MAR 1 Friday – Min 29°. Very cold N.E. Wind. All hand digging on the fourteen. Nearly all the Asparagus burst up. At last the Ministry of Munitions have sent the Certificate, so I wrote to the Tray Makers. We still want delivery of the Angle Iron for the Cabinets ordered in September. Devoted most of the day to preparing a draft Balance Sheet from which I calculate the Society has made a profit of £1300 this year. Chief news today is Japan’s offer to take control of Siberia. She suggests joint action. German attack on the ?.
MAR 2 Saturday – Min 27°. Bitterly cold N.E. Wind all day. Some slight snow showers with bright sun. Hills are all white. The fourteens Asparagus has all been burst up. Some of it was old when I took to the land 15 years ago. To Office. Over 20 applications for Secretary’s job. Did up the Cash Book to date. Germans digging between the trees in the fourteens this afternoon. Clear starlight night. Jupiter between Pleiades and Aldebaran Saturn close to Prasaepe and Mars in Virgo near Leo. German attack the French on the Aisne and in Champaign. Germans gained a footing near the Butte de Mesnil. Austrian troops invading the Ukraine. Venice badly bombed.
MAR 3 Sunday – Min 28. Very dull all day. Bitterly cold. Max. 33. Windy. Occasional drizzle. Plenty of snow still on the hills. Church at 11. Had the first chime on the four last bells, which struck slowly sounded well. Vicar gave out a notice about Business Men’s Week for War Savings which begin today. The petty sessional district is to raise £20,000 to pay for 8 aeroplanes. Kept in the afternoon. Kathie Cave came up. Church in the evening.
MAR 4 Monday – Min 31°. Very dull all day. Calmer. Today we have had the Germans without an escort. Two at Garnetts carrying off Sprout Stems and three at Waldrens digging. F.J. fetches them. The Broad Beans all finished today. Over 2 baskets planted. The rest of the ground is ready now for Onion drilling. Went to School at 9.15. and found only 26 Infants present so I sent them off at one. In the mixed department there were about 60 away so I telephoned the M.O.H. and we decided to close for a fortnight. Then to Evesham Police Court. One rear light out 5/- Riding on footpath 5/- Case of Cruelty by neglect to children, man, agricultural labourer 25/- a week gave everything to his wife. Children ill nourished, dirty and verminous. House in a filthy condition. After discussion it was decided to acquit the man and to send the woman to prison for one month with hard labour. The children to go to the Workhouse in the meantime. Then to the Union to a Tribunal. Only 6 cases. Conditional Exemptions are refused. Mitchell was given till 1.July. Then to see a Cider press offered us. It looks dilapidated but they say it is all right. It is power driven but dismantled. I went to the Saw Mills with T. Bubb and we were told they had only unseasoned Elm baulks which they could not recommend for carrying shafting. Called at Webbs Office and found final arrangements had been made to take over Gankroger’s land. So that is off my mind. Called on Wright to pay for the prisoners. Then to Food Production Committee. Real progress continues. Anderson has been definitely appointed Executive Officer with £175 a year. Got back at 5.30.PM
Russian Peace Treaty signed.
MAR 5 Tuesday – Cold. Slight rain at first. Dull later with drying wind. Germans digging Waldren’s new plantation. A.J.T. & F.J. getting ground ready for drilling. To office meeting to examine the applications for the post of Secretary. 62 applications, some quite impossible. We picked out about five. D. Mc. D is one, but there is a little uncertainty about his being discharged. He has been kept idle for about a year in the Army. Pay . Sprouts 3/6. Artichokes 3/6. Wallflowers 7/6 Pot. Green Onions 5d dozen. Parsnips 2/3lb. Visited ground and wrote letters in the afternoon. At 6 to the school to the Special War Savings effort. We got on splendidly taking in the room £783-8-0 of which £563-8-0 was for certificates and £220 for Bonds.
Cambrai despatch published. Parliament grants £25,000 to Sir S. Maude’s widow. There are 6 Tanks in London.
