Ada's Letter to Husband: Children's Activities and Christmas Preparations

Date: 1941-11-04
Sender: Ada
Recipient: My own Darling One (husband)
Location: Rosemary Cottage, 7 Granville Terrace, Bude Haven, Cornwall
Original scan: 1941-11-04-ada-to-husband-childrens-activities-christmas.pdf




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Summary

Ada writes to her husband from Rosemary Cottage, Bude Haven, detailing family life, particularly the children's activities. She describes a children's service, Gillian's enjoyment, and an incident involving Miss Russell and her daughter Jean. Ada mentions preparations for Christmas pudding, a dancing class, and the children's excitement. She also touches on wartime conditions with a mention of sirens and the allowance of dried fruit. The letter concludes with observations on Penna and Gillian's playful antics, including Penna attempting a Welsh Curtsey.

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Transcription

Rosemary Cottage
7 Granville Terrace
Bude Haven –
Cornwall
Nov 4. 1941.

My own Darling One
Here is your lovely letter of Nov 2 before me – and as
I've just had a call – this delay – I may be speaking
to you in a few minutes.
I'm so glad you enjoyed that beautiful Children's service
at Little St Marys – I only wish there was some service
Gillian could go to – We read a chapter of “The Lodiical
Life” every night – and look at Holmes pictures & then read
the actual Bible words and then sing an appropriate
hymns – but she would enjoy some service and Sunday
school – Thank you for the [unclear: Gpk N.T.] W. [unclear]
but I'll save showing it to [unclear] till the subject
comes up again some day –
Do you have been to the meeting of the Padarn
Commission. So glad the people were so wise and
that already you knew so many of them – Two
subcommittees of all! Splendid! But I hope they
won't mean too much extra work. Now you have
told me how nice you look in your new suit. I
bet you looked very grand after the old one – which
by the way always suited you. I like you in dark
brown. It must be a comfort to find a very

2.
efficient sensible body” of people in the Padarn Commission
after the time you've had with the R.B.C.C. How
often will they meet? Glad you had a moonlight
walk home. Any Sirens lately? We have – but
nothing to disturb us.
“The Kings Ship” you missed – was that “the Orian”? Today
there was a sailor we bumped into and he had H.M.S
Orian on his hat band.
It is the second time we heard the St Hilary Play. So
our thoughts were together even if it was too late
to ring you up.
We have had an exchange of Children. Nyria
was quite good. Played Halma with me before tea
– and played with Penna in her nursery after tea.
Gillian came back full of beans. Had had a good
time with Mrs Lloyd – didn't want to come home in fact
– but the evenings are short and she had only just had
tea when Joan went for her. I was tired but felt
more placid in putting Gillian to bed than I would
have done had I had her all the afternoon. I agree
with you that Nyria & Mrs Lloyd are well the type I need.
I was amused at an incident between Miss Russell & her
small daughter Jean. I was sitting in a sunny corner

3.
of the playground waiting for Gillian. Miss Russell came in to
the playground & evidently did not notice me and we are
two of the schoolgirls in the corner & as Jean came out
she held out her arms to her:->
she is rather tall & angular.
I did not think looked at all
Cuddly – Anyway Jean came out & went out
of her way to ignore her & marched out of the gate
alone. I got up & enquired of Miss R. how her daughter
was (as she had favourites) She was chuckling & herself
– “I'm afraid I've offended my daughter.” She said – “I
suppose I should not have held out my arms in school
to her!!” – Jean is such a mite – and so original
and delicious.
I enclose Miss Players letter – David bothered over the
first half – It is all about Gillian's boots which
were taken home by another girl – they were ultimately
returned to me and when with a little note to Miss
Player about them (as it was she who tried to find them for
me.) I took the opportunity of asking her about doweing
& pianos – saying that I knew they were busy but some
day I'd like a little chat with her about those subjects.
Her letter tells you what she thinks about it – and I

sent her a little note accepting the invitation to the
dancing class tomorrow. I'll take Gillian's Eurythmics
frock & party shoes – so she can start if they like –
The pianos will need arranging somehow as plans
must be made for practice – However I could find out
a little about “it – cool etc – and perhaps you could see
them when you came next.
I think you are right about the sugar – I crave it tho'
I do not indulge the craving. Anyway now you say I
should I'll spare myself some and treat myself to
a section of honey for my birthday. Also I'll
make myself some of the sticky rice & Chinese
dates pudding one of these days – I used to
eat dried figs when I could get them but have
not been able to lately – the rationing of dried fruit
will be sure mean more of these for us.
I sent you a parcel today – an orange in it this time
as the children had 2 lbs each. Then I went to Banbury
and she gave them each another orange – Wish I
had put in 2 lbs.
Oh by the way Miss Metcalfe suggests Joan takes both
children to tea with them sometime & give me a
rest? What do you think of that? There's the Miss Metcalfe

