We were a large family, seven girls and seven boys, my father was a baker and corn merchant, and ran a little corner shop in Bridgwater in the West Country. The bakery was at the back and ran quite along way. My father married at an eary age of twenty, he took the business from his father, it had been in the family for generations. Baking at that time was really hard work, all made by hand. Father made up his mind he would work up a really good business and he did. The day he took the business over, he took Ellen, the little maid, to work with him.

The wedding day came, mother was just nineteen and from that day it was nothing but hard work, but they were very happy and proud. Then the first baby was to arrive. Mother carried on looking after the shop whilst father was in the bakehouse. She managed alone until the very last hour - it was always that way. The first baby was born, a little girl. I think perhaps father was disappointed, he had of course a son in mind. Everything went well. Fathers sister attended the shop just for two weeks then mother was back again. The little maid, Ellen, was wonderful and although very young she managed well. Things started to pick up a little, the business certainly improved, then another baker was employed. He was a funny little man and hard worker. He certainly had to to keep up with father. They called him Stumpy. In a short while mother was expecting another child. This seemed rather much, but still work had to go on.

My grandparents lived in a little cottage opposite the shop. Gran was a great help and very good with the baby and with Ellen it worked well. The second baby arrived - another girl, father was quite proud really. 'Perhaps it will be a boy next time.', says he. Certainly things had to be a little different, mother found it was really too much for Ellen even with the help of Gran. She managed to find someone living quite near who was willing to work a few hours each morning. This was a great relief to mother as she was rather afraid to leave two babies with Ellen, although working on the premises, mother was able to keep an eye on things.

All went well in the bakery and father decided to start a bread round. He started with two bread barrows and delivered from house to house. Most of his customers were living in streets quite near but people were only too glad to have their bread delivered. Then other customers enquired if it would be possible to deliver a little way out of the town. Father thought it a bit too much to push the barrows so far. Being the businessman he was, he tried, but it was hard work. However, he was pleased how well things were going and you have to work for success as he already knew. He carried on a long time hoping very soon he would be able to buy his first horse and cart, but things would have to wait a while as mother was expecting her third child. He really wanted to see things through hoping this time it would be a boy. His wish was granted and he was delighted. 'Now I have a son, Aldred it shall be. I will make him a good baker'. He fully intended all his children should be in the business. It was going to be a family affair, and as time will tell, it was.

'Now the next thing we have to do Nance', thats what he called mother, 'is to get this horse and cart. We have a family to look after'. Because in his mind he knew there would be more, he still wanted sons, he must have sons to carry on. He bought the horse and cart, it was a small turnout, quite big enough to start he thought. Of course at the time it was all he could afford, he was a man who would not go beyond his means, on no account would he take up money, everything had to be payed on delivery.

My Gran was a dear soul. What mother would have done without her I just cannot think. She was wonderful with the children. She had worried about mother who as a child was very delicate. Gran had already lost one daughter and she thought that mother was working too hard and seemed to be starting a family rather quickly as the fourth child was on the way. It seemed father had really made up his mind to have a bakers dozen. That where I come in, as I was the thirteenth, but we have a long way to go yet.

Well the baby was born, another boy, which needless to say pleased father. He was already on his way to making some good bakers. This son was called Ernest. I expect mother thought father was really earnest about the business - he fully intended to make a fine one.

It was work, work, from morning till night, both my parents seemed to thrive on it and they intended to bring their children up the same way. They were still living on the premises, rather small living accommodation, the family was growing, and father was thinking they would soon have to get somewhere different to live. They certainly would have to wait awhile for that.

Everthing went smoothly in the home, of couse extra help was needed, the children were well looked after. I am afraid mother saw very little of them, four more children were born at the shop. Two daughters then another two sons and things were working out quite well, business was good.

Father thought it was now time to make a move so he bought a house quite near. He wanted to be near the business. After buying it I think he thought that it was not quite larger enough, but it was convenient so they moved.

Ellen by this time was mothers right hand as you may say, she really loved the children. They stayed for a while in this house then mother found she was having another child so father decided to make another move and quickly another house was found, trust father. It was a little further away but that could not be helped, and it was there another son was born.

