Birthdays
The diaries recorded some details of family and other birthdays that occurred during this time although the information is somewhat sporadic as grandad did not systematically record every birthday. Mum did sometimes make notes of birthdays but her diary entries fade out over this period, see Chapter 87.
During this period, Tricia celebrated her seventh to eleventh birthdays, I celebrated my fifth to ninth, Alan celebrated his third to seventh and Liz celebrated her first four. In terms of our birthdays, grandad mostly focused on what they gave us as presents. For example, in 1965, he noted that they had bought Tricia a bedspread for her birthday. In June 1965, grandma bought Alan a croquet set for his birthday. Grandad noted that it cost 29/6.
Watches and Turning Five
In 1965, grandma and grandad bought me a watch for my fifth birthday. Grandad noted that grandma took me into Norwich on 1 June 1965 and bought the watch which cost £3.
Grandma and grandad bought a watch for each of us when we turned five. They bought one for Tricia in April 1963, see Chapter 81, for Alan in May 1967 and for Liz in March 1970, see Chapter 106. Tricia’s watch cost £3 9 0 (although grandad referred to it being £2 16 0 net), Alan’s £3 5 0 and Liz’s £3 13 0. I assume the reason they bought us watches aged five was because of the importance of watches and clocks to grandad and because we were probably beginning to tell the time at that age.
This was before digital watches became available in the 1970s. Grandad, perhaps surprisingly, did not note the types of watches he bought us although I have a vague recollection that mine might have been made by Timex. Grandad did note that they bought Tricia’s watch in Ripley. Grandma bought watches for the other three of us in Norwich. Grandad noted that Liz’s watch was bought from Tilletts. Established in 1908, this jewellers is still in operation at 17 St Giles Street.
A Slide as a Joint Birthday Present
In 1966, grandma and grandad gave us a joint present, a slide that grandad had made. Around the same time, grandad made a slide for the church playgroup, see Chapter 90. The only record I can find of grandad making a seesaw was in April/May 1967 for mum’s friend Eileen and there is also a reference to making a “trestle” for her children. Perhaps this was the seesaw in the picture and we were just trying it out. While I recall grandad making things for us when we were kids, particularly go-cart-type structures, I do not specifically recall a slide or a seesaw.
A Bike
In 1967, Tricia got a bike for her ninth birthday. It was secondhand, cost £6 10 0, and grandma and grandad gave £2 towards it. Tricia’s birthday was on a Monday that year. It seems she got her bike at least one day early as, on the 14th, she rode it to grandma and grandad’s with dad walking beside her.
A Transistor Radio
In 1968, Tricia was ten and, on her birthday, grandma and grandad gave her £2 towards a transistor radio.
The transistor was invented in 1947 and the first radio using transistors was developed in 1954. Transistor radios became widely available in the 1960s and 1970s and allowed radios to become small and portable. While transistor radios are still common as car radios, they have largely been superseded by digital devices. I confess I don’t know what make or model the radio was but I imagine it being small and portable. The photo is of a pocket radio I bought recently. I have not found much detail about the radio.
Birthday Parties
Grandad also noted our birthday parties. For example, in 1965, Tricia had a party on her birthday. Grandma went to it as did Ron and Betty Douglas. Grandad noted that Ron and Betty left Caroline at ours for some time while they went into Norwich.
Birthday Parties Were Not Always Held on the Actual Day
Sometimes, our birthday parties were not on the day itself. My fifth birthday party was on Saturday 5 June 1965. Grandma and Caroline Douglas came. Ron took them and picked Caroline up around 5.20pm. However, I don’t know why particular days were selected for birthday parties. For example, Alan’s party that year was held on Wednesday 16 June. Grandad noted that mum picked up grandma and Minnie to take them to Alan’s birthday party and Ron Douglas brought them back.
Perhaps, it was not acceptable to hold a party on a Sunday? But, in 1968, Tricia’s birthday party was held on the 18th, a Saturday instead of Wednesday the 15th. In May 1966, grandad noted that Tricia was eight and that her party was held on the Wednesday after her birthday. This was the 18th which means that her birthday fell on a Sunday that year. Grandad noted that grandma and Auntie Bertha went to help with the party. However, mum noted Tricia’s party as happening on Thursday 19 May. Mum noted that, in 1966, both Alan and I had parties on our birthdays. My birthday fell on a Saturday that year and Alan’s on a Monday.
A Joint Birthday Party in February 1968
For some reason, Alan and I had a joint birthday party in February 1968 as we had not had a party in June 1967. I don’t know why. Presumably, this relates to mum’s ill-health at the time, see Chapter 88. It was held at Hellesdon Community Centre and grandma baked buns for it.
Other Birthday Parties
On Liz’s birthday, in 1968, grandad noted that she had a small party. Her birthday was on a Friday that year. Grandma came to the party even though she was not feeling well. Tricia’s birthday party in 1968 was held at Hellesdon Community Centre. Grandma and Eva went. Dad picked them up.
In 1969, Liz’s birthday fell on a Sunday and her party was held on Monday 24 March. I don’t know why it was held on a Monday and not a Saturday or a Wednesday nor why it was not held on Monday 17th. Grandma went to the party after completing her duty at the hospital canteen in Norwich.
Treats/Trips in Place of Birthday Parties
On Saturday 14 June 1969, dad took Alan and two friends to a circus in Yarmouth. While grandad did not say explicitly that this was for Alan’s birthday, I assume it was. I don’t know for certain that it was at the Hippodrome but it could have been. In her book(let) “I Remember” (p11), Edith Searson recalled a trip to the Hippodrome in Yarmouth before the first world war. She thought it had been a circus type of programme but she most remembered the centre being cleared and filled with water and the return train journey home.
Other People’s Birthdays
Grandad also sometimes noted other people’s birthdays, particularly if they were staying with them at the time. This included Amy on 8 August, Eva on 20 September and Tom on 25 October. In 1965, grandad noted that Eva turned 65. Grandad recorded Tom’s birthday every year from 1965 to 1969 when he turned 71-75 respectively. In September 1969, grandad noted that he and grandma bought Irene Bell a one-flower holder for her 45th birthday. Grandad noted that Caroline Douglas had a party on her birthday on 13 March 1968. Grandma helped Mrs Douglas with the shopping for this the previous day and also with organising it on the day. The four of us all attended.
Mum’s Birthday
In 1969, it was mum’s 35th birthday and grandad noted that they gave her £5.
Grandma and Grandad’s Birthdays
Grandad also sometimes noted his and grandma’s birthdays. Grandad’s birthday was on 1 December and grandma’s on 8 May.
Counting Cards
Grandad always noted how many cards had been received. I have a sense that grandad might have had a competitive view of this in relation to him and Tom Wilson. For example, in 1965, he noted that Tom received nine cards on his birthday but, that on his, grandad received 12 and presents. Similarly, in 1966, grandad noted that Tom received ten cards but that he received 13 cards plus presents and, in 1967, Tom received nine cards while grandad received 14 plus presents. In 1968, grandad did not note how many cards Tom received although he noted that he himself received 14. In 1969, Tom received ten cards and grandad 13.
However, if there had been any competition on number of cards, grandma would have won, although I am not sure she was competitive in that sense! For example, in 1966, grandad noted that she received 21 cards and five letters, in 1967, she received 23 cards and ten letters and, in 1968, she received 27 cards and nine letters. Grandad also sometimes noted when people phoned him on his birthday, for example, Tom and Amy in 1968. Grandad noted that Amy wished him many happy returns. I confess I had never really thought about the meaning of the phrase but apparently it was first used in 1779 in relation to the New Year and referred to hoping that the person would see many more New Years (or birthdays).
Tea at Grandma and Grandad’s
While grandma and grandad did not really have parties for their birthdays, we did sometimes go there for tea on their birthday, such as on 8 May 1965, grandma’s birthday. This was a Saturday so was not our usual day for going for tea.
Mum Occasionally Noted Other People’s Birthdays
Mum also occasionally noted other people’s birthdays. For example, in June 1966, she noted taking Janet Blyth to Yarmouth for a show for her birthday.
My Recollections of Birthdays
My recollections
I have quite a lot of memories of birthday parties as a child but I think most of them were parties I was invited to and my own parties do not stand out particularly clearly. I remember there being games and food. Also, I think they were mostly held at people’s homes but I do not recall clearly.
At some point, the way we celebrated birthdays changed so instead of having a party, we were allowed to take a smaller number of friends out somewhere, e.g. as Alan did in 1969 to the circus. While I do recall going to the circus as a child, I am not sure if I ever did this for my birthday but it would not surprise me if I did. The first, and only, time I recall going out for some kind of “treat” for a birthday was I think for the film “Zulu”. However, this film came out in 1964 and I am sure that any such birthday trip would have been much later so perhaps I am mistaken.
Other Parties
Both mum and grandad noted a number of other parties during this period. For example, in January 1965, mum noted going to a party at Miss Walker’s. In March 1965, I went to Kevin Frost’s party. Then, in December 1965, Tricia and I went to a party at the Norwich Union and, in 1966, Tricia, Alan and I went to the same Norwich Union party. In January 1966, Tricia went to a party on one day and I went on another. I am not sure whose parties these were. In March 1966, Tricia, Alan and I went to “Nicky’s” party in the afternoon. I am not sure who this was. In March 1969, dad took Tricia to a friend’s birthday party and she went to another party in April 1969.
Halloween Party
In October 1968, grandad noted that mum held a Halloween party for children. As mentioned in Chapter 90, this surprises me a bit. I do not recall celebrating Halloween as a child and I had always thought that mum was a bit anti-Halloween.
Not All Parties Were Recorded
It seems pretty clear that grandad, by no means, noted all the parties we went too. Rather, he noted those that he was aware of and, in particular, those that affected him in some way. For example, he noted, in September 1969, that Tricia had gone to a party which meant she did not come to theirs for tea with the rest of the family.
Celebrating Christmas
One of the main times of year for celebrations, parties etc. was Christmas and the Christmases of this period are probably the ones that have formed most of my childhood memories of that season, see recollections in Chapter 81.
Presents that Grandma and Grandad Got for Us
Grandad sometimes noted presents that they had got for us. He did this indirectly, in January 1965, by saying he had made Alan a box to keep his plastic building set in. Perhaps this was some form of Lego? Grandad noted that they had bought it him for Christmas, presumably in 1964. In 1967, grandad noted that they had given a climbing frame for all of us. In January 1968, grandad noted that they had given mum and dad £30 as a Christmas present, presumably for 1967, to pay for a new toilet being put in by the firm who had put in central heating before Christmas.
Presents that Grandma and Grandad Received
Also, grandad sometimes noted presents he or grandma had received. For example, in 1967, he noted that we had bought him a road map (3 miles to 1 inch) and that it was a later edition of the one mum had got him in 1955. He also noted that the price was 21 shillings. In 1968, he noted that Ron had bought him a ratchet screwdriver. In April 1969, grandad noted that grandma went to Jarrolds, see Chapter 93, to change the Christmas present Ron had bought her, although he did not say what that had been. She got a water jug and cream jug with a silver finish and had to pay an additional 13/7.
Auntie Dolly Spent Most Christmases with Grandma and Grandad
Auntie Dolly mostly spent the Christmas period with grandma and grandad. On Christmas Day itself, she and grandma would go to a church service in the morning and they would then come to us from lunch-time until late. Usually, we would go to grandma’s and grandad’s on Boxing Day. On some occasions, other people went with us. For example, in 1968, Rev Michael Parker came too. Mr and Mrs Hodgson should have come but they could not as she was ill. Auntie Dolly was unable to come in 1967 as she had shingles, see Chapter 88.
Other People Were Sometimes with Us for Christmas
From memory, I had thought there were usually others there for Christmas too, such as Jim and Renie and Tom and Amy but it seems I may be mis-remembering as they do not appear to have been with grandma and grandad for Christmas at least up until 1969. However, it seems my memory may not be completely wrong as grandad notes that Tom and Amy did spend Christmas with us in 1971.
Grandad also noted other visitors who called at or around Christmas. For example, Reg and Robin Edwards called in on 27 December 1965.
Father Christmas
In 1966, mum noted that we went to see Father Christmas on 21 December. I vaguely recall going to see Father Christmas in the run up to Christmas. However, I don’t think it was a particularly big deal for us.
Christmas Parties
Similarly, Christmas parties, apart from those with family members over Christmas itself, were not a particularly prominent part of our childhood. However, I suspect there were such parties at Sunday School and we appear to have gone to a children’s Christmas party at the Norwich Union in at least some years. There were clearly some Christmas parties going on. On 4 December 1969, grandad noted that there were only five at the ladies’ meeting. While grandad considered the bad weather to be a factor, he also thought that Christmas parties had played a part.
Preparing for Christmas
In the run up to Christmas, I recall more emphasis being placed on buying presents, preparing food and decorating the tree and the house.
Christmas Tree Lights
On 23 December 1969, grandad came to ours to see to the lamps on the Christmas tree. He brought a gadget he had made, which I presume was to test bulbs. With that, he found that some lamps had gone. He left it “OK” so presumably he changed the faulty bulbs. I recall that there were often issues with those strings of Christmas tree lights. Often they were tangled and/or they did not work at first. The problem was that if one bulb was not working all the lights failed to work. The first step was to check that all the bulbs were in tightly. If that did not work then you had to find the faulty bulb(s) which was not an easy task, hence grandad’s gadget.
Our Habit of Sunday Tea at Grandma and Grandad’s Usually Continued over Christmas
In 1969, as well as going to grandma and grandad’s for dinner and tea on Boxing Day, we went for tea on Sunday the 28th. But, grandad noted that dad went home in the car before tea. This meant that Ron had to run us home in Joy’s car after tea.
I don’t know why dad would have left before tea and, if grandad knew, he did not explain. I assume there must have been some form of disagreement or row. It seems odd that dad would have gone and taken the car leaving all of us behind especially as he could have walked home from grandma and grandad’s. Perhaps there was something he had to do. I do recall there being a lot of family arguments and disagreements over Christmas, particularly in later years!
We Saw Less of Our Other Grandparents Over Christmas
I am not sure how much we saw of grandma and grandad Drew over Christmas. I don’t recall this being a prominent part of our Christmases. But, in 1969, we did go to Kirkby for the day on December 29.
Sunday Afternoon Tea at Grandma and Grandad’s
One of my abiding childhood memories is of going to grandma and grandad’s for tea on a Sunday afternoon. This started from when they moved into their bungalow in Drayton in 1964, see Chapter 76, and continued throughout this period. Though there might be times when one or more of us could not be there, we did go there as a rule more often than not.
Going to Grandma and Grandad’s at Other Times
This is not to say that we did not go to theirs at other times. We did including for other meals, e.g. at midday.
Dinner or Lunch?
For mum and grandad, they had always referred to “dinner” and “tea” in relation to midday and evening meals. However, this changed somewhat prior to and after this period in that they started sometimes referring to the midday meal as “lunch” but this was not completely consistent as they also sometimes still referred to midday meal as “dinner” during this period.
The earliest reference I can find to “lunch” is in October 1961 when mum referred to the ladies from Trinity coming for a cup of tea “at lunch time”. In August 1965, on a trip to Walcott, grandad referred to staying on the beach “after lunch” because the weather had turned cloudier. That same month, when they went to Ilkeston for Cyril and Minnie’s golden wedding, he referred to having “lunch” on a boat. In April 1966, when in Scotland, he referred to having “lunch” in a café. Then, in August 1968, he referred to Ken and David Bell having forgotten their “lunch”. In October 1969, he referred to taking “lunch” on a trip to Blakeney Quay.
Grandma Sometimes Came to Ours for Meals
Sometimes, grandma especially had meals at ours often when she had come to babysit. One odd childhood memory I have is that grandad did not like onion so, if he was coming to our house, mum would avoid cooking onions for at least 24 hours beforehand!
