few daffodils out in the front garden now. I see the syringa (mock orange) is bursting into bud now. For a while I thought it had gone. It seems as if the clematis has gone, but it is no real loss.

Yes until you mentioned it, I had not realised that Susan has been at school for nearly one year. Again as you say, how time flies.

It looks very nice out now. The heavy cloud has given way to smaller white clouds, and there is a greater expanse of blue. The clouds are moving fast however, and not to be trusted.

Glad mum got the card okay. Surprised to hear John and Eileen have another daughter. Where have all the sons got to? So Marion and Norman are expecting another are they? Is this the third? Mum’s typing is improving, only complaint is there is so little of it. No chance to get used to it so to speak.

The shelf taken down from the kitchen I have attached to the side of the garage facing the lawn bracket and we have put out all the cactus plants. I understand from a former colleague who had a large collection that to put them outdoors at this time of the year, when frosts are over, is a good thing. This way they get adequate watering at the growing time and plenty for next time.

I go to the hospital on Tuesday at 5 p.m. when I am being shown off to the students – curiosity now I suppose? I am beginning to get a little fed up with it.

Must close now then with love from us all hoping that you are both well. 

*111kg, more or less.

**Raise your hand if you’ve heard this sob story before?

***The expression Alec’s groping for is ‘swagged curtains’, which were a big deal at the time, The opulence of being able to use excessive fabric in curtains (and clothing) was a big contrast to the austerity of the War years and the period that followed immediately, and it was one way people chose to express their wealth and their individuality.

Tuesday 3rd April, 1962

On By Sue JenkinsIn 1962 lettersLeave a comment

Leonard to the family:

Dear Alec June Susan & Carol

Once again many thanks for a long and interesting letter with enclosure from the children received second post (11:30 am) today. Your postmark was the usual one of 6:45 p.m. so Post Office people lost a point somewhere.

First of all the weather. After a night of heavy storms continuing up to 10:15 a.m. this morning, delaying us getting out to Library, the sun broke through and we have had a glorious day really hot and sunny. Could do no work on garden of course because the ground was soaked but it was nice to be outdoors. Hope you had a change for the better too. Can understand Susan being off-colour after such a cold week – hope she is better now and that you are alright including the neck. Shall be pleased to know what doctor says when you next see him. Oh yes the parcel arrived safely, many thanks, and as previously mentioned suits me A1. I like your remark about the suit. It is the first suit I’ve been able to starve long enough for since the one I got when you were married.* I wonder you had not noticed how thin I had got!

Went into hospital again last night to see Mr Palmer and whilst he is progressing a little authorities say he must go away for a rest and change before returning for second part of operation. So far he has not been out of bed – operation a fortnight ago today – and before he is allowed to leave he will have to be on his feet for a day or two. He and Mrs Palmer are talking of going down to Paignton for a fortnight as soon as he can get away. There is no doubt the first operation has shaken him up and it will be a long time before he is back to normal. I told him last night you were inquiring about him and he was pleased to hear you were going on alright. Have you got rid of your catarrh yet?

Note no more news of your neighbours’ move to this part of the country. Sounds like a very big place they have in mind. Kind of Mrs Benn to hand over some articles of clothing for the girls.

More trouble then with your private workmen. that fellow who was to do your kitchen seems a wrong ‘un but hope you get money back. A surprise  for June when paper-hanger turned up and one for Alec to when he got home that night. Still it was soon over as you say. I’m sure the place looks much better and by the time the kitchen is done we shall have a lot to see in a few weeks from now, especially with your own efforts in the painting line. We have not proceeded any further yet with our bedroom but shall be doing it shortly. (More starvation to raise the money). By the way what was the pattern of your paper?

Yes I did begrudge the 11/5d per week for Insurance stamp especially as it was only 6/6d when I retired**. Note possibility of you taking up more shares in Wilts Club. Very nice if you can manage it. In my time when I joined a medical exam was required for anyone taking up three or more shares and I duly passed the doctor for my three and I think this may have been the reason why Don did not have more than two, feeling doctor would not passed him and then he would not have been accepted at all.

So you have not seen Geoff lately, perhaps he is still travelling. He said in a recent letter that it would be strange if he was was on a committee which done away with his own job [sic].

Mr and Mrs Stacey called on us unexpectedly Saturday evening and he could tell me that the Divisional and District people have been instructed to reduce their staff by one-third as quickly as possible as a first stage to further reduction. Looks like a lot of redundancy in the offing. Don’t use this information unless you can confirm it as Stacey’s source may not be too good but he was full of it himself. I thought I had seen a lot of alterations in my time on the railway but you will see a complete transformation. I see Beeching had a trip on the Bluebell Line last Sunday.

Fancy giving your visitor a bottle of Jungle Juice query to get rid of him. Was it the Acton Yardmaster? I know it is very good so do not get rid of all of it before I’ve had a chance to taste it. I’m now sampling a bottle of parsnip – not too bad but it makes one a little sleepy especially if I have a drop at dinner times. Have you tasted the bottle I gave you?

