24th May 1943

Monday
Awake at 7.30, and found a light rain falling, high, thin clouds.  Saw Poulter’s “Daily Mail” in the letter-box, and read of attacks on the South and S.E. Coasts yesterday.  Many dead.  Made me feel bad.  About 10 o’clock, got a sharp pain in the belly.  Tried to walk it off by strolling round the Castle Ramparts, but without success.  Very cold, east wind.

As I walked, considered a scheme to level out the ground S. of the Castle to the original ground level.  This would make the keep seem higher, and would be a great improvement.  The soil so removed could be used to restore the Western Rampart.  All the old Brewery buildings ought to be taken down, and all other buildings as far as St. Helen’s Chapel.  This would be a tremendous improvement.  But will it ever be done?  Never.

  

The clouds began to drift away about 4.  Heard today that the Corona lemonade company had sold their last horse, as they are forbidden to retail soft drinks under a new Government order.  Only God and Winston Churchill know why.  Went down to see the flat trolleys they are also selling.  Very good, but they want £60 for them, and the Committee would never pay that.

As I went out tonight saw there are gypsies camping in Harts Lane and by the ‘Wooden Fender,’ – tents, horses, vans, and carts.  Children playing, and music screeching from an old fashioned gramophone.  How I envy them.  Near Dedham Heath a tremendous storm broke, and I had to shelter in Polley’s workshop for half an hour.  Our carts are almost finished, so far as woodwork is concerned.