7th January 1941
German plane over this morning, and an alarm at 2.15. Parrington from Lawford came in and told me that the plane this morning had dropped several bombs on or near the Xylonite Works at Brantham, and some more near the mine depot at Wix, but no damage was done so far as he knew. He wants to buy another chaff cutter.
Another alarm from 4.30-5, but I was at Bourne Mill, and could not go. At least one plane came over. Had tea in Jacklin’s [Restaurant] and another alarm sounded at a quarter to 6. I went down to the Castle, but it only lasted 10 minutes.
Freezing hard frost tonight. Terrible hay shortage – none in the town. Don't know what to do.
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4 comments:
Oh! Tea at Jacklins, Lucky man! Something we used to enjoy here in Colchester, but can no more. There was white napery, neatly dressed waitresses and the tea-cakes were served on plate covered with a dome to keep them hot! You could also get Jap cakes there.
It sounds lovely! To my great regret, I never did have tea at Jacklins but I have just created a link so that readers can view the building in Colchester's High Street where Jacklins was situated. CP
Jacklins restaurant was the top floor area of what was then Jacklins tobacco and sweet shop,(today W&Gs mens outfitters shop),and the adjoiningshop which I believe is W&Gs china dept. It was a large restaurant , very popular with local business men at lunchtime, where the restaurant was supervised by Mr Fred Jacklin, and later by his son Stephen,and where traditional good english fare was very popular. It was also the venue for rotary club functions, and if my memory serves me right I recall that the wood panelled interior decor was adorned by many visiting rotarians plaques.I recall being taken there for tea on the day that the town lights were switched on after the wartime restrictions, and also having lunch ther on occasions.A lovely experience.gaero
Many thanks for this very helpful insight - you paint a wonderful picture of what it was like to visit Jacklins. It must have been quite incredible to see street lights again after six years of blackout restrictions. Thank you for sharing your experiences. CP
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