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Rick Goater

About Rick Goater

I have never lived in Chandler's Ford, though know bits of it well because both sets of grandparents lived there and I often visited.

I was fascinated by descriptions of rural life there during the 1930s and '40s and I have to admit it, am a bit depressed by its urbanisation since then.

I'm retired now, having worked first as a warden and ranger on mainly estuarine nature reserves (the Severn, the Solway and Montrose Basin) after which I spent ten years in Ecological Consultancy, based in Cambridge and then in Central Scotland.

Wildlife, especially birds, and wild habitats are what interest me and I'm most at home on British off-shore islands during migration time - the Scillies, the Isle of May, Shetland and Orkney, the Western Isles.

On the mainland, the New Forest is still a favourite place, though a long way from my home near Dunblane and sadly, somewhat depleted in its wildlife since I first knew it.

Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 163)

April 11, 2021 By Rick Goater 1 Comment

Floods in Marsh Lane; a scuffle in the garden; “the objectionable McEnroe”; the Royal Family’s intelligence – under-rated; Andy and Katie do well; painting for others; nine mints from Tristan; a stolen painting and a lost pen; Joan Spurgin; top-class cross country running, and coverage in Athletics Weekly.

On October 27th 1980, Gran records local drizzle and says: “But we were lucky.  In Lancashire torrential rain had caused the Ribble and the Wyre to burst their banks and the road above Preston is flooded… I have been anxious about Marsh Lane”.

And later:

This evening my dear Jane phoned, guessing that I should be worrying about the family and, indeed, the Ribble has filled Marsh Lane right across, the Doulton’s house next door to Jane is flooded and water is in Jane’s downstairs in places and the carpets and other things are upstairs.  As usual, Jane said, friends are being a wonderful help, and the piano and other furniture is raised on bricks and the council has taken precautions, but she and the children expect to be baling all night.

Gran discovers the next day that it was not the River Ribble that flooded Marsh Lane but a local stream, whose sluice gates should have been opened to allow flood waters to drain away.  Minor damage is caused to the house and Jane, Andy and Katie had, indeed, been busy dealing with the problem overnight. [Read more…] about Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 163)

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Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 162)

April 4, 2021 By Rick Goater Leave a Comment

A rare bird in the garden; Evonne – Champion again; valuable Rackhams; Corwen memories; a cold July; seventy-six years young; “my little Budgie, Peter” – dead; memories of Gilbert; a spectacular opening ceremony; no sign of the Killdeer, and an “adorable” great-grandson.

On June 30th 1980, Gran watches tennis on television with some pleasure, writing:

Play at Wimbledon started at noon again today… there were more excellent matches and results were much as to be expected except that Britain’s last hope, Virginia Wade, was beaten by the American fifteen-year old, Andrea Jaeger.

“But”, she says, “My main pleasure had already taken place!”

We have read once or twice of her encounters with the Wryneck, a rare woodpecker-relative once fairly widespread in the south, and on this day she has another one:

Looking into the garden instinctively from the television, I saw what I at first thought was a juvenile Green Woodpecker feeding on the ground by the Silver Birch on which the nearest nesting box hangs.  Closer inspection, however, proved the bird to be a Wryneck, which was feeing in characteristic manner, on ants, I expect.  After it flew across the bottom of Kingstons’ garden, down the Kingsway ones, I got out the Handbook and identification was absolute.  I have only ever seen three Wrynecks, including this one, so it is a splendid record.  I phoned Barry this evening to tell him and he was amazed and pleased.  Geoff has yet to see his first!

I’ve illustrated Gran’s words with Wrynecks before but I cannot resist another!  Image by Nick Goodrum via Flickr.

[Read more…] about Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 162)

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Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 161)

March 21, 2021 By Rick Goater 2 Comments

Nightingale poignancy; a lost necklace; an invasion of Habs; Squirrels at Formby; “greatest admiration and respect”; Great Reed Warbler – an unexpected treat; plates for Katie; an Archdeacon visits; unwelcome changes at Beaulieu, and high class athletics by a grandson.

Book 185

On May 9th 1980 Gran, as always, working in Fahrenheit, records that it was:

… the coldest May night this century (according to the television weather man) with a minimum temperature here of thirty degrees, this morning was clear and sunny though still cold.

Post brought “Athletics Weekly” which informed me that Julian had a good run in the 3000 metre race in the southern Counties A.A.A. representative match at Crystal Palace on April 30th.  His time was 7:58.9 seconds, only just over one second outside Sebastian Coe’s best time of 7:57.4, which he achieved the week before.

