MY MOTHER’S DIARIES
September and October 1950: Autumn Turning
Harvest’s end, a child leaving for school and autumn settling over Hiltonbury Farm, recorded by Margaret “Bebe” Vining and retold by her son, Andy.
By Andy Vining
Chandler’s Ford community
September Gardening Tips from Wellie
Looking back through the September gardening tips I’ve written over the years, I think this year our gardens are likely to be looking rather different. After such a hot, dry summer, many lawns will have turned brown and borders may be looking tired. The good news is that, with some autumn rain, most lawns should begin to recover and green up surprisingly quickly.
Resist the temptation to apply an autumn lawn feed until the grass has started to grow again. Feeding a dormant, drought-stressed lawn won’t do it any favours, so it may be better to wait until October if the dry weather continues.
Take some time to observe how your garden has coped with this summer’s conditions. Which plants have thrived despite the heat, and which have struggled? This can be invaluable information when planning future planting. If you’re looking to add new plants this autumn, consider choosing varieties that are more tolerant of hotter, drier conditions, helping to make your garden more resilient as our climate continues to change. [Read more…] about September Gardening Tips from Wellie
Andy Vining’s Podcast: My Mother’s Diaries 1948 – 1976: Episode 17 — July and August 1950
Andy Vining shares his mother’s diaries in his podcast. You can listen to these stories on Spotify.
MY MOTHER’S DIARIES
July and August 1950: Harvest, Cowpens and a Summer of Rain
Two eventful summer months at Hiltonbury Farm, recorded by Margaret “Bebe” Vining and retold by her son, Andy.
By Andy Vining
New cowpens promised modern farming, but relentless rain threatened the harvest. Around both ran the busy life of the Vining family: school journeys, birthdays, shows, visitors, preserving fruit and making the most of every dry hour.
Andy Vining’s Podcast: My Mother’s Diaries 1948 – 1976: Episode 16 — May and June 1950
Andy Vining shares his mother’s diaries in his podcast. You can listen to these stories on Spotify.
MY MOTHER’S DIARIES
May and June 1950: Curtains, Cowslips and Haymaking
Two months at Hiltonbury Farm, recorded by Margaret “Bebe” Vining and retold by her son, Andy.
By Andy Vining
Andy Vining’s Podcast: My Mother’s Diaries 1948 – 1976: Episode 15 — March and April 1950
Andy Vining shares his mother’s diaries in his new podcast. Listen to these beautiful stories on Spotify.
Andy Vining’s parents were John and Peggy (later known as Be Be).
March & April 1950 — Spring Returning at Hiltonbury [Read more…] about Andy Vining’s Podcast: My Mother’s Diaries 1948 – 1976: Episode 15 — March and April 1950
August Gardening Tips from Wellie
Deadhead regularly to keep roses, dahlias, cosmos and other summer flowers blooming into autumn. Water deeply, not little and often. Early morning or evening watering helps reduce evaporation, especially for pots and hanging baskets.
Trim lavender after flowering, cutting back the flower stems but avoiding old woody growth. Vegetables to sow now for autumn and winter, spring cabbage, spinach, rocket, lettuce and hardy herbs for later harvests. Plant new strawberry runners now to establish strong plants for next year’s crop. Feed tomatoes weekly with a high-potash fertiliser and remove side shoots from cordon varieties. Collect seeds from your favourite flowers to grow next year or share with friends.
Keep on top of weeds before they have a chance to set seed. Leave some flowers standing to provide nectar for bees, butterflies and other pollinators through late summer. Plan ahead. August is a good time to think about where you could plant spring bulbs and autumn shrubs when the weather cools.
Andy Vining’s Podcast: My Mother’s Diaries 1948 – 1976: Episode 14 — January and February 1950
Andy Vining shares his mother’s diaries in his new podcast. Listen to these beautiful stories on Spotify.
Andy Vining’s parents were John and Peggy (later known as Be Be).
A New Decade Begins at Hiltonbury Farm
January and February 1950
The year 1950 began quietly at Hiltonbury Farm. There were no great celebrations to mark the arrival of a new decade, just illness, winter weather and the familiar work of keeping a busy family farm running. [Read more…] about Andy Vining’s Podcast: My Mother’s Diaries 1948 – 1976: Episode 14 — January and February 1950
Andy Vining’s Podcast: My Mother’s Diaries 1948 – 1976: Episode 13 — November and December 1949
Andy Vining shares his mother’s diaries in his new podcast. Listen to these beautiful stories on Spotify.
Andy Vining’s parents were John and Peggy (later known as Be Be).
November 1949
Fires Lit for Winter
Welcome to Episode 13 of My Mother’s Diaries.
Each episode I open the pages of my mother’s diaries, written day by day on our family farm in Hampshire in the late 1940s.
Through her words we step back into a world of farming, family, village life… and the small everyday moments that quietly made up a life.
This is November and Dec 1949.
November arrived with the evenings growing darker and the air noticeably colder. [Read more…] about Andy Vining’s Podcast: My Mother’s Diaries 1948 – 1976: Episode 13 — November and December 1949
July Gardening Tips from Wellie
July is the month to really enjoy your garden, and to make a note of what might need splitting or moving in the Autumn. If tall perennials are flopping a bit, put some stakes around them to help them and tie in and train any new growth on climbing plants. Give your beds, pots and baskets a feed which will help them to stay looking lush and healthy for longer.
Andy Vining’s Podcast: My Mother’s Diaries 1948 – 1976: Episode 12 — September and October 1949
Andy Vining shares his mother’s diaries in his new podcast. Listen to these beautiful stories on Spotify.
Andy Vining’s parents were John and Peggy (later known as Be Be).
