15th March 1945

Thursday

Another lovely day, although cold and grey at first.  Daffodils are beginning to appear among the grass in the churchyard.  Went down there and made a careful examination of some of the very fine 18^th Century headstones.  There must have been a very fine school of masons here from about 1700 to 1810.

This afternoon a Grammar “Prep” party, not very successful.  Don't like talking to small boys.

Went out to “Advertiser” and collected a packet of appeals for Edward’s testimonial, put them in envelopes, addressed them and posted them.

Just before lunch, in the Library, suddenly heard the noise of cement or plaster falling down the chimney.  Must have been a pigeon inside, but was alarmed in case it might be the stack cracking or settling.  Went up on the roof to see if anything was to be seen, but there was nothing, only the sound of the fluttering of the wretched bird inside.  The roof seems in pretty fair order, but the woodwork needs repainting.  Fascinating views down onto the roofs, and gardens of the Castle, where I have never been.

After tea went to see old Pearson about the appeals, and then spent the rest of the evening indoors, with great contentment.

14th March 1945

Wednesday

At about 2 o’clock this afternoon a big searchlight battery came through the town and crossed over the bridge in the direction of Wisbech St Mary.  Looked ominous, as there have been no searchlights in this district for two years now.  Nobody likes to have the lights about, as they say they “attract bombs”, in much the same way people might say candles attract moths.  It was a big convoy, with stoves, sections of portable huts, all the kit, generator trailers, bicycles strapped on everywhere.  Thought of all the days long ago when I used to see the horse-drawn coopers trundling smoking up Wimpole Road, the cooks walking behind, and the great pontoons with their teams of eight or ten horses.

A fine warm day.  Worked in the office until 8, then home to more writing.

13th March 1945

Tuesday

Fine, cold, lovely morning.  Aconites are appearing, and the trees are showing signs of buds.

This afternoon Guy Pearson came in, and showed me a draft of an appeal which is to be issued in connection with a “testimonial” for Edwards – this, as I suspected, was the reason of the “secret session” after the last meeting.  If it is to be limited to the 20 odd members of the Committee, it is not likely to produce very much.  Guy Pearson wants a presentation to be made at the Annual General Meeting on May 7^th.  He told me that for 20 years not more than two persons, other than the Committee have ever attended an Annual Meeting.  This must be altered.  As the meeting is always held at the ridiculous hour of 12 midday they can hardly expect people to come.  Obviously we need an evening meeting, with special exhibits, coffee and sandwiches and so forth. 

To the Museum for an hour after tea.  Fog coming up.

12th March 1945

Monday

Cold, but brilliantly sunny day.  Finished going through the maps in the great chest in the Library, sorted out all those relating to Wisbech, and moved the remainder, and the chest, into the basement passage.  This will eventually go into the Town Library Room.  Felt very satisfied with the day’s work.

Fine starlight night.  Walked home across the Park.

11th March 1945

Sunday

Had breakfast in my room.  This being the custom here on Sunday mornings.  Wrote letters.  This afternoon to Elm, to the Limes.  Mrs. Coulter had heard that during the raids last week there were attacks on Ipswich, Bury, and Spalding.  Stayed to ten, and cycled home under a clear sky, studded with brilliant stars.

9th March 1945

Friday

Fine, cloudy, a smell of spring in the air.  Am enjoying this house.  Food excellent.  Miss Brewer a delightful girl, an excellently witty talker.

Busy all day on Museum chores.  Tonight to Arts Club.  Called for Jessie Swift, and took her along, going through the dark damp park, a place where she most rightly said she would not like to go alone. 

Arts Club quite amusing, did a little drawing.  Left at 10.  Old Market full of drunks.  Went into Swifts for 10 minutes, but Jessie so obviously longing for bed, soon retired to my own.  Miss Quail, the mistress of the Grammar School Preparatory, was talking at the Arts Club about a new school for which she has applied.  (The “Pie” will shortly be closed under the new Education Act).  This other school is (I think) at Leicester, and one feature of its organisation is that every pupil has a “dossier” of her life at the school, from which no personal detail is omitted – peculiarities of dress or behaviour, every single detail.  This follows the child all through the school.  What happens to it then is not recorded.

8th March 1945

Thursday

Wakened by the chorus of birds in the trees in Clarkson Avenue and in the gardens at the back.  Had a very good breakfast.  Miss Tovey turns out to be a most charming little old lady, of about 79 or 80.  Has lived in the Fens all her life, and knows everybody.

About 9.30, a very smart milk pony came clattering down the road, pulling a little green float on rubber tyres.

School party this morning, Grammar School VI form, to see material relating to the 18^th century.  Very successful.

A lovely day.  Went back to Clarkson Avenue at 6, had an excellent “high tea” in the Wisbech manner, spent the evening writing and listening to the radio.