Eating Outside
Sometimes, when the weather was nice, we children and grandma would sit outside to eat our tea but grandad, mum and dad did not. I am not surprised that this was the case for grandad and dad. Dad hated picnics and wondered why anyone would want to go and eat outside “where the flies lived”. I am surprised by mum as I thought she had always loved picnics. I recall arguments over this topic as a child and I think this might be part of the reason why subconsciously I am not that keen on picnics!
Going to Grandma and Grandad’s as Individuals
While we often went to grandma and grandad’s as a family, we also sometimes went there individually. For example, Tricia went there for dinner in June 1965. Sometimes, we children went there to eat but mum and dad did not, for example in July 1965. Sometimes, one or more of us stayed over at grandma and grandad’s. For example, I stayed there in September 1965. In July/August 1967, Alan and I stayed at grandma and grandad’s for a week. In October 1967, Tricia went to stay with grandma and grandad for the weekend while the rest of us went to a wedding in Mansfield, see Chapter 89.
Other People Visited Grandma and Grandad Including for Meals
Other people visited grandma and grandad including for meals.
George and Meddy Bailey
This included George and Meddy Bailey, who grandma and grandad knew from Kirkby and who had moved to Overstrand. They came in January, March and August 1965. January, July and October 1966 and in May 1967. On at least two of these occasions, they came with Bill and Ethel Wilcox (or Wilcock).
Friends from Drayton
People who lived locally in Drayton also came round, including for meals. These people included Mr and Mrs Hodgson, Betty and Caroline Douglas and Miss Cooke. Some of these were related to Drayton Methodist Church, see Chapter 90.
People Sometimes Came with Us
Occasionally, people came with us when we went for tea at grandma and grandad’s. These included Rev M Parker and Derrick, Mary and Kathryn Leach.
People Came for Meals at Ours
Sometimes, people came for meals at ours, such as Margaret and Arnold Clough and in May 1965, Mary Rew stayed at ours overnight.
Grandma Went for Meals at Other People’s Houses
Sometimes, grandma went for meals at other people’s houses including Mrs Noble and Sister G Palmer.
Grandma and Grandad’s Visitors
Grandma and grandad had lots of visitors during this period and, at times, I wonder where they put them all, given that the bungalow only had two bedrooms. It is possible that they put up temporary beds in the living room or that some of the visitors went to stay with friends locally but these arrangements are not always noted by grandad.
Tom and Amy Wilson
Grandma and grandad’s most frequent visitors during this period were Tom and Amy Wilson who came more than 25 times over this five-year period. I am not sure why they came so often. I think they were retired and presumably they loved Norfolk and East Anglia. Also, I think grandma and Amy and grandad and Tom all got on well with each other. Staying with grandma and grandad was an economical way of spending time in Norfolk and having a car meant that grandma and grandad were able to travel out to see various places which I think they both enjoyed. Staying with family and friends seemed to be a common way of holidaying then. I learned relatively recently that Amy’s family came from Norfolk so this may have been part of the motivation for visiting.
Places Visited with Tom and Amy
Here, I list some of the places they went together. I follow this with a few stories of particular trips. So, places visited included Acle, Aldeburgh, Aylsham, Bacton, Bawburgh, Bawdeswell, Beccles, Bedford, Blakeney, Blakeney Quay, Blofield, Brandon, Brundall, Bungay, Caister, Clacton-on-Sea, Coltishall, Costessey, Cromer, Debenham, Dereham, Diss, Docking, Dovercourt, Downham Market, Drayton, Ely, Eye, Fakenham, Felbrigg Park[ Felixstowe, Filby, Fritton, Gorleston, Haddiscoe, Hadleigh, Happisburgh, Harwich, Hemsby, Holt, Horning, Horning Ferry, Hunstanton, Kessingland, King’s Lynn, Loddon, Lowestoft, Ludham, Melton Constable, Mildenhall, Newmarket, North Walsham, Norwich, Ormesby, Oulton Broad, Overstrand, Potter Heigham, Reedham (including Riverside), Reedham Ferry, Rockland Broad, Sandringham, Scole, Sea Palling, Sheringham, Sheringham Park, Sidestrand, South Walsham, Southwold, Stalham, St Faiths, St Olaves, Swaffham, Swanton Morley, Taverham, Thetford, Walcott, Walsingham, Walton-on-the-Naze, Watton, Weasenham, Wells, Woods End, Wroxham and Yarmouth.
Two Trips to Bawburgh
In February 1967, there were two trips to Bawburgh. The first was on the 9th. Grandma and grandad were looking after Liz and Alan as mum had gone to Preston. Tom, Amy, grandad and Alan went to Bawburgh. Presumably, grandma stayed with Liz. The second trip was on the 12th. Tom, Amy and grandma went.
Bawdeswell
Grandad spelled Bawdeswell as Baudswell. Grandma, grandad, Tom and Amy went here in September 1965 on the way back from Ely.
Bedford
On 21 May 1965, grandma, grandad Tom and Amy went for the day to Bedford and Elstow. They went to Auntie Dolly’s. From there, Ray picked them up and took them to his house and to Kenneth’s. Ken took them back to Auntie Dolly’s.
Blakeney Quay
Grandma, grandad Tom and Amy went here on 3 October 1969 and took lunch.
Blofield
In March and October 1967, grandma, grandad, Tom and Amy went to Blofield to see the bungalows that Mr Bell was constructing. In August 1968, they took lunch for Ken and David Bell as they had forgotten it.
Brundall
I believe one of the places visited was Brundall although grandad referred to this as Blundell. They went there on 21 June 1966 on the way to Reedham Riverside so I think it is likely he was referring to Brundall.
Bungay
On visits to Bungay, they often called to see Mrs East, for example in March and May 1965 and in October 1966.
Clacton-on-Sea and Hadleigh
When they went to Clacton in May 1966, they visited Tom’s cousin in Great Clacton and Tom took Auntie Bertha to see her nephew in Hadleigh on the way back. In September 1966, they came to visit us at Butlins at the time that Alan was ill, see Chapter 88.
Costessey
On their trip to Costessey in March 1965, they took Caroline Douglas with them. They went there in October 1969 to visit a friend of Tom and Amy’s that grandad referred to as Tryness granddaughter.
Cromer
In August 1966, when grandma, grandad, Tom and Amy went to Cromer, Auntie Dolly and Eva did not go. They went into Norwich instead. In January 1967, when grandma, grandad, Tom and Amy went to Cromer they had a puncture near Overstrand. A man stopped and helped them fit the spare. Tom had the puncture mended in Overstrand.
Dereham and Thetford
In March 1965, for the trip to Dereham and Thetford, grandma did not go as she had gone with mum to a district meeting in King’s Lynn. When grandma, grandad, Tom and Amy visited Dereham in January 1966, they went to Jentique works. Tom and Amy saw a table and sideboard they liked but they had to write to Brays in Kirkby to order it. Jentique was a furniture making company established in 1942. It was taken over by Peter Black holdings in 1985 – see this book. There is still a Jentique Close in Dereham and the roads that come off it – Walnut Way and Cabinet Close also perhaps evoke that history of furniture-making.
Dovercourt
Although Dovercourt is described as a small seaside town, it is now contiguous with Harwich.
Drayton
Grandma, grandad, Tom and Amy went to the village hall in January 1967 and took Caroline Douglas.
Ely
For this trip, grandad noted that they went via Thetford and Mildenhall and that they came back via Downham Market, Swaffham and “Baudswell” coming back into Drayton on the Low Road. He noted that they did 128 miles which is exactly the mileage calculated by Google.
Felbrigg Park
Felbrigg Hall and Park is a National Trust property near Cromer. Currently, it costs £13 for an adult to visit plus £5 to park.
Gorleston
On 25 October 1966, it was Tom’s birthday and grandma, grandad, Tom and Amy were visiting Gorleston. Tom, Amy and grandma had a “midday meal” at Matthes but grandad did not go. I do not know why. Something similar happened in September 1967 when they visited Aldeburgh. Grandma, Tom and Amy went for lunch at The Lion (perhaps The White Lion) but grandad did not go. He ate his lunch in the car. He noted that lunch cost Tom £2 10 6. The same happened again in Gorleston on 24 October 1967, the day before Tom’s birthday. As the previous year, grandma, Tom and Amy went to Matthes for a meal.
Hemsby
In August 1966, grandma, grandad, Tom, Amy, Eva and Auntie Dolly went to Hemsby twice. The second time, we all went with them, that is mum, dad and us four.
Horning
In September 1965, grandma, grandad, Tom and Amy went to Horning in the evening and sat watching boats. They also went there on 28 April 1968. They tried to go there on 2 May but the windscreen wipers were not working properly and, when they got to St Faith’s, they stopped completely. As it was raining, they headed home.
Horning Ferry
For example, grandma, grandad, Tom and Amy went to Horning Ferry on 20 May 1965 and they took their teas. There used to be a chain ferry there but there is now a seasonal foot ferry. The ferry crosses the River Bure.
Hunstanton
On a trip to Hundtanton, in August 1968, grandma, grandad, Tom and Amy met up with a group who had come on an outing from Kirkby including Florrie and Arthur Booth.
Kessingland
When grandma, grandad, Tom and Amy went to Kessingland, on 18 May 1965, they went to see Amos Hall who had been a police officer with Tom.
Norwich
On 25 October 1967, Tom and grandad went to Bridewell Museum. This is now known as Museum of Norwich at the Bridewell.
Oulton/Oulton Broad
This trip was on 6 August 1965. While grandad referred only to Oulton and not Oulton Broad, this related to going to Kessingland via Yarmouth and Oulton. In this context, I think it is more likely that grandad was referring to Oulton Broad. He did this again in 1966. However, there is another place called Oulton near Reepham and Aylsham but I think grandad was referring to Oulton Broad.
Overstrand
Whenever grandma, grandad, Tom and Amy went to Overstrand, they visited George and Meddy Bailey, for example in January, March, August, September and October 1965, in February, May, August and (twice in) October 1966, in January and September 1967, in April and August 1968 and in April 1969. In October 1967. They tried to visit them but they were away for the week. In April 1968, grandma, Tom and Amy went to see George and Meddy. Grandad did not go but he did not say why. In October 1968, Tom and Amy went to see George and Meddy on their own. In April 1969, somewhat unusually, grandad went with Tom and Amy to see George and Meddy Bailey but grandma did not go as she was having some ladies round.
Potter Heigham
In 1969, grandad abbreviated this to PH.
Reedham Ferry
In August 1965, grandma, grandad, Tom and Amy crossed the river with the ferry. The cost was three shillings for the car and 3d per person. This is a chain ferry which crosses the River Yare and is still operational. The cost of crossing with a car is £4.50 but I think this may include passengers. Pedestrians pay 50p. It is the only place to cross the River Yare by car between Norwich’s southern bypass and Yarmouth. There is a swing bridge at Reedham but this is a railway crossing.
Rockland Broad
Rockland Broad is one of the less well-known broads.
Sea Palling
On 30 August 1966, Tom and grandad replaced a window on our caravan. There was heavy rain on the way home and Tom had some problems with the car engine. He had further problems with the car on the 31st when they went to Reedham.
Sheringham
In August 1968, grandma, grandad, Tom and Amy went to Sheringham to see the new Methodist church, see Chapter 90.
Sheringham Park
Sheringham Park is a large park and garden, some two miles from Sheringham, managed by the National Trust. They paid two shillings for them and the car to go in. Grandad said there was not much to see. The cost now is £6.50 for parking but National Trust members park for free and there appears to be no charge if you visit without a car.
Southwold
One trip to Southwold was on 30 April 1968 and grandma, grandad, Tom and Amy took Caroline Douglas with them. In September 1968, when they went to Southwold, they tried to come back via Beccles but they could not and had to divert via Bungay as the road was closed because of flooding.
St Faiths
This is referring to an area north of Norwich where there are at least two villages which include St Faith in the name – Horsham St Faith and Newton St Faith.
Swanton Morley
Swanton Morley is a village in Norfolk although the entry on 24 January 1965 looks like Stanton Morley.
Walcott
For example, on 23 May 1965, grandma, grandad, Tom and Amy took their teas to Walcott but sat eating them in the car watching the sea as it was raining. In July 1965, they went to Wlalcott with us – mum, Tricia, me, Alan and Liz. Grandad said it was too hot on the beach so he went to the car park and sat against a fence to keep out of the sun. He was able to go to the beach in the afternoon as it was cloudy. Mum lost her watch but someone found it and mum got their phone number. She got it back the next day. A child had found it apparently. In August 1966, grandma, grandad, Tom, Amy, Eva and Auntie Dolly went to Walcott. Mum and the four of us went with them.
Walsingham
On the way back from Hunstanton on 4 August 1965, grandma, grandad, Tom and Amy called at George Bryans at Great Walsingham.
Weasenham
Grandma, grandad, Tom and Amy visited here in October 1967 and went to see Amy’s cousin and her husband. This is where Amy’s father came from.
Woods End
Woods End is a place on the southern bank of a large bend in the River Yare. It is close to Bramerton and grandad sometimes refers to this as Bramerton Woods or Bramerton Woods End. Grandma, grandad, Tom and Amy went there several times. On one trip in July 1969, grandad commented on seeing several people water skiing – “several speed boats and fellows being towed” – and grandad thought this was very interesting.
Yarmouth
In January 1966, when grandma, grandad, Tom and Amy visited Yarmouth, grandad noted that it was snowing over the sea. In May 1966, grandma, grandad, Tom, Amy and Auntie Bertha met George and Meddy Bailey and Bill and Ethel Wilcox (or Wilcock). That same year, in October, grandma went by bus to Yarmouth for a circuit meeting. Tom, Amy and grandad went there later and met grandma and together they went to the harbour. During their visit in October/November 1967, Tom and Amy made several trips here. The first was on 21 October. They took Tricia with them as she was staying with grandma and grandad for the weekend. The second was on 27 October when they went with mum and the four of us. On the way back, mum had problems with her car and had to call the AA. They also went to Yarmouth on 3 November.
Grandma, Tom and Amy went to Yarmouth on 1 March 1968. Grandad did not go as he had a “bilious attack”, see Chapter 88. They went to Yarmouth on 12 August 1968 and took Alan with them. They also took Alan on the 13th and 14th when they went to Hunstanton and Sheringham respectively. During Tom and Amy’s visit in September 1968, they went to Yarmouth twice – on the 20th and the 25th. When they went to Yarmouth on 16 October 1968, they took Caroline with them. They set off for Yarmouth again on the 22nd, this time with Liz. But, it was very foggy, so when they got to Plumstead Road, they decided to come back. In April 1969, they took Liz with them to Yarmouth.
Hiring a Motor Launch
In September 1965, Tom, Amy, grandma and grandad hired a motor launch and went to Horning in it. Grandad noted that this took them just over two hours. They paid thirty shillings which was the price for two hours.
Visiting Cantley Sugar Factory
In November 1965, Tom, Amy, grandma and grandad went to visit Cantley Sugar Factory This was the first (successful) sugar processing factory in the UK.
Amy Did a Lot of Other Activities with Grandma
Amy did a lot of activities with grandma including going to a musical concert at church in October 1969.
Visiting Gwen Hart
In August 1968, grandma, grandad, Tom and Amy all went to see Gwen Hart, a friend of mum’s, an artist, who had, according to grandad, done a very good pencil sketch of mum and who also had various oil paintings on show.
18-Mile Car Run
In October 1968, grandad noted that they went an 18 mile run in the car with Caroline Douglas.
Helping Transport People
Tom and Amy also sometimes provided transport to other people coming to or from grandma and grandad’s. In September 1965 and August 1966, they gave Eva a lift home to Harby. Also, in November, in 1965, 1966, 1967 and 1969, they took grandma herself to Mansfield. In 1965 and 1966, they brought her back a week or so later and, in 1967, she came back with Miss Walker. In April 1966, they brought Auntie Bertha with them and she stayed on longer when they went home after a week.