Mar 6 Wednesday – Min 30°. Glorious March day. Bright sun, quite warm, but cold drying wind. H.J.C. has two of the Germans. The other three are getting Waldren’s Carrots ready. F.J. planting shallots. I drilled Onions nearly all day. 5 chain planted. 3 chain between the asparagus that still remains down to the broad beans. The others next the road. Drilling goes well. I used the Drill at the Onion Hill Dropping Mark, as the seed was rather large. A.J.T. rolled them. Letter from H.D.B. suggesting the growth of Chicory. After tea I went to the Office and did five hours work, apportioning carriage, cartage and discounts etc. etc.
Sir Eric Geddes made a statement in the Commons. He said we were sinking the U boats as fast as they are built, but that the shipbuilding was very much behind only 58,000 tons built in January. Asquith pleaded for further information. Roumania is to cede the Dobrudja to Bulgaria. Sir E. Geddes has destroyed the illusion of the net across the straits of Dover, which everyone has been across has told us existed!
MAR 7 Thursday – Dull but fine. 3 Germans at Waldren’s cleaning, bagging and weighing up Carrots and clearing off the Asparagus roots under E.M.’s charge. H.J.C. has two. A.J.T. rolling the onions. F. J. Horse harrowing the rest of Garnetts. After breakfast I went on Jo to Evesham to get my hair cut, to see the Postmaster to protest against the very late delivery of letters (after 10AM seldom before 9.45) and to the Bank to buy bonds. Then I finished drilling the onions. 5lbs sown on about 7½ chain. Then I started drilling Henbane. 1½ feet apart, without the coverers on the drill, using the same hole as the onions. After tea I went with H.J.C to the Manor to arrange with the Commandant to transfer two of my prisoners in his name. Then we went to Evesham to a meeting in the Public Hall to hear Lander and Leuit. Wellington on the restriction of crops. They want us to grow Onions and Potatoes. Cabbage etc they regard as non essential, but not to be restricted. No restriction on Tomatoes. No new Asparagus to be planted, unless to replace that burst up. Asters etc – no more than half 1917 crop, which means that unpatriotic growers are to be allowed to grow more than others. Fruit very important now. We were warned that transport difficulties would increase, so that we should not grow too many very perishable vegetables. Very poor attendance.
Death of John Redmond.
Submarine record :- Traffic 4224 12 large ships, 6 small, no fishing vessels. Unsuccessfully attacked 5. Armed liner “Calgarian” 18,500 tons torpedoed off N. Irish coast. 48 lives lost. Sir E. Carson says the dismissal of Jellicoe was a calamity and that he was not consulted. He also denounced the Daily Mail. Roumania signs preliminary treaty of Peace. German troops to pass through to Odessa. Evesham smells of rotten parsnips from the concentrated works.
MAR 8 Friday – Bitterly cold, especially before 11. Intervals of Sunshine after. Temp. 32-35. Drying wind. The Germans (3) with F.J. squitch forking under Badsey. A.J.T. & E.M. bedforking and rolling. I have finished drilling the Henbane at Garnett’s, putting 5lb. on 7½ chain. So now the original holding there is all planted except for the alleys. We had a special extra War Savings meeting this evening and took £439-1-8 of which £320 was for Bonds and £119-1-6 for Certificates. We reckon Badsey has put in now over £3000 during the week. Bonar Law makes a fairly cheerful speech in the Commons. He said we have undoubted supremacy in the Air. He also said the Salonika force was in some danger but had every confidence as to the Western Front. More barbed wire had been used in the last two month than in the whole of last year. Moonless air raid early this morning. London Tanks did better yesterday collecting £14,000,000.
MAR 9 Saturday – Min 27°. Glorious sun all day. Calm. Only one German today. The other two are unwell. F.J. took him under Badsey to get some of the ground ready for Carrots etc. A. J. T. and E. M. bed forking. I had most of the day at the Office, as Mr. Feck is coming on Tuesday. I have got the Departmental Trading a/c ready. I wrote to the Food Production Department about onion prices. A maximum of not less than £15 has been fixed. The Department seems to treat this as a guaranteed price, but it is very far from this. It really means that however scarce onions may be next autumn the grower will only be able to get £15 while if they are very plentiful they may get down to a very low figure.
