writing

Condolences from a small great-grandson; a happy birthday and a treasured card; green-wellied Rick; farewell the Anderson Shelter; a new pond; “queer turns” and “nasty falls”; a last new bird for the garden; several new additions to the Family, and “Good night my dear.  God bless you”.

It is June 30th 1991, four days after Jane’s funeral.  Gran writes:

I rang Beverly to ask how she is and she said she had recovered from her exhaustion and was very touched and proud that Jane had asked her to be with her during her illness. I thanked her for being with Jane at the last and for her support for me in the Church at Jane’s Funeral Service.

The following day Gran receives a heartfelt and uplifting letter from Julian, based with the RAF in Germany, praising Jane and her “spirit, her values and her bravery”, adding, “… I’d be really proud if I were her Mum”. And with Julian’s communication is a letter from his son, Sam, saying, Gran writes, “Dear Great Gran – we were very sad too”.

[Read more…] about Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 183, the last)

A new gas supply; the “Great Gale”; worrying news of Jane; Peter Scott, George Green and “a little Pakistani newsboy”; taking a bath is risky; three additional residents at The Ridge; Frank Harding’s eyesight; a shop on fire; the last whist drive, and “the saddest Midsummer Day”.

On September 10th 1987 Gran’s gas supply is being upgraded, and she writes at the end of the day:

There was still no gas and the men dug up the top part of the drive and drilled a hole through the wall and from the cupboard under the stairs into the garage where the new meter is to be installed.  The mess everywhere has to be seen to be believed… The gas was restored at 4.45 and the last man told me that men would return in a day or two to re-lay the drive and level the ground outside the gateway.

“Contented and at rest”; no hot water and a need for porage; a long-lasting watering can; when Katie met Harry; a natural history bonanza in Scotland; two new orchids; farewell “Granny” Pickford; exciting news from Katie; “a wonderful and never-to-be forgotten day”, and “what gems are there still to uncover?”

Book 229

January 4th 1987, Gran writes, is “a dreary and dull day starting overcast after night rain and soon pouring for the rest of the day” but we feel that after a long period of stressful and unhappy events, she has managed to regain some of her equilibrium, as she continues:

… and I have seen no-one, and the front door has not been unlocked.  Yet I have been contented and at rest.  A thrush was singing when I went to take the temperatures soon after eight o’clock this morning.

The middle of the month is bitterly cold and family and neighbours worry about her keeping warm enough in The Ridge, a house, like many others at that time, with no central heating or double-glazing, and just a gas fire in each of the main living rooms.  Barry offers to bring a sleeping bag for his Mother to use when sitting in her chair, and recommends she buy some cling-film to rig up some primitive double-glazing on the windows.

[Read more…] about Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 181)

Gran has a difficult time; support from all quarters; a memento from Tommy’s tree; letters to Auntie Bunnie; Grampa – a lovely, cheerful patient; solace in the garden; a simple Funeral Service; a family Christmas; Paul brings gifts, and a wedding to look forward to.

Difficulties at home continue for Gran.  Grampa is increasingly frail and unwell, more or less confined to bed and needing daily nursing care, and, Gran says on November 1st 1986 , “The plumber came and cleared the airlock in the downstairs hot water tap and is coming to deal with the overflow pipe in the toilet and the leak under the sink”.  Jane Elizabeth has been a wonderful support for Gran, her Mother-in-law, at this time but she needs to return to Bushey on the 2nd and Gran is sorry to see her go, writing also:

She meant to leave me half of the large brown loaf she bought yesterday but forgot.  She phoned from Winchester Station to say she had left it in the grit bin by the Hiltingbury Road bus stop and luckily, Cousin Bill Worsfold came at 11 a.m. so I was able to go and get it while he was here with Bill.

Gran has mentioned several of her husband’s relatives or friends lately, as they visit Grampa at The Ridge, but we are not always enlightened as to their relationships to him.  There is not only Bill Worsfold, but also Cousin Ray, who has often provided transport for Grampa; Anthony (a nephew) and his wife Hazel; Joan and Ken Birch (“Bill’s half-sister and her husband”, Gran writes), and Joan and Alastair McKenzie (“Joan is his Cousin”, Gran tells us).