Clarence and Linda Reeve
Clarence and Linda Reeve also visited fairly often during this period. Linda Reeve and Amy Wilson were sisters. Both their maiden names were Steggles.
Clarence and Linda came six times although the last time was in September 1967. Clarence Reeve had a heart attack in May 1968 and was unable to drive, at least for a while, after that, see Chapter 88.
They also came by car and this gave grandma and grandad further opportunity to explore places in Norfolk and other parts of East Anglia, including many places they also went with Tom and Amy.
As I did with Tom and Amy, I list some of the places they went together and then follow this with a few stories of particular trips. Places they went with Clarence and Linda included Acle, Aylsham, Beccles, Bungay, Caister, Coltishall, Cromer, Fakenham, Felbrigg, Felixstowe, Filby, Gorleston, Haddiscoe, Happisburgh, Hickling Broad, Holt, Horning, Hunstanton, Ipswich, Lowestoft, Melton Constable, Mundesley, North Walsham, Norwich, Orford, Ormesby, Oulton Broad, Overstrand, Potter Heigham, Reedham, Reepham, Sandringham, Sea Palling, Sidestrand, Sizewell, South Walsham, Southwold, Stalham, St Faiths, Tacolneston, Walcott, Weasenham, Wells, Woodbridge, Wroxham, Wymondham and Yarmouth (including the harbour).
Bungay
In Bungay, in April 1965, Linda, Clarence and grandma went to see Mrs East but grandad sat in the car. I don’t know why.
Happisburgh and Mundesley
On the trip to Happisburgh and Mundesley, on 26 September 1966, grandad noted collecting blackberries.
Norwich
In October 1965 and September 1967, Linda went to Norwich to see her cousin.
Ormesby
I think grandad may have meant Ormesby St Margaret (and/or Ormesby St Michael) even though, in April 1965, he wrote Ormskirk. As far as I know, Ormskirk is in Lancashire and there is no Ormskirk in Norfolk. Although Ormesby is a village in Middlesbrough, both Ormesby St Margaret and Ormesby St Michael are near Yarmouth. There is also an Ormesby Broad.
Overstrand
When they were in Overstrand, they visited George Bailey, for example, in April 1965.
Reedham
Although grandad noted that, in October 1965, they did not cross by the ferry. In September 1966, grandad distinguished between visiting Reedham and Reedham Riverside. Reedham Riverside runs parallel along the northern bank of the River Yare under the railway as it is about to cross the swing bridge. The ferry crossing is to the west of this.
Sea Palling
In April 1965, grandma, grandad, Linda and Clarence went to Sea Palling to see our caravan.
Tacolneston
Grandma, grandad, Linda and Clarence went to Tacolneston on 16 September 1967 as it was a BBC Open Day. Grandad described it as very interesting. This date coincided with when colour programming was available on BBC2 from Tacolneston. I recall visiting the transmitter at some point.
Weasenham
Clarence and Linda went here by themselves in September 1967. As noted earlier, this is where Linda’s father was from.
Wroxham, Walcott and Southwold
On 25 June 1966, when grandma, Linda and Clarence went to Walcott and Wroxham, grandad did not go. Similarly, the next day when they went to Southwold, grandad did not go.
Yarmouth
In September 1966, grandma, grandad, Linda and Clarence went to Yarmouth Harbour twice. In September 1967, they went to Yarmouth several times. On the 5th, they went to Yarmouth Harbour. Then, on the 8th, they went to Gorleston via Yarmouth and then returned to Yarmouth Harbour. On the 13th, they got to Yarmouth around 1.10pm but could not park so Clarence dropped grandad, grandma and Linda and he went to the harbour mouth. Grandad went later on the bus. Grandma and Linda followed later still.
Parking and the Location of Yarmouth Harbour
I confess I am not entirely sure where they parked when they were referring to Yarmouth Harbour. Initially, I had assumed they were referring to somewhere near the mouth of the River Yare but, although that is now where the outer harbour is located, this was only constructed subsequent to 2007.
Nevertheless, grandad does refer specifically at least once to the harbour mouth so perhaps this is where he meant or perhaps he was distinguishing between the harbour and the harbour mouth. I don’t know! The original river harbour area in Yarmouth is quite large covering much of the eastern bank of the River Yare between Breydon Water and the sea. Hence the street names there, such as North and South Quay. Perhaps they parked somewhere there, such as where the South Quay car park is currently.
I think this may have been explained to me as a child. I have vague recollections of it being difficult to park in Yarmouth and being told it was better to go to the Harbour and this may explain why I thought it was the river mouth. On their second visit in September 1966, they went into Yarmouth and went up the tower by lift. Grandad noted that the height was 140 feet and that it cost one shilling each. The Yarmouth Tower complex was for sale in January 2021.
Hiring a Boat
When they visited Wroxham in October 1965, they hired a launch for five hours for which Clarence paid £3 2 6.
Overlapping with Tom and Amy
In June 1966, Clarence and Linda overlapped with Tom and Amy for a couple of days and also, during that trip, their son Maurice visited for the weekend. They also overlapped with Tom and Amy for about an hour in September 1967. During that time, for example, Amy and Linda went with grandma on a ladies’ outing to Matthes’ Bread Factory in Gorleston, see Chapter 90.
Ken and Pearl Hodges
Ken and Pearl Hodges and their son Andrew visited grandma and grandad three times during this period in April and August 1965 and August 1966.
I think they came by car but, at least on their first trip, they did not travel widely in and around Norfolk. While part of the issue might have been that they were only there for a long weekend Friday to Tuesday, the main reason may have been that Andrew was only two months old. On the Saturday, Pearl and Ken had a walk into Drayton and left Andrew with grandma and grandad. Then, on the Sunday, they were involved in church activities, see Chapter 90. On the Monday, Ken and Pearl went into Norwich, again leaving Andrew with grandma and grandad.
On their second and third trips, they did visit various places including Cromer, Holt, Norwich, Sea Palling, Wroxham and Yarmouth. It is perhaps of interest that grandma and grandad did not accompany Ken and Pearl on all their travels in the same way they did Tom and Amy and Linda and Clarence. So, perhaps having a car was not the only factor. Might differences in ages have been a factor?
Holt
On 17 August 1966, Ken and Pearl tried to go somewhere in Holt in the evening for a “late dinner” but they were full so had to go somewhere in Norwich instead.
Norwich
When Ken and Pearl went into Norwich on 13 August 1965, Andrew stayed with grandma and grandad.
Sea Palling
Ken and Pearl went to Sea Palling to see our caravan on 12 August 1965. Grandma and Eva also went as did mum and us children plus a little girl mum was looking after.
Yarmouth
Ken and Pearl went to Yarmouth on 16 August 1966 to see Ken’s brother, Ivor, and family. They went again for the same purpose on the 18th.
Edna Bust
Another person who visited during this period was Edna Bust. In August 1965, she came with her daughter, Sylvia, to stay with us. This was only a few months after her husband Tom had died, see Chapter 88. Grandad noted that she visited them twice during this trip. On the second occasion, grandad put on a slide show.
Edna came to stay with grandma and grandad in August 1968. She brought dad, Tricia and me back from Derbyshire following our first youth hostelling trip. They visited various places including Bacton, Beccles, Bungay, Hunstanton, North Walsham, Sandringham, Southwold and Yarmouth Harbour. The trip to Yarmouth Harbour was on 21 August 1968. Grandad did not go but the four of us and mum went with grandma and Edna. Grandma and Edna came back by train and we stayed to go to the cinema in Yarmouth. On the 22nd, grandma and Edna went into Norwich to see Gwen Hart’s display at the Assembly Rooms. Edna then headed home.
But, she came back the next weekend. This strikes me as slightly odd. I don’t know why she picked us up in Derbyshire and brought us home rather than mum doing it, for example. I also don’t know why she came back after such a short time. On the 31st, grandma, grandad and Edna went to Reedham Ferry and Riverside. Edna headed home again on 3 September 1968.
She also came and stayed with grandma and grandad in August 1969. Places she went to on this trip included Blakeney, Caister Castle, Cromer, Hunstanton, Knapton (see Chapter 91), Potter Heigham, Scratby, Walcott, West Runton, Winterton, Woods End and Wroxham.
Caister Castle
Edna, grandma and grandad visited Caister Castle on 2 August 1969. Grandad noted that they went up the tower and got lovely views from the top. He also noted that the tower was 98 feet high.
Hunstanton
Grandma and Edna went to Hunstanton on 6 August 1969 with mum and the four of us.
Potter Heigham
Edna, grandma and grandad visited Potter Heigham on 2 August 1969 and grandad noted going over the new bridge. Potter Heigham has a medieval bridge that is well-known for being difficult to navigate by boat. The new road bridge carrying the A149 was built on the site of an old railway bridge in around 1968. It is possible with Google Streetview to get view of the new bridge from the old bridge or of the old bridge from the new.
Scratby
One of the places Edna Bust visited when she was in Norfolk was Scratby. This is a beach north of Yarmouth.
Walcott
Grandma and Edna went here on 4 August 1969 with mum and the four of us. Grandad did not go.
West Runton
In West Runton on 5 August 1969, Edna’s car suffered a puncture.
Many of Those who Visited Grandma and Grandad Came by Public Transport
Many of the other people who came to visit grandma and grandad came by public transport, bus or train, and this perhaps limited their ability to travel around the area. Although some places were accessible by public transport, and grandma did make trips out with visitors using these modes of transport, grandad did not. I am not sure if this related to his health or was just a personal preference. My sense is that he enjoyed being driven around and did not particularly like travelling by bus or train.
Dorothy Rose/Auntie Dolly
One of the most frequent such visitors was Auntie Dolly who came to stay with grandma and grandad most Easters and Christmases during this period. She also visited each summer. This was mostly in August but, in 1968 and 1969, she came in early September. She also came for Whit/Spring Bank Holiday in 1966 and 1969.
Auntie Dolly Travelled by Bus from Bedford
She always came by bus from Bedford and someone would pick her up and drop her off at Norwich bus station. For example, when she came at Easter 1966, grandma and Ron Douglas met her at the bus station. In August 1967, she arrived at the same time that grandma and Tricia were arriving back from visiting Doris in Hastings. Mum picked them all up together.
I have strong childhood memories of her, particularly being with us at Christmas. I also recall being told a story by dad of one time when he was due to drop her at the bus station but he overslept so, by the time they got to the bus station, the bus had already left. He decided to follow and try to catch up with it and I believe he eventually did so. After he had dropped her, he stopped at a transport café and noticed some of the lorry drivers looking at him rather strangely. He looked down and noticed that his pyjamas were visible at the bottom of his trousers! In his rush, he had put his clothes on over the top of his pyjamas and he still had them on!
Grandad notes this happening on 29 December 1971 although, according to grandad’s notes, dad took Dolly all the way to Bedford, see Chapter 106.
Activities During Her Stays
During her stays, Auntie Dolly was actively involved with grandma in church activities, see Chapter 90, and she also did practical tasks, e.g. in the garden.
1965
She did also get out and about to some extent with grandma. For example, during her visit, in April 1965, they went into Norwich several times with John Douglas. John was grandma and grandad’s next-door neighbour who worked at Bonds during this period. In August 1965, Auntie Dolly, Eva and grandma visited Lowestoft and Norwich.
1966
In July 1966, Auntie Dolly, grandma and Eva made a day bus trip to Beccles and Southwold. In August 1966, grandma and Auntie Dolly went three times to Walcott with mum and us four children. She also made a bus trip with grandma to Sandringham, Hunstanton and Cromer on that visit. Also, during that visit, she, grandma and grandad went with Ron and Caroline Douglas to the crematorium and back via Costessey and Taverham Pits. I think this is referring to Taverham Mill.
1968
During her visit at Easter 1968, she went to an opera at the Theatre Royal, see Chapter 90, with grandma. They got the bus home and had to walk from Drayton Wood Road. In September 1968, she, grandma, mum and the four of us went to Sandringham and Hunstanton coming back via Docking. On that occasion, grandma and Auntie Dolly had tea at ours. Grandma then went to a church meeting and mum and dad also went out so Auntie Dolly stayed babysitting for us. Mum also took grandma and Auntie Dolly to Sheringham to see the new Methodist Church, see Chapter 90, and they came home on the bus via Cromer. Grandma and Auntie Dolly also attended a flower festival in Thorpe during that visit.
1969
At Easter, in 1969, Auntie Dolly went to both the Maddermarket Theatre and Theatre Royal with grandma and others. In May 1969, grandma and Auntie Dolly visited Mousehold Heath together and they also went next door, to 164, to listen to records. Over that weekend, mum, Alan and Liz took grandma, Auntie Dolly and Eva to Woods End one day and to Reedham on another. In September 1969, she went with grandma to see a film at the Assembly Rooms. The cinema here was called the Noverre. It opened in 1950 and closed in 1992. I recall going there but not often. Auntie Dolly also spent two evenings visiting Barbara Carpenter at 164.
Eva Evans nee Parkin/Auntie Eva
Overlapping with Others
Another person who came fairly frequently was grandad’s sister Eva and, when she came, she tended to stay for quite a few weeks. As a result, her stays sometimes overlapped with the stay of others, including Tom and Amy; Ken, Pearl and Andrew Hodges; Jim and Renie; Auntie Dolly; Doris and Peter Cirket; Minnie Parkin; and Florrie and Arthur Booth. Hence my point about where everyone stayed in a two-bedroomed bungalow!
1965-66
In March 1965, Olive, Alf, Carole and Tony brought Eva and Carole used the opportunity to drop off material at ours, presumably for the wedding, see Chapter 89. In August 1965, mum grandma and grandad brought Eva for a holiday from the celebration of Cyril and Minnie’s golden wedding anniversary which had been in Ilkeston. Mum, grandma and grandad went there for the day, see Chapter 89. In September 1965 and August 1966, Tom and Amy took Eva home.
1967-68
In June 1967, Peter Parkin and his girlfriend, Rosemary, brought Eva and Minnie. Olive, Alf, Carole and Stephen came to pick Eva up. In April 1968, Olive and Alf brought her and, in June, after nine weeks, Alf picked her up.
1969
In April 1969, Olive and Alf brought Eva for a holiday. She had had a slight stroke affecting her right hand in March 1969, see Chapter 88. In June, when time came to go home, Alf and Lloyd picked her up.
Joining in Activities
Eva was often involved with activities of others and she also sometimes did things with grandma, such as attending a Festival of Flowers at Norwich Cathedral, see Chapter 79, in September 1965, going to a bring-and-buy sale in Caistor St Edmunds in July 1967, see Chapter 90, and visiting grandma’s friend Mrs Noble. In June 1969, despite having had a stroke in March, Eva was able to walk to the Hodgsons with grandma and they also went to visit Mrs Pointer, the postman’s wife.
Bertha Seville/Auntie Bertha
Auntie Bertha came to visit in April/May 1966. She got a lift to Drayton with Tom and Amy and then travelled to Bedford by bus for a further holiday. Grandma went with her for the day. In July 1968, she came again with her friend Mrs Merry. Jack and Thelma, who I think were Mrs Merry’s son and daughter-in-law, brought them and Mrs Merry’s grandson Peter, and his girlfriend, picked them up. While Auntie Bertha and Mrs Merry were visiting, Doris Cirket and her friend from Rye came to visit from Hastings for the day. During that visit, dad took grandma, Auntie Bertha, Mrs Merry and Liz to Bedford for the day. Other places they visited during that trip included Cromer and Norwich. Grandma, Auntie Bertha and Miss Merry also went to see Mr and Mrs Hodgson during this visit.
