3rd March 1944

Friday
Had a good night, not so much pain.  Ate breakfast, watching the pigeons flutter about in the yard.  They live in a pigeon-cote fastened to the gable of the old “turnpike stair”.

Finished reading Katherine Mansfield’s Journal.  Very dull indeed.  Strange that a good story writer should write such poor stuff.

At the office found a letter from Meg MacDougall, without stamp or postmark, and a censor’s label on it.  Luckily its contents were harmless.

When in Culver Street for lunch noticed that another emergency water-tank is being put up, against the cellar of the old house.  Went down the cellar, through a hole in the ceiling, and found it still in good condition.  Can't think what can eventually be done with it.

Back to Dedham at 6.30, then called at Stratford “King's Arms” only to receive a final answer that there was nothing doing.  On a sudden decision went to the Talbooth, Mrs Roper’s dreadful place, and without any trouble got a room - £3 a week.  I can afford it now that I am getting £4-12-6.
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6 comments:

  1. Anonymous3 March 2014 at 18:17

    Catherine

    How curious Rudsdale's description of The Talbooth in Dedham given it's reputation today!

    In todays values his rent was £112.56 out a weekly wage of £173.52.

    Regards

    Mike Dennis

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  2. E J Rudsdale5 March 2014 at 23:05

    Thanks Mike and for the information on the cost of Rudsdale's rent. The Talbooth had been quite delapidated in the 1930s and Rudsdale had been part of a team of conservationists who had campaigned for it to be restored. The new owner, Mrs Roper, undertook this restoration but rather overdid the 'olde-worlde' atmosphere much to Rudsdale's distaste and hence his comment that it is a 'dreadful place'. It is certainly very upmarket today! CP

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  3. Anonymous6 March 2014 at 11:02

    Catherine

    Thanks for the additional information. Interesting that ER didn't go in to more detail in his journal about why he was negative in his view of The Talbooth.

    Mike Dennis

    ReplyDelete
  4. E J Rudsdale6 March 2014 at 13:27

    Hi Mike,
    It's because the restoration of the Talbooth took place in the 1930s, prior to the war, and Rudsdale discusses his views on its conservation in those earlier journals. CP

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  5. Anonymous6 March 2014 at 22:23

    Catherine
    Of course!
    But as you have noted, by this time he was seeing his journals as more of a historical record rather than a personal diary.
    It does seem that there are some subjects he likes to write about at length!
    Mike

    ReplyDelete
  6. E J Rudsdale6 March 2014 at 22:28

    Hi Mike,
    Yes indeed! He does have his favourite subjects and leaves us in no doubt about his likes and dislikes! CP

    ReplyDelete