“I made a bad beginning with tummy ache after I had taken Bill his breakfast and was sick just as nurse came to the front door”, she writes on November 4th, continuing:

I called that I was coming but I look so ghastly when this happens, she was very concerned and made me sit down and made me a cup of tea.  I assured her that I do this occasionally but soon feel perfectly alright.  After attending to Bill she took my pulse and blood pressure, both of which were perfectly normal, which is reassuring!  Ruth came in, with a stick, because she saw me looking to see if she were about.  She has broken and chipped ribs!

Joan and Alastair came early this afternoon and whilst they were talking to me, we heard a thump and Bill had fallen.  Alastair picked him up and got him back into bed!

The following day sees Grampa taken by ambulance to the South Hants Hospital in Southampton, because he has lost all feeling from the waist down.  There is much concern throughout the Family and amongst close friends.  Bob Fowler and his daughter Jill visit Gran to give moral support, and Gran is delighted to receive from them, “… some very gorgeous red Maple leaves from Tommy’s favourite tree”.  She presses them within the journal.  Further support is provided by Barry on the 6th, who, given the beauty of the day, suggests a drive up to Farley Mount, where Gran delights in the beautiful colours, especially of the fruiting Spindles there.

[Read more…] about Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 180)

Stonehenge – not what it once was; Gran hides her ailments; Grampa – a last trip to Farley Mount; an obliging Home Help; two Redstarts in the garden; a communication from the Arctic; Granny Pickford is 100, and farewell to “Tommy” Fowler;

Book 227

On September 10th 1986, after the Nurse has visited The Ridge to check on Grampa, and Gran understanding that things are “somewhat easier”, she goes on the Club outing to Marlborough, having “something of a scramble to be ready…”

Gran describes all she sees on the coach journey, including:

We stopped at Stonehenge at 2.45 for twenty minutes but I did not leave the coach as I have been to the monument many times since my teens when access was freely available with no fences or circling pathways.  I did not want a cup of tea or an ice cream at this time.

Pulmonaria – not found; an unexpected First Day Cover; trips to Arundel and Lulworth; two creditable performances; Gran crawls downstairs; a Royal Wedding; a kind gentleman; travels in the North; Grampa is taken ill; news from Fin; a day at Marwell Zoo, and difficult times ahead.

It’s May 14th 1986 and more memories are brought to the fore for Gan three days later when she walks to the Club for its usual afternoon meeting:

Miss Wise, late Headmistress of Sherborne House School, who, when an assistant to her Mother, taught Barry and Jane to read, entertained us with poems she had written after her retirement.  I had a chat with her and she was pleased to hear news of Barry and Jane, and quite amazed that their children are grown up and Barry a grandfather!

Barry himself is in Chandler’s Ford at this time and he and his Mother, in spite of wet weather, make the now rather rare journey into her beloved New Forest, to look for flowers and birds.  They have a lovely time there and on the nearby coast, although failing to find a rare plant of particular significance to her upsets Gran:

We went first to look for [Narrow-leaved] Lungwort Pulmonaria longifolia in its usual habitat near Beaulieu but to our horror, there was no sign of it.  Council workers, I presume, had thrown large quantities of thick mud right over the ditch and bank where it had flourished for years.

[Read more…] about Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 178)

Another wetting during a visit to the Brenans; an “extraordinary letter”; last show at the Gaumont; kindness at the V.G.; a 50th Anniversary; farewell to Joan Spurgin; Tom on the telly; Barry’s new book; news from Scotland; Katie’s new “bloke”; solitude at St Cross, and Pitcairn Island – “where Daddy used to have dealings with the Islanders”.

Christmas is looming and on breezy December 21st 1985 Gran, as always, has made presents for her great friends, the Hardings in Merdon Avenue.  She writes:

… I took Mary’s posy and other gift, and calendar for Granny Pickford [Mary’s Mother], and walked through the pinewood to avoid as much of the wind as possible.  Both recipients were delighted and especially Mary with her innovation.  I did not stay long but met Mary’s brother George, and Frank brought me home.  He is able to play some golf again, I was pleased to hear.