By this time another horse and cart was on the road, the bread rounds were proving very satisfactory and growing fast, only one thing now father had in mind was for his sons to work beside him. He had a long wait, it was early days, but he was well organised having employed extra hands, but Stumpy was the old faithful - it was fetch and carry.

Not long after the second move father saw a very nice house for sale in view of his shop, he thought this would be ideal for the family. It was well talked over with mother, she approved and it was all settled and the house was purchased and then the family moved again. Mother was quite pleased with this house. She felt it was the final move and she was right. Five more children were born, three daughters and two sons. I was one of the daughters -the last but one to be born - the thirteenth. By this time my brothers and sisters were growing up and were very useful. My eldest sister helped mother at a very early age in the shop - that was May. My sister Gertie begged to stay at home to look after the younger children. Ellen was delighted with this extra help. We lost one brother at the age of three months, this now left thirteen of us to grow up together. The shop was still going well, father working hard with his two eldest boys giving any help they could, very young and still at school and with May helping mother. They carried on until they were able to leave school which was a considerable help to my parents, the two boys working very hard and May turning out to be a good business girl. Father was just waiting now for the rest of the family to help. He did not have to wait long as there was little difference in the ages. We knew we should all be in this little old fashioned shop taking turn early morning, then off to school and back again.

My parents never had a holiday, the only pleasure we had all together was on a Sunday. Sometimes father used to hire a brake and off we use to set, all sat up so proud, to a little village on the Quantocks. There we used to have tea in the gardens of a small inn. Sometimes it was very difficult to accomodate us all. Father then used to get very impatient as it was important that he should return in time to make the dough for the next morning. When this happened, he would not go again for months, instead he would hire a governess cart which he would drive and we would set off just around the country villages, but we all had to take our turn as only five of us could go on those occassions.

On Monday another week would start, father off early in the morning, the two boys Aldred and Ernest would follow later at a set time. The first batch had to be drawn very early for the deliveries, also for the shop which seemed to be open at all times. May would arrive to take over at just about 8 O'Clock. She would then wait patiently for mother, who would be there an hour later, after she had arranged things for the day at home.
The bread barrows were packed. Father and my brother Ernest would be off to deliver his morning bread. It was certainly not the best part of town. Some of the houses were very poor and delapidated and little courts were running along with houses each side. They were all very friendly people, my brother got on well with them and gained alot of customers which pleased father, but what did not please him was that he took twice as long as he should in delivering, which was quite true. He was a friendly lad. He would knock on the door, call 'Baker', then walk in, sit down, have a cup of tea and a chat and then off he would go. This happened time and time again. Father became very angry and told my brother it had to stop. Ernest was very bold. Shaking in his shoes he said 'Well father, if you stop me you will lose your best customers. You have to be friendly in business'. These words pleased father, they were the truest words spoken. He knew the bread barrows were his first success and from those very customers. Not another word was mentioned, Ernest still carried on as usual.

Quite near the business there was a Cattle Market. Every Wednesday the farmers would bring the cattle into the market to be auctioned. Through the street off the shop they had low iron railings and it was here that the sheep used to be penned in by hurdles and sold by lot numbers. At the top of this street there was a large field called St Matthews. The last Wednesday in September a four day chartered fair was held. On the first day all cattle was sold on the field including the sheep and then against the iron railings leading to the field there would be stalls erected each side of the street. It was almost like Petticoat Lane. All this was very good for business. The shop had a wonderful position. Farmers called and corn trade was rapidly growing. They were now using the dwelling part of the premises for store and father had an engine installed to crush his own grain. He then began to take a very keen interest in the corn market. He would buy a ship load of grain which would come by the river delivered to the docks. It would be unloaded into trucks in the siding and then into store at a warehouse. Often the whole consignment was sold. Father then made a good business deal, especially if prices had risen in the meantime. He made sure the grain would not be in store any length of time, because after a certain date you had to pay extra storage, which was rather heavy.

Naturally the running of the house was left to mother. The biggest problem was catering. We were just like a little regiment, everything had to be arranged the night before with Ellen and Gertrude; they were the heads. Lunches had to be sent to the shop each day for the working family as they did not return until late at night. The meals were planned the next morning. Mother, on her way to business, would give the grocer and the butcher the order and all goods were delivered. She knew exactly everything that was required.