“Bird of the week” on radio this morning was the Nightingale and records were played of Beatrix Harrison playing her ‘cello in a wood with a Nightingale accompanying her, of a Nightingale singing with enemy aeroplanes droning overhead, and of the bird on its own.  I was reminded of the war days here, when, after an air raid, the “all  clear” siren sounded and we rushed upstairs to hear the Nightingales singing down by the Lake.  Alas, present day disturbance there has driven these lovely birds away from this neighbourhood.

[Read more…] about Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 161)

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Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 160)

March 14, 2021 By Rick Goater Leave a Comment

Back in Cornwall; what will Katie do next?; “the insufferable I.R.A.; Grampa does some pruning; an Olympic qualifying time; seeds sown by the Devil; Andy and Katie at “carthorse”; a “pretty little plant” survives; Forster’s Tern – new for Britain; Thomas Goater; cycling – “too much for me”; time wasted at the pub, and a Blue Tit acting strangely.

Book 180

On August 24th 1979 we find Gran at Coverack, in Cornwall again, sharing a holiday with Barry, Jane Elizabeth, Geoff and Robin.  Barry is running his moth-trap and some of the family’s time is spent sitting on the beach, but on this day, she says, “Geoff and I walked towards Black Head instead of going to the beach again and I must admit that this was more in my line”.

She writes of Barry, ever the enthusiastic schoolmaster, on August 27th:

Barry has been showing the children from the [nearby] hotel the contents of the trap and an elderly lady has been keeping a list of the species.  Today a small crowd of about fifteen people gathered and the “star” was the Convolvulus Hawk, which allowed itself to be picked up and admired, and when Barry had it he was even able to draw out its very long proboscis to show the company and the moth then curled it up again.

A Convolvulus Hawk-moth with its proboscis extended.  Image by David Short via Flickr.

[Read more…] about Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 160)

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Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 159)

February 28, 2021 By Rick Goater 5 Comments

Buckler’s Hard – disappointingly changed; “I am to be a Great Grandmother”; painting for others; The Queen on Burmese; impressive eyesight at seventy-five; some entertaining Blackbirds; a death at Wimbledon; a 10,000m at Crystal Palace, and Robin comes of his bike.

Gran’s albums of newspaper and magazine cuttings about her twenty-six year old grandson Julian’s athletics career are getting thicker and thicker.  She writes with considerable pride that he has quite a following amongst her aquaintances in Chandler’s Ford. On May 9th 1979, she says:

I scurried round this morning to get the new stamps for the election to the European Parliament and to take my “Julian” albums for Mr Biddle to see before Sheila came for me at half past ten.  We went to Buckler’s Hard, via Ibsley, where we saw a Brimstone and the first foal of the season.

Buckler’s Hard, alas, is almost completely spoiled, being completely commercialized and only the little main street just about its old self.  To begin with we had to pay 40p each to leave the car in the car park.  There is a new, modern restaurant with concrete forecourt and iron tables and chairs and a new, large museum, and one cannot walk down the old street from the top but has to go between these new buildings and enter the street halfway down, thus losing the old, familiar, breathtaking views from the top.  The waterside has become a marina, full of yachts and after passing my “dream cottage” one cannot follow the track by the river because a huge boatyard has been built.

Buckler’s Hard admission tickets and leaflet kept between the pages of Gran’s journal.
[Read more…] about Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 159)

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Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 158)

February 21, 2021 By Rick Goater 4 Comments

A rare bird at Pagham; Katie on the telly; frozen neighbours; The King’s Head, Hursley; news – good and bad – about Pennington Marshes; “a very fine man indeed”; a lovely experience at the Junior School, and a historic election.

A bird new to the British List has been at Pagham Harbour during December 1978 and Barry and Geoff, who have already seen it, are keen for Gran to enjoy it too.  She writes on Christmas Eve:

Barry, Geoff and I rose at six-thirty and set out optimistically for Pagham to see the very rare avian visitor, which the two had seen earlier… we went straight to the area which our special bird had been frequenting and Barry soon located the Greater Sand Plover which, even now, in winter plumage is a beautiful bird.  It is larger than a Ringed Plover, which we also saw, sandy-buff above, white below, with black ear-coverts and band across the forehead.  It is an Asian bird and is accidental in Greece, Sweden and Germany.  Barry got it focused in his scope and told me to look, and I was so excited that I lay flat in a puddle to reach the telescope.