5.
Joan & Dolly to look after and two Julias. They'd
probably have a hilarious time – but of course
Joan could bring them home if they were too much
for her mother –
Oh by the way yesterday Gillian put on new light (on leave)
while resting & Dewbbled V.o. all over the wall with
a pencil – I didn't know what to do with her &
asked her what she thought I ought to do. She
said “Tell Daddy – only write it – don't do it!”
“Why not?” I said – Then he can't smack me.”
She tells you I smacked her – I didn't really – only
a pat which I forgot – but I did tie up the flex
beyond her reach for 24 hours – letter will explain.
Her real is a problem – She rarely sleeps and if blocked
all she puts in the light etc. How much better to be in the
sunshine – if only she'd lie down for a while – She goes
to bed earlier now gets a full 12 hrs at night. I'll think
out a plan.
It is bitterly cold but some sunshine. Sunday was
very chill so we went to see the Smiths and had a
nice little “cleverness” by their fire. Today we
visited the Banburys and had a good time. Mrs B.
calls them her “rays of sunshine.”

6.
A letter from Chris today – I'll send it on to you when
answered – Not much chance of her visiting me as
Bobbie needs her more now than ever – as Hotel service
is so poor – also he misses Billie –
A weekend with you would be grand. Joan suggests
that her mother takes care of the two of them takes care
of the Children. But – – – I don't know.
I've found the pocket in the top left hand drawer
of your desk. It is not addressed – but as it is
the only one there I expect there can be no mistake.
I'll take it in to Pabin tomorrow.
The Padio has just said there in Nov everyone will
be allowed 12 oz of dried fruit (either raisins sultanas
or prunes, figs etc.) be sure and take yours.
Nors – We've just had The great Ceremony of the Xmas
Puddy making.
All the year I've saved every speck of dried fruit etc. and
today collected & weighed them all – Enough for a slightly
(but only slightly) modified puddings –
So! I piled the stuff together on the trolley with the
little “Santa Christmas” as Penna calls him & his
sleigh & reindeer & a couple of candles – and after
tea we all set to. Gillian & Joan turned the handle

7.
I prepared & put the ingredients in and Penna mixed.
Penna was terrifically excited and had to be whisked off
to bed when she at last mixed “some of the precious stuff”
out of the bowl – but Gillian, the very busy one in a
dream of Romance – you could just see by the expression
on her face all the accumulated joy of the years
of Xmas pudding making of our own Childhood. Bless
her – what wonderful eyes she has.
The dancing class too was another thrill. I wished
you had been there to watch that too – you would have
enjoyed it. Gillian got the idea of it all quite quickly
– and again her eyes were wide with wonder. What
a delightful Child she must be to teach – Penna
watched it and made remarks on the dancing slippers
& socks of all the children. How I should love to go
every week – but that is afraid is impossible – all
parents would want to. Nyria also joined the dancing class today.
Well my darling one – I'll post this early tomorrow so
goodnight. All my love my own precious one –
Your Ada.
I've made Gillian's Xmas Baby doll a lovely life size body
putting in a stove in each foot & up the legs – this balancing
the weight of the head a bit –
Sharp, fond last night. Gillian's sunshine all morning – much warmer
dull afternoon –

Thurs.
Today Penna
trying to do the
Welsh Curtsey
which she saw the
girls do yesterday.
You put one
finger on
your chin
the other on
your elbow & then
Curtsey –
Penna's threat
is one
finger
in the ear!!!

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People mentioned

- Ada
- Gillian
- Penna
- Miss Russell
- Jean
- David
- Miss Player
- Daddy
- Dolly
- Joan
- Mrs Lloyd
- Mrs Smitt
- Chris
- Bobbie
- Billie
- Nyria
- Miss Metcalfe
- Holmes
- Mrs B.
- Banburys

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Topics

- family life
- children's activities
- christmas preparations
- wartime life
- social events
- personal news
- health
- education

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Uncertain words / phrases

- Gpk N.T.
- W. [unclear]
- Lodiical Life
- R.B.C.C.
- Orian
- Julias
- Dewbbled V.o.
- Pabin
- Padio
- Nors
- Puddy
- Sharp, fond last night
- threat

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Archivist notes

- The letter includes two small stick figure drawings, one on page 3 depicting a person with outstretched arms, and another on page 8 depicting a person with a finger in their ear.
- The letter provides insights into daily life during WWII, including rationing (dried fruit) and mentions of air raid sirens.
- The sender's name 'Ada' is clearly visible at the end of the letter.

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Context suggestions

These were used to update/suggest additions for `archive-context.json`.

```json
{
"people": [
"Jean",
"Bobbie",
"Billie",
"Banburys"
],
"places": [],
"common_phrases": [
"All my love my own precious one"
],
"spelling_notes": [
"Puddy (likely pudding)",
"Eurythmics (unclear activity name, possibly a type of dance or movement class)",
"Billie (possibly Billic)"
],
"relationships": {
"Jean": "daughter of Miss Russell"
}
}
```

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Processing stats

- Input tokens: 3403
- Output tokens: 3067
- Total tokens: 12674
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