Note the Acton Station scheme going on better and that you have had a session with the Yardmaster. Who is he? Do I know him? Where has Smallbone been working recently? Is he not the one you succeeded on the Traffic Analysis Staff in 1942?

Hope June’s mother has a satisfactory interview with the specialist on the 9th inst. Note you have no further information of the other invalids to date.

Quite an idea to turn bookie for Mum’s racing episodes. about the only way I might get a bit of spare cash – the meditate Mediterranean cruise is off again for at least another month no luck on ERNIE.

I’m afraid my tomatoes are a write-off due to the persistent cold weather and the low temperature at which I have the thermostat in the greenhouse. Anyhow I should buy some plants from Weirs of Tickenham later this month and perhaps next winter I can set the thermostat at a higher level during the severe weather. Had we had a mild winter I should have been well away with the plants.

Can quite appreciate you have no room for vegetables but you are making the most of the place by turfing it down – somewhere to walk around even if only for a little fresh air and the children have more room to run round. Since last writing have managed to put in, in the plot beyond hedge, one row dwarf beans (bit early but worth the risk), two rows peas and two rows onion seed. Most of the potatoes are in and the first dry spell will see the remainder in.

We were expecting Mr and Mrs Newman down from Bristol on Wednesday but he is still suffering from bronchitis and confined to the house. We also hear he now has to have a wheelchair for getting about because arthritis is affecting his legs although he can still drive his car. Not much fun in life when one is affected like this. Roy Hewitt had an operation for this trouble and as you know he can get about very well with the aid of one stick. He and Bill Aston look in once or twice a week for a chat, usually in the greenhouse where it is warmer. Mr Palmer to has been in the habit of looking in occasionally.

Saw George Hunt last night and just as well I did for he could tell me that he had that day shifted his home to 88 Westbourne Avenue Clevedon.  (A council house just off Strode Road). You must alter address in your address book. He is now a driver on the London and Bristol Freight Services.

I planted the three dahlia roots you gave me in greenhouse several weeks ago but so far not a sign of any shoots so this afternoon I moved a little of the soil around one of them and found shoots about an inch and a half underground. Hope to get a few rooted cuttings later. The Primrose mum mentioned was one she found flowering in the field and dug it up and divided it into three pieces and planted them in front garden – hoping for the best. Did you have many snowdrops? Our early spring flowers were poor due entirely to the bitter winds and cold rain. The whole season is at least three weeks late so far but if we can continue with what we had today things will soon pick up although I guess there will be no plums, the buds having been nipped by the frost.

Mum was very pleased with her card on Saturday and will mention it herself in her letter presently.

Our young neighbours went out for a walk with their new baby last Friday and arrived home about 5 p.m. and found they had locked themselves out. We got our extension ladder up to their bedroom window and soon put things right. Never a dull moment!

Yes Mum has her own pension book and will draw her own share. Our first visit to Post Office will be on Monday 16th April – Carol’s fourth birthday. When does Susan break up for Easter? She will soon have had a 12 months at school – how time flies. Must soon have a look round the garden and field to see if I can find find any birds nests to show the girls when they come down. Blackbirds and thrushes seem to be plentiful.

Now I must close once more with all my love to you and lots of kisses for Susan and Carol.

Mum and Dad.

*This would have been eight years earlier.

**This translates to just less than £7.50 in 2022 parlance.

Sunday 1st April, 1962

On By Sue JenkinsIn 1962 lettersLeave a comment

Alec to his parents:

Dear Mum and Dad

Thank you both very much for all letters and enclosures. Glad to know that the parcel arrived safe and sound and that the contents were to your liking. New suit eh!, how the rich live. Time of writing here now is 9:50 a.m. with a weak sun trying to warm things up outside. The children are in the garden well dressed up as they still need to be.

No more news about neck as I do not see the surgeon until Tuesday. Re Mount Vernon, I really cannot say if it is a General Hospital, but they treat cancer there, and Matthews had appendix out there some years ago. I believe they have some costly equipment there, but the wards were poorly constructed probably of wartime timber. I am a very sorry to learn that Mr Palmer had such a rough time with his first operation. They are very careful not to admit to hospital any patient who is to undergo an operation, but who has any trace of a cold. It was touch and go with me as I had heavy catarrh from my last cold still hanging around. I persuaded them that I was never any different, and that if they waited for that to clear up, I would never have the operation. It so happened there were no complications. I am sure you will give him our kind regards, when you see him, and we hope to hear soon that he is out and about again. What price a further visiting foreman to your gardening activities when he is convalescing?

No more news about the neighbours going to Weston, or much about the bungalow. We gather that it is a very large one, and has four bedrooms. Yesterday Dorothy gave June a lot of the things back that we let her have when Michael arrived, and also about eight dresses that Janet had outgrown. They are all very nice, and very welcome for our two. Also there was a nice overcoat, so the children are in luck. This weekend Janet and Dorothy have been down there and are expected back today – assume Eric is coming with them.

