Ada's Letter to Clare About Baverley Visit

Date: 1943-03-27
Sender: Ada
Recipient: Clare
Location: 7 Granville Tee, Bude
Original scan: 1943-ada-to-clare-baverley-visit.pdf




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Summary

Ada writes to Clare describing a recent visit with the Baverleys, expressing concern about the children's appearance, mentioning local events such as an auction and the school party, and discussing gifts sent and plans for upcoming holidays. Ada also shares a humorous anecdote about bidding at an auction.

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Transcription

Rosen Cottage
7 Granville Tee
Bude Mar 27 - 1943

My Own Darling Clare
I'm writing from your phone call so will begin this letter as you'll be wanting to hear all about Baverley's visit.

Thursday, Mabel's half day - just as I had finished putting the children to bed and they were all pink and sweet after their baths, as I came downstairs to Baverley tapped at the door. So I took him up & see them in bed - they looked delicious and behaved beautifully - Mr B. said he and Mrs Baverley had just arrived and would I go over and see them when they had tidied themselves up & had some food - so I went over & the Granville at 8.30 p.m. & stayed till about 10 p.m. I was rather shocked at their appearance I thought they looked thin and so much older and sad - or rather serious I should say - we had a nice time talking together - interrupted at 9 p.m. by the news which was boomed all over the lounge of the Hotel - Mrs Baverley

said she must see the children and as they were leaving Bude about 9 a.m. would come over and see them before they went to school - I'd just finished Gillian's pleated blue skirt - so dressed her in that & the new blue jersey & Penna in the pink set - she was charmed with them both. Gillian took her to her room & got down the book on England and showed her some of her favourite pictures in it with great enthusiasm - Nelson's Column etc etc. She just let Mrs B get a peep into her brilliant little brain. Mr Baverley meanwhile was mending a puncture & slipped into the kitchen to wash his hands with Vim - rather took Mabel a back. They loved the little house. Mrs B. noting the beauty of the oak floors & the Delabole tiles - the view from our bedroom & the date of the bed itself.

Talking about houses I called at the "Look Out" and made enquiries re its possible sale - the lady there said that she & her husband (army plt) rented it through "Andrews & Jones Solicitors" the Strand - Tel Bude 11 She thought it had been taken over by the Board of Trade. They rented it furnished I'll make enquiries about it - there is no notice to sell it anywhere about.

The weather was either rainy or cloudy all the time the Baverleys were here - so they did not see Bude at its best. However the sun came out about 10 a.m. so they are having Cornish sunshine if not Bude sunshine.

Gallaghan arrived at 5.9 p.m. Friday - and we are having a great time - at the moment she is off to her favourite point. Gillian was back for school 11 a.m. so we went to the breakwater - the children had their school party 4 - 6 p.m. so gal & I took them and then went to Crooklets beach & spent the afternoon on the beach there gradually coming back - by the canal Mabel fetched the children & later put them to bed. Meanwhile Gal & I had tea in the garden & then clipped the hedge and trimmed the dead wood out of the American pillar. The children returned in time & swept it all up & us before Mabel put them to bed and now I'm waiting for you.

You know the house next to the Petrins where we got a room for Mrs Stevens? Well last Tuesday evening there was sold by auction - We looked over the stuff in the morning and I saw two things I'd like to bid for - one lot included two pewter mugs and the others were odd cups & saucers & plates of a blue willow pattern of that peculiar colour of my mother's little tea set. The place was packed & much bidding - but I was interested to see your friend Mr Yeo there - He bid for those two lots!! He didn't realise I was bidding & I soon stopped. I felt it was no good to bid against a dealer - there were 10 pieces of china & I think he got them for 19/-. Anyway afterwards when he realised I'd been bidding he said he'd let me have them cheap - so I must visit him - I wrote the pewter mugs, for your birthday, Would you like them? There was a pewter ink pot too and two Japanese pewter boxes. One of these he said was - well I can't remember but he was all wrong - it was Japanese stuff of charm but I didn't disillusion him. He said the pewter mugs were good. I felt very proud that of all the things in that house I picked out two lots that a dealer felt worth bidding for. The holidays begin Tuesday - I'll go and visit him.

Did I tell you that I just simply forgot to put sugar in your last parcel. Gallaghan brought her rations with her including some sweets she had made herself - so we are well away of sugar and I hope you used a little of your reserve - if you have any - I'll try and not forget next week.

I'm sending you a little soap with the mathematical instruments - as I don't like to put it in with your eats parcel. Oh I must tell you a funny incident. Gillian is always so keen on playdays etc etc so that when a lady called about the penny a week fund - I started a suit for each of them and thought they'd be thrilled to give a 1d each week when the lady called - they are generous children - But when G. came in and I told her she was in a fury - she absolutely refused to pay it - So I have had to withdraw her name and substitute - am - I thought of the charity your father started for you & expected you to continue - We must repeat our parents mistakes.

Well darling I shall look forward to your letter & your news of your hectic week - this seems to be rather a one sided letter but I will close it now and post it early tomorrow so that you shall have it soon - I'll tell you all our Sunday doings with Gallaghan after she has gone - She will be in in a minute so I'll go and get her supper.

How I wish you were here too - All my love my own darling one -

Yours Ada.

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People mentioned

- Ada
- Clare
- Baverley
- Mabel
- Gilliam
- Mrs Baverley
- Gal
- Mrs Stevens
- Mr Yeo

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Topics

- family visit
- children
- weather
- local area
- auction
- house
- toys
- gifts
- school party

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Uncertain words / phrases

- Baverley
- Penna
- Gilliam
- Cornish sunshine
- Gal
- Crooklets
- Petrins
- Mr Yeo
- Japanese stuff of charm

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Archivist notes

- Letter contains references to family visits during WWII era, with detailed descriptions of people and places.
- Mentions local places around Bude including 'Granville Tee', 'Look Out', and 'Crooklets beach'.
- Includes a social mention of an auction with specific items like pewter mugs and blue willow pattern china.
- Personal tone with mentions of children and gifts sent, including a soap parcel and mathematical instruments.
- Letter dated March 27, 1943, providing useful historical context during war time.

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