MSWP (& FEP) diaries
|
Diary, 1950–58: pocket diariesby Mary S.W. Pollard
[Note: The original diary is not currently available for full transcription. What follows is a selective transcript, made some years ago. Excluding dates, text is probably verbatim, but this shouldn't be relied on.] |
KeyNB If a name is not listed in the key the person concerned has not yet been identified. |
||
1897 (FEP) 1904 (with FEP) |
1950–58 |
M.S.W. Pollard
22 Cintra Av
Reading
Telephone No. 81564
Telephone Numbers include Beck, 6800, Tudor
Mostly record of letters written.
Jan 28. Book Club Evans.
31st. Blue Lamp film. Liberal meeting.
Feb 4. W.I.L. 3pm
Feb 7. Birthday.
8th. Liberal Club.
9th. Lib Club
10th. Lib Club
28th. W.I.L. Annual Meeting 2.30
March 7. Chiropodist.
9th. Ruth?
21st. Liberal Social. Stung on cheek.
23rd. Cottage
24th. Book Club. H.R. Smith's. Chas. Morgan
April 1. Becks
10th. Becks went.
18th. Chiropodist
21st. F.O.R.
25th. Margaret's
May 2. Home
22nd. Book Club here. Literature of the Sea
June 3. Liberal Garden Party.
6th. Chiropodist.
13th. Ruth's
14th. Back home
29th Book Club
July 10. C's
22nd. Home
25th. Chiropodist
30th. Ruth's
August 25. To Ruth's
28th. Motored home
29th. Cottage.
30th. Caesar & Cleopatra
September 7. Ruth's
11th. Book Club. Musical evening.
14th. Evie's
October 13. Reading M.M.
16th. Book Club. Elsie Harrod. Historic Houses of the District
17th. Sir N. Edgley [??]
18th. W.I.L. American Negro
28th. Becks come.
November 1. Becks went.
2nd. No Way Out
9th. Broken Arrow
14th. Book Club. Readings from well known authors
15th. The Wooden Horse
16th. Ruth's
18th. Liberal Bazaar
22nd. W.I.L.
28th. Palace Hansel & Gretel
December 7. University. Plays
11th. Book Club. Auction New Books.
16th. Leighton Park Speech Day.
21st. Hardie's
January 6. Friends party
10th. 10.0 Clinic
February 18. Ruth.
19th. Book Club. Millers. Critics & criticisms.
22nd. F. to Woodbrooke.
26th. 11.0. chiropodist
March 6. Totland Bay
13th. Returned T. Bay
14th. Saw house in Hendran Rd
15th. Auction 3.0 at G.W.R. Hotel. Went to 2500 & then 2750 and we got it for ,3000.
16th. Went to bed feverish. Bad cold & cough. Dr. Field
17th. F. exhausted after doing kitchen stove. Dr. Berry
18th. I had to get up as F. to bed feverish.
19th. Dr. Roulston. Frightful weather.
21st. Had written to Molly. Dead about 9.0. R came.
23rd. Saw Hawarden. Poured aft. Rob wrote about Father for Friend.
24th. Funeral 3.30
April 2. Television
3rd. Hawarden.
9th. Deaf aid 11.0
18th. W.I.L. 2.45 Craven Rd
21st. To Ruth's
22nd. Back from Ruth's. Back bad
25th. M.M. for Frank. Cried all morning.
26th. Sidney came
May 1. Moving
4th. M. for S.
8th. Dentist 3.0
20th. Becks came
24th. Swarthmore Lecture
26th. To Kew by steamer. First night alone.
29th. To Caro's. Sidney met me in London
June 5. York
8th. Left
15th. To Ruth's
22nd. To Hawarden
24th. Back to Ruth's
26th. Baby's birthday. Benjamin
July 8. R. & baby home
14th. Go to Hawarden.
20th. Chiropodist
22nd. Becks? for day
30th. Got Calor Gas Cooker
31st. D. Brain
August 3. Back to Hawarden
11th. Cinema Lavender
23rd. Dentist Lambert 10.30
28th. Ruth & Sidney
29th. R. & S. bathed before breakfast & in aft. Wokefield Common
31st. R & S go, & I too after dinner. R. had 4 bathes altogether, S. 3
September 1. House St Albans
2nd. Meeting (I). Left in car with S. at 5.0. Beatrice. Hawarden. 8.0
8th. Picnic—Cottage. Tea on heather.
15th. First M.M. since before F. died
17th. Dentist 11.0
24th. Dentist
26th. Dentist. Mrs Pims
October 9. Felt well
11th. Ruth's
12th. Hawarden. Lent car to Sidney
26th. D. Brain to tea
November 9. To Ruth's at St. Albans in aft.
10th. Delighted with house. Old Roman theatre in aft.
11th. Meeting—all even baby. Warm welcome. S. Motored me back 2.30-4.30
22nd. U. Nations Ass. YMC.A. 8pm. 10.45 Dentist
December 8. W.I.L. 2.45
8th. May Gretton's
10th. Back from Oxford
12th. M.M. 6.30
Ruth Tudor 6800
A.B. fire
Dec.19th.
Calor gas lasted from Aug 1st—Nov 30th.
Mary S. W. Pollard
Hawarden
Burghfield
Reading
Tel. No. 103 Burghfield Common
In event of an accident please notify:
Mr R.S.W. Pollard
17 Victoria St
London
S.W.1
Telephone Numbers
Beck St. Albans 5390
Pollard 2844 Chiswick
Abbey 4806
Dale Swansea 87089
Hardie office 26096 Bradford
Morrell York 3197
Bowen Weeks [?] Reading 51967
Weiss Liv. for Livingstone 3484
[Note of bus times, Reading to Hatchgate & v.v.]