There were now five children going to school, two girls, Connie and Bee and three boys, Graham, Bill and Hubert. They were now at the age where they were well able to help and look after one another. After they set off for school, Gertie and Ellen had to see to the rest of the family, the youngest boy Reggie and the three girls Gladys, myself and Doris the youngest girl. In a very short while the whole family would be going to school, in the meanwhile extra help was given daily in the home.

My brothers had very little to do with the corn trade at this stage as they were too young for the buying and selling. There was of course, the selling over the counter. We had the corn bins (wooden containers) placed around the walls and it was sold by the bushel or peck. There was a rounded bran shovel to ladle it into bags or sacks and it was a favorite occupation for any children around - then and for many years after - to dip their hands in the bins and let the slippery, dusty corn slip through their fingers.

Father began to think mother should have more help. Bee and Connie were older than the boys helping in the shop, so it was decided that Bee should be Ellens help, why not Connie I shall never know. She was the only one not called upon to help for the shop or house.


I think we shall always remember Monday washday. Special arrangements had to be made as it was a very big affair. Clothes were piled up almost to the ceiling. Then came the ironing that fell to Ellen, which was done in the evening when all was quiet. There were dozens of little pinafores all inserted with lace which needed special care and little frocks with puff sleeves. When finished they looked a picture, but not for long! Ellen had two evenings off a week, Sunday and Wednesday. She had no parents, that was why she made her home with Grandfather Bowering so young. She had two sisters, both married. Therefore she had two homes to visit, but she always called North Street home as that is where we lived.

Some years after he had taken the business, Grandfather Bowering and family (three sons and two daughters) left our little country town and made their home in Wales. Before leaving, he realised his son was a keen businessman and was making good where he had certainly failed.

Gertie was well known toiling with the children, always two in the pram and one either side. She certainly did not think it was a toil as she had made chose. She would often hear said, 'Oh thats a part of the Bowering family'. We were well known as the bakers dozen. Some days she would meet the rest of the family from school and they would all trail home together. By the time they arrived, tea would be ready, set by Ellen who then would immediatly take over the boys who certainly seemed to be in favour. When mother and May came home, they were the first to arrive, the youngest part of the family would be in bed and Gertie would see the others were very quiet whilst Ellen saw to another meal. Mother by this time was very tired and needed a little peace so she was well looked after. Next home would be Aldred and Ernest. Ellen knew within the hour, but with father she never knew the time he would arrive which made things rather difficult to manage.

The three boys, Graham, Bill and Hubert were now in turn going to the shop, chiefly in the mornings before May arrived, which helped the workers in the bakehouse as they had to keep an eye on the shop. Mother, after a little while, had a feeling all was not well with the three boys. They did not seem to take the interest in the business and she wondered what would happen when the time came for them to go into the bakehouse, but it was early days and she felt it was not quite fair to judge so quickly and she knew if they were in trouble they would certainly go to her first. It was always mother who would make things right, so she put her thoughts on one side and hoped for the best.

Father was seriously thinking of buying another horse and cart, the two already on the road with the town round were already showing a good profit and growing rapidly. He thought a country round would be very profitable once established. My parents on Sunday evenings always sat a few hours together in the front bedroon watching the passers by. It was very quiet and away from the children. At this time they were able to talk things over and on one of these evenings father spoke of his proposition.
'Nance', said he, 'What do you think about another cart on the road, I think we could manage it now'.
'Whatever for', exclaimed mother, 'we are doing quite well at the moment'.
'Yes, very' said father, 'but I want to improve trade and I thought of starting a country round, don't forget the three boys, they will be a great help soon'.
Mother thought a while before she answered, she was certainly thinking of the boys as they had recently been very much in her thoughts. She looked up and saw father was waiting for an answer. She hesitated.
'Well Albert', said mother, 'I think perhaps I should wait a while, the boys are very young and you cannot expect much from them yet, and it will be some time before they can assist you in the bakehouse'.
'That settles it then', said father, 'but I certainly intend to start a country round. We will leave it at the moment'.
He was rather taken aback at mothers reply, but had no idea what she was thinking as she dare not mention her thoughts at this time.


