—————————
Transcription of Letter
From
Mrs. J.R. Derbyshire
62 Friars Avenue
Delapre
Northampton NNP.P.4X[1]
England
To
Mr. J.R. Derbyshire, Bsc.
2 Harbor Lane
New Rochelle
N.Y. 10805.
U.S.A.
Jan 17th
My dear Son,
nice to hear from you I do so worry, I can't help it. I imagine you homeless etc, I do wish you were more
settled. We are having storms, high
winds, which blew our TV ariel into Longdons' garden! Heavy rain & now brilliant sunshine, but so far no snow or
ice.
Auntie Polly's — (Dad's sister) husband died on
Monday, so Noel is picking Dad up
early Saturday morning & taking him & bringing him back the same day you know how Dad hates being away from
home especially at night. Its
made him very depressed, he thinks its his turn next!! Well, its inevitable, but wish he'd live each day as it
comes.
What a turmoil our country is in John, but I feel we owe it some loyalty & wish all the problems could be solved,
but I know that's
pie-in-the-sky, there's too much greed and selfishness, graft & crime seems too easy. I don't know what we're
heading for, it seems it takes
wars to bring us together, God forbid that!! Everywhere's dreary, everybody moaning. What a life. However, we press
on & Spring is just round
the corner, bulbs are already pushing through. Haven't seen Judy for 3 weeks, though she rang to see how we were at
week-end. I expect she'll be
up this week-end. Saw Mrs. Coy yesterday, she sends love & good
wishes. Dick has 2 children now.
Saw Mrs. Brice too. Keith has a lovely baby son, she also sent good
wishes, also
Mary & Fred & Mrs.
Lamb.
Janet Longdon was married on Boxing Day, after Wayne's divorce. I'm
glad as Wayne seems a decent
sort & fond of Janet's little boy.
No startling news love, don't worry about me, I'm having no operation as long as I feel fit, the odd niggles of pain
are not unbearable, I keep
around 10 stone, but shall lose again when I'm more active. I plan to
decorate your room & mine
& living rooms in the Spring & plenty to do in the garden. Planning a holiday with Mrs. Lamb, either Cornwall
or Isle of Wight. Are you
still trying for a visa love? I look forward to your letters dear. Take good care, don't get V.D.!!! I'd love some
more grand-children though!
Seriously John, loving you. Write soon. As always
Devoted Mother.
—————————
Notes
- The U.K. postcodes were introduced piecemeal between 1959 and 1974. I think at this time — early 1974 — people were being pressed to use them, but for older people like my parents it was all a bit confusing, and it took them a while to get it right. The actual postcode for my parents' house was (and I suppose still is) NN4 9PX.