June Gardening Tips from Wellie
June is a busy and rewarding month in the garden—little and often is the key. Deadhead roses and early perennials to keep flowers coming, and stake taller plants like delphiniums before they flop. Hoe borders regularly to keep weeds down and retain moisture. Water deeply a few times a week rather than little and often.
Andy Vining’s Podcast: My Mother’s Diaries 1948 – 1976: Episode 11 — July and August 1949
Andy Vining shares his mother’s diaries in his new podcast. Listen to these beautiful stories on Spotify.
Andy Vining’s parents were John and Peggy (later known as Be Be).
Andy Vining’s Podcast: My Mother’s Diaries 1948 – 1976: Episode 10 — May and June 1949
Andy Vining shares his mother’s diaries in his new podcast. Listen to these beautiful stories on Spotify.
Andy Vining’s parents were John and Peggy (later known as Be Be).
May 1949 The Farm in Full Bloom
Andy Vining’s Podcast: My Mother’s Diaries 1948 – 1976: Episode 9 — March and April 1949
Andy Vining shares his mother’s diaries in his new podcast. Listen to these beautiful stories on Spotify.
Andy Vining’s parents were John and Peggy (later known as Be Be).
March 1949
Early Signs of Spring [Read more…] about Andy Vining’s Podcast: My Mother’s Diaries 1948 – 1976: Episode 9 — March and April 1949
May Gardening Tips from Wellie
Mow lawns weekly and keep edges neat, raise the cutting height in dry spells. Keep on top of weeds in borders – little and often makes a big difference.
Andy Vining’s Podcast: My Mother’s Diaries 1948 – 1976: Episode 8 — January and February 1949
Andy Vining shares his mother’s diaries in his new podcast. Listen to these beautiful stories on Spotify.
Andy Vining’s parents were John and Peggy (later known as Be Be).
Podcast Opening Introduction – January 1949
Welcome back to My Mother’s Diaries. Episode 8, January 1949
We begin a brand-new year now — January 1949 — a time when winter still grips the countryside, but the promise of a fresh year lies ahead.
There is always a sense of quiet optimism at the start of a new year… new plans, small hopes, and the simple rhythm of family and farm life continuing day by day. [Read more…] about Andy Vining’s Podcast: My Mother’s Diaries 1948 – 1976: Episode 8 — January and February 1949
Andy Vining’s Podcast: My Mother’s Diaries 1948 – 1976: Episode 7 — November and December 1948
Image My Mother’s Diaries by Andy Vining 2026
Andy Vining shares his mother’s diaries in his new podcast. Listen to these beautiful stories on Spotify.
Andy Vining’s parents were John and Peggy (later known as Be Be).
November 1948
November opened in foul weather — rain sweeping across the fields from morning to night — and the children home for half term filled the house with noise despite the gloom.
I went into Winchester for new shoes while John attended Lodge, and there was uneasy talk of foot and mouth in Salisbury — never pleasant news when one keeps cattle.
There were brighter interludes. I went dancing at The Richie Hall, though the gramophone misbehaved and caused some disruption. [Read more…] about Andy Vining’s Podcast: My Mother’s Diaries 1948 – 1976: Episode 7 — November and December 1948
Andy Vining’s Podcast: My Mother’s Diaries 1948 -1976: Episode 6 — September and October 1948
Image My Mother’s Diaries by Andy Vining 2026
Andy Vining shares his mother’s diaries in his new podcast. Listen to these beautiful stories on Spotify.
Andy Vining’s parents were John and Peggy (later known as Be Be).
September 1948
September opened with the Romsey Show. Betty and I set off early on the first, taking our lunch with us, and met John later among the livestock and produce stands. It was a jolly good show. There is something about the Show — polished cattle, prize vegetables, farmers inspecting each other’s stock — that feels like the summing up of a year’s labour. John still went to football that evening, never missing if he can help it. [Read more…] about Andy Vining’s Podcast: My Mother’s Diaries 1948 -1976: Episode 6 — September and October 1948
April Gardening Tips from Wellie
April arrives with a flourish! One minute we’re admiring frothy cherry blossom against bright blue skies, the next we’re reaching for a fleece to protect tender shoots from a sharp overnight frost. It is a month of promise — and unpredictability — but also one of the most exciting times to be in the garden. Sweet peas can be sown outside now. Prune penstemons and other slightly tender plants, divide herbaceous perennials.
Andy Vining’s Podcast: My Mother’s Diaries 1948 -1976: Episode 5 — July and August 1948
Image My Mother’s Diaries by Andy Vining 2026
Andy Vining shares his mother’s diaries in his new podcast. Listen to these beautiful stories on Spotify.
Andy Vining’s parents were John and Peggy (later known as Be Be).
July 1948
July began unsettled, though full of movement as always. John went off to cricket on the first, while I went to Mrs St Johns for some dancing lessons for the children.
Jane and Margaret came to tea later, and I tried to do a little gardening, though the midges drove me indoors before long.
Jennifer was quite beside herself begging for a ride on Lister’s pony, who had been brought over to the farm again and so she had a ride. She was really happy.
On the 2nd July John was busy cutting vetches with the big Mower. the great green swathes falling in neat rows.
I went to tea at Beechcroft and washed Janet’s hair, I do hope we get the water laid in soon.
Ann Lister brought the pony right onto the back lawn — much excitement. Mrs Manning took John and I to look at bees going into the hive, and I was stung for my trouble. One forgets how sharp it feels.
The third brought a fine success — thirteen bantams hatched out from the eggs I thought might have been spoilt last month. A good strong number, and always satisfying to lift the broody hen gently and count them.