Christmas in is spent with daughter Jane and family at Longton, near Preston and close to the Ribble marshes. On arrival there, Gran is touched to find that Jane, “… has given me her room, to be convenient for my comfort just across the landing.  We were late retiring…”

Dec 24th provides an evening of television programmes, before they attend a local Church for Midnight Service – a new experience for Gran. Gran lists the programmes: The Slipper and the Rose; Benjamin Luxman and Aled Jones in a musical one; and Rush, the Fallow Deer, by John and Simon King.  This was followed by Charles and Diana, a Working Year, and then Val Doonigan [sic]. Gran notes that the Church they attend is where Judy usually goes and she adds, “I had earlier met Judy and found her very nice indeed”. [Read more…] about Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 177)

Not impressed by trendy worship; unwell but still gardening; disappointment after a dream; a proud day; two “wretched” warblers; a week in Cornwall; Julian runs a marathon; a nasty fall; Gran sends flowers; Grampa needs an operation and Halley’s Comet is overhead.

Gran does not feel well on September 1st 1985 – she often feels sick and unable to eat, has troublesome back pain and sometimes is very sleepy.  After a two-hour afternoon sleep this Sunday, and not eating owing to a prolonged bout of acute hiccups, she watches television but finds it disappointing at first, saying this:

“Songs of Praise” [came] from the Greenpeace Festival and consisted of all pop versions of worship, appealing only to youngsters who were wound up to such a frenzy of clapping, dancing and arm waving, which left me wondering if it were a great love of God or only of Pop “music”.  A later programme about English silk was very interesting and enlightening.

Her ailments, considered by stoical Gran as simple inconveniences, rarely prevent her doing what she wishes, so, on September 17th:

This afternoon I gardened for just over an hour, weeding more of the Crocus – Cyclamen bed, which was made difficult by the presence of many minute new cyclamen seedlings, with only one tiny leaf showing amongst the moss and the insidious Sheep’s Sorrel.  I also dug up some Brambles, Goutweed and Ivy, after which I was very tired and came in and slept for close on an hour.

A canal trip; the Falklands Fallen – remembered; a visit to Swithun Wells School; Sherborne House – 50 years old; woodworm in the furniture; orchids on Shawford Down; Gran is sent flying; farewell Josie; Gran flies a kite, and Grampa – not well.

Gran has joined several coach tours, mainly to the West Country, in recent months, organised through her Club.  She enjoys noting the passing scenery and wayside flowers but is often frustrated by stops for refreshments and shopping.  She usually wanders off on her own at these times.

On June 12th 1985 there is a half-day outing into Berkshire, which includes a canal trip:

We went over a level crossing towards Hampstead Marshall where the Kennet and Avon Canal was our stopping area… Our barge, the Avon, was awaiting us and after we embarked, I learnt that it was purpose-built for these excursions but on the traditional narrow-boat principle though now is a motor barge and not horse-drawn as originally… The windows were large with seats all round and a little shop and bar at one end.  I bought a little ribbon plate for Ruth, a thimble with our barge on it for Sue, a booklet, “On the Kennet and Avon” and a biro for myself.

Rob wins a chess tournament; “nobody wants to go away with an old woman”; observations on a Rook; a last flower painting?; a lovely day; an outing with Ruth; a talk by Roy Lancaster; a memory of Italy; “life is difficult just now”, and the Mayor tells Gran she’s been busy.

March 2nd 1985 is not a pleasant day for Gran: there is some domestic conflict and she writes:

After an unpleasant morning of continual complaints, I spent the afternoon in my room, wishing to be alone in tranquil and quiet surroundings.  I mostly read Arthur Marshall’s book. “Life’s Rich Pageant” and had a short nap.  This evening more reading and listening to the radio and, later I stuck in today’s cutting about Julian.

The cutting is from The Daily Telegraph concerning Julian’s decision not to run in the National Cross Country Championships, owing to a heavy cold. But the following day, after the race is run, she is pleased to read in The Sunday Telgraph that the first eight home in yesterday’s National Cross Country have been chosen for the England team, “plus Julian Goater who has been so consistent always”. [Read more…] about Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 174)