Cyril and Minnie Parkin
Grandad’s brother Cyril and his sister-in-law Minnie came to stay with grandma and grandad for three weeks in June and July 1965. Their grandson, Simon, and his future wife, Joyce, brought them in Basil’s, car. Simon and Joyce stayed overnight and went home the next day. Grandad noted that Simon stayed with them and Joyce at ours. Minnie’s health was not good at this time, see Chapter 88, and, while they were visiting, grandma and Cyril took her out in a wheelchair. Grandma and Cyril also went into Norwich by bus. Another grandson, Peter, and his friend John, picked them up and took them home. Peter and John stayed for the weekend (Friday to Sunday) and, on the Saturday, they visited Cromer and took grandma and Minnie with them.
Minnie came on her own in October 1966. Basil and Hilda brought her. They spent the afternoon on the broads in Wroxham before returning to grandma and grandad’s. They stayed over in Horning and headed home the next day. Minnie still needed a wheelchair to get out and about and grandma took her to various places including Drayton, Hurn Road and Hellesdon, via Drayton Wood Road, see Chapter 95. On one trip into Drayton, Betty Douglas helped grandma to pull her back. Minnie stayed two weeks and Peter and a friend picked her up and took her home. I don’t know if this was the same friend, John, as in 1965 or perhaps it was Rosemary Bottrill who married Peter in 1969. Minnie came again in June 1967 with Eva. She left earlier than Eva. After almost one month. Hilda, Simon and Joyce picked her up.
Florrie and Arthur Booth
lorrie and Arthur Booth, who had been grandma and grandad’s neighbours in Welbeck Street visited them each year during this period in the summer.
1965
In July, 1965, they came by bus but did travel out to various places including Lowestoft, Norwich, Taverham and Yarmouth. They went to Lowestoft by train and went into Norwich at least four times. They walked with grandma to Taverham and also went on a Sunday School outing to Clacton and Walton, see Chapter 90.
1966
In June 1966, they were on holiday in Yarmouth and they came to visit grandma and grandad for tea and the evening on one day.
1967
They came again to stay with grandma and grandad in June 1967. They walked various places including to the Hodgsons with grandma. Places they visited included Eaton Park and Yarmouth. For the trip to Eaton Park, mum dropped grandma, Florrie and Arthur there and they got the bus back. During this visit, they also went with grandma to Cadburys in Birmingham. I think this was part of a ladies’ trip grandma organised, see Chapter 90. For more detail of the Cadburys Bournville factory, see Chapter 52.
1968
They also came again in July 1968. During this trip, they visited some of grandma’s friends, including Miss Cooke, they went into Norwich and visited Thorpe village. I am not entirely sure where they were referring to. The area I know as Thorpe is the eastern part of Norwich from around where the railway station is. Some of that area is known as Thorpe St Andrew. But I don’t know if this is where they went. Thorpe Marriott is a relatively new development in the Drayton/Taverham area. The place gets part of its name from a railway engineer William Marriott. But, could the first part indicate that there was a Thorpe village there before the development took place? They also went on a bus trip to Lowestoft and Yarmouth.
1969
Arthur and Florrie came again in June 1969. They had some walks, including to the Hodgsons and also went into Norwich. Mrs Hodgson also came round on one evening while Auntie Dolly was there and they had a sing song. Arthur and Florrie also went to Lowestoft by train and attended the Hellesdon carnival and went with us to the Royal Norfolk Show. It appears that the Hellesdon Carnival was first held after the second world war and has been held annually since. Since 1953, the Royal Norfolk Show has been held on a permanent showground site near Costessey. Grandad noted that there was a record attendance of 81,162 over the two days.
Arthur Lofthouse
Arthur Lofthouse came to visit grandma and grandad four times during this period. Twice, he came on his own. These trips were in July 1965 and April 1966. The first time was only a few months after his wife, Ella, died in March 1965. He also came twice with his second wife, Jessie, including for almost two weeks for their honeymoon in April 1967. They came again in March 1968.
Mostly, he/they came by train. In July 1965, all of us, except Tricia, met him at Thorpe Station. On that trip, when he left, he was heading to visit his daughter, Dorothy. In 1967, dad met Arthur and Jessie at Thorpe station. For the trip in March 1968, they came by bus.
During his lone trips, he did visit various places with grandma including Cromer, Gorleston, Lowestoft, Norwich, Southwold and Yarmouth. They also walked into Drayton and, in July 1965, he attended a fete and gala on Hellesdon Park. This was probably Hellesdon carnival. In July 1966, mum referred to a fair at Hellesdon community centre. Grandad referred to it as a carnival. Grandma and Eva went. Ron took them there and mum brought them back.
When Arthur Lofthouse visited with Jessie, they walked to Costessey and Taverham and went by train, with grandma, to Yarmouth. Other places they visited on their own included Cromer, Gorleston, Lowestoft, Sheringham, Southwold and Yarmouth.
My Memories of Hellesdon Carnival
Reading about the Booths’ and Arthur Lofthouse’s visits during this period triggered some memories for me of Hellesdon carnival. I am sure they had donkey races for children. I recall wanting to have a go but being scared! Dad reassured me that I would be fine as long as I held on. If my memory is correct, I fell off but still enjoyed it and don’t recall hurting myself!
My Memories of the Royal Norfolk Show
I also have recollections of the Royal Norfolk Show. There were lots of different stalls or stands and mum was sometimes involved in a large refreshments tent run by churches, see Chapter 106. I also recall there was a large central display ground and I recall seeing motorcycle display teams and horseriding displays there. The photo displayed here is from a slightly later period, 1970. As we were not from an agricultural background, I think some of those aspects of the show were lost on me but I liked seeing the animals, tractors etc. I don’t specifically recall going to the Show with the Booths or Jim and Renie but, according to grandad’s diary of the time, we did.
Jim and Renie Seville/Uncle Jim and Auntie Renie
Jim and Renie visited during this period and they came by bus. In August 1965 for a week, at Easter in 1967, in June/July 1968 and in July 1969 for a week. They were there at the same time as Auntie Dolly in 1967. In 1969, they came back with grandma after she had been to Bedford.
Exploring by Bus
Jim and Renie did explore by bus themselves, e.g. to Cromer, Hadleigh, Norwich, Wroxham and Yarmouth. In 1965, they also went with grandma and grandad to Drayton Fete. Grandad noted that it was not busy because of rain. That same year, they went with all of us except Tricia to the caravan at Sea Palling. In 1968, they went with all of us to the Royal Norfolk Show. In 1969, they went with us to a Norwich Union carnival and they also went with grandma to visit Mr and Mrs Hodgson.
Norfolk Wildlife Park
One place Jim and Renie visited in 1965, with grandma and Eva, by bus,, was a bird sanctuary near Lenwade. Although initially I thought this might have been Pensthorpe, this was only developed in the 1980s. Pensthorpe Natural Park is approximately one mile from Fakenham. In addition, although it is not that far from Lenswade, I think grandad would more likely have described it as near Fakenham. It seems more likely that he was referring to Norfolk Wildlife Park at Great Witchingham, less than half a mile from Lenwade. This was opened in 1963 by Philip and Jeanne Wayre who later founded the Otter Trust. It changed its name to the Norfolk Wildlife Centre and Country Park and then to The Animal Ark before closing in 2011, see this article and video. I came across a 2013 obituary for Jeanne Wayre.
Other Visitors
Some other people visited during this period. They included:
Simon Parkin and a Friend
They came in February 1965 to bring a parcel from Minnie. I am not sure who the friend was but Simon married Joyce Foreman the following year so it might have been her. Certainly, she was with him when they brought Cyril and Minnie to stay with grandma and grandad in June 1965.
Dad’s Parents
Mum noted that they came in July 1965 for two weeks. Little other detail is recorded except that dad took them home and I assume this was to Kirkby.
Doris and Peter Cirket
Doris and her grandson, Peter, came for the day on an excursion bus from Hastings in July 1966.
Bill Purvis, Verlie and Alan
They called for about 45 minutes in August 1966. They were doing a tour of the coast from Cleethorpes to Felixstowe.
Derrick, Mary and Kathryn Leach
They stayed with us in April 1969 and went with us for tea at grandma and grandad’s on the 12th. Tricia did not come that day as she had gone with friends to Yarmouth.
Doris, Peter, Rita and family
Doris and her grandson, Peter, stayed at grandma and grandad’s while the rest stayed with us.
Local Activities
We, as a family, and grandma and grandad took part in various local activities sometimes with and, at other times, without visitors.
Norwich Union Garden Party
In July 1966, grandma went to a Norwich Union garden party. Dad picked her up and brought her home.
Drayton
In May 1968, grandma took Tricia, me, Liz and Caroline into Drayton village.
Another Garden Party
In June 1968, I stayed with grandad while others went to a garden party that I did not want to go to. I had just turned eight at the time and I am surprised I was given the choice!
Ockenden Exhibition
In January 1969, grandma went with dad to the opening of the Ockenden Exhibition by the Lord Mayor of Norwich. Based on an article at the time, this exhibition was organised by the Norwich Group of Friends of the Ockenden Venture. It was held at the Assembly House and included pictures by Tibetan refugee children. Most of the exhibits were by local artists and were donated. Most were of local scenes, such as Geoffrey Lefever’s Marshland Fen. But, there were some more international scenes including Galilee by Robin Harrison and River Bank Baghdad by the late E W Faircloth.
Norwich has had a mayor and then a Lord Mayor since 1403. In January 1969, the Lord Mayor was Edward Albert Gambling.
Pippa Dee Parties
In February 1969, grandad noted that grandma and others went to mum’s for what he described as “a ladies’ underware show”. I presume he meant underwear but this is how he spelled it.
I have vague recollections of mum hosting Pippa Dee parties. They were organised on a similar model to Tupperware parties where a local agent organised events to sell to friends and family and received a commission for what she sold. Apparently, the company had 13,000 women working in this way in the 1970s. According to the Companies House website, the company remains active.
Going Out for Meals
Sometimes, mum went out for meals although, on both occasions described below, she did not give details of why or with whom.
The Feathers in Holt
She went to “The Feathers” in Holt for dinner in June 1965. There is still a hotel by this name in Holt. According to their Facebook page, the long-time owners retired at the end of October 2021. It is a grade II listed building dating back to 1650.
Northrepps Hotel and County Club
In June 1966, mum went to the Northrepps Hotel and Country Club. Mum recorded this as North Repps. I think the hotel has also been called Northrepps Cottage Country Hotel and is now referred to as Northrepps Cottage.
Lord Mayor’s Dinner
In September 1967, dad went to a dinner given by the Lord Mayor of Norwich
Day Trips
Sheringham
In August 1966, mum and dad went to Sheringham for the day. I don’t know why. This was Monday 1 August which was not a bank holiday so dad must have taken a day off work. Perhaps it was something to do with the caravan at Sea Palling. Perhaps they were selling it as it is not mentioned in the diaries after this. Grandma, Eva and Auntie Dolly came to look after us.
Framlingham
In September 1966, mum, Alan and Liz went with grandma to Framlingham. I am not sure why but it is possible it was church-related. Grandma did go on other occasions to Framlingham for church activities, see Chapter 90.
Yarmouth
In September 1967, mum and dad took Tricia, me and Alan to Yarmouth. I don’t know precisely why, perhaps to see a show or the circus? Liz stayed with grandma and grandad until the early evening then Mr Beckett took grandma and Liz to ours where grandma stayed until we got back, about 10.20pm.
Bressingham
In September 1969, grandma, mum, dad and the four of us went to Bressingham to see a show of steam engines. Grandad noted that this was near Diss. The first railway in Bressingham was established in 1965 and it has expanded considerably since then. We visited in November 2021 as part of “Bressingham at Night”. There are now three railways there – the original “Garden” line and the newer “Fen” and “Waveney” lines.
Travelling Further Afield
In addition, we and grandma and grandad sometimes made trips further afield including for holidays. It was rare for grandad to make such trips so grandma often went by herself. Consequently, grandad did not note what she had done while she was away, simply that she had gone and come back! Such trips included to Bedford, Mansfield and Nottingham. She went to Mansfield in November 1965 and to Nottingham in February 1965.
Bedford
Grandma went to Bedford at least once per year. For example, in May 1965, she went twice, once on her own by bus for a few days and once for the day with Tom, Amy and grandad. She also went in July 1966 with Eva and, in May 1967 and June 1968, on her own. In July 1968, dad took grandma, Auntie Bertha, Mrs Merry and Liz to Bedford for the day. In July 1969, grandma visited Bedford with a church group , see Chapter 90, and came home with Jim and Renie.
Golden Wedding
One exception to grandma going on her own was in August 1965 when mum took both grandma and grandad to Ilkeston for Minnie and Cyril’s Golden Wedding, see Chapter 89. They were married on 2 August 1915.
Visiting Doris Cirket in St Leonard’s on Sea
During this period, grandma took each of us to see Doris Cirket in St Leonard’s on Sea. In August 1967, grandma took Tricia there by bus for five days. In March 1969, mum, grandma and Liz went there for three days. They dropped Rev Michael Parker at a conference nearby. In August 1969, grandma took me and Alan there. Grandad noted that the cost of a return fare for all of us was £6 15 0. On the 15th, we left at 8.15am and went via London. I have some vague recollections of meeting Doris so these are perhaps from this trip. I would have been nine at the time.
Touring Holiday in Scotland
During this period, grandma and grandad did not really go away on holiday as such. However, there was one exception. In June 1966, they went on a touring holiday in Scotland with Tom and Amy.
Edinburgh
On the first day, they drove to Edinburgh where they stayed overnight. Grandad noted that they left home at 06.57 and crossed the border at 15.20 arriving in Edinburgh at 17.20. He also noted that bed and breakfast cost 22 shillings each. He noted that their bedroom was 76 steps from ground level!. In the evening, they had a walk down Princes Street.
The next day, they had a bus ride, for which they paid 4d each, on the Royal Mile. They saw Holyrood House, that is the queen’s official residence in Scotland. This is not to be confused with the Scottish Parliament building which is also referred to as Holyrood as that is the area in which it is located. The parliament building was only constructed from 1999. They had lunch in a café and then went to the castle. I don’t know why grandad agreed to eat out on this trip but not on other day trips from home. Grandma and grandad also visited St Giles’ Cathedral.
Forth Road Bridge
They then left Edinburgh for Perth and crossed the new Forth road bridge. see Chapter 86. Grandad noted that the toll was 2/6 for the car and people.
Perth
They stayed the night in Perth at a cost of 21 shillings each. The next day, they had a walk round Perth.
Pitlochry
They then went to Pitlochry via Coupar Angus and Blairgowrie rather than the more direct route along the A9. This adds about 14 miles to a 27 mile journey. After they found somewhere to stay in Pitlochry, they went to see the hydroelectric dam which grandad considered worth seeing. I think this is Pitlochry Dam. There is a visitor centre there now that was constructed in 2017. They then had a ride round Tummel Loch. Loch Tummel is a long, narrow loch to the north west of Pitlochry.
Glenshee
The next day, they went from Pitlochry to Glenshee. The ski centre here opened in 1962. Grandma and grandad went up the mountain by chair lift for which they paid five shillings each. I think this was Cairnwell Chairlift.
Braemar, Ballater and Balmoral
They then went on to Braemar and Ballater passing the entrance to Balmoral Castle, the Royal Family’s holiday home in Scotland, and they then returned to Pitlochry by the same route. Grandad noted that there was snow on the top of several mountains.
The Trossachs, Crieff, Callander and Killin
The next day, they went from Pitlochry to the Trossachs, Crieff, Callander and Killin returning to Pitlochry.
Nairn
The next day, they left Pitlochry and went to Nairn, and they stayed in a place where Tom and Amy had stayed before. The price was 16/6 each.
Inverness
The next day, they went from Nairn to Inverness where they saw Dr and Mrs Farquharson who grandad said were very pleased to see them.
Loch Ness and Fort George
They had a ride on the south bank of Loch Ness then to Fort George and back to Nairn.