No sign so far this weekend of the man to do our kitchen. will now have to take steps to get our money back. In the early part of the week week, we painted the ceiling in our room, and did most of the woodwork. June did the windows and gave second coats in various places, also the skirting board. We had expected to size the walls on the Friday night ready for the paper hanger on Saturday morning, but he arrived unexpectedly at 3:30 p.m. on the Friday, cussing about someone who had let him down, and slapped the paper on in an hour or so, and by the time I got home it was all done. I must say it looks very nice, and the carpet back in place after its cleaning, altogether has put that room right for the time being.

I am sure the wet weather we have had recently has done our new lawn work good. We have sown no seeds yet, but natural grass should start to grow soon.

I take your point that I must look forward to date early in July 1987* to pop round and collect my pension. When you consider it, a man on retirement having to pay 11/5d per week in National Insurance – it is a bit steep. Apart from the return you will get from the pension itself, you will be automatically some 45/-** per month better off for not having to pay it. I may well have some more shares in the Wilts Club later on, but to have more than six one must have a medical examination. It is a bit of a bother, but worth it I suppose.

I cannot say if Geoff has been to any meetings at Bristol. I do not recall seeing him since around the time of Sara’s birthday.

Regarding the health of the two girls, I am sorry to say that Susan was again under the weather yesterday. After lunch she seemed listless and gave indications that she wanted to sleep. We let her stay on the studio couch in the front room, but she did not stop there long. Late in the afternoon she became ill, and was so intermittently until well after going to bed. She woke up twice in the night and again very early this morning, but was very hungry and thirsty this morning. She had a good breakfast, and although not a hundred percent is making quite the usual nuisance of herself outside now.***

I agree about the clock going back instead of on dash no benefit, except for the lighter evenings.

Fancy Stone’s Ginger Wine for Don’s elevenses. I could have named hundreds of drinks that he might have had, but not that one. What is the reason for that choice?

Had a visitor round to see me last Saturday, and gave him a bottle of my Jungle Juice to go away with. It was voted very good, and I must say I like the taste, but not quite up to the standard of the apricot which seems to be my best so far. Have not tasted an awful lot lately. Did not make any in March, but have now got some rice so will have a go at some sake.

The Acton station scheme, subject to some slight alterations to meet the wishes of staff, has now completed its first fortnight, and I must say it seems to be going very well now. Murmurings against it have now subsided, and we wait the next crisis. So far as the yard scheme is concerned, I had the Yardmaster up to a meeting on Thursday. Asked him if his letter represented his total criticism of the report, and proceeded to deal with each item he raised. I got him to admit that he would never accept any proposals that had not been proved in practice. As there was no point in continuing the meeting under the circumstances, I offered to close it, but gave him three alternative choices: 1) accept as printed, 2) accept subject to experimental period of six weeks proving satisfactory, 3) reject the scheme, but produce factual evidence to substantiate the rejection. He elected for the second course, and said he wanted no part of it. We thus have his agreement to pass on to the next stage of discussion with staff representative who he has said will reject it out of hand. Have proposed to Mr Phillips that he be sent on a Work Study course.

I note with interest your gardening activities, and hope we shall enjoy the fruits (or should it be vegetables) of your labours later on. As you know I have contracted out of the vegetable field as this plot is too small for that sort of thing and lawn and flowers. Sorry about your tomatoes though,  were they are special sort, and have you managed to retain any?

Good about the ginger wine, although I am not all that partial to ginger, I must make some for the addicts.

There is more than a rumour about Divisional and District offices being merged. What is in mind is for the other Divisions to be on the same lines as the London Division. In other words Birmingham Division and District will be identical as well Cardiff and Bristol. It is only a short step from there to close the outlying District offices altogether. We are then back where we started before the war less places like Exeter and Plymouth, Shrewsbury, Worcester and Gloucester, Newport and Swansea. In view of the reduction of the services, and elimination of some of the lines, this is only to be expected.

Now that Mum has taken up the Sport of Kings, I suppose you will be setting up as a bookie. Should think you could afford to give her generous odds even in a two horse race.

If the grass on our lawn is anything to go by, Joey should have a meal or two waiting for him in your orchard. All very healthy looking – but long.

I have no recent news about June’s aunt and uncle, and her mother is just about the same. She will see the specialist on the 9th. We hope she may be able to come over to see us later today, but it is not certain.

Yes tea on the west lawn for Whitsun – seems a long way off to those days still. If the wind would only drop or get warmer things would not look so bad, but meanwhile there is little joy in being outdoors.

No news as you say about Notley’s successor. I gather promotions are going to be a bit difficult for a long time as a number of redundant staff have to be placed. They have got to find a home for Smallbone (redundant A) and I have told McD I am not keen on having him. Nothing heard of Woodward and his Merry Men. I would not know half of them now anyway. Perhaps I ought to go and see him occasionally, but have not done so recently.

Sorry about Norman, what caused that I wonder?

Glad to see mother has had another go at machine. Practice makes perfect, and there is no doubt it makes the job easier and clearer to read. I expect Mum will be on hand to pick up the ‘loot’ – very necessary to carry it home no doubt. Nice about the plants you have put in. Would like a Primrose if you can manage one later on. We had no luck with the ones you brought up several years ago.

Well I see we are getting near to the bottom of this page, so will close up now. Love to you both from us all here, and hope you are both well.