A Winter-plumaged Greater Sand Plover.  This is the kind of view Gran would have had at Pagham – a first record for the UK. Image by Sergey Yeliseev via Flickr.
[Read more…] about Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 158)

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Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 157)

February 14, 2021 By Rick Goater Leave a Comment

A European Champion – for a change; a tragedy in France – and another at the airport; a good result in Singapore; Rick and Beverly come home; twenty-four chatterers; generous sponsorship; a particularly difficult Remembrance Day, and Rick gets a job.

As ever, Gran is gripped by the Summer’s tennis at Wimbledon, and this year, 1978, she makes her usual observations, such as, on July 3rd:  “… the best match, between Roscoe Tanner and Ilie Nastase, was, unfortunately, ended on a conflicting point”, caused by a poor line call at match point; and she is pleased that Chris Evert beats Billie-Jean King; sorry to see Evonne Cawley lose to Martina Navratilova in the Ladies’ semi-final, which, she says, began as a, “…very good match but ended in the third set sadly as Evonne uttered a sharp scream as her suspect ankle gave out.  She gallantly played on but could not run and inevitably lost…” The Ladies’ final she does not think a particularly good match, “neither player being at her best”, but Navratilova, having beaten Chris Evert, Gran is pleased to write: “Nice to have a European Champion for a change, if we could not have Virginia Wade again.  Martina is a Czech”.

And of the Borg – Connors Men’s final, she writes, “Borg demolished Connors by 6-2 6-2 6-3 to become Singles Champion for the third year in succession, the only one to achieve this since Fred Perry did so forty-two years ago”.

July 9th provides Gran with a small ambition accomplished:

I went to Church at Compton this morning… Mr Ovenden came to shake hands with me and welcomed me, and, as I left, Daphne Meller was standing at the gate of “Cherrycroft”, her delightful old cottage, and asked me in to have coffee before she brought me home in her car.  The cottage was once two, and later was the Village Post Office and I have long wanted to see inside it.  I was not disappointed!  Low ceilings, black beams and panelled walls, huge fireplaces and furnished in keeping, a lovely garden and the outside of the cottage clothed in Honeysuckle, Clematis, Wisteria and Vine.

[Read more…] about Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 157)

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Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 156)

February 7, 2021 By Rick Goater 2 Comments

Good neighbourliness; problems with the post; the Cambridge boat sinks; quality birding and botanising; Gran holds a baby; a race track is opened; a fortnight in Kent; some interesting art; cuckoos and orioles; a rare falcon, and “well-mannered and delightful young men”.

March 18th 1978 gives us a perfect example of the neighbourly thoughtfulness and trust that characterises the lives of Gran and the Kingstons next door, and the Hockridge family, before them:

I did a little posy of spring flowers for Ruth and left it on her breakfast room table in the sun, without calling her.  I wanted to cheer her on this lovely day, as she is mentally weary at present, looking after her mother who is not well and resents being cared for.  Ruth was soon over the fence expressing her pleasure, bless her.

The mail, always so important to Gran, who sends and receives letters almost daily to and from all corners of the World, gives her cause to write this on March 21st: [Read more…] about Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 156)

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Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 155)

January 31, 2021 By Rick Goater 2 Comments

A win in Belgrade; “I cleaned my bedroom!”; Stuart – marooned; gales bring down trees; a Vulture in Wales; a preposterous suggestion; disappointment; “greedy strikers”; Jane gets whooping cough; Andy plays flute; Wallcreeper envy; a fabulous day, and “How lucky I am!”

Book 171

Entries in Gran’s 171st book cover many of Julian’s running exploits during the Autumn of 1977.  For example, he runs in Yugoslavia on October 19th and on the following day, Gran records that, “The Echo contained the news that Julian had won the road race in Belgrade, eight seconds ahead of his nearest rival”, and on the 22nd:  that “Julian rang this evening.  He won a gold medallion with a portrait of Marshal Tito on it and valued at £100!”