For months now father had the third horse and cart still in mind. He failed to understand why mother had turned the suggestion down as she was fully aware they were able to afford them. He felt he should really do something about it. Valuable time was already wasted. Several days later when father was working in the bakehouse with the door wide open when who should pass but none other than the horse dealer from whom father had bought the two horses.
'Good morning Mr Bowering', said he,'You seem very busy. How are things going?'
'Very well indeed', said father, 'I am thinking of buying another horse in the near future. Will you have a good one to offer?'
'I have right now one that would suit very well, quiet and steady', said the dealer. Father was just drawing a batch of bread, he immediatly downed peel. He called Aldred to carry on.
'We will talk outside', said father. They both walked towards the door and closed it behind them. Aldred finding it hard work began to wonder how much longer father would be, then in walked mother. She was amazed to see Aldred drawing the batch alone.
'Wheres your father?' said mother. Outside father was talking business with the gentleman from whom he bought his horses.
'I overheard him say he thought of buying another horse', said Aldred. Mother knew she dare not interrupt the business. She turned and went in search of Stumpy to help Aldred as she could see it was far too much for him. If the price was right the deal would certainly be made.
That night father was rather late coming home. He had been to view the horse. 'You are late Albert', said mother.
'Yes, I am afraid I had some important business to settle'.
'Such as buying a horse', said mother rather curtly.
Father looked very black and wondered how she had got the news.
'Yes, you are quite right Nance. I have bought the horse, a real beauty and a bargain. I really could not miss the chance'.
'All I can say',said mother,'is I hope you have done the right thing'.
'I am sure',said father,'You must realise we have a large family to provide for and this is not like you to stop me making extra trade. You are as keen as I, Whats wrong?'
'Nothings wromg at the moment. You will certainly have to employ an extra hand for a country round. The three boys are too young to undertake any part in this. Also Aldred and Ernest have as much as they can do in the bakery'.
'Yes, I intend to do that, but I thought Ernest might help to solicite the customers. He is a good business lad and seems to be very popular',said father with a trouble in his eye, 'Of course he may take as long as he wishes'.
'How do you propose starting the country round?',said mother.





We were brought up Congregationalist, both my parents were Sunday school teachers. That, I believe, is where they first met. After their marriage they were obliged to give up teaching. There was so much to be done in the baking trade, even on a Sunday. When father was able to employ his first hand, Stumpy the hard little worker, things became easier. He went to church occasionally with mother. I cannot imagine father teaching children. Even so, he saw that his children, when of age, attended Sunday school as he certainly was brought up that way.

When Gran Nicholls lost her youngest daugther, Fanny at the age of eleven years, she was very greived and her faith was shattered. It was not until mother had her first child, May, that she really began to see light. Later with all her grandchildren she felt well blessed and was able to shower her love upon us. We were very glad to receive that love, it was certainly sent. We could always call on Gran and Grandpa Nicholls, they were there waiting and had time for us all. When we began to grow up a little and we were able to look back, we knew what wonderful grandparents we had, they possessed so little but gave so much.

We had a nice sized garden. My brothers kept all sorts of pets at different times and it was mother who arranged a small shed to be made to house them. She never refused anything that was able to give pleasure. Whatever we asked from father it was always 'Ask your mother', with one exeption and that was if we needed new shoes he would immediatly make arrangements for them to be purchased and he would pay.

The boys managed to buy two or three fowls between them, and that was the beginning. Every available moment they would be at the shed. At times the door would be left open, the fowls would be out, then the trouble would start. They blamed each other. On this particular occasion it brought Ellen on the scene.
'What is all this noise about?' said she.
'Someone left the door open and the fowls are out', said Graham, ' and it wasnt me, I havn't been near them'.
'Don't tell lies', said Bill, 'I saw you leaving the shed'.
'I can say you saw double', said Graham.
'My sights good. Its you who need glasses', said Bill
Now Grahams sight was not too good. Those last few words from Bill caused real trouble and a few blows were struck. Ellen came between them, then all was over.
'Now', said Ellen, 'you have been so busy fighting one another, where are the fowls?'
Both boys looked around, but not a bird was to be seen.
'Only one thing now', said Ellen, 'You will have to find them', and with the same she walked indoors.
'Well its not much good looking at each other', said Graham, 'We must do something about it'.
'We shall have to find them soon, there will be more trouble if Hubert arrives',said Bill, 'remember he is a partner'.
'Thats just what I am thinking, so off we go',said Graham.
The fowls were found after much difficulty. They were in a garden three doors away. They were back in the shed just as Hubert walked in.
'I fancy you are spending a lot of time with those fowls',said he,'You were here when I left two hours ago. Are you watching them grow?'.
Both the boys laughed and almost said together, 'Well it was time well spent, we have given them a good exercise'.
Hubert thought they were both mad. He was right in a way. They had been with one another a short while ago.