Fort William
The next day, they left Nairn and went to Fort William where bed and breakfast cost them 15 shillings each. They then made a 13 mile round journey which grandad described as down Ben Glen. I m not sure where he was referring to. Perhaps they went some way on the Glencoe Road? Grandad again noted that there was snow on the mountain tops.
Glenfinnan, Loch Shiel, Acharcle, Strontian and Ardgour
The next day, they went on a bus and boat tour from Fort William to Glenfinnan by bus, boat on Loch Shiel to Acharcle, which took 1 hour 55 minutes, and then bus to Strontian and Ardgour. They left the bus there and got the ferry to a waiting bus and then back to Fort William. Grandad noted that the tour started at 11am and they were back by 6.25pm.
Blantyre and Crawford
The next day, they left Fort William and went through Blantyre, where David Livingstone had been born, and they stayed at Crawford, at a cost of 21 shillings each.
Ingleton and the Lake District
The next day, they went from Crawford to Ingleton, where they stayed for 18/6 each. They came through the Lake District and there was a 30 minutes thunderstorm as they passed Ullswater and neared Windermere.
Ilkley
The next day, they left Ingleton and passed over Ilkley Moor calling at Ilkley.
Mansfield to see Auntie Bertha
They then went to Auntie Bertha’s in Mansfield. When they arrived, she was at Jim and Renie’s so they went there. They had tea there as it was Jim’s birthday. After tea, they went to Auntie Bertha’s and Linda and Clarence came over for an hour or two.
Home via Newark
They travelled home the next day, calling at Newark on the way.
Carole’s Wedding in Harby
In June 1965, we all went with grandma to Harby for Carole and Tony’s wedding, see Chapter 89.
Pinewood Studios
In January 1967, dad went on a trip with the Chartered Insurance Institute to Pinewood Studios. This is a well-known film studio west of London, which has operated since the 1930s and is still operating.
Visiting Kirkby
Mum and dad still sometimes went back to Kirkby. For example, in April 1965, they went to Kirkby to see dad’s parents and to Heanor to see Edna and Sylvia Bust. This was only a few days after Tom Bust died. Sylvia was 18. Mum noted that they took Edna and Sylvia to Grange Farm, see Chapter 66, for dinner. The four of us did not go on that trip. Grandma came to stay with us for the day.
Mum and dad also went to Kirkby in July 1966. They went for the day, leaving at 5am. They slept at grandma and grandad’s so they could leave without disturbing us. Grandma and Eva stayed with us.
We all went at the end of November 1968. We had dinner at Tom and Amy’s and then went to Mansfield to Jim and Renie’s. At this point, grandad was referring to Jim as Frank.
Just before Christmas, in December 1969, dad and grandma went to Mansfield and Kirkby. Dad went to see his father who was not well, see Chapter 88. Grandma went to Auntie Bertha’s. Jim and Renie were there and Tom and Amy came there for an hour or two.
Caravan at Sea Palling
During some of this period, we had a static caravan at Sea Palling.
Uncertainty Over Precise Location
I don’t know precisely where this was. There are currently three caravan sites/parks in Sea Palling. However, Keith Farm looks more like a camp and caravan site where you would take a touring caravan. Golden Beach and Dune Lodge are both caravan parks in Sea Palling. I could not find details of when these two parks opened but it seems that Golden Beach Holiday Park is the most longstanding. But, Dune Lodge is closer to the beach and the sand dunes. It looks more familiar and I think you could get from the caravan to the beach without going on a road but I am not sure. I do have recollections of the beach area in Sea Palling.
Uncertainty Over How Long We Had the Caravan
Mum and dad bought the caravan in October 1964, see Chapter 81. I am not sure how long we had the caravan for or how often we used it.
1965
Grandma and grandad went there in April 1965 to see the caravan with Linda and Clarence Reeve. In July that year, mum and Alan went to Sea Palling for the day while Liz stayed with grandma and grandad. It was a Wednesday so presumably Tricia and I were at school. In August that year, the four of us and mum went there with Ken, Pearl and Andrew Hodges, Eva and grandma and we all, except Tricia, went there with Jim and Renie.
1966
In August 1966, Tricia, Alan and I stayed overnight at the caravan with grandma. Mum, dad and Liz picked us up the next day. That same month, grandma and grandad went with mum and the four of us to the caravan. Grandad had gone to replace a window in the caravan that had fallen out. However, I am not sure it was successful as he went there again the following week with Tom and he said that they made a job of the window at the caravan.
Sold in 1966?
The caravan is not mentioned again after that so it is possible we sold it in or after the summer of 1966. It is also possible that we went there at different times and that these were not all recorded by grandad. However, while I have some memories of having had the caravan, they are not as strong as other memories, such as family trips to the seaside at Walcott or holidays at Butlins. I do recall, from Hellesdon, going to the coast using White Woman Lane but I see this was basically a way to get to the North Walsham Road and this route could be used to go to both Sea Palling and Walcott.
Butlins
We also took holidays each year. Our main holiday during this period was an annual trip to Butlins. We had first gone there, to Clacton, in 1964, see Chapter 81. In June 1965, we went to Skegness, in August 1966 to Clacton again, in July 1967 to Minehead, in May 1968 to Barry and, in July 1969, to Filey.
Did We Miss School to Reduce the Price?
I am not sure why and how we managed to go at those times. Presumably, we had to miss school for the trip to Skegness in June 1965 and perhaps the same for Barry in 1968 although that might have been half-term. I have a 1965 Butlins brochure/booking form and that contains a price list. If my calculations are correct, we would have paid £47 10 0 to go to Skegness that year as compared to £56 5 0 if we had gone at the peak period in July. This is based on £13 10 each for mum and dad, £6 for Tricia (junior), £5 each for Alan and me (child) and £4 10 for Liz (infant).
It is worth noting that this was a special form for people who had never been to Butlins before. However, I have assumed that the prices were the same for people who had been there before but perhaps without the offer of a £2 refund if the person did not agree that it was one of the best holidays they ever had.
Above – front cover
Below – inside page with offer to refund £2 profit if the person does not agree that their stay was one of the best holidays they ever had.
Above left – details of 1965 tariffs with the prices for the week we went to Skegness highlighted
Above right – marketing information targeting parents with children
Overnight in Bridgwater
The diaries mostly only shared basic details, such as that we went and came back! Grandad’s main focus was on what he was doing while we were away. For example, in 1967, he mentioned that he and grandma were keeping an eye on our house including feeding my fish.
Mum noted that, in 1967, we did stay one night in Bridgwater en route to Minehead. Mum spelled this as Bridgewater. We did this so that we could visit Cheddar Gorge, a well-known limestone gorge in South West England. Most of the land around the gorge is owned by the National Trust. I vaguely recall this.
We may have done this because it is over 300 miles from Norwich to Minehead but only 27 miles to Minehead from Bridgwater. I don’t recall when we had to check in at Butlins but this would have allowed us to do this earlier. Vaguely, I recall it being on a Saturday morning but perhaps it was afternoon to give the previous week’s campers time to leave. I am not sure we did this when we went to other distant Butlins camps, e.g. Barry Island (285 miles from Norwich) and Filey (180 miles from Norwich). However, according to grandad, we left to go to Barry on a Friday and to Filey on the Saturday. I suspect we did stay over somewhere en route to Barry but the details were not recorded in the diaries. We also went to Cheddar Gorge on a later holiday in 1972, see Chapter 106.
Other Sources of Information
I have pieced together other material from memories, from photos among mum’s papers and from some online sources including from the excellent Butlin Memories website.
Arriving and Checking In
I vaguely recall that arriving and checking in took up much of Saturday and there was not that much to do that day, apart from planning what we might do for the rest of the week. Cars had to be parked in a central car park and there was a central reception where keys were collected and I think that is probably when we got the programme for the week which also included the all-important camp map. The sites were big, particularly to us as children. Luggage had to then be collected from the car and taken to the chalet.
Top – camp information – I have highlighted meal times and also the chalet patrol. In 1966, all those coming to Butlins were on full board.
Above – the all-important camp map. For a map of Skegness camp in 1969 see here.
Above – programme for Wednesday
Below – junior and children’s programme including details of the names of competitions and details of where lost children would be taken
Chalets and Chalet Keys
I recall that the chalets were in long lines, that they occupied much of the camp and they were colour-coded. I am aware that they were considered quite basic, certainly by today’s standards. They definitely did not have televisions but that is not something we would have expected. As far as I recall, they did have hot water and a bathroom but I could be wrong on this.
To be honest, those things were not that important to me at that age plus we were not in the chalet much! We really only went there to sleep. We took our meals in the dining room and we were out at one activity or another all day, every day! The chalet keys included a deposit token, which costs 2/6. Keys and their deposit tokens were used in the camp as deposits for various kinds of equipment, such as snooker cues. I don’t recall if we children had our own chalet keys but I assume not.
Eating at Butlins
Initially, I understand the only catering option at Butlins was full board and this is the option we took even when other options were becoming available. I think mum agreed with Billy Butlin that holidays were a time to escape the chores of cooking and cleaning.
Dining Rooms
We were allocated a table in a particular dining room for either first or second sitting. I vaguely recall that some of the dining rooms had names like Kent or Windsor. There was a relatively basic, fixed menu and food was delivered to the table. I really don’t know how mum and dad handled the need for a gluten-free diet for Alan. My suspicion is that mum took some things and then gave him naturally gluten-free things that were available. I imagine most of the cooked meals were “meat and two veg” as that was the norm then.
Dining Room Photos
I think I have a dining room photo from each of the camps we went to during this period and they look as if they are from breakfast. From memory, I think Butlins had a photographer who took meal-time photos which you could later purchase. In the photos, until 1967, we appear to be wearing some kind of clothes protector/apron/bib. I don’t know if these were supplied by Butlins or mum, but the latter seems more likely! In the photo from Clacton 1966, the waiter can be seen holding a multi-plate rack which I vaguely recall and must have been one of the features Butlins used to get everyone served quickly.
We Children Loved Butlins
I think one of the reasons why we children loved Butlins so much was that there was so much for us to do and presumably that was why mum and dad liked it too! The camps were certainly marketed on this basis.
Plenty to Do
There were competitions and other organised events, such as swimming instruction, films, sports days, games, skating, trampolining, quizzes, beetle drives etc. In addition, there were facilities we could use as much as we wanted, such as amusement parks, boating lakes, miniature railways etc. In addition, children could take part in activities for adults and families. I believe Tricia and I did ballroom-type dancing, including something called the Boston Two Step.
Everything was Free
One of the main attractions was that everything was “free” I’m sure grandad or one of my parents would have pointed out that it was not really free but was included in the price of admission! This meant that children could do everything they wanted to do without having to keep asking parents for money. I confess that this was my first experience of funfairs etc., at a very young age, so I recall being surprised at having to pay for individual rides at funfairs outside Butlins!
Freedom to Roam
I recall being allowed, even from a very young age, to wander around the entirety of the site. There were Redcoats specifically to work with children plus the site was fully enclosed but I can’t imagine that such roaming would be allowed now! I believe we had to wear some kind of ID round our necks, although I don’t see this in any of the photos, and there was a designated place where lost children were taken. Although there were no mobile phones, there was a tannoy system and I think this was used to alert parents to lost children. At night, there was a chalet patrol service which would report to parents any children crying or making other noises. I am not sure if mum and dad used this but I can’t imagine such a service being allowed now!
Everything on Site
On the Butlins Memories website, it says that there was so much to do that it “was quite possible for a family to remain on Butlins soil for the entire duration of their trip, and many did”. We largely did. I think it was possible to get to the beach from some (possibly all) of the camps. I seem to recall going to the beach once but being concerned that I was missing out on activities back in the camp! Mum and dad must have gone out of the camp sometimes, not least in 1966 in Clacton, when Alan was in hospital with asthma. But, mostly I think we stayed in the camp.
Competitions
Perhaps one of the things Butlins was most known for was the various competitions they held, some of which were decidedly wacky, such as the glamorous grandmother and knobbly knees. Some were “of their time” such as various beauty contests and “Junior Tarzan”. Some of the talent competitions were relatively serious. Most of the photos in mum’s albums were of us in various such competitions.
“Happy Families”
Mother and Child Contest
According to the entertainment programmes for Minehead in 1968 and Skegness in 1969, there was a mother and child contest which required the child to be over two but under ten. It appears that mum took part with Tricia in 1965 and 1966 but with me in 1967. I am not sure why as Tricia was only nine in 1967 so would still have been young enough to take part.
Father and Son Competition
There was also a Father and Son competition. Mum only had one photo of me and dad in this and that was from Clacton in 1966. I have no idea why it was Father and Son but Mother and Child.
Bonny Baby
There was also a Bonny Baby competition for the under threes so Liz was eligible from 1965 to 1967 and there are photos of her in this in each of those years, with mum in Skegness in 1965 and with dad in Clacton in 1966 and in Minehead in 1967.
Thought and Planning
One of the things that strikes me from these photos is that there must have been a considerable amount of thought and planning put into the outfits for these various competitions, not to mention simply the amount of packing involved.
Fancy Dress
This was particularly the case for the Fancy Dress competitions we were involved in over that period. These outfits were not shop-bought or rented. They appear to have been home-made and were often quite elaborate and bulky! I don’t know if they were made on site or brought from home but I suspect the latter.
Skegness 1965
In Skegness in 1965, Alan competed as Andy Pandy and I suspect this was the same costume that I had previously worn to a Mile Cross Fancy Dress competition, see Chapter 79. Tricia and I had fairly simple costumes as Jack and Jill from the nursery rhyme. It appears that there may have been different competitions for different age groups.
Clacton 1966 and Minehead 1967
Or Possibly Just Minehead 1967
According to mum’s albums, we had the same fancy dress costumes in Clacton and Minehead. But, all the Butlins photos are together which makes me think that mum did not put them into the albums at the time but sometime later so it is possible that some photos are mis-classified.
In this case, in particular, the four photos may all be from Minehead as the first two seem to relate to the actual competition and the second two to the prize ceremony. On the one hand, Tricia and I appear to be wearing the same shoes, which might indicate they are from the same year. But, Alan is wearing different shoes. So assuming, any prize ceremony was directly after the competition, might this indicate it was different years? From what I know of mum, it seems relatively unlikely to me that she would have reused a non-winning entry from one year the next year but I could be wrong!
Elaborate Costumes
These costumes were particularly elaborate and our children seem to have found these particularly amusing! Alan was dressed as a milk bottle with a sign saying “I’m your extra pinta”. This alluded to a well-known TV advertising campaign promoting milk. Tricia and I competed dressed as a bottle of medicine and a packet of sugar with the sign “a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down” referring to the well-known song in “Mary Poppins”. I don’t know if the standard of competition was declining but we won two second prizes with these outfits in Minehead in 1967. I have the certificate for the second prize won by me and Tricia but assume that I passed Alan’s certificate to his family after mum’s death.
Liz in Fancy Dress
There is only one photo of Liz in Fancy Dress and that is from Minehead in 1967. This has her carrying a chamber pot with a label saying “one for the pot”. I confess I don’t really understand this but I imagine it is meant to be humorous! I think my problem is that I don’t know “one for the pot” as a particularly well-known phrase. There was a stage farce by that name in London that ran from 1959 to 1963 so perhaps that was well-known at the time and the outfit is alluding to that? I really don’t know!
Junior Tarzan and Junior Princess Competitions
There are a number of photos of Alan and I appearing in Junior Tarzan competitions. In Clacton, in 1964, I won third prize, see Chapter 81. Tricia took part in similar competitions for girls which I think were called Junior Princess.
Alan won first prize in the Junior Tarzan competition in Clacton in 1966 and then promptly spent much of the holiday in hospital with asthma (!), see Chapter 88. On 2 September, grandma, grandad, Tom and Amy came to visit us at Butlins. Grandad noted that Alan was still in hospital.
