Letter 057 - Fifth-born at last

8th November, 2011

My dear Jeremy,

To my shame I see the last letter I wrote to you about 'My Life' was Tuesday 25th June, 2010. Much has happened since then - your visit for instance, such a happy time for me. Then there was the trauma of selling Hilltop House and buying Wakefield folllowed by the move on 17th December. Snow and ice hampered the arrival of new fridge, freezer and cooker. All the while we were planing for the arrival of Jill, Howard and Pamela.. Finally, by dint of hard work by the family, we all sat down to Christmas dinner with Christopher, Susan, Jonny, Celia, Geoff, Tom, Cathy, Steve. Imogen and Rosa. It was a festive and joyful occasion.

It has taken me longer than I expected to settle down and feel Wakefield is home despite the loving care of the German famaily and the frequent visits of Christopher and Susan. Things have got easier since the garden has looked more like 'me' and I now feel in control though still dependent for certain things on the family

........

My last story letter told of moving to Mufulira Teacher Training college in 1963. Christopher left Kingswood College and joined a new school that was opening in Swaziland called Waterford. It was to be multi-racial which was what Dad had dreamed of. I had and stilll have reservations about using one's off-spring to realise one's dreams but this seemed right at the time and under the circumstances which we lived. The school was run by three bachelors, Michael Stern, Tony Hatton and Gordon Milne. Bob and Ione Roseveare joined the staff and Jean and Jim Richardson were Matron and builder/maintenance man respectively. The architect was Pedro Guedes from Mozambique. It was a long way for Christopher to travel.

The new College, on the outskirts of Mufulira, was well designed. The students were housed in comfortable separate dormitories. As well as administrative offices there was a great hall for morning prayers, church services, television and other social activities. The buildings were spread out over new ground and the staff houses stood round the perimeter. The principal's house was the largest with four bedrooms and one was en suite. They were built on the North African style with the rooms opening on to an inner walled courtyard. Once again we laid out new gardens. Holes had been dug for roses and shrubs to be planted but a heavy tropical downpour filled them up with water. Jenny Jones who was about two fell into one and Celia aged 5 jumped in and lifted her out. Next day at school she was given a sweetie for 'saving Jenny Jones'

Jill and Celia went to the local Government Primary School in the mining town. Norah Mason was the headmistress. I would drive them in and fetch them each day in the landrover. Tim was my constant companion and a great help he was when shopping. Of course he always was rewarded with another matchbox car. Tim was always fond of animals - once he had a monkey which got a bit wild and whether it escaped or was given away I do not remember. I do not know where he got it from unless a student or servant gave it to him Later he had a parrot for which he lovingly cared but one day that got out and flew away to join his fellow parrots in the bush. Christopher recalls this parrot nipping his finger very sharply. The children enjoyed riding their bicycles and tricycle round the roads on the campus where they were completely free and safe.

Of course Michael was very busy organising and running the College. He adapted the Queen's promise made on her 21st birthday in South Africa, 'I will serve' to 'We Will Serve' as the College motto. Alan and Jean Jones came with him from Kitwe Training College as did Sam Johnson. Miss Churchill came out from England - she was a distant relation of the famous Churchill family - as did Ria Taylor from Ireland to join the staff. 'Churchie' as we called her became a great friend of the family - she loved the children and was always concerned for Michael who had that 'lean and hungry look' to quote Shakespeare. One Sunday she told me to pack a picnic basket and take Michael away for the day and she would take over his duty.. The children were delighted and we went to a fun place where they rode donkeys. Did this whet Jill and Celia's appetite for horse riding later in life I wonder?

We made friends with other Government employees like the Pickles family and the Farwell family at the Boma, and the local church people who came out to take services in the hall each Sunday. There was also the Harker family - he was the principal of the local High School. Joan made the girls each a dress when Jeremy was born. During the holidays Christopher played tennis, I thought with the daughter, but he tells me he played tennis with the son and kissed the daughter. They corresponded he says after they went back to school.

The dining room was furnished with one large table for entertaining. We invited all the staff in turns to come to dinner. The cook always waited at table but when we had the African lecturers to dinner, but the cook refused to serve them. 'I will not serve 'boys'' he said indignantly. So Dad had to do the honours.

It was during this time I discovered I was pregnant again. Not exactly planned but welcomed as Dad loved his big family. I was fit and well and a very laid back, pleasant husband and wife pair of Irish doctors, agreed that I could have a home delivery. This was a boon otherwise I would have had to go through to Kitwe to the new Government Hospital there. These doctors were keen supporters of the local horsey fraternity.

You were born at 6 pm on 7th October just as 'Lassie' was being shown on television in the hall where the children were watching. It was an easy birth but you stopped and started so Dad and I went for a walk in the veld while the lady doctor, Mrs Connolly went home to buy bread for her children's supper. Because I was a natural child birth mother she said she did not know how my labour was progressing, in contrast to the Italian mothers who made a fuss and each time their husbands brought them more presents, mostly jewelry. I had not thought of that... Dad was thrilled to help with the delivery and being a part of your coming into the world. The man doctor arrived, did nothing and went and drank beer with Dad after telling his wife 'You tidy up' or something like that.

That evening the staff all came to welcome you - a great day.....

Love you,

Mum

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