*As it turned out, this didn’t happen. Alec was in fact offered early retirement some time in the mid-1970s and grabbed at it with both hands; there was of course a considerable ‘golden handshake’ involved.

**In 2022 currency these sums would be roughly £13 and a little over £51 respectively.

***Translation: we can’t be bothered to interact with our kids so we’ll just complain about them – okay?

Sunday 18th March, 1962

On By Sue JenkinsIn 1962 lettersLeave a comment

Alec to his parents:

Dear Mum and Dad

Thank you both for your letters and the phone call during the week. Glad to see that the typewriter has arrived and that you both have had a bash at it. How long did mum’s letter take. One thing I notice about typing is the fact that the writing effort being less the content of the letter expands. Something to do with Parkinson’s Law I believe.

Yes the neck business is very queer. I think I wrote telling you that I had had an inoculation against smallpox. This was taken – as opportunity – when I visited the doctor for the first time with a swollen neck. June had noticed it the night before, and I could not account for it. There was no pain, only this tightly formed bump. Doctor examined and said he could find nothing wrong with ear nose or throat, but prescribed an antibiotic and said come back in one week. No change took place in that time, so he said I should go to the E.N.T. place in Piccadilly. They could find nothing wrong either, and said best to watch it and come back in a week. This I did and they confirm that x-rays and blood count taken the previous week revealed nothing. They could not say what it was but it was getting slowly bigger. I was sent back for another three weeks for a definite trend to establish, and on returning again they said I had better come in and they would take out a piece and examine under microscope. I now await the results of the examination, and have to go up on Tuesday to hear.

The water tank episode I thought would amuse you. On the Benns’ side they had had two tanks go in four years. I think the plumbers must be on a good racket. Doug Gray had his go last year also the hot water tank, but he had a little warning as he saw a trickle of water from base of tank. Ours went so suddenly that no warning given. He suggested last year that I should have a look at tank, which I did, but you cannot tell by just looking at it how long it will last. The thing was as you say a bit too much for Carol, and we had the water running downstairs as well as up. Fortunately Ethel next door was able to take them in and keep them out of the way for a bit so I only had one to contend with.*

The ground about here was in good fettle for working on about one week ago, but the weather is far too cold for any activity. And I have been instructed not to do anything energetic like gardening hahaha until signed off. Have not seen many people digging their plots yet.

Our neighbours found a nice bungalow in the Worlebury -Sand Bay area of Weston-super-Mare, and were trying to get it. On Friday Dorothy told me that Eric was at that moment in Taunton trying to fix something with the Somerset County Council for Janet to go to school at Weston etc etc. She was waiting for a phone call to see if it could be arranged or not. So far we have not heard any more.

Glad to hear that your neighbours’ period of waiting is over and that they have a baby girl. Was it what they wanted?

The water heater we have for the kitchen is an Ascot gas heater. The men came and fixed it up on Friday. it took them all the morning as they had to have gas stove out and put in a lot of new piping. After getting it back they discovered the gas leak we have been telling them about for months, so they had to take it apart again and tighten some pipes. We are no longer  dependent on the boiler, and it is quite nice to be able to have have a fast run of medium hot water or a slow run of boiling water – on tap – as it were.

Since writing last I see they have found the boy from Hayes. It is a tragedy, but no amount of sympathy can put it right.

Have not heard much from the office since I have been away, and that suits me for the time being. Acton Station scheme starts tomorrow, but there is nothing much I can do except show an interest in the figures produced.

Both girls listen to the radio and the TV, and they are well up with current news and personalities. Every so often they come out with something. Carol’s favorites are the jingles about buying the TV Times.

I am sorry that Mum’s typing sounds like water dripping from a tap. Just as well it does not sound like a man hammering nails into a piece of wood.

I expect I knew Ron Bridle. Was he the old man who used to wear a large black or navy blue Seamans pullover and spent much of his time looking over his front gate? Hope Mr Palmer’s stay in hospital is as pleasant as mine was. If you go to see him please give him my regards and best wishes for a quick return to circulation.

This new S.T.D. method must be good to all accounts. How long did it take to get through by that method? I noted you did not linger on the phone and guess that no pips would ring as the system was altered.

Do not forget to change over some of the liquid in that new yeast as it will only kill itself with alcohol ??? if left alone. If it should show signs of forming a scum or thickening, I should throw it away as it may contaminate your next wine. I must admit I used mine for the last lot of wine and had to remove some scum from the surface. I hope it works out alright. Will let you know. Have a good wine book from the library this week. It is even better than Bravery, but it is for the expert – reduces everything to mathematics of weights and specific gravities etc. There are one or two new slants on making the stuff which I shall probably adopt.

Nice thought that you only have one more stamp to put on your card and then you can get your pensions. Good for you, as you say glad to get some back. As you know my short stay in hospital was free. quite a change from the last time. By the way I am getting something back from the Wilts Working Men’s lot. I do not remember the last time I claimed, but I dropped them a line on the day I went into hospital, and received a P.O. for the first three days, with more to come.

I like the lettering of your machine. The type is prominent, and obviously the ribbon is fairly new. I shall have to try to get another for this one when I get back to work. The office ribbons probably do not fit this machine, but I am going to try.