11 killed 46 injured in yesterday’s moonless raid. It is said the Gothas were guided by the Aurora. Heavy fighting at Houthulot Forest. Germans attack and drive back our men, but all ground recovered and more gained. Requiem mass for Mr. Redmond.
MAR 10 Sunday – 28°. Beautiful day. Quite mild. Church at 11. Excellent sermon on the rich young man. Chiming tenor 1st time we only had 3. This is better than struggling with 2 apiece. After dinner on Joe, starting 1.5 quietly to Pershore. 2PM I called at S. Christopher’s and saw my small godson, “Chris” he is now 7. There are 11 boys in the Home now. They were going to Church so I went on to Defford and visited the little Church there. It has a wooden framed black and white tower with a dumpy slated spire. Rude door with Carved Keystone and very good incised cross in the E. Jamb. Gallery at W. end and lighted by dormer window. Plain rectangle. Modern chancel. Then on across Defford Common to Dunstall Castle, quite a fine fragment of a huge doorway flanked by turrets. At the side is a large window (apparently it had Geometrical Tracery originally). This I find is all modern ( ) said to have been built to improve the view from Croome Court! Back to S. Christopher’s at 3.30. I stayed and had tea. The home is in many ways ideal, but it is a pity they are so Romish with invocation of the Saints etc. There were only 4 boys that I used to know. I left at 6.10 and arrived at Hampton at 6.34. I called at our Cottage Homes to see the boys and see how it struck me after S. Christopher’s. I was quite pleased with it. The foster mother was out. The relief mother was in charge. There seems a thoroughly healthy atmosphere about it. The boys showed me their Sunday School prizes. Two hunted for the word Chapel which they said occurred only once in the Bible. One found it in Amos. I left about 8.30 and was able to ride back from Bengeworth as it was not very dark. I can’t see when it is. The boys at the Cottage Homes are not so demonstrative as those as S. Christopher’s. Perhaps it’s just as well.
MAR 11 Monday – Fine and clear but mostly overcast. The Germans are squitch forking under Badsey. They have finished today the very bad piece next Belladonna. We have a new one today in place of the one ill. He is a very good worker. A.J.T. & E.M. finishing bedforking. I went to the Office and worked on the Balance Sheet in the morning and again at night. In the afternoon I drilled 1lb of Carrots on the piece next the squitchy patch and just above the Belladonna.
Prince Lvoff is at Pekin, planning to join the Japs in Siberia. Steady advance in Palestine. Tel Asur. Kefr Malik and Schwad occupied. Kit on the Euphrates occupied. The Turks do not seem to put up much of a fight now. Stuttgart bombed. Another unsuccessful attack on our lines near Ypres.
MAR 12 Tuesday – Dull, mild. Drizzle set in about 10.30 and continued most of the day. We managed to get the Parsnips in the alleys drilled at Garnetts and one piece of Henbane at Waldren’s. Waldrens was horse harrowed. The Germans continued squitch forking.
To Office. Mr Feck arrived by the 12.train. We walked up to dinner. He went through the Bank Book and Cash, and left by the 5.25. War Savings, but I couldn’t stop as there was a Sub Committee at the Office. I went down with H.S.C. We discussed the Contract Price for next year, a very difficult matter. They decided to recommend Onions at the Gov. price. £5 was suggested for selected Carrots. J.W. Stanley told us the best way to grow Carrots was to drill thinly in rows six inches apart. Vates early market. 1lb of Seed would do near tonne and he has lifted 9 tons from 1lb of Seed. Potatoes may not be moved into Gloucestershire – this is to save transport, but it is very awkward in cases near the borderline.
There has been a very bad Air Raid on Paris over 100 killed. 60 machines took part.
MAR 13 Wednesday – Fine, very mild, but ground wet at first. German and A.J.T. etc. digging the old Sage piece at the bottom of Garnetts. To Office with Mr Feck, who was busy at the nominal ledger. The building at Broadway has been partly taken down and the Galvanized shuts were brought over today. Cadbury’s are having the soil shifted. I see they have planted Cordon trees at the backs of their new Cottages. Letters late today said to be on account of Zeppelin raid in the North. British Airmen bomb Cobblery. Much discussion on the failure to increase or even keep up the Shipbuilding. Employers and workers have issued a joint statement blaming the Government which they say has disregarded their advice.
