Sunday 1st October 1944

Got up just after 9. Had breakfast. Made my bed. I went over to Joan’s and cleaned my shoes. Went to the stables on the bikes. I groomed crusoe. He kept trying to bite me. Saddled him. Elizabeth rode Fiddler, Anne rode rose, A boy rode Dick and a girl Peggy. Mrs h rode Flicka. We rode all along the sea front and then went in a field jumping, bending and changing legs. Booked for Tues. Joan and I and the dog walked all through the wood where we had tea. Saw dozens of pheasant and a hare in a clearing. The dog frightened them. Walked on to Highdown. Biked back. Went to station and cycled to Worthin to where the beach is open. It was a glorious sunset. I get the 9.6 from Worthing Central to Salisbury. Get to Bath about 3. I did quite a bit of knitting. Had supper and retired. Lovely moonlight.

Monday 2nd October 1944

Got up first before 9. Paraded downstairs for washing water. Had breakfast. A beautiful clear sunny day although the air was very keen. Joan and I rode two slow old things at Willey’s. I rode a big chestnut mare and Joan a pony the colour of art. We had a few canters out of them in the end. We rode all over the downs behind the golf links. It was glorious country so open and free and you had a wonderful view of huge stubble fields. We got last and came down by the side of some cabbages and then some clover. We were out for 1 ¼ hours but we got in at the same time as Mr Willey. Cycled to P.O. and allotment. Went into Worthing on the bus. I got some brown boucle wool, I tried everywhere for combs and nail files. No luck. Came back to tea. Went to Play house and saw “Murder in Thornton Square” with Charles Boyer and Ingrid Bergman. Knitted till 9.15. Came over to supper then went to bed.

Tuesday 3rd October 1944

Went riding round the sea front with 3 people who said they could ride but one on Fiddler, of all horses had to go on the leading rein. I had to canter on ahead and it was dull. After lunch we had a lovely ride up the Miller’s Tomb and round Somerset Road and up the Filex. Joan rode Rose, two girls from Ferring Grange rode Fiddler and Dick, Mrs Holmwood Flicka and I rode crusoe. Flicka just beat Crusoe up the bank. Went to tea with Miss M spoke to June who had been out with a naval officer!

Wednesday 4th October 1944

Left Worthing a 9.6 Got to Portsmouth at 10.20 Got a train via Salisbury straight to bath. It took till 3 o’clock to get to Bath. Went round Woolworth’s and got some gloves till 4.25. Came back with Jack Wood the train was packed.

Thursday 5th October 1944

First day at work. Mr and Mrs Knight came we went over Tucker’s. Norman had too much cider and he was awful. He broke my crystal beads. Got back about 12.30.

Friday 6th October 1944

Spent day cutting out wood in the clover ground where Hellier was hedging. Went to tea with Mrs knight and Grandma. Walked down to emery’s at 7. Got back at dusk.

Saturday 7th October 1944

Spent day at odd jobs. Cleared one side of the stable to make room for Punch. Cut thistles round house. Got cows early and milked. Went to Shepton flicks by 5.20 train Saw “Dark Tower

Sunday 8th October 1944

Did not do much this morning. Met Mrs K. outside church. I had to call at the rectory. Hugh, Mary and Angela came. Mrs Warren wants me to be a Guide. Went to church Jimmy is still home. Mr Warren preached about love. A few secret grins became general.

Monday 9th October 1944

Drew straw in Kingdown all morning. Dug potatoes in the afternoon. Mrs Catobodie came. Nearly caught the back-house on fire with the stove flaring up. Dennis, Hubert and Colour came in to cards.

Tuesday 10th October 1944

Got up first after 7. Milked. We pulled mangles all morning till 12. Went to ploughing match at Paulton. Eric Fawcett’s work was best. Came back milking at 4. Got cows. I rushed in at 5.45 and got ready for Guides. Had quite a good time. Mrs Warren was daft she asked me my name! Got in at 8 and wrote.

Wednesday 11th October 1944

It poured with rain all day and was rougher than I have ever known before. We spent the morning clearing the hay-house and sorting spuds. We put out some wall flowers. Got cows. Cut off their tails. Went to whist drive. Only 9 tables. Got back by 10.

Thursday 12th October 1944

I saw Mr and Mrs Knight off on the 9.20 train. We spent the morning cutting thistles. Pulled a few mangles but rain stopped us at 3. Put out a few wall flowers. Got cows. Took shoes down to Mr Jones. Met Jim and Mrs Warren on the way. Spent quiet evening.

Friday 13th October 1944

It started off by being a nice day but it ended up very wet and rainy, and the wind! Cut out wood until 12.30 It rained and blew till milking. A man from wells brought a bay horse, Captain and took Silver away for a fortnight. A job probate man came. I got soaked getting the cows they were awful. Saw Mrs warren. Milked. It started raining again about 6. Sorted my scrap book and did some knitting and sewing.

Saturday 14th October 1944

We used the brown horse this morning hauling wood and hay from the rectory. He was not too bad then. We tied him up in the stables till after lunch. We hauled two loads of kale and turnips. The horse bolted three times for no reason at all. He is no good to us. Went to Shepton flicks saw “ On Approval” it was good. Lost Peggy’s new belt.

