JN73/73

Letter to H C Janes from Harold W Janes [nephew], 438 New Bedford Road, Luton. General discussion regarding holiday, weather, death of King George VI.

9 February 1952

From: 1952 To: 1952

Dear Uncle, One the advantages of having relations who travel abroad is that the younger members of the family can collect foreign stamps at low cost! But how right you were to find the sun these last few weeks. We are not having a bad winter - yet - but it has been consistently cold, with northerly winds, and sleet and rain and snow flurries. Uncomfortable, if you can remember what it can be like. Recently of course, the death of the King has put the country into gloom. I cannot help thinking that the near-hysterical newspaper exploitation of events like this together with the over insistent repetition of every detail by radio and television defeat their own object. The country is already, days before the funeral, tired of the subject and wishing to hear the end of it. Considering the very genuine respect in which the King was held, that is not a good thing. Perhaps I am a little sour on the subject. We have been seeing on Television, the proclamation at St James and at Temple Bar. If you want a Brains Test, try explaining satisfactorily to a six year old each detail of the pomp and circumstance of the traditional pageantry of these ceremonies! A minor ceremony, but quite pleasing in its way was todays installment as President of the Luton and Dunstable Master Builders Association of one Leslie Baden Sell. Owing to the resignation (health) of Tony Richardson, Leslie got there a year before he was due. Talking about health, Cyril Odell has been having a bad time recently. You may not know that since his heart trouble last September, he has been puffing along at half pressure, but three weeks agao he went down again badly with bronchitis. I hear he is pulling round a bit now but 10 days ago it was very touchy with him. I shall be surprised if we see him back for some time. Well enough gloom. I hope you are both getting the rest and food and happiness generally from your holiday that you were looking for. Don't hurry back, the country is getting worse. But when you do, we will be pleased to see you again. Kit sends her respects. Yours Harold.

2 pages

item

Janes, Herbert Charles,
Janes, Harold W,
George VI,
Richardson, Tony,
Sell, Leslie,
Odell, Cyril,
Luton and Dunstable Master Builders Association

CORRESPONDENCE, DEATH, holidays, television, radio, postage stamp, bronchitis, St James Palace, City of London Temple Bar, Luton New Bedford Road, London, LUTON