Mar 14 Thursday – Colder. Sunshine part of the day. Rain at night. Germans squitch forking under Badsey with F.J. A packet of Seeds of Datura Metel arrived from AJ. This is a great acquisition with the Hyoscyamus Muticus as both are much richer in alkaloid than Henbane. I am distributing also Tomato Seeds from Canada which the Food Production Dept have sent me for trial. The young Belladonna has been hoed and the old bed under Badsey limed. A.J.T. has drilled Henbane on Waldren’s new holding and parsnips on the old piece.
I had a day at the Office again with Mr Feck. He has done all that he requires and will send on the audited balance Sheet with Certificate. Submarine record. Traffic 4108. 15 Large Ships 3 Small ships 1 fishing vessels.
Church at night. Chimed the Tenor. Moon quite bright though only 2 days old.
Mar 15 Friday – Very cold wind dull until midday then sunny. Germans squitch forking under Badsey. I packed the Dandelions from School and then went with F.E.A. to take some more measurements of the Mill, calling in at Littleton School on the way. Came back to the Drying Shed. We found the new building from Broadway had been brought over. The Drain is being laid to connect with the road drain. In the afternoon I went to Waldrens and drilled the rest of the Parsnips. (Hilldrop Mark). A.J.T. had drilled the Bedfordshire Champion Onions 1lb. Then I sowed 3 boxes of Tomato King and put them in E. Collett’s greenhouse. Plan drawing in evening.
Zeppelin raid on Hartlepool. Dutch Ships in our ports to be used by Allio. S.S. Guildford Castle with patients escaped from Submarine. State Aid for Housing announced.
MAR 16 Saturday – Cold and dry. dull. German squitch forking. F.J. raking the Belladonna. A.J.T. drilled the Parsnips at Garnetts. I went down to the Drying Shed and fixed the position for the posts to carry the mill gear, and the level. The drains are now laid and the soil taken away. In the afternoon I planted the last batch of Colchicum bulbs which have yellow shoots about 6” long.
I have distributed the Canadian Tomatoes to A.E. Jones, W.R. Wilkins, A. Boaler, H. Hall, J.E. Knight, A. Dove, so far. and we shall be able I hope to divide the plants still further. The Recreation ground is being drilled with wheat. Found S.M. lying drunk in the middle of the road. Got C.C. to take him home. Called at the pub and warned them.
MAR 17 Sunday – 27° Min. No church at Badsey this morning. Wrote to M.B. In the afternoon I went on Jo first to Bengeworth to post and then past Offenham Cross and the Fish and Anchor to Cleeve Prior to see Miss Holton and Sparrow. Back direct (27 Min). Badsey Ch at night. Privet hedges getting quite green.
MAR 18 Monday – Glorious Day. Bright, sunny and Clear. Lot of cirrus cloud later. (red at Sunset). Germans and F.J. at the Sand feeding the Belladonna with Fish, and hoeing the whole ground. A.J.T. & E.M. forking by the road under Badsey.
Draft Balance Sheet arrived from Mr Feck. To Evesham Police Court. 1st Case was that of a discharged soldier who was drunk and disorderly. He had a pension of 27/- old offender fined 10/-. Next another Case of neglecting children at Sedgeberrow. 4 Small girls. Father owns the Cottage. Found in a terrible state. Children at present in the Workhouse. Children fed well, but very dirty. Bedroom filthy. Roof leaking. Case adjourned until April 25. the children to go back in a fortnight. Report to be made. Then School attendance case. Father refused to send his boy 12 years old. He had to satisfy the District Education Committee that he had made adequate efforts to obtain other labour. Fined £1. Then a case of Stealing:- 140lb of guano. worth £1. also 10 bags 1. Hoe 1 Rake. Men were given 37Ȼ to sow on 3 acres of Hopland. Employer found 2 bags under some hop roots sent to police and later found them in this man’s cart at his cottage door. Ingenious defence that he had covered them up and was taking them back to employer’s shed, but when charged he had no excuse. Fined £5 would have been sent to prison if labour had not been so very scarce. Left at 1.30. Came back to dinner. Went back to Joint Hospital Board at 3 PM No cases in sanatorium now! The piano has been bought for £18. £15 came out of the rates. The other three from members of the Committee, but F. Cope and I refused to contribute. There ought to have been a Food Production Committee at 4.45 but W.J.A. had not got back from Worcester, so we just passed one report and adjourned. In the evening to Adult School Club. Had a game at Pitching.