I believe that the first prize was a free week at Butlins that could be used the following year. Of course, that meant that the rest of the family needed to go as well and pay. But, in our case, we would have gone anyway so I imagine this might have been thought of as quite a considerable prize by mum and dad.
Futuristic Monorail
Many aspects of the camps were seen as very modern at the time and they were marketed on this basis. Some were even futuristic, such as the monorail at Skegness. This was built in 1965, the year we went there, and was around a mile long. It was the first commercial monorail in the UK although another was added in Minehead in 1967 and this operated until 1998 when it was closed following an accident. In Skegness, new trains were installed in 1993 but the monorail was scrapped in 2003. A train then spent 18 years in a field in Lincolnshire before becoming part of a festival set.
Red Plastic Photo Viewers
Also, among mum’s papers, I found a number of little red plastic photo viewers. If you hold them up to the light, they contain small photos of us children. I passed those of the others to them after mum died but I still have the one of me and understand that these were keyrings from Butlins, although mine no longer has the metallic chain.
Souvenir Tins
Going through all this old Butlins stuff, photos and online memorabilia, has brought back lots of memories. I think I recall having one (or more) of the souvenir tins from Butlins and the photo shows the design that I think I recall which I believe was a tea caddy.
Mum Went on Holiday on Her Own to Stay With the Leaches in Preston
In February 1967, mum went on her own to Preston to stay with Mary and Derrick Leach. According to mum, she went on the 8th and, according to grandad, on the 9th. I am not sure why but this was at a time when her mental health was poor so perhaps she turned to them, as her friends, for support. She started a course of ECT within two weeks of returning from Preston, see Chapter 88.
Mum does not say anything about the arrangements for us while she was away. I can only assume that dad took some time off work. On Friday the 9th, grandad noted that he and grandma had Liz and Alan all day. Tom and Amy were staying with them and Tom picked me and Tricia up for tea. presumably after school. Dad picked us up about 17.30 and had tea at grandma and grandad’s. On Monday the 13th, grandad noted that dad brought washing for grandma to do. She took it back the next day and she spent the Tuesday at ours from 9am to 4pm, presumably so dad could go to work. She also came to us babysitting the next day.
However, grandad’s diary does not give the impression of any sort of crisis or that they were called on particularly excessively that week. Most of the diary’s focus that week is on trips he and grandma made with Tom and Amy. Mum came back on the 16th.
Mum Went to Iona with Gwen Hart in June 1969
In June 1969, mum went on her own with Gwen Hart for a holiday in Iona, see Chapter 90.
We All Visited Dorothy Taylor (nee Lofthouse) in April 1968
In April 1968, mum, dad and the four of us visited Dorothy Taylor in Ripon and then we went on to Jennifer Seville’s wedding in Driffield. We got back on the 16th. On Friday 19th, we all went for tea at grandma and grandad’s as dad was still on holiday.
I think I recall going to Dorothy’s on this occasion. Certainly, I remember visiting a farm in Ripon around that age. I also presume the photos that were among mum’s slides were from that trip. I don’t recall Jennifer’s wedding and I have not yet found any photos from that.
Youth Hostelling in Derbyshire
In August 1968, dad, Tricia and I went youth hostelling in Derbyshire for a week. Mum took us to Dovedale where we were starting. We left Alan and Liz with grandma and grandad for the day. Grandad noted that Tom dropped them back at our house at 6.30pm. We came home after just over a week. We went on Friday 9 August 1968 and returned on Sunday 18th. Edna Bust picked us up in Matlock and brought us home. Sadly, that is about all the diaries say about this trip and I don’t have any photographs. So, most things here are pieced together from memory and online sources. In addition, I have my diary which covers a youth hostelling trip I made in 1976 and, in 2023, my wife Jo and I took a nostalgic trip walking in Derbyshire.
Youth Hostels
Britain’s first youth hostel opened in 1929 . By 1950, the Youth Hostels Association had more than 300 hostels and more than 230,000 members.
An Odd Holiday?
I suppose it was odd that we went on a separate holiday with dad and not with mum as well. How this was decided or why Alan and Liz were not involved, I don’t know. I guess Alan and Liz would not have managed a walking holiday of this nature at their age but that does not really explain why we took a holiday of this type. I believe dad had been on youth hostelling holidays in the Peak District with friends when he was younger, before he was married, and I think that is why he wanted to take us.
However, I confess I never really gave it much consideration at the time nor since as it did not seem odd to me then. It was just how it was. With the benefit of hindsight, I think I can see that there were problems between mum and dad, which ultimately led them to separate and divorce, and they were already beginning to live separate lives. But, I was really not aware of this at the time.
I Loved Those Walking Holidays
I loved those walking holidays with dad and have very strong memories of them. They inspired me to take similar holidays as a teenager both with friends and on my own. I think they are probably responsible, at least in part, for my continued love of travelling, exploring and walking.
Later Youth Hostelling Holiday in Cornwall
We did later do a youth hostelling holiday in Cornwall, see Chapter 106, with the whole family but I don’t think I enjoyed it as much. I didn’t like travelling by car when dad had always told us that the idea of youth hostels was to travel under your own steam, e.g. walking or biking. Apparently, this had been a rule but was changing by the late 1960s although the rule still featured prominently in the 1968 handbook. Also, while walking youth hostelling holidays were practical in the Peak District where the hostels were close together, they were less practical elsewhere. I don’t know why but we never cycled for youth hostelling. I don’t recall either of my parents being cyclists.
Different Attitudes
An additional strain was that mum and dad had very different attitudes to planning, particularly in relation to meals. With dad, he would just decide something on the day. For lunch, we would just buy bread, butter, jam etc and he would make sandwiches by the roadside. For breakfast and evening meal, I think we ate at the hostel using their catering where possible. From what I recall, when we went with mum, she had a whole menu planned out for the week. I guess she would have argued that you needed to with more to cater for and Alan’s dietary needs but I think mum and dad were just completely different in this regard.
My Recollections
I remember dad telling the following story many times and I may recall the actual event! One lunchtime, while we were walking, it was raining really hard so Tricia and I were outside in the rain while dad was under his cape making sandwiches for us! A woman went by and tutted saying it was terrible that he had left us outside in the rain, not realising that he was making sandwiches for us!
Sheet Sleeping Bags
Reading the YHA Handbook for 1968 reminded me of the rule about having sheet sleeping bags as the hostel just supplied blankets and not sheets. I recall these as mum insisted that I use one with my sleeping bag when I went on school camping trips. While it might seem sensible, to protect the main sleeping bag, I was the only one required to do this which was not a comfortable position to be in!
Small Rucksacks
From memory, Tricia and I had our own small rucksacks which we carried while dad carried a bigger one. In reality, dad probably carried most of the stuff! I recall our rucksacks having thin straps which we padded with sponge to stop them cutting into our shoulders too much. I also recall the things inside the bag being wrapped in plastic to stop them getting wet when it rained, a practice I later followed on travels on my own.
Chores
Another thing I recall about staying at youth hostels at that time was that everyone who was staying there was given a chore in the morning that they were expected to carry out before leaving that day.
Itinerary for That First Trip
Although it is not recorded in the diaries, I can probably recall the itinerary for that first trip. It is possible that I might get something wrong and may conflate it with later trips but I am fairly confident that what I remember is roughly correct. I know for sure we started in Dovedale on the 9th and finished in Matlock on the 18th.
Ilam Hall
I think the first hostel we stayed in was Ilam Hall. This remains open as a youth hostel set within National Trust parkland. I came across an excellent document with historical details of all YHA hostels. The version I found is dated March 2020. Based on this, it seems it opened in 1932. In 1934, Robert McDougal gifted the property to the National Trust on the condition that the Hall should be available to the Youth Hostel Association (YHA).
Hartington
From Ilam Hall, we walked to Hartington, a distance of about eight miles, and I think the first part of that would have been through Dovedale to Milldale. We then stayed at the youth hostel at Hartington Hall. This became a youth hostel in 1934 and remains one.
Buxton
From Hartington, we walked to Buxton. I am confident that we made this particular journey on this trip as it assumed almost legendary status within dad’s “book” of stories! I recall it being a very long way and, in my head, I remember it as 14 miles although Google has it as nearer to 11. Regardless, I guess it was some kind of achievement for an eight year old. I always remember dad encouraging us to continue, on this trip and others, by saying it was easier if you kept going and harder if you kept stopping!
The youth hostel in Buxton is now no longer in existence. It opened in 1940 and closed in 2003. Apparently, it was sold for £360,000 in the aftermath of the foot and mouth epidemic. Shortly afterwards it was demolished. It was located at the bottom of Harpur Hill Road and was known as Sherbrook Lodge. In 2007, there was a planning application to build 14 houses on the site.
Ravenstor
From Buxton, I believe we walked to Ravenstor Youth Hostel in Miller’s Dale, a distance of about eight miles I recall that Miller’s Dale was one of dad’s favourite places in the Peak District and that he preferred it to Dovedale. The Ravenstor Youth Hostel was one of our favourites and it is still in operation. It opened in 1938.
Our 2023 Trip
Jo and I started our 2023 walk in Buxton close to the site of the former youth hostel and walked to Ravenstor. I am not sure of the route we took with dad in 1968 but it would have been different from 2023 as, on the recent trip, we ended up on the Monsal Trail which only opened in 1981.
Castleton
In 1968, from Ravenstor, we went to Castleton, which is about another eight mile walk.
Castleton Hall
We stayed in the youth hostel there. Nowadays, the youth hostel in Castleton is at Losehill Hall but it was only acquired by YHA in 2011 and is not the building I recall which was Castleton Hall in the centre of Castleton on Castle Street close to The George pub. YHA records show that this opened in 1943 and, until 1946, was known as Castleton B as there was a Castleton A in Hollowford from 1936 to 1946. The hostel closed at the end of January 2012. In 2013, there was a planning application to repair and alter the hall so that it could be two private residences. This generated a lot of correspondence and documentation and the application was withdrawn in 2015. It was also up for sale at some point but I think this may have been in 2015.
Peveril Castle and Treak Cliff Cavern
Over the years, we spent time in Castleton including at Peveril Castle and the various caverns. There is a sign for the castle just outside Castleton Hall, the former youth hostel. Dad had strong views about the relative merits of the different Castleton caverns believing that Treak Clff was the best and that Speedwell was the most over-rated! He considered it a glorified boat ride! I don’t think he ever took us there although I have been there since. He did take us to both Peak and Blue John Caverns.
Castleton in 2023
On our nostalgic walk in 2023, Jo and I did go to Castleton. However, we did not go there directly from Ravenstor but via Bakewell and Eyam. We stayed there for two nights. We did not stay in the current youth hostel but in a place called Haddock Hideaway behind Castleton Hall. It is in fact part of the old youth hostel. We visited both Peveril Castle and Treak Cliff Cavern while we were in Castleton.
Edale
Via Hollins Cross
In 1968, from Castleton, we walked to Edale. This was (and is) one of my favourite and most memorable walks in the Peak District not least, as a child, because it was so short, barely three miles. It involved crossing the Great Ridge at Hollins Cross to the east of Mam Tor.
Getting Soaked and Big Mugs of Tea
On one occasion, I think on this walk, it was pouring with rain and we were soaked. When we got to Edale, dad found some sort of café and they gave us tea in the biggest mugs I had ever seen!
Back to Hollins Cross
I have been back to Hollins Cross a few times since. I went with dad when I was in my twenties, and he must have been in his fifties, and I recall that, on this occasion, he was the one who struggled with the going up part! More recently, I went there with my wife, Jo and two of our children, Emma and Stephen, in 2012.
Edale Youth Hostel and the Pennine Way
In Edale, we stayed at the youth hostel which is still operational. It is called Rowland Cote and opened in 1945. Edale is a memorable place for me as it marked the northernmost point of these walking trips. It also is the start of the Pennine Way, a walk I always hoped to do but never did (yet!)
Kinder Scout
It is also strategically placed for Kinder Scout which dad talked about a lot but in a way which was quite intimidating, i.e. if you went there, there was a serious risk of getting lost and not coming back! He also talked about the mass trespass on Kinder Scout and the Glorious Twelfth, which marks the start of grouse shooting season. If my calculations are right, my first visit to Edale would have been on 14 August 1968 when I was eight. I think I came away with the impression that, if I went on Kinder Scout, I would either get lost or be shot!
Castleton to Edale 2023
On our nostalgic walk in 2023, Jo and I also went from Castleton to Edale via Hollins Cross. We walked with friends of ours, Dave and Janet Brown. We also stayed at Edale Youth Hostel. However, this marked the end of our trip as we had a shorter time and we were joining other family members in Sheffield.
In 1968, Where Did We Go Next?
In 1968, after Edale, the trip details become a little more hazy, particularly in relation to where we stayed next!
Hathersage?
There is a youth hostel at Hathersage, some eight miles from Edale, and I think I have stayed there but it was not on this trip as the hostel did not open until 1970.
Eyam?
I had thought that the most likely candidate for where we stayed was the youth hostel at Eyam as I have definitely stayed there and it is located between Edale and Bakewell. But, it could not have been there as it did not open until 1971!
Leam Hall
I vaguely recalled the name Leam Hall and I believe this is where we stayed the night after we had been at Edale. Leam Hall was a youth hostel between 1939 and 1970 when it was replaced by the hostel in Eyam.
Train Trip
Leam Hall was a ten mile walk from Edale. On one occasion, perhaps on this trip, we took a train from Edale to Hope. It is a relatively short train journey, less than ten minutes. These stations are still open and there is an hourly service between Edale and Hope. Journey time is 6-7 minutes. The service is operated by Northern between Manchester Piccadilly and Sheffield. The train route follows the road so loops quite a bit to the north before reaching Hope. The route is extremely picturesque.
I recall that we waited much longer for the train than we spent on it! I think we took the train because I was desperate to go on a train! Dad may also have seen this as a way of reducing the distance we had to walk as it is only about a five mile walk from Hope to Leam Hall. It is very possible, even likely, that it was dad’s idea originally to get the train, to avoid another relatively long walk, and that he sold it to me as my idea as I was very enthusiastic about the idea of getting a train.
Visiting Eyam
We definitely visited the village of Eyam with dad, possibly on this trip as it is roughly en route between Leam Hall and Bakewell where I think we stayed the next night. It is about an eight mile walk from Leam Hall to Bakewell. Dad was intrigued by Eyam as the “plague village” and was very knowledgeable about it and the practice of well dressings. Also see Chapter 69 for details of a chapel visit to Tissington well dressings in 1959. I recall taking our own children there although I don’t recall when it was or how old they were but I do recall they were much less interested in the village and its story than I had been!
Eyam 2023
On our nostalgic walk in 2023, Jo and I visited Eyam. However, we were heading in roughly the opposite direction from that we had taken in 1968 as we were heading from Bakewell to Castleton. We did not stay at the youth hostel. I think this was because it was not available. We stayed at a bed and breakfast called Innisfree Cottage.
Bakewell
In 1968, I think Dad, Tricia and I stayed at the youth hostel in Bakewell which was still pretty new at that point having only opened in 1965. It closed in 2007. It now functions as Sleep Lodge which operates with Bagshaw Hall and provides suites with self-catering facilities. In 2023, on our nostalgic walk, we went to Bakewell from Ravenstor and then on to Eyam. We walked over Longstone Edge and I imagine we would have taken a similar route in 1968, but in the reverse direction.
Matlock
From Bakewell, we walked to Matlock which is around ten miles. There, we stayed in the youth hostel, which at that time was in Matlock Bath. This was located in an old vicarage in Brunswood Road and operated from 1956 to 1983 when it was replaced by a hostel in Bank Road in Matlock which itself closed in 2007. The building was then used as a Probationary Service office and is now a private house.