Tues 8 Jan |
Miss Warschauer |
Wed 9 Jan |
Concert for Refugees |
Thurs 10 Jan |
Mary S. 3.30 |
Fri 11 Jan |
Mrs McDonald Mary Reynolds Began chill Frightful night Dr. Field |
Tues 15 Jan |
Tea up in bedroom |
Wed 16 Jan |
Down to dinner Begin solid food Mrs Dewey tea |
Sat 19 Jan |
R. & B. Put off |
Sun 20 Jan |
R. & B. for day |
Tues 22 Jan |
To Ruth's by car Mrs Dewey |
Sat 26 Jan |
J's party |
Tues 29 Jan |
Back to Hawarden M. here 7.30 |
Thurs 7 Feb |
9.43 bus 10.25 train Vict. Boots shop Felt ill Met Evie |
Fri 8 Feb |
Ill |
Sat 9 Feb |
Hand so swollen |
Mon 11 Feb |
Dr Field |
Wed 13 Feb |
Dr Field D. Brain M.A. Harris |
Sat 16 Feb |
Muriel G Nurse [H FY ???] Colin Fawcett |
Mon 18 Feb |
Robert broadcast Northern Region |
Wed 20 Feb |
Marg. & Jeremy |
Sun 24 Feb |
M. & J. went |
Tues 26 Feb |
Dr Field. Last visit |
Mon 3 Mar |
Car back from Colin F. |
Thurs 6 Mar |
M. for night |
Sun 9 Mar |
Meeting at last |
Fri 14 Mar |
¼ to 12.0 Clement Clark |
Mon 17 Mar |
Elsie Harrod |
Thurs 20 Mar |
May Gretton. V. nice visit W.I. Reading & books Mrs Scott |
Fri 21 Mar |
A year ago |
Sat 22 Mar |
To R. & B's Renaissance singers Kew Wilfrid S |
Mon 24 Mar |
Back from London |
Wed 26 Mar |
Cold Wrote Caro |
Thurs 27 Mar |
Wrote Ruth? |
Fri 28 Mar |
Wrote Marg. V. cold Snow Got Calor gas cylinder |
Sat 29 Mar |
Deep Snow & v. cold |
Sun 30 Mar |
No meeting as deep snow |
Mon 31 Mar |
Cold. Breakfast in bed |
Tues 1 Apr |
Call at (S users) |
Wed 2 Apr |
Wrote M & Caro |
Fri 4 Apr |
N.B.W.T.A.U. People nice Mrs Cecil Heath |
Sun 6 Apr |
Pouring—Meeting |
Tues 8 Apr |
Dentist Lambert 2.30 Harford lunch Miss Marnot |
Wed 9 Apr |
F.O.R. 8.0 p.m. John Swomby |
Thurs 10 Apr |
Wrote Caro posted Friday Joyse went home |
Fri 11 Apr |
Beatrice poorly & R. could not leave her. Fine, but feel lonely. Primroses |
Sat 12 Apr |
Rob. to tea. Bonfire |
Sun 13 Apr |
St. Albans |
Mon 14 Apr |
Rob. slept in garden Walk to Sulhamstead Ch. after tea |
Tues 15 Apr |
Rosemary |
Wed 16 Apr |
Rosemary |
Thurs 17 Apr |
W. Institute Hot day. Schools for defective children |
Fri 18 Apr |
Call on Nurse Hardinge |
Sat 19 Apr |
Joyse in agony Hand in plaster & then better |
Tues 22 Apr |
Sweep at 9.0 a.m. Kitchen cleaned |
Thurs 24 Apr |
Lovely day with Ruthie. Primroses. Dull but fine |
Sat 26 Apr |
R. & B. for week-end |
Sun 27 Apr |
R. & B. V. nice Walk Drive to Tyson's hill |
Mon 28 Apr |
Gardened hard |
Tues 29 Apr |
Ration bk amusing |
Wed 30 Apr |
Bedroom cleaned |
Thurs 1 May |
Marg's birthday. Margaret for M. for S. |
Fri 2 May |
Chrissie M. |
Tues 6 May |
Refugee performance. Wonderful show. Maypole |
Wed 7 May |
C. went |
Thurs 8 May |
Edna's birthday |
Fri 9 May |
Evie's at Norbury Lodge. Lovely. By bus |
Sat 10 May |
M.M. |
Tues 13 May |
Wrote Marg. |
Wed 14 May |
Sweep for dining room |
Sun 18 May |
Bertha's birthday |
Mon 19 May |
St. Albans |
Tues 20 May |
To Caro's by coach 11.15 Here 8.0. Joe met me at Leeds |
Wed 21 May |
Wrote Ruthie |
Thurs 22 May |
Joe to M.GR. conference |
Fri 23 May |
Rowland's birthday Leonard W Tea on Moor Round bungalow |
Sat 24 May |
Caro's birthday Tea on moor. V. hot |
Sun 25 May |
Many visitors |
Mon 26 May |
Daniel's birthday Joe came with car |
Tues 27 May |
Dancing class |
Wed 28 May |
Teresa's birthday |
Sat 31 May |
Beyond Settle Tea at Greens Feiser |
Sun 1 June |
H to tea MacGills |
Mon 2 June |
Bertha's |
Wed 4 June |
Bertha's |
Sat 7 June |
Home at 9.15 Tea Market Harborough |
Sun 8 June |
Joe went in morning |
Tues 10 June |
To London by 9.30 Rob. evidence for Royal Commission on Divorce |
Fri 13 June |
R. & B. |
Sat 14 June |
Chickendon Court. Lovely |
Sun 15 June |
Meeting Bonfire Walk by church |
Mon 16 June |
Mr McDonett 12.0 |
Tues 17 June |
Bentleys called |
Wed 18 June |
W.I.L 7.30 Wrote accepting £2775 to Walbans |
Thurs 19 June |
Miss Cook & Miss Batt |
Sat 21 June |
Heard bungalow sold |
Tues 24 June |
R. & B's wedding day |
Thurs 26 June |
Benjamin's birthday |
Fri 27 June |
L.P. Sir Ernest Barker 3.0 p.m. |
Sat 28 June |
Becks for day all bathed. Also I to St Albans at 5.30 arrived 7.30 |
Sun 29 June |
Meeting. Welcomed To Bricket Wood & long round in car Tea on Common |
Mon 30 June |
Looked at 3 or 4 houses |
Tues 1 July |
Drove back alone 9-11.30. Terribly hot |
Wed 2 July |
Washed sheepskin mat |
Thurs 3 July |
Margaret comes |
Sun 6 July |
People round house I think to-day |
Mon 7 July |