Poor old Susan has got another cold coming but she is not all that the worse for wear for it. Very lively this morning. I suppose it is only a matter of time before Carol gets it. The latter woke us up in the night bowling over something or other. June had to go into her and slapped her bottom for her. That settled it.** Carol was awake at about 7 am singing at the top of her voice. Great life. They wanted to know how Mr Rust was (Mr Dean Rust) when I got back on Tuesday.

Re Mother’s letter – very nicely type – the lump turn out to be an abscess from which they removed a part. It is now only a quarter of its former size, and I hope it will eventually disappear. When I see them on Tuesday they should have found the stuff to help it on its way.

I am inclined to agree that the T.V. programs get worse. The best part is the adverts now.

Did not know that the Hewitts are going to Norway in June. Nice place I believe, but too cold for my liking. If I go abroad again I should like to go towards the sun to make it worthwhile.

Hope Don’s visit of to-day goes off well. Fancy the clocks going on next week. Seems too near winter for that but can always do with a bit of light in the evenings.

June’s mum has not been too well, and has to see a specialist in a few weeks. Poor old Uncle Will has had another stroke and is in a very bad way. I gather that Aunt at West Ealing is also a bit groggy again, so altogether the general health this end is not so good at the moment.

We hope you are both well and looking forward to that first sign of good spring weather. No more from this end for the time being, but thanks once again for your news and regards love from us all. 

*The only way to read this comment is ‘only one useless female’, and to conclude that he rates June’s intelligence/practical ability as that of a child – which is in line with what he says about his mother, too. No man should ever get married if this is what he believes, and Alec certainly never should have; his contributions to the household are made grudgingly, if at all, and he seems to derive no pleasure whatsoever from his family or his home – it’s all just a monstrous conspiracy to stop him having any fun.

**Outstanding parenting!

Wednesday 14th March, 1962

On By Sue JenkinsIn 1962 lettersLeave a comment

Leonard to the family:

Dear Alec, June, Susan and Carol,

What a surprise this morning but very pleased to see June’s report at end of letter and hope Alec will soon be home again. had no idea his neck was giving him trouble and now it appears he has been going to clinic for sometime. Have started this letter Wednesday afternoon but shall be calling up June later this evening for up-to-date information. Also sorry to hear he was home on Thursday last with a heavy cold and hope that too has cleared up. Seems to me it was a good job he was about when the water tank burst otherwise June would have had a pretty bad mess by the time she got home. What an extraordinary happening – have never heard of one going like that before. Raises doubt as to whether it was a new one when put in. Have any of the neighbours experienced similar trouble? Note you can get coverage from insurance people except for tank replacement but what a mess you must have had to clean up and dry out. Hope you have got over it by now and that new tank has been connected up and in working order. Poor Carol it was too much for her. What was Susan’s reaction?

Glad to hear both the girls are keeping fairly well again but this weather is enough to try anyone. Today and northwest wind is blowing and cutting across garden that I packed it up soon after dinner. Yesterday not too bad in the sun but quite cold elsewhere. Have had no rain here lately and ground is in good order for working if only the atmosphere would get warmer. I’m afraid I have had to order another half ton of coal but it will more than see us through the winter. Cannot do without fires yet. Yes Alec a few more logs out of the river would help considerably and I shall have to be on the lookout. I should say the people living in the Swiss Valley have had more than their share of the east wind these past three months. Note no further news of your neighbors’ movements – perhaps they are looking at other likely sites in the Bristol area. Our neighbour (Bushell) has apparently joined the First Aid section of Albright and Wilson’s factory at Portishead. This is the phosphorous firm as I expect you know and they get a fair number of cases to deal with chiefly burns from the handling of the phosphorus. It is quite a good job with prospects of promotion*. His wife had a baby daughter last Saturday morning. We had been down to the Hewitt’s to tea on the Friday and arrived home at 7:30 p.m. when he (Bushell) knocked on the door and asked if I would take her up to The Knoll Nursing Home. She is expected home again next Monday. Understand they are both doing well.

Your explanation re car tyre sounds like the right one but I expect it gave you an anxious moment – glad to hear examination satisfactory for another year after brake adjustment. Note you have a water heater for the kitchen and made your selection of a gas heater. Will the water heater work off the electric power? Yes we noticed the boy from Hayes is still missing. What a terrible anxiety for his parents. The search has now been extended to many parts of the country.

Sounds as if the report on the Acton Yard shook the powers that be. Further information on this awaited with interest. Drawings from the girls last week particularly good especially the one about Mr Krooschop. Wherever did she hear about him?

Not a lot of local news again this week but you can see the typewriter is in use and as I said in last letter it is a very good machine and, so far, is not spelling too badly. Your reference to dripping water reminded me that I came into kitchen from outdoors yesterday and heard a faint tap-tap and looking into living room found mum giving herself a lesson on it.

Did you know Ron Bridle? Lived for some years in a bungalow opposite Mrs Marshall’s paddock. He was buried last Monday having died in one of the Bristol hospitals the previous week. 

