Z153/62/61/4

Letter from Edith Chapman to sister Min {Mary Jane Pratt)

undated [late Dec - early January c.1922?]

From: 1919 To: 1923

'I must write a few lines to you as Christmas is over. We had a great day as they did not come from the Folly (Tom (1 & 2) came up in the morning). P D H & Mrs S came down in the evening. It was so cold & wet that I felt glad no one had to go home in it. Until that morning expected you to come so did not write & must wish you now a happy new year. since has not been very nice especially at night. On Friday I went to decorate - Turners sent no evergreen this time and did not come near nor Piggots (but they dont go to church now) Daisy & Dorothy Gregory Rowdons did not not get or send the flowers till afternoon so were late and it snowed of course then I took a lot of the red (ours[?]) berries & some honesty which looked very well in the window &c. The cakes were drawn for at Marston and Walter won the big one Mrs W Green the 2nd and Connie Maple (Wilstone 3rd were invited to Betlow to try it yesterday D Mrs S & I Perc drove us to Whellco[?] Corner & walked from there he & H came later. Langdate was very deep nearly came in the Cart. The cake was very good (over 12 lbs). The house is very different to what it was in Edith & their time has been papered painted &c & of course there is the furniture from Leighton - Mrs G's bedroom is nice there is a piano in both rooms Edith is not at all well she has gastritis and several other things it is very bad for her. Hilda is quite a pretty girl. She goes to Tring every week dancing class and stays at Mrs Ted's one week & Mrs G Gregory's the next. Will Newman was better again on Sunday Bess called and he was downstairs so she saw him & thought he did not look so bad in the face. They are trying injections now one a week for 12 weeks that seems a long time. Mrs Will hadn't much faith in it. Dr O'Keefe says it is a germ & that it will be a long time about. Will Fulks died after an operation but Janie did not go to the funeral. Elsie went to the Red House rabbiting Boxing Day they killed 80 rabbits in the evening a W Drive (nursing) at Buckland. There is one at Wilstone on the 2nd she is going I think Clartees [?] &c. On Monday the Prince came through here. Dalming[?] & Boddington went to Turners on Sat & Perc met them as they came out he said they had a bye-day & we guessed the Prince might be with them. A lot of horses went through to Halton & they went in cars came on down here into the ground killed a fox in the cover Mrs Turner was introduced by Lord D Elsie heard it all said Nellie sidled up too but that didn't come off. They were all near W Rodwell taking snapshots of Harry talking to the Prince. They have had some in a pill at the Red House & the next came out of that & they had a short run jumped into Turners cant think how they escaped the dere[?] Mrs Piggott very much got up was redoing[?] up & down she said Are they going to Mr Chapman's cover first or to Ours! There was a tale that Lord D introduced him to Aunt Carrie & she said "I am so sorry all may boys are at the Folly" but tht was all make up. They were down there and knew nothing about the hounds till later went on to Hulcott cant think how he managed to get to Sandringham that night the car was waiting at the Morr Gate & he was [?] there at 3'30 I suppose it would go to Bedford & about the same road we went to Hunstanton as we passed through Sandringham estate Elsie said Alex Curzon was there too. Did you go to Tilsworth to see him mustn't he get bored of being looked at? Elsie thought he seemed rather bored. They said at Betlow Sir L Halsey is the only one who can keep him in order! Hope to see you when you come it will not be light nights now. B I Ro & Geoff got here about 3 all packed into the little car with the cover up. Elsie is perhaps going there about Jan 7th or 8th as they are having a dance &c party in the Hall & she is going to do some Donall[?] cakes &c The servant has left so B has plenty to do. Daisy made a big cake for Mrs Will (who sent all the things down) also one for themselves. Thank you very much for getting the scarf am sure it will be very nice. I wore my Roman satin hose yesterday it look so good I Miss R made it rather r[?] but is almost in holes! in a few places I think m have had had it for years; and I have had it several. Elsie said it would have been worn out long ago if it had been hers. I do want a pr of speckly stockings some that would go with the scarf (large size) if you are in Dunstable again before you come but dont go on purpose.! Perhaps you may come Sunday if nice. I have not been to Aylesbury for some time. To all love and best wishes for the New Year hoping all are quite well yours Edith. I think they ought to have the wireless at Betlow it seems so out of the way. Edith said they bought a house at Aylesbury now none of them want to to & live there. P has not lost his cough it is rather tiresome at night but keeps us awake more than it does him. He is quite able to enjoy Christmas fare tho as it has not hurt him much.'

item

Chapman, Edith,
Pratt, Mary Jane,
Piggott,
Cope, Elsie,
Prince George, Duke of Kent (George Edward Alexander Edmund),
Edward VIII,
Curzon, Alexandra,
Halsey, Lionel,
Chapman, Thomas,
Godber, Bessie Maud

Puttenham, hunting, Halton, clothing