Letter about Recent Household Changes and Family Matters

Date: 1943-02-16
Sender: Ada
Recipient: June
Location: Bude, Cornwall
Original scan: 1943-02-16-family-letter-bude-cornwall.pdf




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Summary

Ada writes to her daughter June detailing recent renovations in the kitchen, mentions cleaning efforts after the work, updates on family pets and their health, expresses concern over travel during wartime air raids, and shares news about books, friends, and preparations for Gillian's party. She also conveys care and love to June and the children.

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Transcription

Roserey Cottage
7 Granville Tce
Bude - Cornwall
Feb 16 - 1943 -

My own darling June -
It was such a comfort to have your letter and hear your voice. We forgot to arrange about telephoning so I tried as usual last night twice, but got no answer. I scarcely expected one - but tried again at 9 a.m. today - Well I've heard at last.

Now before answering your letter I'll give you our news -

The kitchen is done and looks so nice. The colour they call "stone" - It must be newly cut Bath stone. I think it is the colour all the rooms are and it looks brighter - being fresh and clean. The paint is a shade lighter. The man they sent worked well and tho' he only came at 3 p.m. yesterday he finished it. The ceiling is white.

Here are a few points that will please you -
1) I had the 3 block art boards done with distemper like the walls -
2) I had both sides of the door between kitchen & scullery done -
3) The old clock of mine and the single drawer above it I had done with the paint. It all looks so nice and cheerful.

I had arranged for Mr Metcalfe to come and clean the chimneys (which have been smoking badly) at 6:30 a.m. and Mrs Tape to come and help us clean up after him.

So yesterday & today have been rather hectic. The masonry had to be a temporary kitchen of two days - and after 5 p.m. today we had to get everything moved ready for the sweep. We cannot use the kitchen much till the paint is dry. Fortunately only the edges of the shelves are done so we could put stuff back there - the table, sink & gas stove are unusable - but I've not put up the block art boards for fear of scratches, the paint's so tiny red. So I've taken out the light & put in a light so that we can find our way about. We will have a toast breakfast in my bedroom - & boil the kettle on the electric point. All things are up on the landing waiting for us.

Mickey is back - the Vet Mr Penhale says he has probably got furball and I'm to give him liquid paraffin thrice a week. Minnie fretted for him while he was away - they are very happy together now. The black cat was howling in the coal house door I'm afraid Minnie must be in heat. What fun for the children to have summer kittens. I could have found homes for four last time.

Feb 17. I didn’t get far with my letter last night - and now I’m back in my room after the earthquake of sweep and spring cleaning. Mrs Tape came and stayed all day.

I sent you a parcel as usual & Watermeadows - Nothing will take harm except the cauliflowers but if delayed too long we’ll risk that.

Re Daisy & a visit to her. I agree with you about long distance travelling. If we were right in coming here at all - it seems to me just feebleminded to take the children back & the places we left until or unless we could be sure there would be no air attacks - apart altogether from the fact that travelling is so difficult. If you need me I will come to you gladly - that would be right - and whether I brought the children or not would depend on what arrangements I could make for them. I might consider it would do them greater harm & be less than to risk airraids as I believe there are worse things than death or fear or injury from bullying - but all would have to be considered - and anyway I can't guarantee we will avoid airraids here. My point is that not for mere pleasure would I take them from here. On the other hand I believe so strongly in family life and not breaking the family circle that I’m always open to the possibility of us being united - even if it involved danger. But the thing strong in my mind is that somewhere or other I just must come to you if you need me is beyond what you can find & need it. So send for me if or when you will - either temporarily or permanently - either with or without the children - and we'll find a way.

If I myself feel we need a little change - well - do you know I’d rather it were within walking distance of Roserey Cottage - just somewhere where I could eat food I had had nothing to do with and show the children some birds nests - etc. But how can I even think of such things when you, poor darling, - well what are you doing.

I rang up Mrs Edwards and thanked her for sending you the apples. She will send you some new laid eggs in a tin full of sawdust - but please return the tin & sawdust as it is her last one.

My library book now is Pearl Buck's "Dragon Seed". It is taking me right into China again. By the time you get this I hope your 3 lectures & 2 committees will be over. I hope they won't take it out of you too much and that Winnie will be able to take you in and take care of you. Wish I could.

Poor Mrs Stevens - Oh how hard I found it being tied to bed that time with rheumatism - yet there was so much I could do - Patty tend & Gillian sew, knit, read & love you all night - But how the hours will drag for her, unless she finds some chatty patient in a bed near her.

Hilda is a brick - I hope she will help you as long as she possibly can.

Now I’ll tell you how we are getting on with the preparations for Gillian’s Indian party - Here is her totem pole. There is also a bird on the top belonging to the clan. He is an owl of course. I've tied the clutches hawk owl on the top of your long carved piece of wood. I've put the barometer on the top peg where the owl used to be & the owl with carved wood attached hangs on the barometer peg - & so looks like a totem pole outside her door.

There is nothing of Hiawatha in the Children’s Treasurey (6: I forgot & look in the Encyclopedia) but Mrs Hogg is going to give her a copy abridged of Children. Mrs Samuel is now a papoose.

But I’m nearly dropping asleep over this letter - will finish it in the morning - I’d better close now - there is plenty to do if Gillians party is to be a success.

I’ve got the reminder of their insurance which I will post forthwith.

All my love my precious treasure
I’ll post this & Winnie and ask her to forward it - Yours ever
Ada

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People mentioned

- June
- Mr Metcalfe
- Mrs Tape
- Mickey
- Vet Mr Penhale
- Minnie
- Mrs Stevens
- Patty
- Gillians
- Mrs Edwards
- Mrs Hogg
- Mrs Samuel
- Winnie

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Topics

- family news
- kitchen renovation
- pets
- health
- letter writing
- children
- spring cleaning
- books
- party preparations

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Uncertain words / phrases

- telephoning
- stone
- distemper
- furball
- sawdust
- Papoose

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Archivist notes

- Letter dated February 16, 1943, from Bude in Cornwall during WW2.
- Sender is Ada addressing her daughter June.
- The letter deals with domestic matters, concerns about wartime travel, health of a pet named Mickey, and preparations for a child's Indian-themed party.
- Includes hand-drawn illustrations on page 5 of a totem pole and a papoose.
- Mentions specific people involved in cleaning and maintenance chores.

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