Summer Time

There was little to keep us busy during the Winter Months and so we always made the most of the summer months.

The family were away for a month during the summer. They normally went to Scotland for the fishing. It was during this month that the house was spring-cleaned. Those left behind for this month were put on board wages. The head parlour maid was in charge of the catering and cash for the upstairs maids and the Housekeeper looked after the catering for the kitchen staff.

One good thing was that we didn’t have to get up so early in the morning, but we worked through until teatime. As it was Summer time we made the most of the good weather during our time off.

We were allowed to swim in the lake, play tennis, and do almost any thing we wanted. We ate exceedingly well during this time.

There where always plenty of garden produce delivered to us from around the estate. At the end of the month we received a very acceptable bonus from the board wages.

I did very well from one of the young gardeners. He would bring me large quantities of whatever fruit was in season, when the Head Gardener wasn’t looking of course. I could hear the carts coming up the driveway and always made sure I was around at the right time. So when he at last plucked up the courage to ask me to go to the village dance with him I was most pleased.

Although I said yes, I still had to get permission from the Head Housemaid and I also had to get a dress from somewhere. I did not possess anything good enough for my first dance.

My sister Jennie came to the rescue and supplied me with a red silk Charleston type frock. I felt really grown up for the first time in my life. This frock ended up going backwards and forwards in the post between my sister and I until I could get my own.

Not having much pocket money of my own, I was sent clothes by my mother from home. All the hand me downs from friends and relations, which to my young mind were a bit ‘Honky Tonk’.