May Gretton till Wed. I to Oxford I think to-day sold house |
Wed 9 July |
Back from May's |
Thurs 10 July |
Rowland |
Sun 13 July |
Meeting & L.P. Service. Laurence Housman |
Mon 14 July |
Evelyn here |
Tues 15 July |
Removers for estimate (Bakers) |
Wed 16 July |
Mrs Dewey to 36 Mortimer—then Theale by heather & lanes. Tea at Old Lamb Café (Reynolds) |
Thurs 17 July |
Ayres for estimate |
Sun 20 July |
Shock absorber broke |
Thurs 24 July |
To St. Albans to see house Mrs Dewey & Joyse Saw Rowland off |
Wed 30 July |
Bought Burnside—have to pay deposit |
Fri 1 Aug |
River with R. & B. |
Sat 2 Aug |
Reading churches car wrong Showers |
Sun 3 Aug |
Lovely walk past new estate—stream |
Tues 5 Aug |
10.36 Reading to York—York 5.12 Change at Oxford R. & B. left Goathland |
Wed 6 Aug |
To Nelly Ayre Force |
Thurs 7 Aug |
To York. Children v. good 5.40 to Menston |
Fri 8 Aug |
Pouring. Saw house Left at 10.0 Mrs Beaumont Lunch B. Croft Bus arrived S—5.30 |
Sat 9 Aug |
Rained Walk in aft. |
Sun 10 Aug |
Dales arrived Julia Lucy & I church All tea at Mrs Permocks |
Mon 11 Aug |
Whitby Poured |
Tues 12 Aug |
Fine & warm Mallyon Spout Aft. Walker hill Bathed. Tea by river |
Wed 13 Aug |
Alas, motor accident in morning |
Thurs 14 Aug |
Towards Nelly Ayre force. I looked after 3 youngest then tea altogether by river |
Fri 15 Aug |
Said goodbye to Dales. D. & J. to Caro. I to York Miss Fairfax to lunch |
Sat 16 Aug |
B. & B. so kind. Lovely meals |
Sun 17 Aug |
Minster with B. Edna to supper. |
Mon 18 Aug |
Arrived back with D. & J. as far as London. Mrs Ford lit fire etc. Pouring |
Tues 19 Aug |
Town? |
Thurs 21 Aug |
Mary S. to tea. Gardener came |
Sat 23 Aug |
J. back Have missed her greatly. D. Bowen & John came in car with her & brought her gas stove; she is giving it to me. Heard of Norman H's death |
Sun 24 Aug |
Meeting by bus |
Mon 25 Aug |
Funeral at Golders Green. Bertha & Bill drove here—supper |
Tues 26 Aug |
Joyse poorly |
Wed 27 Aug |
J. in bed. Called on Miss Ruthven |
Thurs 28 Aug |
J. better. Said goodbye to Marion Prout |
Fri 29 Aug |
To May Gretton's Molly been 4 mos. in bed |
Sun 31 Aug |
Smiths motored me from Meeting |
Mon 1 Sept |
Catherine Ellas to lunch |
Thurs 4 Sept |
Margaret |
Fri 5 Sept |
To Swansea with M. |
Sat 6 Sept |
Caswell Bay in aft. M. Jono. & Jeremy bathed. Rowland in Iceland. Rosie in Germany. Weather good. Reg. well & happy |
Sun 7 Sept |
Meeting |
Mon 8 Sept |
Back from Swansea |
Tues 9 Sept |
Dorothy's Mary S. tea there & brought me home |
Wed 10 Sept |
To Herfords tea |
Thurs 11 Sept |
Sheila called. Washed hair Rosamund & Katie Warschauer |
Fri 12 Sept |
3.0 Mr McDonald Rosemary |
Sat 13 Sept |
Rosemary went |
Sun 14 Sept |
Perfect visit from R. & B. Meeting Joyse at tea time |
Mon 15 Sept |
Plaque. Removers Horrid muddle |
Tues 16 Sept |
Move to North. to St. Albans in time for tea. Ruthie got up at 5.0 a.m. lovely surprize Children sweet Lucy "I do love you". Left at 11.30 |
Wed 17 Sept |
Arrived Caros 5.50. Joe met me. |
Thurs 18 Sept |
Down at Burnside 8.30 Men finished at 4.0. Joe & I had to walk to Glen |
Fri 19 Sept |
Busy all alone. Slept at C's |
Sat 20 Sept |
Busy alone awful muddle |
Sun 21 Sept |
Did not go to Burnside. Happy day at Glen. |
Mon 22 Sept |
Left Glen very early as electricians etc keep coming First night all alone |
Tues 23 Sept |
Joe called for few mins. |
Wed 24 Sept |
Saw none of the family |
Thurs 25 Sept |
C. came in time for tea & stayed till after 7.0. I was glad for had been v. lonely. Joiner |
Fri 26 Sept |
By bus to Ilkley to register. By bus (one a week to C's for dinner |
Sat 27 Sept |
V. wet & cold Car rep. at last Joe in evening |
Sun 28 Sept |
Ilkley meeting with Joe & K. Spent day at Glen |
Mon 29 Sept |
Washing. V. wet. Cold Wrote Margt |
Tues 30 Sept |
Family called Mrs Johnson for 2 hrs. |
Wed 1 Oct |
Went to C's by car, at last. Rather nervous |
Thurs 2 Oct |
Always pouring Finished drawing room curtains at last |
Fri 3 Oct |
Wrote Ruth Bus to C's Dinner there |
Sun 5 Oct |
K. sick. Evening harvest festival with Joe He preached |
Tues 7 Oct |
To C's after dinner. Looked after children while she to Bradford. They were v. good |
Wed 8 Oct |
To Menston & Ilkley too |
Thurs 9 Oct |
Joe in evening put up cuckoo clock |
Fri 10 Oct |
Got telephone Cold but fine |
Sun 12 Oct |
House warming with Hardies, Bertha, Edna & Vida |
Mon 13 Oct |
