31st May 1942: A trip out with the phaeton from Lawford Hall

Sunday
Drove over to Lawford early, and after lunch went out in the phaeton from Lawford Hall, Robin in the shafts.  I took Penelope Belfield and Parrington’s pretty cousin, Janet Hutton.  We called at Lawford Hall to see Mrs. Belfield who was there, and then went over to Holly Lodge and called on Frank Girling.  He took two photos of Robin.

This is the photo taken by Frank Girling which appears in Rudsdale's journal, showing E.J. Rudsdale, Penelope Belfield and Janet Hutton in the phaeton with Robin in the shafts outside Holly Lodge. (Courtesy of Essex Record Office)

30th May 1942

Saturday
Very busy [at the office] all morning, until 1.30.  This afternoon shopping, stable work, etc.  On duty at Castle tonight, very lonely and depressing.  Tried to talk to Molly Blomfield on the telephone, but she was not there.

There is still no water or sand available in the right places [at the Castle].

28th May 1942

Thursday
Got up at 6.30.  Terrible wind blowing, with great black clouds, very low.  Had difficulty to get along, as it was against me.  Took me a full hour to cycle in [to Colchester from Lawford].

25th May 1942

Whit Monday
Office closed today, but the usual Committee meeting at Birch.  I drove right through from Lawford, stopping an hour at Colchester, to have lunch with the old people [ie: EJR's parents].

Robin did the journey very well, coming back to Colchester as lively as he left Lawford this morning.

24th May 1942

Sunday
Lovely day.  Went down to Dedham in the morning.  Feeding the animals, and reading and writing all day.

The days now pass very sweetly.

19th May 1942

Tuesday
Cycled in this morning.  Lovely earthy smell.  About 7 o’clock I met 8 of Edwards’ horses on Ardleigh Heath, on their way to work, going along in 4 pairs, their drivers riding sideways.

This evening I took the cob round to Boast's on East Hill and collected Mrs. Parrington’s trap.  It looked a glorious sight, black and yellow, the brass work gleaming in the sunshine.  Along we went, clean horse, clean harness and clean trap, to the great admiration of Pim Barber and the other dealers outside the “White Horse”.  I was very nervous lest Robin should play-up and in any way damage the new paint.  Called at Spring-gate, Ardleigh, and saw Molly Blomfield and Mrs. Clayton in the garden.  Both admired the turnout.  

Went round by Harvey’s Farm and collected a trailer wheel, and then on to Lawford.  All the old men working in their gardens stood up to watch us go past.  Mrs. Parrington gave 5/6 for this trap, and a man who saw it in Boast’s shop offered £25, if it had been for sale.

Got unharnessed by a quarter past eight, which was not bad considering that I did not leave East Hill until 7 o’clock.  Fed Robin, the young bull and the hens.  The Parringtons were out.  Caught Roger, chopped mangold, etc.  The Parringtons came back at 9, with Frank Girling and Mrs. Jessup (Joy Parrington's cousin), they had all been over to Badwell in Suffolk for the day.  We all had a meal, and I talked agriculture and archaeology with F.G.

New moon tonight, a slim silvery crescent, which from my window appeared to hang just above the trees behind the house, in a deep blue sky.

I have never been so happy for years as I am now.

18th May 1942

Monday
Up at 6, got away at 6.30, under a canopy of high, bluey-grey clouds, the air very clear and rain-washed.  Cuckoos everywhere.  Went round the back lanes to Harvey's Farm, Ardleigh, with a repair job for Parrington, and got into Colchester at 20 to eight.  The little cob never seems to tire.

Funeral of Dennis Jeffrey, the jeweller, this afternoon at 2 o’clock.  He was a great friend of Dr. Laver.  I saw a motor hearse and three taxis outside St. Nicholas.  In the whole of the High Street only Jeffrey’s own shop and that of Sach[?] the butcher were closed (it occurred to me later that perhaps he does not open on Monday, having no meat?) and Joslins’ the ironmonger put up black boards.  Until quite recent years all the High Street shopmen closed when a prominent trader died.