1 July 1958. Church refuses to marry divorced people

1 July 1958

My dear Len and Margaret

This is Tuesday eve. It has started to rain, the weather feels thundery. We are thinking of you all and wondering how you are enjoying your holiday, we hope you are having a nice time, enjoyable time and that you are comfortable in your unusual holiday quarters. We will be looking forward to know all about it.

This afternoon was our usual afternoon for Kay to take us out. We changed the outing a bit. Kay and Margaret called for us, but Dad and I got down at Uncle Frank to go and tell them about Doreen’s engagement taking place on Saturday. K & M continued their journey to St Brelades, had their afternoon cup of tea at Sandiway, then they picked us up again.

Give us a thought on Saturday eve having a little engagement party. But perhaps you won’t have this letter in time, we don’t know what day you are getting back home. We will be the family only, Nick’s mother arrives on Friday, she will be with us too. That means we will be 10 altogether. I hope they don’t make it too late an evening and that the ‘gouettes’ won’t fly too freely. It would be nice to have you both with us on that eve.

I think I told you that Doreen and Nick had called on Rev Quarrie a few weeks ago to ask him if there would be any possibility for him to marry them, although we were about certain that he would be unable to do so, he told them he was very sorry to tell them that he could not do so. He said he would have been very pleased to marry them. Anyway he told them he would make enquiries about it by speaking to the Dean, although he knew he would be flatly refused. Anyway late yesterday afternoon the Vicar arrived to speak about Doreen’s marriage. He was most sorry, he had to disappoint them. The Dean will not allow him to do so. He was still at home when Doreen came back from work. I called her to see the Vicar, he explained her all he had to say, do the marriage is off for St Andrew’s church. Next week they will see about a Scottish church. This is as far as we can tell you at the moment.

On the 14^th of this month Mr and Mrs Le Rossignol will be celebrating their Golden Wedding. They will be giving a little dinner at the Grand Hotel. Dad and I are invited, I think we will be 15 or 16 people.

I guess you will laugh when I tell you that Margaret has a little part time job on Saturdays from 2 – 6 o’clock. You will be surprised when I tell you where, it’s in the shop at Kritchefski, which as you know is a men’s shop. There is a long time she wanted a little part time job, she had tried a few times for part time in typing, but as there always so many to take these jobs, she has had no luck. Charles was quite against her taking a job, anyway one afternoon won’t hurt her. She seems to like it, they give her 15/- for her afternoon. This is only until October, they take extra hands during the season. This is a little change to housework.

Our Constable is still hanging on, they don’t say much about him. Father has heard today that he is worse, they say he can’t speak, it’s a very sad case.

The first trip to Alderney takes place on Thursday if the weather is fine. Father says he will take the trip. If the weather is fine and settled I may go with him. Up to now the forecast is not good, the trips to St Malo are not very well patronised this year, their fares are too high, these trips are not worth going to . They take too much money.

Here I am again, this is Wed A.M. The woman’s help is here so I thought I would sit in my study to write a few lines. This is a nice morning, sunny and a cool breeze. Tomorrow week, the 8^th the Visite du Branchage for St Helier will take place. All being well a big time for Father, his time in the Police is up, but they are not replacing him until after the inspection of roads is over. The Visite Royale also takes place this year in August. They don’t have it every year, it’s once every so many years. Well Dad will be replaced for this Visite, but they have told him that they will call on him to be one of the ‘Voyeurs’ so you see it seems it won’t make much difference to him to be out of the Police, he will act just the same in many things. I can well imagine Len saying that they are doing right to keep Dad with them, but I don’t feel so sure of it.

When I’m sitting in my study I’ve always got my table placed in front of the window facing the Devonshire Inn so I can see all the people who have too much money in their pockets. I’m also amused with quite a number of men who go in there. They generally wipe their nose and lips. When I see them do that I know where they are going, other feel in their pockets and count their money to see if they have enough to have a pint or two. So you see I can’t be lonely while I’m writing, can I?

I wonder if sometimes you don’t get my letter at the usual time, you will think I’ve been watching the Devonshire Hotel instead of doing my writing. I don’t think that will be the cause though.

I am wondering if you will send us a PC while you are on holiday. I have an idea you will.

Roselle is not coming back to lunch today. One of her travellers is taking her to lunch, we won’t be seeing her until this evening. I will leave this ending until tomorrow.

Here I am to end this. Many thanks for the lovely PC’s received yesterday. I am very pleased to have them for my album. But I don’t seem to be able to get to it what with my gardening and writing.

Dad has gone to Alderney. The family did not seem they wanted me to go, therefore I have stayed behind. I’ve not been there for a few years.

Many thanks to Margaret for the nice letter we received from her today. We were pleased to know that you are all enjoying yourselves. I will answer the letter next week.

Lots of love from us all.

Lovingly

Mother xxxx