Torrents of rain Wrote Ruth & Robert |
Tues 14 Oct |
Tea at C's Walked there & back. Ironed |
Wed 15 Oct |
Wrote Margt |
Thurs 16 Oct |
To Ilkley to shop |
Fri 17 Oct |
To C's by bus to dinner |
Sat 18 Oct |
C. to tea at Acacia House I gardened too. |
Sun 19 Oct |
Dull day. Meeting. Then all alone. Cold Wrote Robert |
Mon 20 Oct |
Tea at Mrs Scarlett's V. nice Wrote M. & Ruth |
Tues 21 Oct |
Joe in evening. I gave him tea. |
Wed 22 Oct |
V. wet—had hair shampooed & cut. Keep interviewing joiners etc. |
Thurs 23 Oct |
Coffee with Mrs Nicol. Mr Firth & Whalley in morning. I cleared rooms & W. & a boy started in afternoon. |
Fri 24 Oct |
I went to Ilkley for brief visit. They finished the room at 5.0. |
Sat 25 Oct |
C. & K. to tea. Plasterer finished in morning & I scrubbed floor Wrote Ruth Sat. |
Sun 26 Oct |
Olive Edmundson & Ruth, Kevin & 2 children. Picnic lunch. I went to C's to tea, first walk in dark home. |
Mon 27 Oct |
Mrs Johnson scrubbed floors. |
Tues 28 Oct |
Got carpets down in dining room & stairs—such a comfort. Wrote Marg. |
Wed 29 Oct |
Rw Slater called |
Thurs 30 Oct |
Electricians came. Rev. Horne called. |
Fri 31 Oct |
Went to Glen. C. not well yesterday. Stayed till evening |
Sat 1 Nov |
Wrote Ruthie & Rob. |
Sun 2 Nov |
Pouring. Joe brought K & she & I to Meeting. She spent day with me & was sweet. Joe came for her at tea time—no taxi available |
Mon 3 Nov |
Fine at last. Large wash etc Wrote Margt |
Wed 5 Nov |
'Ivanhoe.' Miss Lie—ghastly wind & rain |
Thurs 6 Nov |
Car done at last Hardies in aft. Left Bobby here & shopped in Ilkley. Tea here. Awful wind—Wrote Ruth. |
Fri 7 Nov |
To Otley. Day at Glen Fibrositis |
Sat 8 Nov |
Rested. Fibrositis |
Sun 9 Nov |
Rested. Fibrositis |
Mon 10 Nov |
Ilkley |
Tues 11 Nov |
Boothroyds to tea. Wrote Marg. |
Wed 12 Nov |
Walked to Glen to dinner. C. & children sweet. She is too thin |
Thurs 13 Nov |
To Bradford in aft. Got 4 presents but did not enjoy it. |
Fri 14 Nov |
To the Glen Dinner. Heard Joyse is ill |
Sat 15 Nov |
Foggy Car at last, such a relief—new battery etc. It came before but wasn't right. |
Sun 16 Nov |
C. K. & I to Ilkley. All Hardies for 1st time to dinner. Gt. success. Children elsewhere to tea, but J & C. here |
Mon 17 Nov |
Fine. Washing Mrs Awmack to tea. |
Tues 18 Nov |
To Otley |
Wed 19 Nov |
Wet again Wrote Marg. & Robert. Ruthie's birthday |
Thurs 20 Nov |
Went to Glen at 8.30 Joe took me in car. Looked after children all day till tea time when C. returned from Bradford. J. motored me back after supper |
Fri 21 Nov |
To Ilkley in aft. for an hour Wrote Ruth |
Sat 22 Nov |
It's very cold weather. Make Xmas cake. Washed hair. C. & J. got on telephone yesterday. I have been on it sometime |
Sun 23 Nov |
Retreat at Guest House, then to Glen. Not inspired with retreat |
Mon 24 Nov |
Wrote Margt |
Tues 25 Nov |
Frightfully cold 17 degrees of frost Colin & Merl to supper |
Wed 26 Nov |
Milder. Molly to tea. Lovely. |
Thurs 27 Nov |
To Leeds aft. with Mrs Mason. Wrote Ruth. |
Fri 28 Nov |
To Glen |
Sun 30 Nov |
To Glen. Walked there. Still icy cold |
Mon 1 Dec |
Have been having 17 degrees of frost or more |
Thurs 4 Dec |
Bradford with Hardies. Tea there Children sweet |
Sun 7 Dec |
Thaw at last. Hardies dinner & tea. Lovely. |
Mon 8 Dec |
To Bradford to shop |
Sat 13 Dec |
C. has Jean there & Joe's people came & stayed night |
Mon 15 Dec |
Sarah E. died. |
Tues 16 Dec |
Our first snow, but soon melted. Rest of country has had fog & snow often |
Wed 17 Dec |
A positively frightful day, gale, rain & sleet |
Thurs 18 Dec |
Went to Glen by car—Children not well & C. not very |
Fri 19 Dec |
Glen by bus. Children still not v. well. |
Sat 20 Dec |
Started cold. |
Sun 21 Dec |
Cold bad Lovely day (& night) at Glen. Tree. Songs Presents Wonderful dinner |
Mon 22 Dec |
To St. Albans Arrived 2.0. S met me St. P., Ruthie at Pad. |
Tues 23 Dec |
Julia & Lucy very poorly. |
Wed 24 Dec |
Julia improving. Carols. |
Thurs 25 Dec |
Carols outside my room by all but Julia. Stockings—one for me. Presents in Lucy's room. V. successful day. |
Fri 26 Dec |
Lucy a good deal better. |
Sat 27 Dec |
Still holiday. Bad fog. Play lots of games with the children. Benjamin fascinating. |
Sun 28 Dec |
R. & B. in morning. Lovely to see them. Stayed till 9.0. |
Mon 29 Dec |
Ruthie & Sidney 2 hrs cycle ride in afternoon. |
Some cash accounts at back
Also times of Paddington & Reading trains.
