Show notes
Frances reads four letters, written by Arthur, Aldwyn, Vera and Edmund in January and February 1909.Arthur has been to Rame Head for sketching and bird watching; this time he has lost some brand-new paintbrushes there.Arthur has a new boy at Garfield House School, Watson major, who is very loquacious. The personality of interesting schoolboys never fails to entertain the members of the Budget.Aldwyn writes one more letter, before returning by ship to Africa. He looks forward to re-joining the Budget in his next holiday, which should be in 1913, and he hopes the Budget will still be thriving. He describes the many gifts he is taking back to Nyasaland.Vera describes the siblings accompanying Aldwyn to Southampton to see him off on the SS Norman and she also describes how she and Avice are mad on roller skating.Edmund writes about his dog called Satan and The Church Lads' Brigade, who are forming a black-face minstrel troop; Annie May has solved Cuthbert’s riddle about what can go up and down the chimney. And Edmund fails to mention their baby, who will be born in just a few days.Machell Cox Budget letters is on Twitter - @CoxLetters. Or email me if you have enjoyed this podcast, and tell me your family history story – [email protected] content is subject to copyright, and belongs to Frances Thompson and the Bodleian Library. Intro: 00:00Correspondence: 2:32Arthur's letter, 26th January 1909 : 16:02Notes on Arthur's letter: 26:40Aldwyn's letter, 4th February: 32:03Notes on Aldwyn's letter: 39:15Vera's letter, 11th February and notes: 44:17Edmund's letter, 19th February and notes: 50:54