Scope and Content
"Ever since I received your postcard from Snettisham (where is it?) in August, I have been intending to write to you in answer to your last letter of May 15th! I always seem to take time off from correspondence in the summer: it accumulates steadily: and then it requires a real effort of will to start again. Once I do, I enjoy writing letter to my friends: it's the initial move to the desk that takes the doing. I went off in June in my friend Commander (retired) Petrie's yacht from Ramsgate, with him, and two other men, and for four weeks we cruised round the coast of Spain, Portugal, and round into the Mediterranean. Portugal was quite new to me, and I was very taken with it. We had perfect weather, and I achieved wonders in the way of "cooking" - or so they said.
On my return here (I flew from Nice and left the others still cruising), I did several "locum" jobs, at Walmer, Monkton, Sandwich and Barham, to enable brother clergy to go for their holidays, sandwiching in visitors here, many of whom were just left to fend for themselves. But what a wonderful summer it has been! Day after day of golden sunshine (we are still having it here, though of course it is autumn sunshine): when I was here, we just lived on the beach all day. Last month I did three weeks' locum at S.Augustine's, Queens Gate: so I was able to do several things in London I wanted to do. I went to the opera ("Tosca", my favourite: I must have heard it a dozen times): to A.P.Herbert's "Water Gypsies", which I found rather disappointing: and to "Separate Tables" which I found depressing and rather tiresome. However, "The Buccaneer" at the Lyric, Hammersmith, made up for these. I enjoyed every moment of it: a sheer joy throughout. It is by Sandy Wilson, the young man responsible for "The Boy Friend", which if you haven't seen, you should, next time your are able to get to London. I also visited some art exhibitions, some piano recitals and made the men I have entertained here take me out to dinner of an evening.
I must answer your questions. I brought a bike with me from Richmond, and also bought a new "Raleigh" so I have two!! This is so that if a bike-minded friend comes, we can sally forth without all the fuss of trying to borrow one. I bought one of the garages here, but I don't use it. My friend Petrie has a car I can commandeer if necessary: but I am not keen on driving anyhow. I can forestall you about the new occupant of the Macklin's house: yes: Mrs.Lyall, late of Flitwick Manor. This information came in Miss Ira-Smith's bi-annual letter last week! A horrid house, I always thought it, with that dark sitting-room at the back looking out on a cobbled yard. I wonder if the swimming-pool is still there. Oh yes! before I forget: I had occasion to travel up by train to Yorkshire some weeks ago on a short visit to Harrogate, and I passed through Ampthill! You can imagine I was agog as we hurtled through Flitwick. I caught a glimpse of the new school at Running Waters, Ampthill Station (as we darted through) looked as if it had been bombed, no glass roof, and not a soul in sight: then the tunnel, then that lovely glimpse of the Park House - and so to the Brickworks.
Another bit of information for you: it is Bill Billington's mother in Dunstable St. flats! I had this from Perton: who sends me the "Ampthill News", though I never asked him to, religiously every week. He says he does not attend Ampthill Church now, as the people all look at him so queerly! I don't think he has got over losing the verger's job. What is happening to the Rectory Cottage? - that thorn in the side of every Rector since Mr.Brew. I was amused by your description of Mrs. McC's hat at the Cambridge rally. Isn't she Lady McC. now? Didn't her husband get a knighthood this year? I may be wrong. She often writes letters to the "Daily Telegraph" on this and that, and now, like Mrs.Legge, she has become a Councillor. I picked up a book by her in a London shop some time ago: not one of her trashy novels: it was a book advising middle-aged women how to keep young and beautiful! There were some photos of herself, (very touched-up) in it. Her pen must never stop waggling! What an awful woman she must be to live with - with all that energy and bounce: not to mention Mrs.Legge popping in and out and contributing her share! Is Aunt Eva better and on her own again? I had a surprise letter from Newby last week (my Ampthill correspondents are very active). He says he never gets out: but Miss Romola Russell had been to see him. I notice she still wears those hats like inverted soup plates: but she would not look right now in anything else. Yes: I heard many comments about the Professor's Academy debacle. It was all the worse as he followed two very witty speakers. He would have done better not to attend at all if he was feeling unwell. Will he get a knighthood? I expect so. Then Ampthill will have a SIR again. But he makes a poor show on T.V.: a pity, as he is such a witty man in private life. I haven't the slightest idea what Scofield references in a Bible are! Perhaps you have discovered by now.
I had a letter from Andrew with the new Church guide. I am glad one has been produced at last. I was always contemplating it. I am glad he has revived the Professor's two drawings of the Church. The present magazine cover is dull - but better than that dreadful evil-looking old man who was supposed to represent S.Andrew! the Rector seems worried about the National Service men: I think he is quite right. They could do the training in 6 months if it were properly organised. Has Mr.Broun's house been sold? There is a lot of land attached to it which may put people off: but I always though it rather attractive, with that wisteria all round it. Does Miss Ambler still occupy Mrs.Downes' house? And is Mrs.Franklin still coming to church? (An odd, and rather dangerous woman!). I saw Mr.Millington had died. I seem to have written a lot, but said nothing. However, I send it to you in the hope it finds you and your family well.
Yours sincerely"