Mary S.W. Pollard
Burnside
Homestead Estate
Menston
nr Leeds
Ruth Tel. St. Albans 5390
Telephone No. Menston 2424
Motor Car BYU 303
December 31. R. & S. went to dance
January 5. To Sydenham
January 8. Icelandic film
10th. Looked after Benj. Pantomime for others
16th. To R. & B. Bad foot.
17th. Back at 3.14
22nd. Dr. about poisoned toe. He is very nice.
23rd. New wireless.
31st. To York
February 1. Terrible loss of life due to gale & floods & steamer from Stranraer to Ireland sunk.
2nd. Home about 4.30
4th. Ilkley in morning. Feel very lonely.
7th. "My birthday. Many nice letters etc, but all alone. Bought tulips yesterday"
12th. Snow terrible in many places. Awful winter
14th. About this time rationing of sweets ended after 7 years.
17th. Thaw—milder—thank Heaven. Chiropodist Toe still septic
March 3. Evie came. Joe met her. I was excited.
14th. "Evie went. B. & B. came for her. I miss her awfully. She is so sweet."
Does occasional gardening.
16th . . . to dentist at Ilkley
19th. Ilkley with C. Saw "Limelight" Charlie Chaplin. Tea there
21st. Sad day but nice call from Esther.
April 3. Alone. Fibrositis. Cold wind. rested
4th. Hardies to tea. Fun making Pace eggs
12th. F's records exquisite. Seemed to be singing to me
23rd. Garden's lovely now. tulips, daff, flowering currants etc
24th. To Heugh Folds
29th. I had pain in evening.
May 4. Home
6th . Women's Liberal at Ilkley
28th. Budgerigar 8 weeks old—bthdy Present from Marg.
June 2. Coronation. Cold & wet. Joe took me to Glen. They went to see Television then Queen's speech. v. good & Churchill. She is wonderful. Still not feeling well. V. cold like winter
4th. To Dr Melvin in evening.
8th. Dr came—says it is neuritis owing to cold winds.
10th. Dr came.
15th. Feel v. weak
17th. Last visit from Dr. He is no good.
27th. To Dr Kathleen Rutherford at Harrogate. She was so nice & clever.
29th. Bolton Abbey. Felt ill.
July 18. Mrs B. to Harrogate to get my medicine.
19th. To Meeting by bus for 1st time since illness
23rd. "To St. Albans. Joe C. & Bobby saw me off at 9.30. Alas Benj. has got polio. He has such a sweet smile."
25th. Benj. to hospital.
26th. Sidney to Aberdeen
August 1. Saw over 40 Clarence Rd.
2nd. Tea in Park
4th. Ruthie to zoo with children & I saw Benj, sitting up now (Looked thro glass)
6th. Sidney back in time for breakfast. All came to see me off & D came to Kings X.
10th. To Harrogate with Mrs. B. Tea there. Dr. gave me good report.
13th. Ruthie brought Julia & Lucy.
14th. R. & ' to Ilkley. Joe came for her about 12.0 & she went home in aft. It was lovely having her.
21st. Chiropodist 10.0
September 4. Saw house with C. & Joe
5th. Saw ghastly house with Joe.
10th. Mrs. Nicol to tea. C. & Joe too about Eldwick house.
11th. [after tea] Then to Eldwick
18th. To Bradford. Deaf aid.
23rd to Scarborough.
October 3 home.
4th. To Glen. Walked there. Made my great decision to stay in North.
14th. Have lost Netherdale House, alas. So sorry for Joe & Caro. It's awful.
19th. Have very bad cold starting.
20th. Still worse cold. Sneezed all day.
21st. Cold still.
27th. To Bradford to get eyes tested again. Dr Botwood not nice.
31st. Saw house at Poole [?] in afternoon.
November 7. Saw (self) house at Burley.
17th. 10 a.m. chiropodist
December 1. To London
3rd. To Everest film
4th. To Mumbles
15th. To se Dr. Urinary trouble. In bed all morning
18th. Dr. Am well now.
[Still in Mumbles at end of year]
Ruth Beck
St Albans 5390
January 1. Pantomime. Goldilocks
2nd. To St Albans. "Sidney met me. Children went to party."
3rd. V. cold. Lovely evening playing & singing with children etc.
4th. To town. Coffee at Danish cafe. Mahjong in evening. I got terrific score.
5th. Sad to have to leave. Children sweet. [to home]
30th. Friends party at Ilkley. Hardies took me 3-6. Quite nice but room so cold
February 12. "Netherdale" again on the market.
25th. Heard about Netherdale.
26th. Looked after children while C. & Joe went to Netherdale.
March 6. Tel. rang all morning about house sale.
8th. Person to see house never came.
13th. C. & Joe have sold their house for £2000. Lost £500 alas!
21st. 3 years ago!
28th. [after tea] Then I felt poorly & feverish.
30th. In bed all day—temp 100__0___. Shocking cold & cough. J kind. Sold house £2800.
April 11. Joe took me & R. to see Netherdale. V. nice
23rd. Chiropodist 10 a.m.
May 3. Men at 8.30. Mrs Lucas helped. V. cold. Joe came 12.30. Dinner at Netherdale. Men finished at 5.0. Awful muddle.
4th. Sitting room lovely. C. & J. done so much for me.
