Updates from Bude and family news

Date: 1943-05-27
Sender: Ada
Recipient: unknown
Location: Rosemary Cottage, Granville Terrace, Bude Haven, Cornwall
Original scan: 1943-05-27-ada-to-family-bude-updates.pdf




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Summary

Ada writes from Bude sharing family news and local updates. She discusses a walk with Mrs Petim, kitten arrangements, clothing repairs, a trip to a shore shop, and plans for taking tea at Ocean Caves. She reports on friends visiting, her mending work, and children's activities. Ada notes weather conditions, her feelings, and house organization while preparing birthday parcels. She conveys affection and anticipates future communication.

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Transcription

ROSEMARY COTTAGE
GRANVILLE TERRACE
BUDE HAVEN
CORNWALL

May 27. 1943.

My own truly dear—
How my heart sank when I left you!—and thank you so much of the p.p.e.’s which caused great joy and interest to the children. I walked back with Mrs Petim who poured out her woes about all the extra work her guests had given her. Two strong women like that should have been able to lighten her burden not increase it—They wanted to stay another week but she couldn’t have them she was too tired. Well she came in with me and saw the kittens. She says Mrs P. has fallen in love with our Minnie and would like one just like her—so if Dudley consents & it they can have the girl kitten which is by far the prettiest and is the one I’d like as a neighbour. Russe[l]s don’t want one—I’ll send Heavis two unless I find another home for one—I called for the photos—both very nice but rather too big for the post—I may leave them for you & cut down.
Then I called at the shore shop in Queen St and asked about Wellingtons for Gilliam. I was lucky. Last autumn a lady left her child’s Wellingtons to be resoled (size 1 or 2 we think) but Dunlops did not complete the job till last week and by then they were too small for her so she wouldn’t pay for them. I got them for 5/6 the price of the repairs which are complete new Dunlops soles—they will just do for Gilliam when her present ones are too small and will last at least all next winter.

2.
On our way home we saw in Weys 2 good fishing nets—Penna bought one at 3/- and Gilliam at 2/-. They’ll both use both in the rock pools.
These shapes are for shrimps on sandy bottoms & are for crabs etc in rock pools.

We decided to take picnic tea to Ocean Caves next day Wed. However it rained all day so I called on Pamela’s fold—they are friends—as she is an essence from Plymouth where her mother is. The lady was delighted to her & come to tea and also call of the children every day. She is a very good little girl they say—very dependable—but a slow dawdler. She is used to Plymouth traffic. She has a very quieting effect on Gilliam. So may turn out a great boon to Gilliam.
Mrs Russell & John come in yesterday and stayed to tea. She knitted & I mended stockings while the children all played together.
I’m collecting together the things for your birthday parcel—have mended your socks. Perhaps I’d better keep one pair woolen & one pair lycra thread as you reserve here—I’ve also started on that waistcoat but find it a much more complicated job than I thought owing to canvas that is put in and completes cuts off the pockets. I’ve a good mind to sew up the pockets—the two top ones—and if anyone comes say (3) & them that the case for the pockets was such an obviously necessary one that the tailor had not the slightest doubt that the permit would come & so the mistake had been made. But to prove the good faith of all of us the pockets were sewn up so that no benefit should be had of them. I’ll put them away like that—to imposts would be a simple matter when you wish. Do you think that a good idea—I shall sew up the pockets and not even explain unless he asks—in that case he may think no pockets are there only the facings for appearance sake. It is a silly business—they are spoiling the ship & a ½ doz of two.
Today when getting tea I came back & find my light not Pennas’ turned on and find that the poor darling fears her precious light will be used up—so she is being careful of it and is very much afraid that she has already used it an awful lot. It was too difficult for her & trust that actually she is using more fuel by using mine—or to explain that the electricity will not fuel her—Gilliam & I tried by telling her how much Gilliam used hers. Her light is so precious she can’t bear to be extravagant and perhaps use it up.
The children are both being very good, especially

4.
Gilliam who has taken up the phrase “Keeping house with Gilliam.” When I said it was delightful & do this she said “It isn’t only delightful it is supertons” and she is genuinely bubbling over with happiness and says so. I think she is genuinely finding her place in this new maid-less house and accepting it she will be happy—I shall not put too much on her. As a result of the Co-op operation we were all able to enjoy “Bumps!” before their bath. I’m trying Kruschen Salts—she likes them—I hope they will be effective. I’m feeling rather flat and longing for a longer re-mission—but am beginning & see how I can organise the house to suit new needs—Mrs Dando had only promised & come over your stay—but now says she will continue this way at any rate till the end of the summer term when I may have heard of some are from Miss Martin. I’d prefer a little help from an experienced woman to training another Bude maid but will have & see what I can get. Meanwhile I hope the food and change did you good tho I was not able

5.
to provide you with more sleep—you better anyway.
I hope you had a good time in London and reached Cambridge safely. How is the garden? I must get some tomato plants in now. Weather, rainy, is jolly good for the garden at the moment but would have been very disappointing had you been here any longer. You got the best bit we had this month.
All my love my darling one—Will be posting birthday parcels & cards on Monday—but will not write again till I hear from you—
yours ever
Ada.

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People mentioned

- Petim
- Mrs P.
- Minnie
- Dudley
- Heavis
- Russell
- John
- Pamela
- Gilliam
- Miss Martin
- Mrs Dando

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Topics

- family updates
- pets/kittens
- clothing repairs
- domestic life
- weather
- local shopping
- children
- housekeeping
- birthday preparations

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Uncertain words / phrases

- p.p.e.’s
- Petim
- Heavis
- Gilliam
- Pamela’s fold
- supertons
- imposts
- co operation (word partly crossed out)
- re-mission

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Archivist notes

- Letter handwritten by Ada dated May 27, 1943 from Bude Haven, Cornwall.
- Mentions local place names including Queen Street and Ocean Caves.
- References to pets (kittens) and family members, including children.
- Contains notes on household management, repairs to clothing, and social visits.
- Mentions difficulties caused by wartime regulations or shortages (e.g., tailor permit).
- Names sometimes spelled or unclear; some words unfinished or lightly crossed out.
- Includes emotional tone expressing affection and concern for recipient.
- No explicit recipient named in letter; sender signs as Ada.

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