Gladys and Reggie started school. Now there were only two of us left at home and in a short while we should all be at school together. I can remember quite well the day I started, so keen to go, but when the day came what a fuss! I stood at the front door and would not budge an inch. Gladys at the gate shouting at the top of her voice,'Olive. We shall be late'. Gertie rushes through the hall. She thought we were both well on our way. Only one went to school that day, needless to say it was not me. We attended a little dame school in a Regency house near the river which has recently been filmed. Later we went to a school run by two maiden ladies, which was a boarding and day school. Most of the boarders were daughters of farmers from villages around. At the close of school on Friday their fathers used to fetch them in horse drawn vehicles. We were glad to be at this school. It was situated between the shop and the home.

We had another big event as well as St Matthews fair - Guy Fawkes carnival night. It was held the Thursday nearest the 5th November which was early closing day. There were great preparations during the afternoon. The shop windows in the main streets would be barricaded with planks of wood and tarpaulins hanging down from the windows, then the hose played on them in case of fire. The wood protected the plate glass from the crowds.


It was not long after Gladys had broken her arm that Bee was taken ill during the night. She seemed to be very feverish and Ellen went to the medical cupboard. It was always well stocked and never without fever cure. I thought she may be sickening for measles. She didnt seem to get any better during the day and everyone seemed to be looking for spots. When mother came home she was surprised to see how ill she looked and Dr Tommy was called. He came down the stairs looking very serious. He called mother into the dining room and closed the door. We learnt in a short while that Bee had scarlet fever. The house seemed to be in an uproar - what was going to happen? It had to be reported to the health doctor. We all wondered if she would be taken away in the Black Maria (thats what we called it, a black coach, horse drawn), but father would not hear of her leaving the house. She was allowed to stay home after a lot of fuss and she was put into a bedroom at the top of the house, a disinfected sheet was hung over the door and Ellen was called upon once more to do the nursing. The boys, working in the bakehouse, were not allowed to stay at home, some went to stay with Gran Nicholls, the others boarded.
Ellen nursed Bee and Gertie looked after the rest of us. It meant six weeks holiday for us all. She worried about Gladys and wondered when her turn would come, but it never did. She could be in and out of the bedrooms without any fear. On these occasions most of her time was spent with us. She was very good although she felt we were having the good time. She carried out all our little wants, it used to be 'You can go, we cant'. I remember one incident. Doris and I had previously seen a game in a paper shop window down the road. We looked at it for days with our noses pressed against the window. Now was the chance to get this, we thought. We could all share with this together so we asked Gladys to go and get the money from mother at the shop. She refused and said you must wait until tomorrow. Mother always asked each morning if there is anything we wanted, if so she would bring it that evening. This meant we had to wait another day.



Christmas was dawning near, great preparations were on the way at home. Ellen was already making the puddings. A large number was made every year. They were kept at least four years before they were used. In turn we all had a stir of the mixture which was made in a large earthenware bread pan. It was a busy time for mother with the shopping, presents for us all. She always seemed calm and collective and gave just what we wanted. Gertie was a great help finding what each of us had in mind. May, with mother, set out shopping and would come back laden with parcels which were kept hidden in the shop until the very last hour.
The turkey was cooked in the bakehouse oven as it was far too large to roast at home and father allowed some of his customers to make use of his oven. Stumpy was left in charge. I can see him now swaying up the garden path wondering if he would reach the back door with safe delivery. When the customers collected their bird, each of them would give him a tip and everytime he would pop into the pub next door to refresh himself. Each year, however, he managed to reach the back door safely. He then received a little more refreshment. By the time he arrived home he was certainly under the weather - well oiled as they say.