I put in a row of potatoes yesterday – a bit of a gamble – and planted out the autumn sown onions. This morning I planted out two rows of seedling onions brought on in greenhouse. The tomato seedlings are not making very great progress due I think to the continued cold weather.

Mr Palmer now goes into hospital on Sunday for operation on Tuesday and a second one about a week later. By the way which hospital are you being treated in? Is there one anywhere near your home? Assume you will be out again before there is any chance of writing you there? Will continue letter after speaking to June.

8:15 p.m.

Just come back from Mrs Marshall’s and very pleased to hear that Alec is home again and that June and the girls are keeping alright. Did not linger too  long on phone but must say I was able to get through far quicker by STD than the former method. Note Alec has to attend hospital again next Tuesday and hope the visit will be satisfactory.

Talking about wine that liquid yeast I brought back last October must still be alive because the cork flew out a couple of days ago like a shot out of a gun. Have not made any fresh wine lately. Incidentally most of the parsnips have disappeared into the pot owing to the shortage of greenstuff following the severe weather.

Don and Joan are coming up on Sunday – Don objects to the following Sunday because that is the day the clocks go on. I only hope it gets a bit warmer, it has been pretty cold today. Am glad I have not to get up early to go to Bristol nowadays. Mum and I have our pension books ready to get back some of the money we have paid into the National Health Service and I have only one more 11 shillings and 5 pence stamp to go on my card.

How do you like the lettering of this machine? The paper is not very suitable but is some I have had stored away since I left Temple Meads.

Well I think this is about the lot for this week. You gave us quite a budget full to reply to. What about the cigarette smokers now and also what shares in the tobacco business?** The tobacco tycoons will not go down though without a struggle.

All our love to you both and lots of kisses for Susan and Carol. We do like their contributions every week.

Mum and Dad

There is no separate letter from Eva this week.

*In researching the Albright and Wilson factory I encountered this account of its history which as you will see takes a very strong view on the subject.

**A rather feeble play on the use of the word ‘budget’ which in latter times has had a more specific meaning. There was probably a lot of talk on the news and in the papers at this time about what could be expected in Selwyn Lloyd’s forthcoming second budget, due to take place on 9 April.

Wednesday 28th February, 1962

On By Sue JenkinsIn 1962 lettersLeave a comment

Leonard to the family:

Dear Alec June Susan & Carol

Many thanks for another long and interesting letter to hand on Monday also some really nice drawings from Susan and Carol. Glad to hear that at time of writing apart from a sniffle* or so from the girls you are keeping all right.

Yes I’m afraid I spoke out of turn regarding the weather and although it has been bitterly cold and we have only had a flurry of snow where as according to press and TV you have once again had a heavy fall. Cannot do a thing outdoors and temperature in greenhouse only keeps just above freezing point so have spent most of the past week indoors. The 25 hundredweight [1.25 Imperial ton/1.4 U.S. ton] of coal we started the winter with is fast disappearing and I shall have to order a bit more to see us through – we  shan’t go cold for the sake of a lump of coal.

The wind is due east and this is when the residents of the Swiss Valley feel it most for as you know the valley runs direct east to west and the wind cuts through between the hills  on either side.

Glad to hear your house roof came through the gales without damage – I noticed no repairs are yet being affected on the two houses next to us. Bushell by the way is the name of the young couple who live next door where the Cummings formerly lived. Since demobilisation a twelvemonths ago last summer he has been working at Hales but this week changed his job and is now a full-time member of the Portishead First Aid Station. He is a fully qualified member of the St John Ambulance Brigade and will have to work 8-hour turns of duty round-the-clock. Apparently there are opportunities for promotion in due course.

Note you have fixed the downpipe to stop it rattling – noise a bit of a nuisance when trying to get off to sleep.

I thought Sellotape was too strong for the quality of paper envelopes were made from and rather suspect that I sealed them up completely causing them to burst like a balloon when cancelling stamp used by Post Office people – note last Saturday’s budget arrived safely in new type of envelope but half-expected you to tell me you had to pay a surcharge because of the extra weight. Anyhow so far so good.

You are right about the construction of the brick walls outside the two houses in Old Church Road. Incidentally when going to post last Friday I met Mogg and asked him if he could remember taking you round the corner many years ago but he could not. By the look of him should think he would have a job to get round himself and nowadays. He is so very bad on his pins.

Noted lawn not likely to be finished by the time we come up – quite frankly did not expect it to be but I think you have done a lot to it already and if you have a go at odd times you will eventually have the work completed.

Interesting about your efforts to get car out of garage with a flat tyre – did you find out the cause? Must be something wrong for it to go like that. Query a nail right through outer cover.

So Notley looked you up the other Sunday – did he get the job you mentioned in an earlier letter? Note you opened up the cellar and also that you came across a good brew of apple wine. I’m still having a daily dose of Blackberry here.

Our forsythia is very slow in coming into flower this year due to the adverse weather conditions but Mum cut off several branches and put them in a vase of water in living room and at the moment the flowers are out fully. If yours have died must try and get some cuttings to take root – let us know further please.

Remarks of Baynton-Hughes noted and there is probably a lot in what he says. It seems to be the era of Work Study in everything and opens up tremendous possibilities. As I see it you are only on the fringe of it yet.

