Badsey
Evesham
Nov 9/97
My Dear Kathleen,
I will write my letter earlier this week as Sunday is rather a late day for you to receive it. We got your budget this morning and were glad to find you were still top of your form, you certainly appear to be getting on famously all round this term. Arthur’s half term report is a capital one and Headmaster says “Review excellent”, “Dip” says he had tumbled down to 6th for the week but came out top in the review by Mr Chambers, they have measles at Brecon, the youngest Byrch is down with it, their holidays begin Dec 17th Georgie’s I think on 21st the latter has been amusing himself by writing part of his last letter phonetically as regards spelling, he often writes in an amusing manner.
I began to plant the rose bed on Saturday it will contain 1000 trees, Mother planted the first and Ethel & Cyril one each, I expect it will take a good while to finish, in fact I shall not attempt to put the Teas out till Feb but keep them in shelter. I expect the herbaceous plants this week and now the levelling is done shall be able to put them in.
It is mild to-day but we have had some rain the last day or two.
Your bicycle saddle is mended and it looks much better also does not tip forward.
I am glad you enjoyed your visit to Slough and it was nice for you to have that little outing. Ethel and Cyril will start for Byfleet on Monday at 9.33 A.M. from Evesham and travelling via Reading should reach Byfleet station at 1.14 P.M. They will like to go and see you if practicable during their stay there.
I am going to recite about 300 lines of “Edinburgh after Flodden” at the next Literary at the Wildings, I have cut out about 100 lines as it was rather too long, I have managed to learn it pretty correctly in a week which is pretty well for an old ‘un! Mary Robinson is going to sing on the same occasion.
Auntie Lottie sends her congratulations to you on keeping top for the whole of the ½ term she has very kindly offered to send May the birthday cake to save Mother trouble and with her usual liberality she sent me £1 towards May’s exam fees.
Now I must say good night.
With much love to you both
I remain
your affectionate Father
Julius Sladden