Father had wonderful Xmas boxes from different firms - whole case of oranges, 7lb boxes of sweets and a whole box of muscatels.



Christmas day came. It was an event for father to be at home. During the day, although he often walked to the shop to see if all was well, it seemed a magnet to father - his heart was there. On Boxing day the dough had to be prepared for the next day. The two older boys would give a hand to make things a little easier. It seemed strange having both parents at home together during the day. They remained very much together leaving us children to our own amusements. We usually had quite a number of table games between us which gave great interest and certainly kept us all together. It would be all quiet for hours until suddenly someone was accused of cheating, then the board counters would fly across the room. That finished the games for a while. We soon forgot, then we would start again, choosing different partners this time and keeping our eyes keen on the board. Aldred, Ernest and May would join in sometimes to keep us younger ones amused.
Ellen often rushed into the room warning us father was upstairs resting. She thought we were making too much noise.
Sometimes father would appear in the doorway to know what all the noise was about, one look from him ws enough. Aldred, Ernest and May would join in sometimes just to keep us younger ones amused. Graham, Bill and Hubert received a cycle for their present, so they were off.We did not take alot of notice of this as we knew father was in a particularly good mood, we guessed he had done good business. At lunch hour he allowed us to have our little say which was very unusual. When we were at home, that was Sundays and holiday times, we were unable to sit in the dining room for meals altogether. Several had to go into the kitchen with Ellen and there was always a big rush. We were certainly at ease with Ellen and could have plenty. Ellen would carry the Xmas pudding through the hall into the dining room. It would be soaked with brandy when it arrived at the table. Father then would put a lighted match to it. There was always a wonderful blaze. The ones in the kitchen rushed to watch, they did not want to miss it and then they waited for it to be served.


'Have you really decided to go?', said mother. 'Yes I think so, the leg is very bad, I must do something about it otherwise it is going to cripple me in more ways than one. I shall give the doctor a ring tomorrow to make the arrangements'.
'What I want to do is make arrangements for home', said father.
'Well to begin with you will not be able to go alone, so that will mean one of the boys going with you'.

It was a big responsibility, Aldred having control of the bakery. Father gave him good advice before leaving, but so many things had to be decided upon which father himself did not think about, but when in doubt Aldred found mother most helpful. It was suprising how good the three boys were, every spare moment they would be at Aldreds side, so willing to help, but they were not allowed to stay away from school. Mother was very definite about this.
The grain travellers would call on Wednesdays, the usual market day, hoping to get an order, but father left instructions that the buying should be left until his return as he felt sure there would be ample supply. The buying of grain could be very tricky, you certainly had to watch the market. We all felt sorry for Aldred. It was rather much to put on young shoulders, but he did not complain. He was very thankful to be at home having no desire whatever to go with father. He often spoke of Ernest and wondered how he was standing up to his ordeal. He felt in hs heart that this was not his chose. Father was a little difficult particularly when anything interfered with his business.



We received a letter from Aunt Bella in Wales asking if my cousins could come and spend a holiday with us. Mother thought it would be the best time, father being away and with Ellens approval (as most of the arrangements would fall upon her) it was decided. Mother wrote saying she should be pleased to have them. After writing mother had thoughts. She took it for granted it would be the two girls, Gwen and Freda. Now she began to wonder how many would arrive because there were also two boys. Ellen was a wonderful worker and cook. Most of her time was spent with the gas stove and the sink. There were so many of us to feed she did not mind the extra visitors, even four would make very little difference. It worked out well. We received a reply. Aunt Bella would bring both the girls and could she stay one night. That seemed to please everyone. What relief.

