Badsey
Evesham
Jan 24/98
My Dear May,
We were very glad to receive your letter this afternoon and to get a full account of all your doings so far, now I think I will write this evening, while I have leisure, and then you will get the letter quite early in the week. I can quite imagine you feel a bit dull at times as of course you cannot settle down in a strange place all in a hurry, but that will soon wear off as you get used to your new occupation, especially as you seem as if you would find plenty to do, one cannot find quite the interest in new associations as in old ones but I am quite in hopes your surroundings will be happy ones and then you will soon forge new ties and interests which will increase as time goes on. And now I must give you a little home gossip. I have already sent you a paper containing an account of the Conservative meeting at Badsey and also of the inquiry respecting the drainage of the village, Georgie went to hear the speeches &c at the former and quite enjoyed himself.
To-day we have had the dedication of the bells and I enclose a programme of the service, the Bishop gave a nice little address and the Church was well filled, all the world and his wife (especially the latter) turned up and went to tea at the vicarage afterwards, I thought the collection £4-10-0 only fairly good from such a congregation of the high and mighty! On Thursday 3rd Feb there is to be a dance in our barn and later on an entertainment at the school (or elsewhere) in aid of the bell fund. We heard from Kathleen by the same post as from you and as you may not have any news from Clewer, as yet, I will forward her letter. Arthur’s letter came as usual, this morning he has gone out of the choir, there was to be a Church parade yesterday afternoon of volunteers in which he and his comrades were to join, he says he was 20 marks ahead of the second chap in set.
I saw Georgie off by the 11.55 train to-day so now we seem quite a little party again. I am wondering if you get any sight of a newspaper, if not I must try and arrange to send you some weekly summary of the world’s news for a time, I think some people engaged in teaching are too apt to forget that public affairs should form part of education and of information and so become “blue” and uninteresting upon any subjects outside their own particular work.
I think you were quite right not to broach the subject of holidays too soon but when you get an opportunity I think you might suggest that a free Saturday afternoon sometimes would be pleasant for you, especially as you have a brother near at hand, then if Miss Newton and Anna’s friends want to make themselves pleasant to you, you will naturally want a little time that you can call your own. I am glad you will have an opportunity in indulging in some conversational French and if you take my advise you will make full use of it, with your knowledge of the language it is a pity you should not be able to speak French a little. If you have time I should say go on a little with your German also, but you must see how you are occupied, do not forget to have a good book on hand by way of recreation.
Baby is a good little thing still and laughs away well. Georgie has ridden to Bretforton and back on his bike. Mother and Ethel join me in much love and I remain
your affectionate Father
Julius Sladden