Death of Canon Scott Holland. Heavy shelling by Germans between Ypres and La Bessie also at Cambrai. Much fighting in the air. We have lost 27 machines and 99 in the last week. Dillon makes his first speech as Irish leader, warning Sein Finnians and British. News of terrible explosion in Grenade Factory in Paris. 30 Killed 518 injured.
Mar 19 Tuesday – Dull turning to Rain. Wet afternoon but fine evening. Germans clearing up squitch. A.J.T. & F.J. planting Belladonna under Badsey until stopped by rain. To office. Weekly pay £38. Onions 5d doz Wells 6/- pot. Parsley 3/4. All clear. Made up the Cash to date. In the afternoon we got all the broken glass cut into useful sizes. I sowed a box of Canadian Tomatoes and one of Datura Metel in Mrs Cave’s greenhouse. At War Savings we took £10-19-0. Our meat and margarine ration tickets arrived today.
Mar 20 Wednesday – Beautiful spring day. Bright warm sun all day. Things seem to grow visibly after the rain. Five more boxes of Tomatoes sown. Glass cutting after breakfast. Then we sent off for a good load of Sage. A.J.T & E.M. Prepared bed for the foundation for the stone mill. Afternoon I wrote letters. A.J.T. & F.J. planted out Belladonna under Badsey. Prisoners (only two today) forking squitch. In the evening Committee Meeting. L.B.G. 1st Reconstruction sub committee to fix up Salaries and Commissions for this year. Then General Committee. They decided to offer Cadbury’s Onions at such a price that the grower be paid £15. Carrots do. £5. All small and split ones to be thrown out. A good deal of discussion as to Daniel’s position. They are quite prepared to offer him more money if he will put in longer hours. Then I presented the Financial Report for the past year. Profit for allocation £1439. Of this 400 for repayment of loan 400 for extra machinery etc for drying leaving £600 for Reserve Fund and Bonus to Employee’s.
Mar 21 Thursday – Another glorious day. Dull until 9 AM Then brilliant sunshine all day, quite warm. A.J.T. & F.J. Finishing the Belladonna planting under Badsey. Germans still squitching. E.M. and I started at 9A.M through Evesham to Worcester arr. 10.45 AM We walked along the River bank and parted at the Cross, as I had a meeting of the County Housing Committee. Mr. Willis Bund was voted to the Chair and gave a resume of the proposals of the L.G.B. as to financial assistance. He quite misread one paragraph as I think I convinced him. Col. Wheeler moved a resolution to the effect that private enterprise should be given the offer of financial assistance and said it was the duty of all employers to house their men. This received support from many present. I opposed it, saying that public money means public control. Also the tied house system was most objectionable. I also stated as emphatically as I could that Public Authorities could build a lot cheaper than private builders – at which there was a chorus of ‘No’ ‘No’. I said I spoke from experience. We had built far more than any other district in the County, and undoubtedly we built a better house for less money than the private builder. We charged a very much smaller rent. However I only got one supporter. In the end we were to consult with our Councils as to the best course of action. Dr. Fosbroke was there and told me he had extended the closing order until Easter Tuesday. I met the Director of Education on coming out and asked him what Mr. U. thought of my letter on school gardening. He said Mr. U. was not pleased, but he thought it was fair criticism. I rejoined E.M. in High St. After dinner at the Coffee House we went to the Tank No. 113 named Julian. It is placed in the Cathedral grounds! Close by was a German aeroplane. Then we saw a procession of over 3000 school children headed by a Cadet Bank. This looked very pretty, they mostly carried flags. One egg on Toast 9d. We left about 6PM (at the top of the first hill) and arrived at Evesham at 7.5. Very fine sunset crimson and blue. Lunar halo of 22° for a short time.