She continues to miss her brother Norris’s company, and outings with him profoundly, but friends and other members of the family take his place to some degree.  Lifelong friends Tommy and Bob Fowler drive her to the New Forest and Keyhaven, and to visit their daughter Jill’s family, the Brewsters, in Sussex; Sheila Moody, a more local acquaintance, takes her to Farley Mount; the Brenan family visits from Longton in Lancashire, and Julian and Sue, now ensconced at R.A.F. Odiham, entertain her there. [Read more…] about Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 155)

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Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 154)

January 17, 2021 By Rick Goater Leave a Comment

Another family wedding; two new ducks; Gran – “extraordinarliy fit”; a Yorkshire Dales holiday; the car and caravan are sold; “God bless the Queen”; Serpentine in Cornwall;  Julian runs a 10,000m ‘PB’; a morsel of family history, and missing Brother.

April 10th 1977:  After Barry and family depart Chandler’s Ford for their home in Bushey, Gran:

… had just settled to a lonely afternoon and evening when Beverly and Ricky appeared, a delightful surprise.  I gave Ricky Brother’s microscope and he was so pleased to have something which had belonged to Norris.  They suggested that they would take me to the Caravan to get papers etc. that I had forgotten before, and I let Ricky take the South Moth Books and brought the Readers’ Digest Bird book for Geoffrey who always asks to see mine when he is here.  Ricky then asked if I would like a ride round the Forest and I led the way to Ladycross of happy memories of my last outing with Brother.  We saw a Stonechat on the way and, passing Hatchet Pond, I showed Ricky where the Bog Orchids grow as he has never seen them.  We stopped at “our gate” at Ladycross and went for a walk, so that I could show Ricky and Beverly the Lungwort, also new to them.

“I let Ricky take the South Moth Books”.
[Read more…] about Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 154)

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Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 153)

January 10, 2021 By Rick Goater 6 Comments

Resumption of local walks; a new dress for £6.99; paid with a joint;  “a concoction of my own”; Ship Canal shares from Gilbert; Crossbills at Woodfidley; “dear old brother”; sadness and sympathy; friends and frustrations, and an ambition fulfilled.

January 12th 1977: Gran always looks forward to new stamp issues but today’s are not her favourite:

New stamps were issued today, Racket Games, Tennis, Badminton, Squash and Table Tennis, but I think they are spoilt by the “stroke lines” on them, which look like scribble.  I sent the usual to Penang and Australia.

Image courtesy of Andy Brenan.  Gran did not like the “scribbles”

On the 13th, she tells us that, “In northern, eastern and western areas it has been the worst Winter’s day for fourteen years, with snow in some places ten feet deep”.  It is frosty in Chandler’s Ford but rain sets in later and Gran walks to Hillside for the whist drive there, “… going in Wellington boots and my old, long tweed raincoat which Jane gave me over twenty years ago, and taking warm slippers with me”. [Read more…] about Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 153)

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Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 152)

January 3, 2021 By Rick Goater Leave a Comment

An engagement is announced; a holiday is planned; Nastase – a “rotten sport”; Katie does well; sad news of “a kind and understanding friend”; Christmas dinner – but leave the washing-up; Rob is impressed on HMS Victory; birds on the Ibsley floods, and “one of the darkest threads of life”.

Book 165

On October 23rd 1976 Gran takes part in an outing with the Southampton Natural History Society, looking for fungi in the Otterbourne area – her first such outing since her hip operation, and at the end of the day declares it to have been a great success and to have thoroughly enjoyed it.  She had been given a lift there by a kindly but unknown couple, who saw her waiting at the bus stop, and had been brought home by S.N.H.S. members Pat and Peter Heppleston.

On the 30th:

Barry, just back from the Scilly Isles, rang to tell me what a marvellous time he and the boys from Haberdashers’ Ornithological Society had enjoyed.  Barry had seen nine new species as well as many exciting but previously recorded ones, mostly American, but I cannot remember all he mentioned.

Many regular participants in the Scilly Isles birding scene during the 1970s and ’80s were sketched by another regular, Bryan Bland. This one was of Barry. Greatcoats were de rigueur for a while.

[Read more…] about Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 152)

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Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 151)

December 20, 2020 By Rick Goater 2 Comments

Heat and drought; no more sticks; the Schneider Trophy; back on the bike; a resignation; disapproval at a banquet; trying to save Beattie’s field; a new bird at Keyhaven; “Granny” Pickford is 90, and budgie match-making.

The 1976 drought continues and Gran writes on August 8th, “Oh for a few days of gentle rain!”.  Two days later she has a dental appointment and writes gratefully:

It was very hot indeed and the surgery was not yet open – it was ten minutes to two – so I went into the V.G. stores… I asked if I might wait in the cool shop and was kindly offered a stool to sit on by the cold counter.