Sunday 15th October 1944

Brenda and Norman Bromwell went to hospital with scarlet fever. Did stall and pails. Went up Kingdown to move heifers we did not in the end. Saw mrs Warren out of church, alone? Went to P.O. Had a bath got cows. Milked. Went to church. Had supper with Grandma.

Monday 16th October 1944

It rained off and on all day. Cut kale and pulled turnips. Got wet. Moved calves. P went to Farrington. I cut out wood myself till 3.45. We have a new red cow. Went up Dudden’s Jim has been returned to oxford. Mr Warren called with lumbago and cold cure!!

Tuesday 17th October 1944

It poured with rain all day until 6 o’clock. It was awful. I spent morning cleaning stall, outside the door and the hay-house. Max Gillson came about a horse and talked solidly from 11.30 – 1.30. I went to Shepton and then on to Wells and back to Shepton. Grandpa said I was crackers but I did not get too wet. I bought some pink wool and a white under set and some cloth for pyjamas. Went to guides. Had first aid. Rung hand-bells. Got in about 8. Mrs Warren went to see Eileen.

Wednesday 18th October 1944

Got a double load of hay with Silver, we then went over rectory for a load of hay, he would not stand still. It rained off and on all day. Cut up turnip with spade and got in some wood. Got my bike from Slade. Got up chickens P. brought on cows. Laurie, hazel, Jean, mr and Mrs wareham, Hubert, Dennis came to Peggy’s party. We had a good time. Played Bingo till 12.30. Lost 10 ½ d Went to bed about 1.

Thursday 19th October 1944

We put wire round the Kingdown ricks. It was fine but windy. Pulled mangles till 3.30. George parsons died at the Asylum. A yankie lorry went up Dalleston. Got cows. Washed my hair. Wrote some letters. Knitted.

Friday 20th October 1944

It rained hard all morning and off and on all afternoon and evening. Made out straw all morning. Cut kale and did a bit more straw. George came. We all went to a dance at Slade we got wet. Had quite a good time. Evelyn and her parents came up to Bown’s in the car!

Saturday 21st October 1944

It was overcast all day and very miserable. Got hay and kale in the morning. Moved implements and cleaned the yard. Got belt of mac back. Got a letter from Verity. Wrote to her knitted and listened to the wireless.

Sunday 22nd October 1944

Did nothing much in the morning. Went to post. I went down Thrope. Joan Webb was down there. Jim looks awful. I can have Punch off Ted and will keep him. Milked. Pansy knocked off her horn, it bled and bled. Went to church. Grace Gillson was there. Tuckers came in to supper.

Monday 23rd October 1944

Cleaned out stall etc. Calf was very sulky all day. Drew straw all day till 4. Saw Geoff Snook with his cows. Had quite a talk while waiting for a storm to pass under a tree. Finished about 6.30. Wrote out red Cross.

Tuesday 24th October 1944

Spent morning doing odd jobs. Came in at 20 to 1. I had afternoon off. Walked down to frys and co-op. Met Arthur Maidment. Cut across fields to top of Purnell’s hill. Went to Library. Had tea with Grandma. Went to Guides till 7. Mary warren was there. Went to Y.F.C. Meeting Miss madever lectured. Did not leave till 10. Went in Killen’s till 11.30. Got back as 12 struck.

Wednesday 25th October 1944

P. went to Wells all day till 6. Verity is coming on Friday for half-term. I cleaned the stall and a bit of yard and then cut thistles till lunch. It was sunny but overcast, Cut kale and heaped up mangles till 3.45. Got cows. We finished by 5.45. Went to Whist Drive at the hall. Stella won 6 glasses and a jug. A Stone gave me a chewed conker!! It was jolly cold on the way home.

Thursday 26th October 1944

Got up about 7.15. Cleaned stall and yard and then put out kale. Heaped mangles P went up Kingdown to put a rick right, she pulled mangles while I got some hay and the cows. Jack Purnell came with our car and he showed us how to start etc, so we were late. The little heifer jumped the galvanised fence. The claves down Gill’s got out and we did not finish till dark. I was thoroughly bad tempered all evening.

Friday 27th October 1944

Verity came this evening. Peggy and Phyllis went to a dance at Chewton with Joyce. Verity and I had supper with Grandma. E went to bed early and ‘gassed’.

Saturday 28th October 1944

Pulled mangles all day. Went to a dance at Slade it was not very interesting. Wore V’s nice grey costume it fits me perfectly. Laurie did the Paddy Glide between verity and I. Got home about 12.30. Grandma went to Norton for 2 weeks.

Sunday 29th October 1944

Went down Jim’s with V. Spoke to Gordon. He was using the circular saw. Knitted till 3.30. Got cows. Went to church. Mrs Warren stalked into church like a thunder cloud.

Monday 30th October 1944

Pulled mangles all day. P went to Farrington. Calf went. Went up Wareham’s for paper. Knitted

Tuesday 31st October 1944

Verity went back with Mr Wareham. Basil and Norman came to Shepton Hospital today. Got a load of hay and kale. I cut the kale. Had afternoon off. Washed up. Went to library. Lit the fire and got the tea. Wrote and undid  belt to lengthen pink dress. Went to Guides. Stayed till 8 hand-bell ringing. Hazel and I took the gramophone over to school, she was on about ghosts all along by the church. We had to get Mrs. Martin to open the school door. Called in Wareham’s for Jean.