Submarine report. Traffic 4415. Large Ships sunk 11. Small 6. Fishing 2. Sir E. Geddes made a statement on shipping last night. He said British Shipping had lost 20% (net loss) and that the average monthly loss over production was 120,000 tons.
MAR 22 Friday – It has been quite a summer’s day. Absolutely hot sun. Hardly a cloud in sight all day after 9AM A.J.T. and F.J. have planted the Epicure potatoes on the ground just below the Belle de Louvain trees. (95lb.). Henbane sown on the piece at the side of the trees and also a piece above the small hovel. I drilled about ¼lb of sprout seed at the Sand (using the Celery position). Visited the Kiln. H.D.B. wants all the Belladonna Root packed and sent up. We are getting quite a nice lot of Dandelion now. Brimstone butterfly seen. Parish Council in the evening. We discussed the late delivery of letters and made a recommendation thereon.
News of a great German attack on a 50 mile front from near La Fere to Croiselles in the N. It is said to be the heaviest attack yet launched. Is it the beginning of the biggest battle the world has ever seen? Bonar Law says the situation gives no cause for anxiety. No details yet. There has been a Naval Fight in the Channel between 2 British and 3 French destroyers and 5 German destroyers & others 2 German torpedo craft A sunk one German destroyer sunk 2 others probably sunk. Ostend bombarded. Dutch ships in Allied ports seized for our use (with full compensation). The Germans still advancing in Russia. They have reached the Black Sea.
MAR 23 Saturday – Another wonderful summer like day. Frost (30°). Springs and ditches getting low. Almost lower for the time of year than ever known since records were kept. Thorn Hedges getting quite green. Plum blossom has come on quickly the last few days. Showing white now. Some varieties out in places. Sprouts in the frame just beginning to show the rough leaf. I put some seed of D.M. to chit in flannel. A.J.T. & F.J. gone to Worcester. E.M. and the Germans still at the squitch, forking it over again. This ought to kill most of it. To Office in the morning: Tray with open mesh arrived. I have ordered 80. Helped the Germans in the afternoon: Put the Church Clock on 1 hour at 8PM as Summer time begins tomorrow. Planted 3. May Queen & 3. Harrison’s Early Short Top Potatoes at the Sand.
The great battle is raging fiercely. The Germans claim 16,000 prisoners and 200 guns. They have penetrated our lines by Queant and reached Vaulx, Morchies and Beaumety about 4 miles behind our front line. It looks as if the Germans are attempting to cut off the Ribecourt salient facing Cambrai. Protracted defence of Le Verguier and also positions near Croiselles. Premier’s plain talk to miners re combing out.
Mar 24 Palm Sunday – Church at 8 and 11. Another wonderful day. Started at 1.40 on Jo posted letters at Bengeworth then Offenham Cross, Fish & Anchor, N. Littleton, Pebworth, Mickleton, Hidcote, Fox ran across road, Ebrington to Paxford. 3.40. It seems very strange to have such quite hot weather with the trees and the ground all bare. A.E.J. and Small at Paxford. Mr. & Mrs. Hutton came in. Left at 10.0 arrived at Badsey 11.5. The Post Office issue a report today. The battle is raging furiously. We have had our line penetrated west of S. Quentin and Roisel has been stormed. The Germans claim 25,000 prisoners. The Cambrai salient appears to have been evacuated. Report says we fell back in good order.