I think you are right about the grouping of stations and you can rest assured Beeching and his immediate advisors will probe every possible means of economy. According to TV South Wales local news – which we get following West of England news – the South Wales people are kicking up an awful rail about closures of stations and branches in that part of the country.

Sprained my left thumb about six weeks ago but as it did not get right again as quickly as should have liked went to Doctor who tidied up to keep joints from being used. Bandage due to come off now and I’m sure there is a marked improvement although it may take months to return absolutely to normal.

Still no typewriter as you can see – have not seen my contact lately but I’m not disturbed. I shall get a machine as soon as Houghton has one he can recommend.

No further news on Mr Gardiner – still in hospital and Miss Weekes not yet moved out. Vicar still on sick list and now Curate as well so Parish now in the hands of a couple of pensioned clergyman – one of whom has a high-pitched voice and the other low so it’s a case of “Sing hi – Sing lo”.

Still no news of the boy missing at Hayes – his parents must be frantic. There seems so little that can be done as all possible clues have long been followed up.

So you have no more information re: your neighbours’ movements – you will hear when they have made up their minds as to when and where they will be going.

Very little local news this week and no gardening activities to report. Mum and I have been trying to keep the fire warm. The lorries are still rushing along the seawall with loads of filling to repair the damage done in January – high tides are expected again shortly. The New Hall was opened last week as you will see in Mercury and there is also an interesting article on the future development of the seafront.

The question of platform trolleys comes up periodically. I remember it many years ago when the staff at Bristol T.M. would not use any with rubber-rim tyres because they were much harder to pull along the platform than steel-rimmed tyres; did not trouble about the noise the latter made as compared with the former. At Christmas time when additional trolleys were ordered from Swindon to deal with the extra traffic the stores people had to be asked to give preference to the supply of steel-rimmed vehicles. I’ve even seen the rubber-rimmed ones put aside and not used by certain members of the staff. A bit different though when mechanised units were introduced which could haul a dozen or so trolleys at a time.

No more now – all our love to you both and lots of kisses for Susan and Carol. 

Mum and Dad

P.S. could do with that Mediterranean cruise this weather. 

*I find this fascinating. The word Alec used was ‘snivel‘, and it was in the context of his taking the children’s drawing paper to type his letter on … i.e. that we were whining selfishly about losing some of our paper. Leonard has chosen to interpret it to the effect that we had very slight colds and were better than we had been before – a far more generous reading.

Eva to the family on the remaining ⅝ of a sheet of Leonards paper:

 Dear Alec June Susan and Carol

Thanks for letter. Thank goodness it is not so cold but we haven’t had the snow you have had. Mrs Bushell next door is still waiting, the arrival was supposed to be last Monday. She is getting a bit fed up about it and has gone to the clinic today.

Our church party next Tuesday and nobody seems to know what is going to be the program. Anyway the tickets are 2/6d so must expect something decent. The New Hall looks a very nice place and is next to Sunhill on same property.

There doesn’t seem to be much news around. Dad’s thumb is better but will require massaging a bit till he gets it back to normal. Men are busy all round this way putting up new poles for electricity while in the Chapel Hill area the sewers are being looked into they have one side of the road exposed.

The box in the church has been broken in again, it needs a 12-hour watch on it it. Somebody must know when Mrs Garland goes to elevenses and dinner. I don’t care about going up there alone to do the brass. **

I have several lots of seeds up but they don’t seem to get any further, it’s too cold. We have freesias coming out in pot, also the cyclamen is out with about 24 flowers. One or two scillas and a few others.

Hope you are keeping well lots of love from Mum and Dad.

**This is an expression which has changed its meaning over the years. What Eva means is that doesn’t care for the idea, i.e. she really doesn’t fancy it. Interestingly these days the Church is locked 90% of the time except when there are services due.

Sunday 25th February, 1962

On By Sue JenkinsIn 1962 lettersLeave a comment

Alec to his parents:

Dear Mum and Dad

Thanks once again for weekly letter, they soon come round don’t they. We managed to get the last one in the box on the Sunday – mainly because June happened to have a stamp. Shall have to do some prospecting later to see if this one can do likewise. Sorry about the quality of the paper, I have some rice paper sacked away at the office, but only wants bringing home. This lot has come again from the children’s supply. A snivel or two from the girls, but otherwise all well this end.

Glad you said the better weather is coming. With the arrival of your letter, or rather one day in advance, the really cold weather started. This has severely reduced outside activity with both ourselves and the children. Carol was saying something about taking the doll for a walk in the pram, but it is far too cold. I suppose it is as cold now as it has been or winter.

Have not had a look round the house to see if anything is missing in the way of tiles. Should not think much adrift there. Last weekend I fixed one of the downpipes which was regularly rattling every time we got strong wind. It was a source of booming noise as the pipe resonated. That has been jammed with a piece of wooden wedging and is now silent.

Have secured the faulty piece of the garage roof with an old door bolt. This rest under the steel cross members and the roof piece is hooked to it and pressure tightened with a locking nut.

