Letter to Clare with Family News and Plans

Date: 1942-09-12
Sender: Ada
Recipient: Clare
Location: Rosemary Cottage, Granville Terrace, Bude Haven, Cornwall
Original scan: 1942-ada-to-clare-family-news-plans.pdf




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Summary

Ada writes to Clare confirming receipt of her letter and discusses family updates including a car accident involving Hazel. She talks about plans for Clare's visit, health of family members, and arrangements regarding domestic help. Ada also mentions the pleasant weather and activities with the children.

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Transcription

Rosemary Cottage,
Granville Terrace,
Bude Haven,
Cornwall.

Sep 12 - 1942.

My own Dear Clare -

Now I'm dying to get your letters confirming all you said over the phone - you sounded cheerful and I expect were glad to get everything settled - and now I hope everything will go according to plan. You'll let me know where I can write to - where phone to - and just how soon I can hear about your operation - Could someone let me know how you are so that you can lie & rest peacefully until you feel really fit to write yourself? I'm sure you will arrange all that yourself for me.

Then about your coming here - I reckon roughly you plan to be with Winnie Oct 17th - & Dais (Oct 24th) and come here after that! for how long? Will you be with me for my birthday? Anyway we'll be so glad to have you again - it has seemed terribly long this time -

Weather is glorious - so the children are bathing and of course we are

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out in the sunshine - I wish you could have been with us this afternoon. Grace is a pretty driver & swimmer and I feel very happy & have her near the children - The whole of the Headdon family were there - even Cynthia (age 3) they are just like a lot of sea lions. What a shock to Winnie & have Hazel injured in a car accident. I expect you will tell me more details. I do hope it is not serious for Hazel. I hope too poor old Winnie will get some domestic help - which reminds me - I'm going to make enquiries re Vera Headdon. She belonged to the N.F.S. (Has put out heaps of incendiaries etc.) but got pneumonia & I fancy they think she is not strong enough for the work as they have not yet recalled her - Mrs Byrne (wife of E.N.T. man now in Egypt) speaks very highly indeed of her. If she is free (and I'd have to go to the Labour Exchange about that) of course she'd solve some problem - but I do not want to lose Mrs Tope & Grace till I know.

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Even if I could not have her for keeps she might tithe we were this winter or until Grace is 14 next August. She is in London but returns in a few days. All Mrs B. says of her sounds too good to be true - but I was definitely attracted to her & I believe she was to me - As for her health - a sunny little house like this is altogether different from one of the services - and free service of all things. If there was a maid here she'd be invaluable to have in the house.

I'll make a nice parcel for you on Tuesday - for Dr Donaldson - then I suppose that will be the last. Can I send you anything to hospital? If so how shall I address it?

Gilliam has enclosed a letter - can you read it? She can't read your joined up writing.

I enclose the rate on a ship. This is for 6 months - ending Apr 1942 - the previous six months was exactly the same - It looks as tho it were not paid - but they give the receipt on a separate slip which Miss R

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has kept -

Chris has sent me a nice coat & frock for Grace. Coo! She'll look the smartest of the family!!

We are all well at the moment so are thoroughly enjoying the lovely weather. Gilliam has completely picked up again - She is having no bronchial catarrh - twice worse - at the moment.

We went out & tea with the Russells at Bay Tree Farm Panghill. They were harvested - much & the delight of the children. Mrs R sometimes comes & spends an eve with me - & has to ride home on her cycle in the dark at 10 or 11 p.m!!! But we enjoy each other -

This is a chuffy letter - but I've had many interruptions - Children go back to school on 23rd - hope to write better letters then -

My thoughts are so much with you and how thankful I will be when it is over - All my love my own -

yours Ada -

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People mentioned

- Clare
- Winnie
- Dais
- Grace
- Cynthia
- Hazel
- Vera Headdon
- Mrs Byrne
- Mrs Tope
- Gilliam
- Chris
- Ada

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Topics

- family news
- health
- children
- car accident
- visiting plans
- weather
- correspondence
- domestic help

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Uncertain words / phrases

- tithed
- Gilliam
- Panghill
- chuffy

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Archivist notes

- Letter is dated September 12, 1942 and written from Rosemary Cottage, Bude Haven, Cornwall.
- Ada is the sender and writes to Clare.
- Mentions family members including Hazel, Winnie, Grace, Cynthia, Chris.
- Discusses past and upcoming visits and concerns about Hazel's car accident.
- Mentions domestic help enquiries, specifically Vera Headdon.
- Refers to enclosed letter from Gilliam and rates on a ship.
- Weather and children's activities noted as good.
- Mentions challenges with writing due to interruptions from children.

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