MAR 25 Monday – Much colder. Dry N.E.Wind. Some sunshine. Germans squitching. A.J.T. & F.J. planting Queen Mary Potatoes from the bury, next the Epicures. To Evesham Union. At the Sanitary Committee. We considered the L.G.B. Circular re Assistance in Housing. We have now 152 houses asked for by Parish Councils. Badsey 24 Bretforton 12. Broadway 40. Offenham 30 Cleeve Prior 8. S. Littleton 16. N. Littleton 12. We decided to notify the L.G.B. and to see about sites. Broadway springs yield 46,000 gall. now. At the Highway Committee we discussed the Bus question, and decided to write to the Bus Co. to the effect that a claim would be made upon them later on. We decided to meet at the Fish and Anchor to look at a dangerous corner which requires cutting off. At the Board Meeting it was decided to increase the Clerk’s salary from £120 to £160. The Masters from 80 to 100 and the Matrons from 50 to 65. It was decided to adopt the children of Vagrants under a scheme made by the Various County Vagrancy Committees. At the District Council I outlined the Circular re Housing. Our reports were adopted. Our special expenses precept was fixed at £300 as usual. The General District Rate was fixed at 7d which is more than is necessary but it will be wanted later on. I went up to the town to pay for the Prisoners. Everyone seems much impressed with the German gun shelling Paris from 75 miles away. The news is very grave. The Germans are advancing and have captured Peronne and in places have crossed the Somme to the South. They claim 30,000 prisoners and 600 guns. The line from Arras to the north holds firm. The danger lies round Peronne.
MAR 26 Tuesday – Fine again. Sunny but cold. A.J.T. & F.J. planting Arran Chief potatoes on the little patch that was very full of squitch near the Belladonna. They are dressing them with ashes from bonfire. Germans sowing lime on the late dug ground. Toms coming up well at E. Colletts. To Office. Weekly Pay £75. Green onions 5d Walls 1/3 doz. Parsnips 1/7 lb. H. Harris has started making the new Office. This afternoon we sent off the Belladonna Root that was left 596lbs making a total of Root for this winter of 1 ton 1Ȼ 36lb. At War Savings we took £5-5-6. Everyone is thinking of the events across the Channel. The German advance continues and they have captured Bapaume and made good the crossing of the Somme S of Peronne and have taken Nesle and Guiscard. The French are engaged near Noyon. Sir D. Haig says our losses in material have been heavy and include some tanks. The Germans claim 45,000 prisoners. This probably includes the wounded. In Palestine progress goes on steadily across the Jordan. Extra Meat Ration Cards for manual workers.
MAR 27 Wednesday – Cold and Dull but fine. The Belladonna under Badsey planted last year has been half dressed with meat & bone and half with fish. (Fish nearest the road). The Pyrus Japonica on the wall here is at its best. We have had to have another 1 cart of potatoes. This time K. Edward’s, which we expect will finish out the piece. To Office. The wire has come from Finch and Godoin. Harris has got the sides of the new office up. Drew a cheque for Farmer’s Central Trading Board. The Society owes very little now. Started on Jo at 2.30 to Evesham. First to the Bank then to the Workhouse, where I found Mr. Waderns overwhelmed with correspondence about extra rations for manual workers and also applications for sugar for making jam. Met Dr. Fosbroke and signed a detention order for the Mental Deficiency Committee. It referred to a woman who has been an inmate for 7 years. It will make no difference except that she cannot discharge herself. There are two doctor’s certificates as in a lunacy case. Then to the Police Court to a Venereal Diseases Committee where we decided to have lectures to men and women in Evesham, Pershore and Broadway. Then on to Pershore, by way of Craycombe and Wyre. I made a detour by Wyre Mill past Wyre Church. I arrived at Mr. Feck’s at 6.30 PM and went into the Pink Form for the Registration of Friendly Societies. It was 11.30 PM when we finished. I rode back by moonlight and met and saw no one at all except the sentry at the Manor. Arrived at 12.25. News still grave, though everyone now seems to have confidence that the Germans will soon be brought to a standstill. We have retired again South of the Somme. Our line now runs:- Bray, Albert, Beaumont Hamel, Puisieusc, Ayette, Boiry, Henin, Wancourt. Roye and Noyon have fallen, and it seems that this is the critical portion at this moment. The Germans claim 100 Tanks and 963 guns. The Kaiser is said to be at St. Quentin. Churchill has issued an appeal to munition workers to replace the serious loss in material.
