11th March 1944

Saturday
Fine, some cloud, and rather warmer.  Great confusion at “Ye Talbooth”, as the staff had not turned up by 8.30.  Old Mrs Roper running around in green nightdress and a fur coat, very much put out.

Busy morning, and did not feel very well.  This afternoon to the Repertory Players.  This week’s show was the 200th they have done in Colchester.  Everybody very pleased.  Afterwards had tea with Diana, most enjoyable, but she had to rush back for the evening performance.

Decided to call at Ardleigh about Bob, but was suddenly struck with a most agonising pain in the belly, so bad that I had to get off and walk.  Got worse, and for half an hour sat on a tank block on the By-Pass Road.  It kept on so long that I got quite frightened.  Tried everything, sitting, standing, but no good.  At last it faded a little, and I crawled as far as Fox Street.  Mrs Clayton was very kind, gave me sodium bicarbonate and then hot weak tea.  Most effective, and by 9.30 all pain was quite gone.

Talbooth 10 p.m. and went straight to bed.

Had a pleasant surprise today.  Went to the Bank, and found I had more money that I had thought.  My two accounts are – on deposit: £183-18-10.  Current: £21-13-10.  Makes me all the more determined to go away to Wales, as I feel I can freely spend up to say £50 altogether.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Catherine

ER's finances are certainly holding up despite the war!

The values today
£183-28-20 = £6,901.23
£ 21-13-10 = £ 813.84
£ 50-00-00 = £1,875.93

The last one in particularly interesting, as this is what seems to be a holiday!

Odd too, that he is impressed that the 200th drama production has been reached but does not tell us which play.

Mike Dennis

E J Rudsdale said...

Hi Mike,
Many thanks for EJR's financial details - it sounds like he is planning a good holiday!
Hervey Benham's 'Illustrated History of the First 21 Years of Colchester Repertory Company' entitled 'Make You a Wholesome Answer' lists all the productions from its foundation in 1937 and the 200th production was 'Busman's Honeymoon', I assume by Dorothy L Sayers, featuring her characters, Lord Peter Wimsey and Harriet Vane. The Repertory Company's theatre productions had increased greatly in number during the war. CP