We visited various of the tourist sites in Matlock Bath, including the Heights of Abraham. One place I particularly recall was Riber Castle and, at that time, there was a wildlife park there, although this closed in 2000 amid criticism of the treatment of animals.
Picked up in Matlock
As mentioned above, Edna Bust picked us up in Matlock on Sunday 18 August 1968 and brought us home.
Youth Hostelling in 1969
Dad, Tricia and I went youth hostelling again the following year, in May 1969. I am not sure exactly the day we went but grandad noted that only mum, Alan and Liz came for tea on Sunday 26 May as dad, Tricia and I had gone hiking in Derbyshire. On the 30th, mum came to near Edale to pick us up. Liz and Alan stayed with grandma and grandad. Grandma walked home with them.
I am not sure of where we started and am less sure of the route we took this year. Probably, we started somewhere in the south, maybe Matlock, and worked our way north. I am not entirely sure. Potentially, this route was more similar to the one Jo and I took on our nostalgic walk in 2023. That also ended in Edale.
Hostelling in the Seventies
Dad and I also went youth hostelling in the early seventies, with Alan instead of Tricia, see Chapter 106. I also went youth hostelling at least twice in the later 1970s, once with friends and once on my own, in 1976. I have my own diaries for that latter trip.
Other People’s Holidays
Grandad also sometimes noted other people’s holidays.
The Douglases
For example, grandad noted that, in August 1966, Ron, Betty, John and Paul Douglas went to Harrogate and then to Scotland for just over a week. Harrogate was where Ron’s mother lived. I am not sure why they went to Scotland nor why Graham and Caroline did not go. I don’t know if they knew Betty was ill at this point. According to grandad’s diary, she had been to hospital in September 1965 but I am not sure if this related to the cancer from which she died in July 1967. As far as I can see, this was only diagnosed in January 1967, see Chapter 88.
In August 1967, Ron went to his mother’s in Harrogate for a week’s holiday. He took the three children, Graham, Paul and Caroline. On the day they got back, John went on holiday to Greece.
Foreign Holidays
Such foreign holidays were still the exception rather than the rule at this time, certainly among our circle of family and friends. I think John Douglas was a manager at Bonds which may explain why he could take such a holiday. Prior to this, Basil and Hilda Parkin took a holiday in Norway in 1963, see Chapter 81, but the only other foreign trips documented prior to this related to military service or church activities, such as missionaries, see Chapter 90 [I have assumed that the trip to Africa that Mrs Cooper took was church-related but it could have been a holiday]. Foreign holidays really became widely accessible from the seventies.
Linda Bell
In April 1968, mum called for Linda Bell who was going with a friend to Spain for a six months working holiday. She came back on 2 September 1968, which was just over four months. I don’t know if she came back earlier or if the six months was just an estimate In June 1969, Linda Bell and a friend went hitchhiking to Spain.
Olive and Alf Holland
In July 1969, Olive and Alf Holland went on holiday as Olive’s mother, Eva, had been admitted to a nursing home.
My Recollections
Views on Working Abroad, InterRail and Hitch-hiking
I don’t recall Linda Bell and doubt if her experiences of foreign travel and holidays influenced me. However, I recall, as a teenager, being somewhat dismissive of foreign “package” holidays and being much more attracted to the idea of working abroad, e.g. on a kibbutz, which was very popular at the time or, in particular, the idea of hitchhiking around Europe, which I did in 1978. There was quite a lot of interest in InterRail at the time and I believe I recall Tricia doing some such trip but I regarded this as somewhat tame in comparison to hitching!
Why Did My Family Not Do Package Holidays?
I am not entirely sure why, as a family, we did not take foreign charter holidays in the early/mid-seventies and this is a topic to which I aim to return once I get that far in the diaries! Probably, there were a number of factors including the family disruption we were experiencing because of the breakdown of the relationship between mum and dad, financial concerns and perhaps some unwillingness, on my part in particular, to be involved in any kind of family holiday! I also suspect I was not the only family member to look down a bit on “package” holidays.
Hitch-hiker’s Guide to Europe
My interest in hitchhiking in Europe was fuelled in the mid- to late-seventies by coming across Ken Walsh’s book, “Hitch-hiker’s Guide to Europe”, Apparently the book which inspired “Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy”. I don’t know what happened to my copy but I recently acquired a copy which originates from 1977 and looks like the one I had. I found this book extremely inspiring with its slightly anarchic and opinionated approach to travelling. This is in an era before Lonely Planet or Rough Guides were (widely-)available. Lonely Planet was founded in the early 1970s but only really expanded to the world beyond Australia in the eighties. Rough Guides started in 1982.
Hitch-hiking Has Declined in Popularity
While hitch-hiking was once popular, it has largely fallen out of fashion and I cannot recall the last time I saw someone hitching. The reasons for this are probably multiple including perceptions of danger and rise in car ownership. Another factor has been the growth of motorway-type roads where pedestrians are not allowed. However, while hitchhiking itself has fallen out of fashion, there has been a rise of technology-based similar practices, e.g. of car sharing and “slugging”. It is worth noting that hitchhiking remains popular in some countries and this often relates to levels of car ownership.
Relatively Limited Experience of Hitch-Hiking
Actually, apart from the trip to Europe, I did not hitch-hike that much. I recall getting to and from university mostly by train. I do recall us being split up into pairs and then hitch-hiking back to the campsite while on a school trip in France in the seventies, something which I don’t think would even be considered these days!
Going to the Theatre
During this period, family members sometimes went to the theatre, particularly in Norwich. Perhaps unsurprisingly, many of these theatre trips were for pantomimes. Grandma also quite often went to the theatre during this period with visitors, such as Eva or Auntie Dolly, and/or friends, such as Barbara Carpenter, Mrs Douglas and Mrs Smith. For many of the productions in this section, the diaries did not state which theatre they were in although I have since found this out in some cases. These productions are presented first.
“Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs“
In June 1965, mum took Tricia, me and Alan to see “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” in Norwich. While I have found details of “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” being put on as a pantomime in Norwich in 2008, I have not found any details of the 1965 show. I also don’t quite understand why this was on in June if it was a pantomime.
It was a Tuesday and dad met us in Norwich presumably after work. I have some recollections of going into Norwich on my own on the bus from Hellesdon to meet dad in Norwich. I guess I would have been around ten years old. Mum would put me on the bus and dad met me from it. I am not sure of the purpose of these trips but presumably it was to attend something in Norwich in the evening, perhaps the theatre or football.
Graham Douglas went with us. Liz went to stay at grandma and grandad’s.
“My Fair Lady“
In March 1966, both mum and grandma went to see “My Fair Lady”. It was also made into a film in 1964. Mum went with Young Wives and she noted that it was not bad. Grandma went with the ladies from Mile Cross and grandad noted that the seat cost 14/6.
“Pirates of Penzance“
In May 1966, mum went to see “Pirates of Penzance” at night. This is a well-known comic opera by Gilbert and Sullivan. Mum loved Gilbert and Sullivan all her life and I think this is the first mention of a Gilbert and Sullivan opera in the diaries. In later life, she regularly attended Gilbert and Sullivan weeks at Willersley Castle and these are mentioned in Chapter 69.
“Song of Norway”
In January 1967, mum went to the opera “Song of Norway”. This is a 1944 operetta that was adapted for film in 1970. She noted that Janet was in it. This was a production by the Norfolk and Norwich Operatic Society. Mum did not specify which Janet this was, so it could have been Janet Blyth or Janet Wright. However, from the programme, it is clear that it was Janet Blyth.
“Hobson’s Choice“
In October 1968, mum and dad went to see “Hobson’s Choice”. This play by Harold Brighouse was first performed in London in 1916. It has been put on in Norwich on several occasions including in its centenary year 2016. I have not found any details of the performance in 1968 but I do recall taking mum to see it in 2008. Others who went included my wife, Jo, our daughter, Emma and a friend of hers. I recall mum and Jo enjoying the play and thought it was, for mum, because grandad had been a shoemaker and Jo enjoyed the northern accents. I also recall that Emma and her friend, who were both around 15 at the time, were baffled by it!
“No, No, Nanette“
In March 1969, grandma, Mrs Smith and Mrs Douglas went to see “No No Nanette”. At least I think that is what they saw, see but grandad called it “No No Nette”.
Two Theatres in Norwich
Such theatre trips appear to have been to one of two theatres in Norwich, the Theatre Royal, see Chapter 90, or the Maddermarket.
Performances at the Theatre Royal
In some cases, grandad specified that a performance had been at the Theatre Royal.
“Aladdin“
In December 1965, grandma and Auntie Dolly went to see “Aladdin” at the Theatre Royal. They were going to go by bus but it did not turn up so mum took them, with the four of us in tow (!), and dad brought them home.
“Peter Pan“
In February 1966, mum and grandma took Tricia, me and Alan to see a matinee of “Peter Pan” at the Theatre Royal. This had been a West End performance at La Scala Theatre. It then toured to a number of cities including Norwich.
“Robin Hood”
In January 1968, grandma took Alan to the pantomime “Robin Hood” at the Theatre Royal. I went with a party from Sunday School, see Chapter 90. and Tricia was going with some friends on Friday.
“Sleeping Beauty“
In January 1969, grandma, Mrs Smith and Mrs Douglas took Alan, Liz and Caroline to the Theatre Royal to see the pantomime “Sleeping Beauty”.
“Kismet“
In February 1969, grandma, Mrs Smith and Mrs Douglas went to Norwich to see “Kismet” at the Theatre Royal. This was a musical that appeared on Broadway in 1953 and has also appeared in London’s West End. This was a production by the Norfolk and Norwich Operatic Society.
“The Russian Dances“
In April 1969, mum, grandma, Auntie Dolly, Tricia and Mrs Smith went to the Theatre Royal to see “The Russian Dances”. I am not entirely sure what this was. I have not managed to find a play, opera, ballet etc. by this name. It is possible that grandad was referring to Russian dances in general but he writes it in speech marks as “The Russian Dances”.
“Italian Girl in Algiers“
In May 1969, grandma and Mrs Smith went to the Theatre Royal to see “Italian Girl in Algiers”. This is a Rossini opera.
“The Boy Friend“
Also, in May 1969, grandma, Eva, Barbara Carpenter and Mrs Smith went to the Theatre Royal to see “The Boy Friend”. This is a musical by Sandy Wilson that first appeared in London’s West End in 1954 and ran for over 2,000 productions.
Another Play
In July 1969, grandma and Mrs Smith went to see another play at the Theatre Royal.
The Maddermarket
The Maddermarket was a theatre in St John’s Alley in Norwich that was founded in 1921 and is still functioning today.
Performances at the Maddermarket
In some cases, grandad specified that a performance had been at the Maddermarket.
Sometimes the Performance was not Specified
In January 1966, mum went to Maddermarket theatre with Miss Walker but mum did not specify what they saw.
In June 1968, Ron took grandma and his mother to Maddermarket Theatre to see a play. Barbara Carpenter had given her two tickets that she had been unable to use. Grandad did not specify what they saw. It is possible that it was the play “Caroline” which was put on by the Norwich Players that month. They are the in-house company at Maddermarket Theatre and they have put on plays monthly since 1911. However, it is also possible that it was a play by someone other than them. I think the play “Caroline” may be a play for eight women by Edward Murch.
“The Wild Duck” and “Chase Me Comrade“
On 23 November 1968, grandma, Mrs Smith and Mrs Douglas went to the Maddermarket Theatre to see “The Wild Duck”, a play by Henrik Ibsen, but they had got mixed up over the dates as their tickets were for the 30th. They only found out when they examined their tickets. On the 30th, they went and then they went straight through on the bus to Drayton village hall to see “Chase me Comrade”, a farce by Ray Cooney inspired by the true-life story of Rudolf Nureyev defecting to the West.
“War and Peace“
In February 1969, grandma went to see “War and Peace”, the epic novel by Leo Tolstoy, at the Maddermarket Theatre. Apparently, this was the Norwich Players production for January 1969 but perhaps it ran into February.
“The Farmer’s Wife“
In March 1969, grandma went with Mrs Smith and Mrs Douglas to see “The Farmer’s Wife” at The Maddermarket Theatre. I think grandad may have noted the name of this play incorrectly as the Norwich Players’ production for March 1969 was recorded as “The Country Wife”.
There is a restoration comedy by William Wycherley of this name dating from 1675. If this indeed is the right play, I am intrigued that the Norwich Players put it on given that “the scandalous trick [of pretending impotence] and the frank language have for much of the play’s history kept it off the stage”. I wonder what grandma and her friends made of it!
Interestingly, there is a romantic comedy play of the name “The Farmer’s Wife” which was written by Eden Phillpotts based on his novel, Widecombe Fair. This seems more suited to grandma and her friends but could the Norwich Players have recorded the name incorrectly? I suppose both plays could have been performed in March 1969 at the Maddermarket but that seems unlikely.
“My Three Angels“
Auntie Dolly went with grandma, Mrs Smith and Mrs Douglas to the Maddermarket Theatre in April 1969 to see “My Three Angels”. This is a play by Samuel and Bella Spewack that is based in French Guiana and shows the interaction between three prisoners and a family of French colonists.
“The Night Bell” and “The Real“
In June 1969, grandma went with Mrs Smith and Mrs Douglas to the Maddermarket Theatre to see “The Night Bell” and also “The Real”. I have not found details of either of these plays. The second play could be “The Deal”.
“Let’s Have a Divorce”
In July 1969, grandma and Mrs Smith went to the Maddermarket Theatre to see the play “Let’s Have a Divorce”. This was the Norwich Players production for that month and was called “Let’s Get a Divorce”.
“Romeo and Juliet”
In September 1969, grandma, Barbara Carpenter and Mrs Smith went to the Maddermarket Theatre to see “Romeo and Juliet”. At least that was the case according to grandad but the Norwich Players’ production for that month was “Romanoff and Juliet”. This is a play by Peter Ustinov which was a comic spoof of the cold war.
Theatres Outside of Norwich
Sometimes family members went to a theatre outside Norwich.
“The Sound of Music”
For example, in October 1965, mum and Tricia went to London to see “The Sound of Music” with choir, see Chapter 90.
Yarmouth
Sometimes, this involved trips to Yarmouth but perhaps less frequently than had been the case in the early sixties, see Chapter 81.
“Showtime” with Arthur Askey and Val Doonican
In July 1967, grandma and Eva went by train to Yarmouth for a show. Arthur Askey was there for the season, appearing in “Showtime” with Val Doonican at Wellington Pier Pavilion, see Chapter 52. Dad picked them up from the train station around 10.15pm.
Local Amateur Performances
Sometimes, family members went to local, amateur performances.
Plays at Drayton Village Hall
For example, in March 1967, grandma went to Drayton Village Hall to see a play. In March 1969, grandma, Mrs Smith and Mrs Douglas went to a play at Drayton Village Hall. Grandad did not specify what either of these plays were. However, I suspect these were performances by the Drayton Players who put on two plays per year, see Chapter 106. Based on a record of their past performances, the plays in question are likely to have been “So Many Children” and “Tell Tale Murder“. I have not found details of the first of these.
“The Mikado” at Hoverton
In May 1968, on her birthday, grandma went with Mrs Smith and Mrs Carpenter to Hoverton to see “The Mikado”, a comic opera by Gilbert and Sullivan.
RAF Play in Coltishall
In April 1969, grandma went with a bus outing to see a play at Coltishall put on by the RAF. Grandad did not specify what this play was.
Films
A Film in Norwich
In July 1965, mum took Tricia, me and Alan to see a film in Norwich but grandad did not say what the film was.
Stuart Hall (Later Cinema City)
In February 1966, grandma went to see a film at Stuart Hall. Again I am not sure what the film was. Stuart Hall is a brick building that was added to the partly mediaeval Sucking House in 1925. It has housed Cinema City since 1978 but films were shown there before that. I have some recollections of being a volunteer usher there on one or two occasions when Cinema City first opened.