MAR 28 Thursday – Windy, very showery in the morning and again in the evening. Fine sunny afternoon very clear. Broad Beans just coming through, here and there. A.J.T. & E.M. put Sulphate of Ammonia on the Belladonna long border under Badsey, before the rain came. F.J. and the Germans were at Waldren’s new piece, clearing the sprout ground. In the afternoon the Germans did not work. F.J. and A.T. made a frame at the Sand. I went to Office. Another 6 tons of Ammonia have come in: Had tea with L.E.M.
The news seems better today. We have lost Albert. Very heavy attacks at Rosiѐres which were beaten off. At Ablainseville S of Arras, we have lost some ground and the French West of Roye. In other parts the line has held and in place we have regained villages, i.e. Morlancourt and Chipilly. Also at Proyant we gained ground. In some parts the gain is three miles. The Germans yesterday morning had reached Mericourt L’Abbé on the Ancre, only about 12 miles from Amiens. He has now been forced back to Proyant S of the Somme. Amiens badly bombed by aeroplanes. Very interesting following the movements on the map. Submarine Report. Traffic 4959. Large 16. Small 12. Fish’s 1. Rapid advance in Palestine. Capture of Es Salt (E of Jordan). The Russians have recaptured Odessa. The Black Sea Fleet taking part. The Turks are in Trezibond. No engineers strike. Willie Moisey was on leave (not overseas leave) and received a telegram extending his leave, and making it one for overseas. Then later on another came recalling him at once for overseas. He will not be 19 until August. So that pledge has been broken.
MAR 29 Good Friday – Windy, very clear with bright gleams of sunshine. The fruit blossom is about at its best (Pershores and Damascenes). Church at 11.0. Then to Cothome. Mrs. Sparrow seems quite strong again now. Later on I took letters to Evesham to post. Ch. at 6.30.
The Germans have been attacking our line near Arras in very heavy masses. We have had to retreat to our “battle line”, but have held that secure. Attacks all along the line from Arras to Albert but the line has been held. Dernancourt, S of Albert was taken and retaken twice. South of the Somme we had to retire again to Lamotte en Santerre, Caix, Vrely and Warvilliers, South of this the French have been pushed back and the Germans have entered and held Montdidier. Between this and Pont L’Evegue (S of Royon) the French have regained some ground. There has been quite a haul of prisoners on the Euphrates N.W. of Hit. 3000. We have reached Haditha.
MAR 30 Saturday – Showery all day, becoming milder as the day went on. We have been mending the lights at the Sand, cutting the glass etc. The Tomatoes at E. Colletts are coming well. No prisoners after 10.AM as the ground was too wet.
Attacks north of the Somme have all been repulsed. We have captured prisoners and machine guns on the section of the line. The attack yesterday was made on Vimy Ridge and Arras. It was repulsed with very heavy losses. South of the Somme we have been pressed back to a line running west of Marcel Cave and Demuin. South of this the French line runs from Mezieres, Gratibus to just West of Montdidier. German now claim 70,000 prisoners. There seems uneasiness on account of the suggestion of putting the whole Allied forces under French Command. Count Lechnovosky’s revelations have been published this week. Thus has ended a memorable and anxious week. We have lost many prisoners, much ground and much material yet everyone has confidence. It seems to have pulled the country together. The present position cannot I think, be stable as the salient at Montdidier, the threat at Paris, must either be pushed through the allied ranks or else it runs a great risk of being cut off, if the French attack at the South and we attack from the North.
MAR 31 Easter Day – Strong blustering wind with heavy showers with bright sunshine between. Church at 8 am. Merbeck. At 10.15 we got the bells up in peal. The first time for a great while. I rose the 4th and after had the 5th and 6th in some round ringing with Queens. Church full at 11.15. In the afternoon called on Mrs Hodgkin. At 6 pm we had more ringing. I had the 7th this time. Church very full. List of those serving read out and special prayers for those fighting in France. Hymn for “absent friends”. This gave a touch of grave seriousness to a bright service, which began with “Eastward ever Eastward” in procession. No anthem. After church we lowered the bells in peal. I had the seventh again. It did us all good to have a bit of ringing again.
The Post Office telegram says we have held our positions in spite of fierce attacks.