June 27. Budgerigar is lost. 4 kittens arrived. 28th. 11.30 Chiropodist. July 12. Taxi to St. Albans [from Harpenden or Chiswick]. Arrived 5.0. Children angelic. Ruth to comte in evening. 13th. Took B. walk. Shopped 14th. Oculist—have split in left eye. 16th. Sidney came home. 18th. Children & I to meeting. 20th. R. took me to Hatfield House in aft. Wonderful place. 23rd. Elsie Pollard to tea. Splendid cakes made by Ruthie. 24th. D. & I to "Father Brown". I missed a lot of it. 25th. Pouring, so no one to meeting. Have taught D. & K. bezique. 26th. Wet. Had hair shampooed. Taught Julia Highland Schottische. To tea at Harpenden. 27th. V. windy & showery. Have had simply lively time at St. Albans in spite of wet. 28th. aft. all but S. by bus to Hertford. Pretty ride. Tea, then poured so came back. R. to Comtee. S. put on records. 29th. All but S. saw me off at 11.13. August 7. Family out to tea. Late back. I was anxious. Bad thunder & lightning. 19th. Water system right at last. |
30th. C. Miss H. & I to cinema "An inspector calls"
September 3. Had Dr. Moody to syringe my ears. She seemed nice. They needed it. Colder.
8th. So busy with children I got tired out & C. brought me supper.
October 18. . . . I went to chiropodist . . .
30th to Chipperfield, Kings Langley
November 9. Left by taxi 9.45 to St. Albans. Saw E. off to London. Have been v. happy together. Daniel has bad cold.
12th. Fine & mild. Took B. walk
14th. Meeting with 5 children. Benj. so good. R. & S. to hear B. Saxon Snell in evening on Woolman
18th. Foggy. F. Benj. & I shopped satisfactorily. R. & S. out in evening. Bowes is ill
19th. Ruth's birthday. Such a happy day. Lovely presents. Sir Roger etc after tea. Children sweet.
20th. Lucy poorly. R. & S. to dinner dance.
21st. Lucy in bed. All but her & S. to meeting. V. cold. Lovely evening. Records & R. & S. sang.
22nd. Left very sorrowfully after such a happy time at 1.26. [ to home]
Telephone No. Bingley 2844
Beck St Albans 5390
January 6. I to Sales at Bradford & to see The Divided Heart. V.good
11th. Saltaire to get sleeping pills. C. & I to concert at Keighley, Yorks. Symp. Orchestra. Peter Pears Denis Brain horn. V. good
13th. My back not right.
21st. Much better at last, but have not been out for over a week.
25th. 1st time out for 11 days.
February 3. To St. Albans via London. S. met me. 4th. Ruthie v. busy. Margt for 2 nights. 5th. Wonderful celebration of 80th birthday—all family except C. Rowland also came. 7th. "Happy birthday to you" sung by family while I in bed. Lots more lovely flowers etc. Potato pudding! 12th. To Chiswick. 13th. Nearly lost voice. 14th. To St Albans 15th. W.L.A. Ruth is chairman. Benj. went to sleep on my knee. Good talk on social worker in factory. 16th. Play duets with Julia. 17th. Left by 11.13. V. sorry. All have been so kind. [to home] 20th. Bad faint when going to bed. Thought it the end. Dr. came. C. & J. so very kind. 21st. Dr. came. In bed all day, but much better. 22nd. Still in bed. 25th. Feel much better. 27th. Bowes 'phoned to say he is taking 2 tickets for him & me to fly to Ireland! March 13. . . . I went to chiropodist. 28th. I did not feel well, but tried to help C. [with Rob, who had chickenpox]. 29th. . . . found I was feverish. Stayed in bed. Over 102o in evening. |
Mary Pollard at St Albans, on the day of her 80th birthday |
30th. In bed all day. Cough but a good deal better
31st. Dr. Moody came. I got up in aft.
April 2. Dr. Moody says I can go to Ireland.
8th. To Ireland [Lydia]
9th. Tired out. Bad cough & cold. Wonderful place.
14th. Lydia & I to Emlyn Williams reading Dickens.
16th. London, St. Albans. R. & D. out, but warm welcome from the rest.
17th. Nice day. Garden lovely.
18th. First performance of Pinafore. Sidney went to hear it. V. successful. I sat up till 11.0. Benj. woke & cried a bit.
19th. Very fine. 2nd performance. I took B. short walk.
20th. Sidney here, so R. & I shopped. Warm. Dinner in garden very nice.
21st. To meet Evie at Victoria. V. cold. Lunch at Fuller's. She is very frail. Saw her off & came back. Went to R's Dr.
22nd. Cold, so never went out, tho' my cold much better.
23rd. Rob. & all of us to matinee of Pinafore. Ruth in chorus looked lovely & Daniel excellent as Midshipman. Rob. to tea.
24th. Julia, Benj. & I to meeting
25th. Lovely weather.
26th. S. & R. spring cleaned drawing room.
28th. Left by 11.13 for Leeds. R. & Benj. saw me off. Julia gave me 2/6!
May 14. Voted conservative in local election
24th. I to hear Harold Macmillan & Geoffrey Hirst.
27th. Ruthie & Daniel arrive about 8.0.
28th. Ruthie had tea with me. She, Rob, D, & I to 5 ride [rise] locks. Saw barge go thro' .
29th. R. had supper with me.
30th. Joe motored R., D & me to York. Bootham. Lunch B. Croft. Railway strike begun, but R. & D. got train about 3.30.
June 16. Evie, Mabel & I to Cromer.
23rd. Home
July 2. I to Bingley to see "The sea shall not get them." Quite good.
18th. Newcastle.
22nd. Home.
27th. "Snip" got 4 kittens on front doorstep!
August 10. J. & I at 1.30 by coach to Ripon & Studley Royal. Disappointing. Did not see house.
16th. My old Ford car is sold £20 & was taken away to-night. I feel sad.
20th. Deaf aid test. Ardente 56 guineas—frightful.
23rd. Ruthie, Lucy & Benj. arrived about 6.0. R. has had her hair "permed". Lovely to see them.
