Badsey
Evesham
May 4/04
My dear Kathleen,
I received your post card this morning. I think references to your Principal and Sister Miriam are quite the best course to adopt, Miss Smith being out of the question I am very glad to hear that Mrs Burrows can put you up on both occasions it is very good of her and will be nice for you.
I heard from Mr Chambers on Sunday about Cyril he says I thought his work very sound and good and expect him to do better before he has done. It appears there has been some alteration in the constitution of the Hostel and the house will now be used for junior boys, in lieu thereof a number of “Daniel Lewis Lloyd” exhibitions of £75 a year have been formed, this sum representing about the amount of the reduced charges formerly made for Hostel pupils Mr Chambers offers Cyril one of these, together with £10 as a house scholar and I have decided to accept as from September next, I calculate it will cost me about £15 a year more than I am now paying at Bancroft’s school and of course he will now have to be clothed in addition, however I hope it will prove a good investment and that Cyril will benefit by the “new departure”, he likes the idea of the change.
Mother started yesterday for Folkestone via Reading and Arthur lunched with her at Oxford station, from a post card received to-day it appears her train was nearly an hour late at Folkestone which place she ought to have reached at 5.47 she propose to return the middle of next week.
You will I expect have heard from May yourself, we had a very long letter yesterday morning, the general tone of which seemed quite satisfactory.
Mother has taken the letter into Kent and I have asked her to let Jack have it in a few days and then to forward it to you.
Ethel has written to Weybridge asking if it will be convenient for her to take “Judy” after 15th inst for their proposed visit there, if this is arranged Ethel could very well wait for your function on June 2nd and then go on to Norwich and the date would probably suit Mrs Gepp.
We are still servant hunting and must put another advert in, the last brought one answer but not suitable.
I have engaged the man to come on 16th until we find a cottage he can cycle to and fro from Elmley for a bit. I am now trying to purchase a suitable cow.
The fruit blossom is simply magnificent that on the plums is over the pears in full beauty and the apples beginning to shew, the fruit is setting well and so far no damage by frost, all our small fruit promises unusually well and the garden altogether presents a cheering aspect.
The parchment records of the Church restoration has come it is really beautifully done with illuminated headings altogether it is quite a work of art and Mr Savory is delighted with it, it is certainly very cheap at 35/-.
There are 6 little ducks and 22 chicks all doing well and four more late to come off next week.
George has gone to see “Julius Caesar” at Stratford with Bert Idiens they are of course cycling.
On Saturday I am taking Ethel and Cyril (a birthday treat) to see “The Tempest”. He returns to school on Monday. Jack seemed rather seedy when he last wrote, I am afraid the long hours are rather tiring to him, he had seen the doctor who had given him something to relieve his indigestion.
Uncle George and Aunt Lizzie are travelling south to-day probably Mother told you about the farewell dinner and handsome presentation to Uncle.
I think I have about exhausted my news in this long drawn out letter.
With love from those at home
I remain
your affectionate Father
Julius Sladden
