Reference
AU10/102/1/69
Title
Handwritten letter
Date free text
15 March 1956
Production date
From: 1956 To: 1956
Scope and Content
"Many Happy Returns of the Day! I wonder if you have ever heard of Grandma Moses (see the card)? Apparently she is a wonderful old lady in America who discovered suddenly, at the age of 90 or thereabouts, that she had a wonderful gift for painting: she started turning out pictures, held an exhibition in New York, and made a fortune in no time - and may still be doing so for all I know! Anyway, if you can keep your brains and your health, age seems to be nothing nowadays. The old automobile reminded me of your family vintage car.
Since I last wrote, the snow and frost have departed, thank Heaven, and we have been having day-long sunshine for many days - though still very cold. But there seems to be quite a turn towards spring - I am getting to recognise the changes of the seasons in the colour of the sea. Instead of the ugly yellow of the winter months, it now looks - if not Mediterannean blue, at least a kind of blue. Actually I suppose it is really the sky that causes the colour in the sea.
I am going over to Paris for Easter, and I expect I shall be helping at the English church of S.George again. I shall stay out there about a month, and go down to the Riviera for a short visit - but not to the Monaco wedding if I can avoid it! I see the travel agencies are actually quoting tours for it - 78 guineas all in!
If a film called "The Lady Killers" comes your way, don't miss it! I expect you've read about it. The old lady is remarkably like the late Miss Gertrude Barton: the whole film is a sheer joy, most entertaining. We have the Olivier "Richard III" coming to Margate next week: I am so glad I shall just get it in before Holy Week and my departure abroad. I must confess that I have become of recent years quite a filmgoer: of course, I choose my films: and sometimes it is weeks before something arrives which appeals to me. I never go on principle to a film which is advertised by a man with a gun in his hand. There's enough violence to read about in the news .... not to mention the thrillers on TV. Are you on ITA as well as BBC? We have not bothered about it so far.
What news of Ampthill? What is happening to the old Church school buildings? I suppose Davies is holding on to the house. Who bought Clifford Thomson's mother's nice little house? - next to your Pie Place! I wonder what has happened to my first housekeeper (I believe I had five between 1933 and 1942) Miss Adams, now that old Tansley has gone.
With all good wishes and remembrances,
Yours sincerely"
P.S. My fountain pen is very temperamental - perhaps needs a new nib.
Level of description
item