Ada's Letter: Family News, Christmas Plans, and Eurhythmics

Date: 1941-11-29
Sender: Ada
Recipient: Dearest One
Location: Rosemary Cottage, 7 Granville Tee, Bude, N. Cornwall
Original scan: 1941-11-29-ada-to-dearest-one-family-news.pdf




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Summary

Ada writes from Bude, Cornwall, to a close family member, likely her mother, discussing family news, Christmas preparations, and the children's activities. She mentions Mitchell, the Sowerby family, and the children's names like Gillian, Joan, Susan, Hazel, and Michael. Ada details making gifts, the children's dolls, and household plans for a study. She also touches on health updates for Kathleen and Penna, and reflects on family relationships and the challenges of wartime travel restrictions for Christmas.

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Transcription

Rosemary Cottage
7 Granville Tee.
Bude, N. Cornwall Nov 29
1941

My own Dearest One
What a lovely letter you wrote an a lovely day - although you were anxious about Mitchell - How you do carry the burdens of others - I do hope you will not lose contact with Mitchell in your work - But & return to your letter -
Yes I remembered the Berries from Iona - I knew Bennett about Iona when at Carey Hall - but had forgotten - Am glad you remind me. Among my devotional books you'll find are called "Iona" - Bennett - I wonder if it was compiled there It was Miss Irvine's first present & me the final Xmas at Carey Hall. Don't look for it for me but if you would & look at it yourself. I don't see it here - I'd love to visit Iona some day - It is just what I felt nearly 30 years ago - but with you it would be so wonderful. What a crowd of visitors on Thursday - The Children were delighted with the gloves - and Gillian & I wrote thank you letters -
I send all the "Peter" things & Dairy as I promised how - Yes, this letter & we was much more balanced - thank Mrs Stevens of the Cutty for my scrapbook

2.
That is just the type of the baby they put in it. There are other things besides babies - but you shall see it.
I agree with you about music waiting a bit - it is a bit expensive. Also perhaps the piano will be better with you at the moment. I see there is to be a "Stand still" Xmas - drastic curtailment of trains - Keep your eye on any information re trains - Possibly Dec 18 will be too early to be upset.
Gillian says she likes her dancing better than eurhythmics - I prefer eurhythmics but had a perfect introduction to the subject in about 1920 or 1921. When I saw Dalcroze himself and some of his students - a wonderful demonstration - ordinary dancing seems to me so artificial after the eurhythmics.
Yes, isn't Buller better off in parts? (I never thought of the Sowerby family as dying out - why there are 12 living grandchildren of Pa's and 2 great grandchildren - more on the way - But when I come to think of it only Sonny & Wendy bear the name Sowerby. I should have thought Buller being such a biologist wouldn't have

3.
worried about the name - But W is something the same in the Spears family - plenty of the next generation but bearing other names. Chesterman, Dwell, etc. Still the real biological succession ought to satisfy Buller - Now you & I go much further - we are passing on the Spears Sowerby inheritance in the sphere of the mind - And - a far more difficult task - and yet I believe even more successfully than old Buller who has had little enough influence on his Sowerby Son -
I see strong Sowerby tendencies in both our Children - possibly even here in Penna than Gillian who is more & more like you. She has the great generous heart of you Spears - Both will be naturalists - musical - what about art? Here is a recent drawing of Gillian - Can any stretch of imagination see in this a endearing Anthony Stewart? (the miniature painter)
I'm glad you don't want a party - Yours idea of a. Visitors day & children a month is jolly good. I'll try it next year - beginning at January.
Re Xmas presents - I've been looking through some of my white elephants and can do a lot without spending a penny for my own family. We'll do some-

4.
thing for Susan, Hazel & Michael from the Children. As for people like Smiths, Mrs Banbury etc - who have been kind & the Children - Gillian is herself making kettle holders & lavender bags and Calendars (with her wool sewing ends) for them - and I'm sure they'd appreciate that better -
I've made a beautiful body for the new baby head of Gillian's new doll - I put in some pebbles for bones which balanced it better or the "Voice mama" of one of the older dolls - It is like a real baby now - Joan hugged it when I showed it her - Gillian is making preparations for it - but of [unclear: Cannae dream] I've got it -
We got a Calendar each of Mr Hulbert & are on two like that. If only folk were nearer I could give a bottle of [unclear: word] salt beans or blackberries - but can't send them by post. We won't go in for expensive things this Xmas - Gillian's art for Grimwell shines all right - We stand him near the door so that she could find him in there if necessary -
So glad you got an egg in spite of my not being able to send one. We got 10 yesterday! Love for Joan, are & me, & 4 each of the Children! I sent you

5.
are in your parcel. I'm afraid I cooked it rather badly. You have it at a lot much don't you? I mean you don't have to divide it with Mr Smith don't you? If so I'd better send 2 occasionally. I can't always share them.
What exciting plans for taking in the shop - I always plan for Gillian's room - i.e. the back bedroom to be your upstairs study when the Children have expanded into the shop - It would make a charming study - just now live put more books on the shelves behind the door - They look so nice - It is the brightest room in the house as it gets the early morning as well as the afternoon sun -
I'm glad the Carew Hospital have asked you to lecture them again. More than one lecture?
Glad the seedlings are doing well. I've got some of these nasturtium seeds for you -
Coombe logs have come - Oh I told you that - Betrin is back - looking very well indeed. Has enjoyed himself - That job is finished - but they are to do another very soon - Somewhere else - Kathleen not had a fit of 10 or more weeks - under

6.
Dr Morgan was. He was passing by when she had a fit so said he'd give her something for them. She has not had a fit since.
We often go to the Smiths - generally on Sunday morning when we take your envelope to the Church. Mr S. is passionately in love with Penna, and she sets her cap at him. I don't know how the Grandpa Granville idea came - I think it came suddenly to all of us - I discovered that she has masterly feeling over me! This is most annoying to me as Dr Dodd says I had taken the mother's place over my own mother who had in some way become my daughter -
Penna climbs in bed with me in the morning - Suddenly remarks "Your big ears" "Your big mouth" - "Your eyes are in [unclear]" But after all these disconcerting remarks she says "I love you" -
Gillian back at school today - full of beans - Davey class tomorrow. She did not miss any of those by her cold but missed one eurhythmic class. I think I'll post this tomorrow (a day earlier than usual) as I didn't write much of a letter on Sunday.
Joan Cleaved & polished your study today ready for you - just over 3 weeks now - Oh how I love and want you - my own darling one - Your Ada

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People mentioned

- Mitchell
- Bennett
- Miss Irvine
- Peter
- Mrs Stevens
- Gillian
- Dalcroze
- Buller
- Sonny
- Wendy
- Pa
- Susan
- Hazel
- Michael
- Smiths
- Mrs Banbury
- Joan
- Mr Hulbert
- Mr Smith
- Betrin
- Kathleen
- Dr Morgan
- Dr Dodd
- Penna
- Davey
- Grandpa Granville

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Topics

- family news
- christmas plans
- presents
- children's activities
- dancing
- eurhythmics
- dolls
- health updates
- household arrangements
- gardening
- local community
- personal reflections
- wartime conditions
- train travel

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Uncertain words / phrases

- None noted

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Archivist notes

- None noted

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