Seward House
Badsey
Evesham
Nov 20/07
My dear May,
I must write my letter this evening to send you many good wishes for your birthday on 22nd – many happy returns of the day. Mother and I are sending you the enclosed brooch which came through Aunt Susan and evidently belonged originally to your great grandmother Mourilyan for it was in her work-box with other of her belongings, the brooch bears no inscription but I think it more than probable that the hair contained in it is that of her husband, your great grandfather, who died nearly 100 years ago. I sent Jack a gold ring, “in memory of Joseph Noakes” the father of the before mentioned old lady, this also is an old family relic as he died at Goss Hall in 1820.
Juliet has had a very happy birthday and several letters and many presents, as usual, she is going to write to you and will probably like to commemorate them herself. We are going to give Ethel a blouse and an umbrella, selected by Kathleen, has arrived already.
Mother’s cough is better but she has not been outdoors yet.
Aunt Lottie and Maidie go up to London to-morrow where they are to stay a fortnight I hear. Marion has gone to stay at Clifton for a few days. Uncle Frank although stronger and much more himself has had two fits recently, of an epileptic nature they think, but he has rapidly recovered from them.
Evesham is recovering from the excitement of the French Royal wedding, it was quite an unique experience for a small town to have such an influx of grand people, Ethel and I saw the King of Spain well as he was in an open car and she with some other friends got a good view of him the following day (Saturday) and also of the Queen of Spain and other notabilities. I suppose really the most imposing sight was the arrival of the special train on the wedding morning, when the guests, many in uniform, went off to Wood Norton from the station in about 50 fine motor cars.
Old Wilson’s house was bought by his nephew Mr Wingfield who hopes I believe gradually to put it in better order, we heard the butcher wanted it for a shop and are glad to find the poor old manor house is not to come down to that.
I think I must leave any other items of news for other pens.
With much love to you my dear girl
I am ever
your affectionate Father
Julius Sladden