24th. Ruthie went at 8.30—Joe took her to Bingley (me too). I put B. to bed. He was very good, but asked for Mummy.
25th. V. hot. Slide a grt joy. I took 3 children to swings. Evening Joe & C. took them all to the little railway.
28th. All children & C. to Cong. Church. I did dinner. B. Stayed with me.
29th. Swing arrived at last. Great joy to children.
31st. Joe took all but me to Menston—I did dinner. They went to stream etc.
September 1. I took L. & B. to sail boat. Evening C. & J. went to see "The Living Desert." I put the 4 children to bed. Pretty exhausting.
3rd. Lovely afternoon—all to the fair—children wildly excited—C. & I went on aerial ? 1/2 hour in boat on Aire. Back 6.15 (Car)
4th. All children church with Joe. I made castle puddings & helped C.
9th. Becks get home in evening.
10th. Sidney arrived 5.30. Children very excited. I had supper with J.C. & him & nice talk about France.
11th. Joe took S. & children to Bradford & I saw them off to St Albans & went to meeting.
12th. C. & I tired out, tho' loved having Lucy & Benjamin.
15th. To York
17th. To Buttermere/Hassness.
24th. To Bingley.
28th. To Chiropodist at Bingley.
October 2. New deaf aid on appro (Ardente)
22nd. 2.30 Baildon Liberal Bazaar.
November 4. Have got a cough.
14th. To St Albans by car [from Harpenden]. Lunch at barn with Chrissie. Then to Ruth's. Children sweet. Benjamin not well & not at school. Cold.
16th. Benj. not well but amusing_ & sweet. Ruth out in aft. Last night at Utopia Ltd.
19th. Ruthie's birthday. She had lovely presents & a splendid tea. R. & S. to dance, wh. was v. good.
20th. Children Jane & I to meeting. R. & I in evening to hear—Tennyson on Vinova Bhave.
21st. Nothing much. R. & S. to Parents meeting in evening.
22nd. S. began to teach me chess! R. at operatic rehearsal.
23rd. S. & I 9.0 train to London.
26th. V. bad cold. "Messiah" in evening in Abbey. Beautiful. Taxi there. S. has taught me chess. Played several games with him.
27th. Cold too bad for meeting, but happy day. Games, songs, small pipes D's trumpet, gramophone.
28th. Left at 11.23—one change. Have had a lovely time, but nice to get back.
30th. I to chiropodists. Right foot bad.
December 13. Began a cold.
14th. Mild. Sneezed all day.
15th. Mild, In bed all day, but did own dinner & C. brought me a very nice one.
16th. Am much better, but not up to much.
18th. Gt. preparations for family to tea in my room. Cakes, candles, christingles, presents, games.
19th. Cold slowly getting better.
29th. Cinema The Lady Killers 5-7 Most amusing.
31st. "Scrabble" game.
January 17. Bowes asked me last week to go on cargo boat to Adriatic.
February 17. Began influenza.
March 10. I think Dr. paid her last visit—no it was the 3rd or 5th I think. Dr. Craven called.
14th. I'm well at last.
21st. To York
22nd Sudden attack of diarrhoea. Got up, but had to go to bed. Miserable day & night.
23rd. Got Dr. Medicine good.
24th. Dr. again, but I got up.
28th. back to Bingley
April 8 -14 at Burton Croft.
15th. . . . taken ill in night & shivered.
16th. Temp 102—evening 103__0___.
17th. Dr. came temp 103 night & morning. Soaked in perspiration.
19th. Temp—still up—Began M. & B.
21st. Normal at last & enjoyed some proper dinner.
24th. Dr. in aft. Said I could get up. Had tea up.
28th. 3.30 York St. Bingley Lib. club. I could not go.
30th. Dr. syringed my ears. Now free from Drs but feel weak still.
May 8. Chiropodist.
24th to N/C for a couple of days
June 5. 9.5 to St Albans via London. R. & Benj. met me about 3.30.
6th. V. cold & wet. Took Benj. to near shops.
7th. Cold & wet. R. & S.'s wedding anniversary. Lovely dinner!
8th. Helped R. to cook for celebration to-morrow.
9th. Wonderful dinner & tea 8 whites of eggs in cake! 6.36 to St. P. [to Chiswick]
11th. Back to St Albans. Warm welcome at St. Albans. No wind at last, warmer. Drawing room getting redecorated. Took B. to Park.
13th. R. B. & I to town for coffee & ice.
15th. R. & I by coach with Liberals to see Ovaltine works & farm. Most interesting. Given tea.
17th. All but S. to meeting. All of us bus to Hitchin 1 hour there. Lovely old church, but day like winter & very dull.
19th. Lucy poorly. Milder. R. Benj. & I to Welwyn—not very good shopping.
20th. Last day alas. Potato pudding. I shopped. Have taught children "pounce".
21st. Left at 12.39. R. saw me off.
July 18. To York
24th home.
August 10. Julia & Daniel arrived at 6.0. Gt excitement. 16th to Grasmere.—Heugh Folds 19th. Wet. All to church. Aft. cleared & to Alcock Tarn. Lovely view. 22nd. Shepherds Bridge. Aft. all 8 drove to Beatrix Potter's house Saurey. Fascinating. 23rd. Sports. I stayed in—nose bled. Fine till evening. 24th. Ruthie not very well. 27th. Poured. Family to Easedale Tarn. B. & I part way. Ate sandwiches in rain. 29th. Family left Ben. with me all day & went up Stone Arthur. B. & I to Donny Beck. 31st. Leave Grasmere. Have had wonderful time. October 1. Chiropodist. Gathered toe. (Sanctuary) 6th. Chiropodist again. Toe better. 7th. Family gardened. I did not feel up to much. 14th. Bus to St. A. Dinner & tea there. Lovely to see them all. Julia & Ruthie played duet. 15th. To Sydenham. 18th. To Netherdale. |
Mary Pollard, with Beck and Richardson families at Heugh Folds |
November 1. Chiropodist. Toe septic. Deaf aid.