And she adds that, “Trying to water the garden is a heart-breaking job in this driest Summer since 1727!” [Read more…] about Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 151)

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Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 150)

December 13, 2020 By Rick Goater Leave a Comment

An operation; convalescence; a wedding, and home again.

The time for Gran’s left hip replacement is nearing, and during the week before it she receives countless expressions of good wishes from friends and neighbours, several of whom she barely knows but who have seen her going about the district on her crutches over the last few months.  On May 24th 1976, Gran’s husband, Bill, drives her to the Royal Masonic Hospital in London, her place there enabled through his activities in the Masonic movement.  “I clocked in”, she says:

… just before two o’clock this afternoon and was soon taken to my ward, a pleasant four-bed one on the third floor.  Happily my bed is by the window and, though I look out on other parts of the hospital, I can see a tree-lined road at the end and the sky telling me about the weather – with Swifts flying round.

The Royal Masonic Hospital, Ravenscourt Park, London – Gran’s home for three weeks. Image by Steve Cadman via Flickr.

X-rays, blood tests and various examinations follow, and then: [Read more…] about Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 150)

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Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 149)

December 6, 2020 By Rick Goater Leave a Comment

Misplaced credit; Vera gets wet; Sue loves the garden; Paddy Hine “fixes it”; an Oakley Easter; a heron at Radipole; Saints win the Cup; a green wedding invitation, and tennis at Bournemouth.

Gran, needing to find indoor things to do while still on crutches, writes on March 19th 1976:

I found out the lacquer-covered Japanese album of coloured and black and white prints which Daddy gave to Mother in 1897, and mended the damaged back and stuck in two loose prints.  I believe it would be quite valuable now and Enid wants to see it.

Ten days later her writing reminds us of a strange family anecdote about a family friend who, perhaps luckily in retrospect, avoids publicity about his role in giving the Loch Ness Monster, never officially seen by anybody, the scientific name, Nessiteras rhombopteryx.

A letter from Jane and a Mothers’ Day card from her and Stuart were very welcome.  Jane’s letter included an article and pictures of the Loch Ness Monster, written and photographed by Alan Wilkins, Stuart’s Best Man, who had seen the creature more than once.  It was he who supplied this information to Peter Scott and other scientists who took the credit and publicity, which was due to Alan.  It will be interesting to see if further proof of the existence of the monster is forthcoming.

[Read more…] about Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 149)

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Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 148)

November 29, 2020 By Rick Goater Leave a Comment

Christmas in Lancashire; news from the Masonic Hospital; a proud headmistress; some rare birds – but not for Gran; Gerald Summers and “The Lure of the Falcon”; Margot Fonteyn gives pleasure; catkins for Beverly; “I would not exchange my life…”, and the kindness of a lady bus driver.

On December 12th 1975 Gran receives a visit from a friend she has not mentioned for some time:

A most unexpected and pleasant surprise resulted from a knock at the door this morning.  It was Peg Eagle, whom I had not seen since she moved to Devon several years ago and I enjoyed a good natter with her.  I had just finished putting the marzipan on the Christmas cake when she came.

And later that day:

Anne Hockridge and her fiancé John called in this evening for the mattress that I had promised Jean for her upholstery.  They are nice youngsters and had coffee with me before they left.  Mary rang and I was very sorry indeed to hear that Frank had had a coronary and is in the General Hospital in Southampton, where Brother went.  I trust his recovery will be as complete as Brother’s.  They are such good friends.

[Read more…] about Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 148)

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Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 147)

November 22, 2020 By Rick Goater 1 Comment

Obliterated stamps; good company; a rare bird at Keyhaven; Frank makes a bookcase; the Rectors of Compton Church; the Kingstons return; a bronze medal; George Green; news from the Masonic Hospital; memories of Father; a Turner Exhibition, and a lost glove.

On August 27th 1975, letters from Marjorie and Vera, Gilbert Whitley’s sisters, arrive at The Ridge, and Marjorie’s encloses a tribute to Gilbert from the Sydney Morning Herald.  “Vera told me”, Gran writes:

… that Gilbert had willed his stamp collection to her granddaughter Vicki, whom Gilbert had often mentioned in his letters.  Vera would like me to send her the First Day Covers and stamps, which I used to send to Gilbert and this I shall be pleased to do.