“The Sound of Music” at the Gaumont
In July 1966, grandma and Eva went to see “The Sound of Music”. This well-known film was released in 1965.
It was shown at the Gaumont cinema. This opened in 1932 as the Carlton Cinema. It was rebranded as the Gaumont in 1959 until it closed in 1973. The building was demolished in 2014. The site is now occupied by Pablo Fanque House which provides student accommodation and office space. Pablo Fanque was a circus proprietor who was born as William Darby in Norwich probably in 1810.
They went to the afternoon matinee as there was a special price of three shillings for old age pensioners.
In August 1966, mum and Auntie Dolly took me and Tricia to see “The Sound of Music”.
“The Bible“
In March 1967, grandma, Auntie Dolly, Jim, Renie, Tricia and I went to the Gaumont to see “The Bible”, see Chapter 90.
“The Star“
In January 1969, grandma, Mrs Smith and Mrs Douglas went to see a film called “The Star”. I suspect this was the 1968 film “Star!” which was about the life of Gertrude Lawrence.
“Swan Lake” at the Assembly Rooms
In September 1969, grandma and Auntie Dolly went to the Assembly Rooms[ to see the ballet “Swan Lake” as a Russian-made film. The cinema at the Assembly Rooms was called the Noverre. It opened in 1950 and closed in 1992. I recall going there but not often.
Musical Performances
Family and friends also sometimes attended musical performance during this period.
Drayton Silver Band at the Village Hall
For example, in April 1965, Ken and Pearl Hodges went to an evening concert given by the Drayton Silver Band at the village hall, see Chapter 90. In February 1966, dad also went to a Drayton Silver Band concert.
While today there is no distinction between a brass band and a silver band, the latter term used to refer to bands with silver-plated instruments which were considered superior to brass instruments.
A Concert that Tricia was in
In April 1966, grandma went with Tricia to a concert that Tricia was taking part in. Mum couldn’t go as she was not well.
Old-Time Concert at Drayton Village Hall
In May 1968, grandma went to an old time concert held in Drayton village hall.
Drayton Band at St Andrew’s Hall
In June 1969, grandma went to see Drayton Band at St Andrew’s Hall. I assume this was the silver band but grandad does not say so explicitly, For details of St Andrew’s Hall, see Chapter 79. In addition to these concerts, grandma and Eva saw Drayton Silver Band at Mile Cross Methodist Church in May 1968, see Chapter 90.
Making Music
Family and friends were also involved in producing and enjoying music in their own homes. In May 1969, grandma, Eva and Auntie Dolly went next door to Barbara Carpenter’s to listen to records. In June 1969, Mrs Hodgson came round after tea and they had a sing song. Grandad mostly spelled her name as Hodson but sometimes as Hodgson. I believe the latter spelling is correct.
Interest in Musical Instruments
Grandad continued his interest with musical instruments during this period.
Tenor (or C) Recorder
In November 1965, grandad fixed two wooden keys onto his tenor recorder but he did not consider this a success so he pulled them off. He had been interested in recorders since the 1940s, see Chapter 31. I think I recall this recorder, that it was very big and that there were homemade keys to make reaching the bottom holes easier. I assume it is these keys which are being referred to here.
The next month, grandad tried again. This time, he referred to it as a C recorder and this time it was a success. In January 1966, grandma bought him a pair of half-inch hinges to improve the keys on his C recorder with screws. Grandad noted th the cost of these was one shilling. At the end of January, he made two new wooden keys for his C recorder.
Miss Cooke’s Father’s Piccolo
In September 1966, Miss Cooke gave grandad her father’s piccolo. Grandad had tried playing the piccolo in the period between the wars, see Chapter 20.
Slide Recorder
In December 1966, grandad made a slide recorder out of the mouthpiece of the old plastic recorder that he had bought in 1948. I am not entirely sure what he was referring to but I wonder if it was what might be called a slide whistle.
Swanee Flute
I don’t know if grandma was unimpressed with grandad’s home-made effort but, in January 1967, she bought him a swanee flute at a cost of 22/6. Grandad noted that he did not think much of it! So, the next day, grandma went back and swapped it for a recorder.
A Recorder for a Desk
In November 1967, grandad traded me his recorder for my old oak desk.
Recorder Clarinet
In November 1968, grandad sent to Ruislip for a musical instrument that he described as a similar to a recorder but which produced sound using a reed like a clarinet. In early December, he received the recorder clarinet. He commented that the tone was OK but that it would take more playing than the recorder.
Schott’s Descant Recorder
In February 1969, grandma and grandad bought Alan a Schott’s descant recorder. Schott’s seems to refer to the music shop in London which, from 1940, sold mass-produced recorders aimed at school children. This recorder cost £1 which grandad recorded as 20 shillings.
Electric Organ
In December 1967, grandma and grandad bought a small electric organ from Cookes. This operated by battery. Grandad noted that the price was £10 10 but he received a discount of five shillings so paid £10 5.
Currently, there seem to be two Cookes’ music shops in St Benedicts, one for pianos at number 19 and another for band instruments at number 34. This was also the case in 1972 according to an advert in the Hewett School magazine that year. Cookes’ first music shop opened in Norwich in 1887. The piano shop was bought by Millers Music in 2016 and was due to close with the business relocating to Cambridge.
Organ Transformer
Early in January 1968, grandad went into Norwich to get a transformer for his organ but he could not find one. So, he bought a trickle charger from Halfords. For details of Halfords, see Chapter 84. The charger cost 37/6. That afternoon, he managed to get the organ playing on the charger. The next day, he made a gadget for the organ which took the place of batteries and to which he could connect the charger. Two days later, he put a 13 amp plug on the television table which allowed the organ to be plugged in. Three days later, he started making a case for the organ and transformer. A few days after that, he and grandma covered it with Fablon, see Chapter 64.
Guitar
In May 1966, grandad noted that we brought a guitar that dad had been bought for his birthday to show grandad.
Dancing
During this period, mum and dad often went dancing. The frequency of this appears to have declined over time but I don’t know if this is genuinely the case or if it is just an artefact of fewer diary records. They also went dancing in 1963 and 1964, see Chapter 81. They were often described as old time dances and sometimes as dinner dances and they seem to have been organised by the Norwich Union. Some were at the Norwood Rooms, see Chapter 81, and others at Pinebanks, also see Chapter 81.
Local Sporting Activities
Also, during this period, family members sometimes watched, and more rarely took part in, local sporting activities.
Cricket
In June 1965, grandad and Cyril watched cricket on the playing field. According to grandad, it was a match between Drayton and the Anglicans, see Chapter 90. In addition, in August 1965, grandad saw another cricket match on the park. This was between Horsford and Drayton. Drayton won, scoring 96 for nine in reply to Horsford’s 95.
Keep Fit
In 1966, mum was involved in Keep Fit activities and she went to a Keep Fit rally in Thorpe in May 1966. The Keep Fit Association was established in 1956 and remains active. Although Keep Fit activities are not mentioned in later years, I don’t know if this was because mum stopped doing them or because she stopped writing her diary. I recall her doing Keep Fit so presume she may have been involved in this for a longer period than just 1966.
Bowls
In August 1967, after a meeting of some of the ladies from Drayton, some of them played bowls in grandma and grandad’s garden.
Hellesdon Sports
In July 1968, grandad noted that grandma went to Hellesdon Sports.
Board and Card Games
Board and card games were not noted as much as in previous periods, see Chapter 81. However, grandad did note, in June 1966, playing cards for part of the day with Tom Wilson and Clarence Reeve.
Swimming
Mum also sometimes noted going swimming. From September 1966, she started swimming at Hellesdon Secondary Modern School. In November 1967, grandma and grandad had Liz while the rest of us went swimming at Norwich baths. Grandad also noted mum going swimming in May 1969 as Eva went to babysit.
My Recollections
As do many people, I have very strong recollections of St Augustine’s swimming baths and went there a lot both with my family and on my own when I was older. I recall getting a wire clothes carrier from reception. When you handed that in, you received some kind of coloured wristband which, at busy times, was used to tell you when your time was up and was also used to get your clothes back! The swimming pool opened in 1961 and was closed in 1997. The building was later demolished. For some more great photos of St Augustine’s see here.
Following Norwich City
During this period, dad took me to see Norwich City play football and I am sure this experience was important for me in terms of my lifelong love of football and support for Norwich City where I am still a season ticket holder. For more detail of my early years supporting Norwich City see here. However, it may also be worth noting that this experience did not have the same effect on Tricia who also came on some of these early trips!
First Recorded Visit Versus Cardiff City
Grandad first noted dad taking me and Tricia to the football on 29 April 1967. I would have been not quite seven. This game was Norwich’s third-from-last game of the season and they beat Cardiff City 3-2. I found a report of the game in the Local Recall archive which is sadly no longer available. According to that report, Norwich were behind initially but then scored three goals before Cardiff scored a consolation goal in the 90th minute. Norwich goals were scored by Don Heath and Laurie Sheffield (2).
Last Match of the 1966/67 Season Versus Northampton Town
We also went to the last match of the season on 13 May 1967 where Norwich again won, this time 1-0 against Northampton Town. According to a report of the game, the only goal was scored in the 15th minute by Don Heath. Somewhat oddly perhaps, they played a friendly in Dundalk the next day.
Eleventh in Division Two
That season, Norwich competed in League Division Two and they finished 11th in the table. The two teams that we saw them beat finished 20th and 21st. Northampton Town were relegated with Bury. Coventry City won the league and were promoted with Wolverhampton Wanderers. Our rivals, Ipswich Town, finished 5th. This season pre-dated the introduction of play-offs, in 1987, for promotion. The Eastern Daily Press described Norwich’s performance as “limping” into 11th place even though it was the club’s third highest league finish at that point.
Earlier Game Against Crystal Palace
However, I have recollections that the first game I attended was against Crystal Palace and we won 4-3. It turns out that this was the same season and was two weeks earlier than the game against Cardiff City, that is on 15 April 1967.
Eased Relegation Worries
According to a news report of the game, this victory considerably eased Norwich’s relegation worries that year. They clinched victory with a “last-gasp” goal. The article described the game as the most entertaining of the season. Although Norwich took the lead with a Tommy Bryceland goal, they were behind early in the second half. However, Laurie Brown equalised in the 57th minute and Norwich took the lead 11 minutes later when Mike Kenning scored. Norwich only held the lead for four minutes before Palace equalised but Tommy Bryceland scored his second of the game, in the 89th minute, to clinch victory.
Not Recorded by Grandad
It is possible that grandad did not record this trip. On that day, Arthur and Jessie Lofthouse were staying with them and grandma and grandad did work in the garden. It is also possible that I have got my scores and teams mixed up but this seems less likely given that I believe I remember the team and the score and that would be the right year.
Programme for First Match I Attended
The Teams
Division 2 League Table
Appearances and Scorers
News Cutting
Norwich City Results 1966/67
Friendly Matches
On 12 August 1967, mum noted that dad took me and Alan to a football match. However, this was the week before the season kicked off so I wondered if this was a pre-season friendly. I found something in the Coventry Evening Telegraph of 9 August 1967 which implied that Norwich and Sheffield United were playing a friendly on the 12th. Sheffield United were a First Division team at that point although they were relegated that year. According to a news article at the time, Norwich won that game 3-1. The goals were scored by Tommy Bryceland, Mal Lucas and Hugh Curran. The team was listed as Keelan, Stringer, Gladwin (Mullett), Lucas, Brown, Bolland, Heath, Bryceland, Sheffield, Curran, Anderson.
F A Cup Away at Chelsea
On 17 February 1968, grandad noted that dad and I went by bus to London to see the fourth round FA Cup match between Norwich and Chelsea. Norwich lost 1-0. The only goal was scored by Charlie Cooke in the 20th minute. Norwich had got to this stage of the cup by beating Sunderland in the third round. The first game at Carrow Road was a 1-1 draw but Norwich won the away replay 1-0. Sunderland were a First Division team that season.
I remember a few away trips with dad travelling on supporter coaches and I recall that, when they were going to London, the coaches always stopped in Baldock.
One incident which I remember and I think it was from that trip, although for many years I thought it was related to a Wembley trip, was two older boys snatching my scarf and dad chasing after them and grabbing hold of one of them until they gave the scarf back. I was quite surprised by him doing this but, on reflection, I think they were probably quite young lads although I did not think so at the time. He always commented that no-one came to his aid but violent scuffles were quite common in relation to football at that time although things got considerably worse in the seventies and eighties.
FA Cup Final 1969
Wembley Stadium
In April 1969, when I was still eight, dad took me to the FA Cup Final. This did not involve Norwich (sadly) but was contested between Leicester City and Manchester City. I recall it being a tremendous experience and, like many others, remember walking up Wembley Way towards the stadium’s twin towers. This stadium was built in 1923. It closed in 2000 and was demolished in 2002/03.
Manchester City Versus Leicester City
I recall that Leicester were very much the underdogs. Although both teams were in the First Division, Leicester City were relegated that year. The programme for the match noted that this was Leicester’s fourth F A Cup final but that they had not yet won the F A Cup. This experience and this game were referred to a lot in 2021 when Leicester finally won the FA Cup, beating Chelsea in the final. In 1969, I recall that Manchester City won 1-0. Neil Young scored the only goal. A video of the game is available.
F A Cup Final Programme
Adverts in the Programme
Reserve Matches
On 9 August 1969, dad took me and Tricia to a football match. This was slightly odd as Norwich played away at Aston Villa that day and won 1-0. I suspected it was probably a reserves game and I have a vague recollection of going to reserves games with dad. I found details of it in the Local Recall archive. Norwich Reserves played Swansea Reserves in a Football Combination match and lost 1-0. This league operated for reserve teams from 1915 to 2012. [1] This was relatively well-organised. Results featured in the first-team programme and there were write-up of games in the local media. With the formation of the Premier League, a Premier Reserve League was established and operated from 1999 to 2012 before being replaced by various youth leagues. I am not sure this has the same profile as the reserve league once did.
Library
During this period, grandad enjoyed visiting the library but did not note what books he borrowed or read. In December 1965, he joined Hellesdon’s lending library. Mum had been a member there from 1960 but grandad initially joined Mile Cross library on coming to Norwich, see Chapter 81.
Occasionally, he went there with someone else, e.g. Tom Wilson, but I think this was probably when he was having problems with transport. He usually went on his moped but sometimes got a lift particularly when there were problems with the moped.
Grandad clearly did read during this period. For example, in October 1966, when grandma had a ladies’ practice in the bungalow, he noted that he and Tom sat reading in the kitchen.
In November 1969, grandad joined the Norfolk library van that came to Hurn Road every four weeks. Currently, Norfolk County Council offers quite an extensive mobile library service. Route CEN 519 serves Drayton, Taverham and Thorpe Marriott. It calls on a Friday every 28 days. It still stops at Hurn Road, from 10.15 to 10.30 and offers eight other stops in Drayton.
Hobbies
Collecting Coins
In terms of hobbies, dad was interested in and collected coins. For more details of dad’s coin collection, see Chapter 94. In August 1967, he went to a coin sale in North Walsham. This was described as a special sale of gold, silver and copper coins. It was held at the King’s Arms Hotel which dates back to 1750.
Stamp Collecting
Also, most of the family were interested in stamps, including particularly first day covers. Although I associate this more with mum than with dad. Mum had an extensive collection of First Day Covers and these passed to Tricia when mum died. I retained the relatively few First Day Covers with dad’s name on.
When we were at Butlins in Barry in May 1968, grandad went to ours to collect what he referred to as some letters with special stamps and franking on them for dad. I assume these were the First Day covers relating to the British Anniversaries stamps that were issued on 29 May 1968 but I am not sure why grandad needed to collect them and why they could not just wait until we got home.