2nd. Chiropodist.
3rd. Chiropodist.
4th. News about Hungary dreadful. Russians are cruel, & we are fighting in Egypt.
15th. Heard that Mr. Beck died yesterday.
19th. Mr. Beck's funeral & darling Ruthie's birthday. V. Cold.
20th. Got deaf aid "Aditone"
December 11. 10.30. Chiropodist.
23rd. To Chiswick
29th. Aft. R. & B. & I to St. A. Lovely. House pretty. Grand tea. Xmas tree. Foot muff etc. Lovely supper. Goodbye to R. & B.
30th. V. wet. Taxi to meeting. Benj. has cough.
31st. Wet. V. short walk. End of this not very happy year.
Mary S.W. Pollard
Netherdale House
Eldwick
Bingley, Yorks
Tel. Bingley 2844
January 2. Wet, but mild. Benjamin poorly.
3rd. B. v. poorly.
4th. B. taken to Austins at 12.0. Rest of us to see Peter Pan.
5th. B. much better & sweet.
6th. Meeting by myself. B. out a little. Games (writing) with children. Ruth & Sidney sang. Delightful.
7th. Left at 8.25 with Sidney. Have had lovely time. [to Bingley]
17th. To Bradford. V. good lunch hour concert. Dennis Brain (horn) Jean Pougnet violin & Wilfrid Parry piano
31st. Old peoples club boring.
February 20. Turned out both rooms.
27th. To York
March 2. Saw Ingram's Almshouses with Bowes. Delightful.
5th. Home
14th. I to old peoples club. Quite nice but childish game.
15th. To Bradford.
16th. Too much television in evening. I don't care for it.
17th. Home.
April 6. I think Benj. had his operation on the 5th but am not sure.
11th. Have lumbago.
12th. Still have fibrositis in back, not lumbago. Benj. came home yesterday from hospital.
24th. Got to St. A. at about 8.0 carried case.
25th. Very cold. Icy wind. Benjamin woke last night to kiss me. Ruthie out each night at "the Rebel Maid". Daniel in France.
26th. All in aft. to see "The Rebel Maid". Very good indeed. Ruthie looked very pretty.
28th. All but Ruthie & Julia to meeting. S. spoke beautifully.
May 3rd. V. cold. Ruth evening to Liberal Education Comtee in London
4th. To Burford
9th. Wet most of day; Played bezique & tens.
11th. By 12.45 to London. Gateshead H.S. Old Girls re-union. Delightful.
12th. I have fibrositis.
14th. To Chiswick.
16th. To York
21st. To Netherdale.
25th. By bus to Leeds for Liberal Meeting. Frank Byers grand & Chairman Sir Ronald Walker very good.
26th. Benjamin went back to hospital more than a week ago.
June 1. Benjamin home from hospital.
3rd . . . fell & grazed my elbow.
5th. Erica went in morning. She is sweet & remembers Bensham so well.
15th. It has been lovely having Ruthie, but such a short visit.
16th. Glorious weather, but I started bad cold so cd not go to Bingley meeting.
17th. V. hot. Still have cold.
22nd. Bowes offered to send me on a cruise with Edna. I declined. He is kind.
25th. To York
27th. Betty, she [Mabel?] & I lunch festival rooms. Amadeus Quartette in church.
29th. V. stuffy. Lately 74__0___ in my bedroom. Thunder in night. I love the heat but not stuffiness.
July 12. Bingley
18th. Benjamin has measles & Ruth swollen finger.
27th. I gave R. tea & supper. C. came to coffee with us, & we played "tail" & got it out.
August 10. To Dr. at Saltaire. Dr. Moody away. Unsatisfactory
11th. Meeting. Heard nothing—am very deaf. Rain in afternoon.
13th. York.
17th. Bingley.
23rd. Dr. syringed my ears.
27th. I am very tired. Snowball got 4 or 5 kittens last night.
September 3. To chiropodist at Bingley.
10th. Mumbles.
16th. Evening film "Admirable Crichton"—most amusing.
[Various concerts and plays left out by me—bsb—my having done so may give distorted picture.]
19th. To St. Albans. Sidney met me at Pad. Children all sweet.
20th. Went with Ruthie to meet Benj. after school.
21st. Fete at Daniel's school. Evening with R. to Franco-British Society. French lady lectured on 25 years in England.
22nd. All to meeting except Julia who went to Guides.
24th. Wet. Children except D. at school for dinner. Ruthie & I jolly shopping. Coffee at Danish rest.
26th. Ruthie & I shopped
27th. Julia got influenza. To Liberal meeting with Sidney. Prospective candidates. Very interesting.
29th. Bill & Daphne Beck & 2 children to dinner & tea. Lovely meals. Ruthie sang to me in evening.
30th. Julia still in bed. To Bingley.
October 10. Still fibrositis.
11th. Did v. little because of back.
14th. Am much better . . . Ruthie has had influenza.
22nd. York
25. Chiropodist. Betty & I to cinema—St. Joan. Very good.
28th. Not feeling well. Bowes begged me to stay. To Bingley.
November 16. W.I. party 4.30. Went on till 9.0. Too long, but v. nice. Good tea. Community singing, old songs of my youth. Concert party poor, also ventriloquist poor & middling conjuring.
December 2. To Chiropodist.
5th. Not v. well, but went to old peoples club—films (coloured) of France, Majorca, Scotland etc taken by members.
15th. Hardies to Bostons to tea, so I enjoyed playing F's songs.
24th. I was poorly but managed to do a good deal to help.
25th. Felt better but not well at first. All had a perfect time—C. so very sweet. Almost too many presents all my grandchildren.
January 5. I said few words in Meeting.
6th. Jeremy taught K & me chess.
Ruth Beck
50 Clarence Rd
St. Albans
[Transcript by Benjamin S. Beck]
This page was last revised on 2014-05-31.