We were looking forward to meeting our cousins. It would be their first visit. We began to plan what to do each day. We were hoping mother would arrange a Sunday to to go to the Quantocks and have tea at the inn. We felt it could be done without father. The day came for them to arrive. Mother sent a cab to the station which called at North Street for Connie who was going to meet them. We waited patently for them to arrive. Ellen was rather fussy, running from one room to another, putting the finishing touch to the table - it certainly was a spread. There was a huge bowl of cream and of course Bowerings brown bread to go with it. We were all peeping behind the lace curtains when the cab drew up at the gate. One cousin sat by Connie and was very dark and Doris said at once.
'Olive, she is just like you'. We thought she might be Gwen, she certainly was a Bowering. When we all met at the gate, we made ourselves known, we were right. The dark thin cousin was Gwen and Freda was very fair and plump. Ellen came through the hall saying tea was ready. Aunt Bella she knew well but had not met for many years. In a short while we all were sitting down together. There was such a clatter of talking over one another. We had just finished the tea when mother arrived very early to meet the family. We had a wonderful fortnight together. Such lovely places to show them. They were thrilled. On Wednesday we rose very early to watch the cattle from the country arriving through the streets, the dogs rounding them up. The cows would go into the market place and the sheep penned in the street with iron railings. We could watch all this from the shop.

On the Sunday we spent the whole day on the Quantocks. Mother arranged it far ahead. We did enjoy ourselves. We felt free and easy. There was a swing at the inn which was vey much in favour with us all. After tea we were able to walk through the Glen with little streams running along side which led to Butterfly Combe. We were proud to show the beauty of our own countryside and it was the right time of the year. We drove back late evening. I must say that we looked as though we had thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. We had, everyone of us.

The two weeks soon came to an end. Aunt Bella arrived to take the girls back to Wales. She again stayed overnight. They had so much to tell her of course. Aunt Bella knew all the places we had taken them.

There was no sign of fathers return. Mother, I could tell, was a little uneasy. He had already been away a month and not a word about his return.

We did not miss father a great deal. We hardly saw him during the week unless we called at the shop. We did miss Ernest, he was a bright lad and I am sure mother missed him very much. He was so loving and considerate to her. He would often don boots and pop into the shop as mother was leaving knowing she was very tired. He would arm her home. On the way they would call at Grans to see if all was well. He would see mother settled and then back again to the shop for he had many hours still to work.

We did not hear for days from them how things were going at Droitwich and then we had a card from Ernest. Fathers treatment was very drastic and I think rather too much for him. He was a very well built man and therefore had to reduce his weight considerably. We knew he would not give in until he was completely cured however long it might be.



Mother received a long letter from Ernest saying father was much better. They would be returning in a few days. The treatment was a complete cure, but unfortunatly father had just a slight limp. This did not seem to worry him. He was only too pleased to be free of pain and able to return home to the business. Ernest said very little himself and felt he also would be delighted to return. This was good news for Aldred. It had been a wonderful experience for him, he had learnt quite alot having to make his own decisions. He felt proud because the turnover from the bakery was presumably the amount as when father himself was there. He could hardly wait for his return to give the good news. He knew father would be proud too.
So the day came for their return. The cab was sent to the station, mother came from the shop to greet them. Father looked well, he was considerably thinner and his limp was hardly noticable. Ernest also had lost a lot of weight, which he could ill afford to lose. Mother was rather taken aback as he had not mentioned a word in his letter. By all accounts he had been pushing father around in a bath chair, which he found was really too much, but knowing Ernest he would not complain.


Father was soon back in the business. He felt there was no need whatever for him to make up for lost time. He was certainly pleased with Aldred, he had the making of a good businessman. He was well trained and certainly had the ability and should do well. Things were running very smoothly - back to normal!


The house seemed empty, you may say almost dead. All the boys had gone with the exception of Reggie and there were three of us girls left. That was quite sufficient for Gertie to manage. Ellen was able to help a little in between, she gave up her evenings to stay with us. It was often that way. We used to beg her many times to stay in and read to us, especially on a Sunday evening.


What he thought of us all. He died just a year before my mother. He was calling to attend to her almost to his end. I used to arm him up the stairs to see her. They always had a long chat together. One day he said.'Olive, I hear you went to a furniture sale yesterday'. 'Yes, I spent the whole time there. I bought some real bargains, some Dresden china'. 'Mother is delighted, she is a lover of good china.', I replied. 'Your mother thinks you are very tired today', said he. 'Maybe. I was standing all day you know. Mother did want that Dresden china, she certainly encouraged me to go. Although, I must say I do love a sale'.
'You go', said Tommy , 'that is the only pleasure you have now'. He knew I was the only one left at home.

-- END -

Transcribed and tweaked by Jon Bigwood, December 1992.
© Jon Bigwood 1996.