I think I misled you about the envelopes. On again looking at the old ones, it was the paper that had given way in front of the Sellotape. No trouble at all with this week’s but can see I shall have to get you some envelopes.

No chance to test the effect of the bread-and-water diet yet, as the girls have been confined to the garden since then, apart from Susan’s going to and from school. There has been no deviation however since that time, so we may have made some impact.

Remember the incident when I asked Mogg to help me. I thought of it afterwards that I could have caught hold of the bricks on the wall in front of Caples bungalow and Mrs Newey’s. I do not know if they have altered them, but they were one flat and one ridged like castle walls.

I should have thought the Swiss Valley was one of the nicest parts of Clevedon to live in – sheltered from the sea winds, not too far from the town, and expanding.

I think it’s far too much to expect that the lawn arrangements will have been completed before you come up in the summer. The difficult part is the provision of the earth covering, but I may transfer some of the earth I have in the patch at the bottom to accelerate things. The level of the patch will drop of course, but the household ash can then be dumped there to raise it again, or I can get a load for two of good stuff later on.

How long has the thumb been playing up? I gather there is no pain, but presumably it caused some difficulty prior to first visit to doctor.

Last Sunday after closing down the letter, had a visit from Notley – by arrangement – and got out the wine cellar. While going through it I came across a bottle of the Apple I brewed in October from the fruit you brought up. When I racked it from the fermentation jars into a couple of storage jars, there was an odd bottle which I must have taken downstairs – although I do not remember doing it. After trying most of the available stuff, I tried the Apple to see how it was going on. It was beautiful. Considering it was only four or five months after brewing it was very sweet with a fine bouquet. There is plenty of it so when you arrive there may well be some left.

Note the thornless loganberry will probably fruit in ’63. Can hardly wait. Something like our plum, I believe it has lasted two of the eight years you said it would need. I think we have may have lost the bits of forsythia as there is no sign of life from that quarter, and this is the time of year when movement should be seen. Ran into Baynton-Hughes on Thursday and had a chat with him. He says not to give up Work Study as even greater things are coming. Do not know if he knows anything, but at least he has done well from it.

Interesting to hear that Richings has to take over Weston Goods. He should have little difficulty with it in view of his old experience. We should do more of that up and down the country. I can visualise the time when an S.M. will cover a group of stations, not merely two as usual now. For instance one would cover Reading, one for all stations to Slough including branches, one for Slough, one for West Drayton, Iver, Langley, Staines and Uxbridge (if not closed) etc etc etc. What a saving there could be in the ordering of stock, stationery et cetera.

My visit to Swindon of all things was in connection with the with the redesign of platform trolleys. There has been some waffle going on for years between the Swindon people and our Works and Equipment section, no one seems to know what was wanted so McDonald dropped the problem on our plate. Ibbotson is pressing the matter. Frankly there is not much one can suggest to improve the present design, as it has stood the test to time and rough treatment, is cheap and easy to repair. Cost only £30 each where has the cheapest alternative so far suggested amounts to about £85 each.

Thank you for the paper – I saw the entry about Houghton’s son. As you know Harrow-on-the-Hill is not awfully far from us although not what you would call in the immediate neighborhood.

Sorry about the spelling here today, that typewriter seems alive. Probably the cold weather. Note you are still awaiting yours. Have seen several for sale – new lately but the cost is about £20. Of course you do not require a portable – neither do I for that matter – as long as you can find room to put it out of the way when not in use.

I feel sorry for the railway people of Bristol who are to protest about the closure of train services. There is just nothing they can do about it. It is inevitable, and their action is rather like that of King Canute. They would be far better off if they could only use their energy to work out the best course to take after these changes are brought about.

Note about Mr Gardiner, and Miss Weekes, but who please is Mrs Bushell?

Had a fright yesterday when I tried to get the car out of the garage. As you know I have little room to move in, and after trying for about 5-minutes, could not get the back of the car round far enough to clear the wall of the house and get into the sideway. Could not understand this as usually presents no difficulty, but I was to-ing and fro-ing like a novice unable to get out. I stopped the engine and decided to walk out and think about it. When I get round to the back I found the off-side rear tyre was as flat as a pancake. Pumped it up with the foot pump, and after that it was easy.  So far no sign of it going down.

As I type this letter the snow is coming down in large flakes. The fat-headed chat at the bottom of the garden is digging his garden wearing a leather jerkin and balaclava. After a short break for tea, I see even he has had enough and snow is now heavier.

They are looking for that little boy at Ruislip today. I am told that they are looking along the West End Road somewhere. Peter wanted to know if I would go on the search with him. The local Scout superintendent was telling me that he and the number of others have been asked if they will go on a shoulder-to-shoulder search today.*

Well there is no great news to report this week, the neighbours have said nothing about their plans. Do not see much of them on either side at this time of the year. Eric was home yesterday and was up early and about this morning, but his car has gone now.

Have seen one or two efforts by the children knocking about in reply to your note to them. (Pictures.)

Will close now then with love from us all.

*Billy Holloway, of course. Alec does not explicitly say whether or not he went along but I suspect he did not; the prospect of being out and about in cold weather and potentially finding a body would not have appealed to him one little bit.