Growing Up

My first bush with romance came after a village dance I had attended with a lad, I can’t remember who asked who, him or I.

The final act of the drama came when he threw down his bike after the dance, grabbed hold of me and kissed me and was off on his bike before I really knew what was happening. He was a really nice boy and I saw him several times after I left the big house but it was never anything serious. I wanted to see more of life.

A regular visitor to the house was the local Vicar. He had lunch with the family once a week. From time to time the younger staff were asked if they would like to be confirmed. Parents had to be asked of course. Being one the youngest at the time, I was asked along with the Scullery maid if I would like to be confirmed. I was thrilled and wrote to ask my parents where and when I had been christened. Back came the answer, "you haven’t. As a child we had been given the choice of Welsh Chapel or Salvation Army to go to Sunday school.

I chose the Salvation Army simply because they gave us a good time, parties, outings and fun and games.

And so now I had to get myself christened. This was done after Sunday school with the rest of the babies. We really got some stick from the rest of the staff because of this.

The big day arrived. We were found a couple of white frocks and had some veils made up to match. We were chauffeur driven to the church and her Ladyship gave us a white Prayer Book each, still one of my treasured possessions. My daughter carried this Prayer Book on her wedding day.