There is more stamp-related comment a few days later:

Post brought our latest stamps of August 13th, which I posted to myself in order to have them post-marked for my collection.  The envelope was posted in the box in Hursley Road and I noted that it had been franked in Southampton instead of at Eastleigh when posted here.  Characteristically it had been hand-stamped instead of horribly obliterated as happens in Eastleigh.  A tip for the future.

[Read more…] about Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 147)

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Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 146)

November 15, 2020 By Rick Goater 2 Comments

Gilbert – a tour cut short; Gran – pro Europe? Julian – M.A. (Oxon) and selection for the World Student Games; more changes at Farley Mount; a bright pink posterior; astonishing tennis; a bombshell from Sydney; Gran on crutches – “imagine me!”; a bat in the bedroom, and the Brenans in Austria.

On June 2nd 1975, a day when Gran paints Rhododendron, which, she notes, “… brought my total of flower paintings to six hundred and ninety”, she receives a disheartening letter from Marjorie Frewer, Gilbert Whitley’s sister:

A disappointment by post today.  Gilbert is not well enough to continue his travels so will not be able to come to England.  He and Marjorie are flying back to Australia today.

In the afternoon she visits family members in Bassett:

… sister-in-law Joan Birch, and spent a very enjoyable time with her.  Nephew and niece, Brian and Angela, both married, called in so it was nice to see them also.  I took Barry’s book, two albums of flower paintings and my scrap-book of Julian cuttings, which I thought might interest Joan and Ken, and they did indeed… Ken and Joan gave me some very nice stamps from Virgin and Cayman Islands.

On June 5th, following a day out with Norris on the 4th, Gran does not appear to follow her instincts:

Brother went back to Lyndhurst this morning after taking me to vote in the Common Market Referendum.  I followed Julian’s advice and voted to stay in – he has studied Economics at Oxford and it will be the young people who will face the results of our decision.

[Read more…] about Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 146)

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Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 145)

November 8, 2020 By Rick Goater 1 Comment

First prize – bath salts; farewell to Mother – sadness but a welcome freedom; loneliness and the importance of friends and Wednesdays with Norris; looking forward to a visit by Gilbert; birding at Stodmarsh, and back-garden wildlife.

On March 9th 1975, Gran is preparing flowers to take to Mary Harding for her birthday.  Mary, knowing this, invites her to tea, and we hear a little more of Mary’s family:

Frank came for me at a quarter to three and I had the extra pleasure of seeing Tim, Daphne and their little girls Judith and Joanne.  I had not seen Tim for years, and Joanne never.  A nice little family.  After tea I went to Church with Frank and Mary, at St Boniface and we were given little posies for Mothering Sunday.  Mine had a Daffodil, a spray each of Rosemary and Viburnum, and pink and white Heather.

Gran is shopping next day:

I went by bus as far as the Station to get bird sand and Budgie seed from Dean’s as our local shop is going out of business, and also to buy a pair of shoes.  Mine are getting beyond repair.

And a week later: [Read more…] about Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 145)

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Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 144)

November 1, 2020 By Rick Goater 2 Comments

Anxiety over Mother; friends are a tonic; an owl brings pleasure; some lovely Tristan stamps;  “Greaty” receives sherry; hot water in the taps and a new fireplace; the concern of neighbours; wicked pain; a wonderful surprise; Gran – an “old person”?; Isabelline envy, and a book by Barry.

Gran’s thoughts at this time are dominated by the state of Greaty’s present and future welfare.  On October 30th 1974 she writes:

I rang the hospital at nine o’clock and was relieved to hear that Mother’s condition was satisfactory after an operation last night.  Brother came as usual and was naturally very concerned.

She and Norris visit the hospital later that day having spent some time at Farley Mount where they see a Rough-legged Buzzard – part of a widespread influx of these birds from Scandinavia that autumn, and find Mother, as Gran says, somewhat drowsy, not very “with it” and expecting to be home in a day or two!

On November 1st she is uplifted by a chance meeting with strangers:

I went to see Mary [Harding] and spent a comforting hour with her. She has such a sympathetic and understanding heart.  Near the Lake a very small and enchanting girl, whom I did not know, told me, with a bright smile, that her boots were new.  They were red “puddle boots”.  This led to further conversation with her and her mother, and a peep at baby sister, who was just as beautiful and endearing and their young mother was so obviously proud of them.  A real tonic for me.

[Read more…] about Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 144)

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Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal by Joan Adelaide Goater

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Growing up in Chandler’s Ford: 1950s – 1960s by Martin Napier

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